US20110235256A1 - Electronic device - Google Patents
Electronic device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20110235256A1 US20110235256A1 US13/102,681 US201113102681A US2011235256A1 US 20110235256 A1 US20110235256 A1 US 20110235256A1 US 201113102681 A US201113102681 A US 201113102681A US 2011235256 A1 US2011235256 A1 US 2011235256A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- electronic device
- face
- projection
- digit
- operation buttons
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- H05K5/00—Casings, cabinets or drawers for electric apparatus
- H05K5/0017—Casings, cabinets or drawers for electric apparatus with operator interface units
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
- G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
- G06F1/1613—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers
- G06F1/1626—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
- G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
- G06F1/1613—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers
- G06F1/1633—Constructional details or arrangements of portable computers not specific to the type of enclosures covered by groups G06F1/1615 - G06F1/1626
- G06F1/1656—Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
- G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
- G06F1/1613—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers
- G06F1/1633—Constructional details or arrangements of portable computers not specific to the type of enclosures covered by groups G06F1/1615 - G06F1/1626
- G06F1/1662—Details related to the integrated keyboard
- G06F1/1671—Special purpose buttons or auxiliary keyboards, e.g. retractable mini keypads, keypads or buttons that remain accessible at closed laptop
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an electronic device capable of processing various types of information.
- Patent Document 1 JP2002-6988A
- Patent Document 2 JP2003-198703A
- Patent Document 1 a configuration in which an operating unit to which major functions of an electronic device are assigned is disposed on a front side of the casing of the device and an operating unit to which auxiliary functions are assigned is disposed on another side (e.g. back side) is disclosed.
- Patent Document 2 a configuration in which operation buttons respectively are disposed on both sides of a mobile phone is disclosed.
- An electronic device of the present invention includes a casing that has been formed to be box-shaped including a front casing and a back casing, a display unit that is disposed on a front main face of the front casing and on which visual information converted from an information signal can be displayed, and a main operating unit that is disposed near the display unit.
- a peripheral projection projecting in a direction perpendicular to the front main face is provided on a peripheral edge portion of the front main face, and the peripheral projection is formed so that a height in the perpendicular direction is greater than that of the main operating unit with respect to the front main face.
- the present invention even when the device is placed in a manner such that a side on which a main operating unit and/or sub-operating unit is disposed faces a flat surface of a desk or the like, erroneous operation of the operating unit caused by the self-weight of the device can be suppressed.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the external appearance of an electronic device according to Embodiment 1.
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the external appearance of an electronic device according to Embodiment 1.
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a Z-Z portion in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 4 is a side view of an electronic device viewed from the direction indicated by an arrow X in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a Y-Y portion in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a state in which a user is holding an electronic device according to Embodiment 1.
- FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a state in which a user is holding an electronic device according to Embodiment 1.
- FIG. 8 is a side view showing a state in which a user is holding an electronic device according to Embodiment 1.
- FIG. 9 is a side view of an electronic device viewed from the direction indicated by an arrow U in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a W-W portion in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the external appearance of an electronic device according to Embodiment 2.
- FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the external appearance of an electronic device according to Embodiment 2.
- FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a back operation button.
- FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a Z-Z portion in FIG. 13 .
- FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a state in which a user is holding an electronic device according to Embodiment 2.
- FIG. 16 is a plan view showing a state in which a user is holding an electronic device according to Embodiment 2.
- FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the external appearance of another example of an electronic device according to Embodiment 2.
- An electronic device of the present invention includes a casing that has been formed to be box-shaped including a front casing and a back casing, a display unit that is disposed on a front main face of the front casing and on which visual information converted from an information signal can be displayed, and a main operating unit that is disposed near the display unit.
- a peripheral projection projecting in a direction perpendicular to the front main face is provided on a peripheral edge portion of the front main face, and the peripheral projection is formed so that a height in the perpendicular direction is greater than that of the main operating unit with respect to the front main face.
- the electronic device of the present invention can be configured so that the front casing includes bowed portions formed so as to be bowed inward toward the display unit that are respectively formed on a pair of sides facing each other that form a peripheral edge constituting a perimeter of the front main face.
- the position of a hand holding the device can be stably maintained on the bowed portion.
- the electronic device can be restricted from shifting in the surface direction of the front main face, and the electronic device can be prevented from being accidentally dropped.
- the electronic device of the present invention can be configured so as to include a sub-operating unit that is disposed on the back casing, and a surrounding projection that is formed around the sub-operating unit in a projecting manner in a direction perpendicular to a back main face of the back casing parallel to the front main face, and the two sub-operating units respectively are disposed as a pair close to a pair of end sides facing each other on the back main face.
- the position of the surrounding projection can be distinguished by touching it with a fingertip, and the position of the sub-operating unit can be distinguished. Accordingly, the sub-operating unit can be operated by touch.
- the surrounding projection even when the electronic device is placed in a manner such that the back main face faces a desk or the like, erroneous operation of the sub-operating unit caused by the self-weight of the electronic device can be prevented.
- the electronic device of the present invention can be configured so that the sub-operating unit includes a projecting portion near a central portion of an operating surface for operating the sub-operating unit, the projecting portion being formed higher than the operating surface.
- the electronic device of the present invention can be configured so that the surrounding projection includes a top portion formed so as to be higher than the operating surface of the sub-operating unit with respect to the back main face or higher than the projecting portion.
- the electronic device of the present invention can be configured so that a same function is assigned to the sub-operating units disposed as a pair. With this configuration, the electronic device can be held with one hand and operated, and erroneous operation (pressing a wrong button) will not occur even when the device is held with both hands.
- the electronic device of the present invention can be configured so that the back casing includes a recessed surface portion sunken in a depressed manner with respect to the back main face that is formed on a substantially central portion of the back main face facing the front main face.
- the electronic device of the present invention can be configured so that the front casing includes bowed portions bowed inward that are formed on a pair of lateral sides facing each other that form a peripheral edge constituting a perimeter of the front main face, the back casing includes a recessed surface portion sunken in a depressed manner with respect to a back main face, that is formed on a substantially central portion of the back main face opposite the front main face, and the casing includes a flat portion on an area on the front main face with which a first digit can be in contact when at least the ends of a second digit, third digit, fourth digit, and fifth digit of an operator are positioned on the recessed surface portion, at least a palm of the operator is positioned so as to be in contact with or opposing the bowed portion and at least an end of the first digit of the operator is positioned so as to be in contact with the front main face.
- the flat portion does not include the main operating unit, sub-operating unit, display unit or the like, erroneous operation of the main operating unit and/or sub-operating unit caused by contact with the first digit by chance can be prevented, and the first digit can be prevented from covering at least one portion of the display unit. Furthermore, when either of the main operating unit and sub-operating unit is not operated, what is known as a home position in which the first digit is in contact with the flat portion can be taken.
- FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of the external appearance of an electronic device according to the present embodiment.
- FIG. 1 mainly shows the configuration of a front side.
- FIG. 2 mainly shows the configuration of a back side.
- An electronic device 1 of the present embodiment is an example of a PDA in which a processing unit such as a central processing unit and a storage unit, such as a semiconductor memory capable of storing information, are provided.
- the electronic device 1 includes a liquid crystal monitor 2 (display unit), operation buttons 3 (main operating unit), auxiliary operation buttons 4 a to 4 e (main operating unit) and back operation buttons 5 a and 5 b (sub-operating unit).
- the outer cover of the electronic device 1 is formed with a casing that may be constituted of six sides composed of flat or curved surfaces.
- a front face 1 a is disposed on the liquid crystal monitor 2 and operation buttons 3 .
- a back face 1 b is back side of the front face 1 a.
- a top face 1 c is a side that adjoins the front face 1 a and the back face 1 b , and is an upper side in FIGS. 1 and 2 .
- a bottom face 1 d is a side opposite the top face 1 c .
- a left lateral face 1 e is a side that adjoins the front face 1 a , the back face 1 b , the top face 1 c and the bottom face 1 d , and is a left side in FIG. 1 .
- a right lateral face 1 f is a side opposite the left lateral face 1 e .
- the electronic device 1 is small and light enough to be held easily by a user with one or both hands.
- left lateral face 1 e and right lateral face 1 f are formed so that their substantially central portions in the longitudinal direction are bowed inward toward an interior of the electronic device 1 .
- the casing is formed in a box shape by connecting a front casing to a back casing (not shown).
- a display control microcomputer contained in the processing unit in the electronic device 1 can display various types of information on the liquid crystal monitor 2 .
- the size of the available display area of the liquid crystal monitor 2 is approximately seven inches.
- a display panel having a touch panel function with which prescribed operations can be performed by pressing a display surface is used as the liquid crystal monitor 2 in the present embodiment, a display panel that only performs a display function may also be used.
- the liquid crystal monitor 2 is mounted as a display unit in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to a liquid crystal monitor as long as a display unit is used that can at least display information, such as an organic EL display (EL: electronic luminescence).
- EL organic EL display
- the operation buttons 3 are constituted from a plurality of buttons with which the alphabet and the Japanese language, and the like, which are generally used on, e.g., a keyboard of a personal computer, can be input. Although only push-button-type operation buttons are disposed in the present embodiment, the present invention may include a lever-type operating unit, a ball-type operating unit and the like.
- the auxiliary operation buttons 4 a and 4 b are disposed on a side closer to the left lateral face 1 e with respect to the liquid crystal monitor 2 . Further, an area A 1 (one example of a flat portion of the present invention) on which at least a first digit of a user can be positioned is provided between the auxiliary operation buttons 4 a and 4 b . Various types of operation buttons are not disposed on the area A 1 .
- the auxiliary operation buttons 4 c to 4 e are disposed on a side closer to the right lateral face 1 f with respect to the liquid crystal monitor 2 .
- an area A 2 (one example of a flat portion of the present invention) on which at least a first digit of a user can be positioned is provided between the auxiliary operation buttons 4 d and 4 e .
- Various types of operation buttons are not disposed on the area A 2 .
- light emitting diodes capable of displaying information on the electronic device 1 , such as a power-on state, a remaining battery level and a state of access to a storage unit, can be disposed near the area A 1 or A 2 .
- the state of luminescence of the light emitting diodes easily can be viewed because a first digit does not cover the light emitting diodes when a user holds the electronic device 1 with one or both hands.
- the back operation buttons 5 a and 5 b are disposed respectively on portions close to the left and right ends of the back face 1 b . Different functions may be respectively assigned to the back operation buttons 5 a and 5 b or the same function may be assigned. In the present embodiment, the same function is assigned respectively to the back operation buttons 5 a and 5 b.
- a processing unit such as a central processing unit, and a storage unit, such as a semiconductor memory capable of storing various types of information, are provided in the electronic device 1 , and the processing unit can perform prescribed information processing when the operating unit, such as the operation buttons 3 , is operated by a user. Further, in the electronic device 1 , the results of processing in the processing unit can be displayed on a display unit, such as the liquid crystal monitor 2 :
- a peripheral projection 11 is formed along a peripheral edge portion of the front face 1 a as shown in FIG. 1 .
- the peripheral projection 11 includes a first projection 11 w , a second projection 11 x , a third projection 11 y , and a fourth projection 11 z .
- the first projection 11 w , second projection 11 x , third projection 11 y , and fourth projection 11 z are connected to each other.
- the first projection 11 w is a portion formed along the peripheral edge portion of the front face 1 a that adjoins the top face 1 c .
- the second projection 11 x is a portion formed along the peripheral edge portion of the front face 1 a that adjoins the bottom face 1 d .
- the third projection 11 y is a portion formed along the peripheral edge portion of the front face 1 a that adjoins the left lateral face 1 e .
- the fourth projection 11 z is a portion formed along the peripheral edge portion of the front face 1 a that adjoins the right lateral face 1 f.
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device 1 and shows a cross section of a Z-Z portion in FIG. 1 .
- a height H 1 of the peripheral projection 11 is formed so as to be greater than a height H 2 of the entire operating portion disposed at least on the front face 1 a (only auxiliary operation buttons 4 a and 4 d are shown in FIG. 3 ) in a non-operational state. Consequently, when the electronic device 1 is placed on a desk or the like, even if it is placed in a manner such that the front face 1 a faces a flat surface of the desk, the top of the peripheral projection 11 comes into contact with the flat surface, and the top of the operating portion disposed on the front face 1 a does not come into contact with the flat surface. Thus, erroneous operation of the operating portion disposed on the front face 1 a caused by the self-weight of the electronic device 1 is prevented.
- the top of the peripheral projection 11 refers to the highest portion of the peripheral projection 11 in the direction perpendicular to the front face 1 a of the casing with respect to the front face 1 a .
- the top of the operating portion refers to the highest portion of the operation buttons 3 and auxiliary operation buttons 4 a to 4 e in the direction perpendicular to the front face 1 a of the casing with respect to the front face 1 a.
- the peripheral projection 11 is formed so as to have a greater height than a surface 2 a of the liquid crystal monitor 2 . Accordingly, even if the electronic device 1 is placed in a manner such that the front face 1 a faces a flat surface of a desk, the surface 2 a of the liquid crystal monitor 2 does not come into contact with the flat surface while the peripheral projection 11 comes into contact with the flat surface. Consequently, scratching of the surface 2 a of the liquid crystal monitor 2 or damage to the liquid crystal monitor 2 , caused by pressure due to the self-weight of the electronic device 1 , can be prevented.
- the peripheral projection 11 can be formed with a resin or a metal, it is preferable to form the peripheral projection 11 using an elastic material such as rubber.
- an elastic material such as rubber.
- the peripheral projection 11 can reduce the fatigue that a user feels when holding the device for a long time by dispersing the pressure on the user's hand.
- a resin material having elastomeric properties can be used as a material for the peripheral projection 11 .
- the height of the peripheral projection 11 is determined so that the top of the operating portion does not come into contact with a flat surface when the electronic device 1 is placed in a manner such that the front face 1 a faces such a flat surface.
- the height of the peripheral projection 11 may be determined so that a switch element disposed inside or under the operating portion can be prevented from operating.
- FIG. 4 is a side view of the electronic device 1 viewed from the direction indicated by an arrow U in FIG. 1 .
- a central portion 11 a in the longitudinal direction can be formed to have a difference in height (height H 3 ) with respect to an end portion 11 b in a longitudinal direction.
- the central portion 11 a is formed to have the same height as that of other portions of the peripheral projection 11 (second projection 11 x , third projection 11 y , and fourth projection 11 z ), and the end portion 11 b is formed to have a lower height than the central portion 11 a and other portions of the peripheral projection 11 .
- configuration is not limited to one embodiment in which the central portion 11 a and end portion lib of the first projection 11 w are formed so as to have different heights as shown in FIG. 4 .
- a central portion and an end portion of the third projection 11 y may be formed so as to have different heights.
- a central portion and an end portion of the fourth projection 11 z may be formed so as to have different heights.
- the peripheral projection 11 may be formed along the entire peripheral edge portion of the front face 1 a , the peripheral projection 11 functions similarly if it is formed along at least three sides of the peripheral edge portion of the front face 1 a .
- the peripheral projection 11 functions similarly if it is formed along at least three sides of the peripheral edge portion of the front face 1 a .
- the first projection 11 w , the third projection 11 y , and the fourth projection 11 z are formed so as to have the same height, and the second projection 11 x is formed so as to have a lower height than the first projection 11 w and the like.
- FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a Y-Y portion in FIG. 1 .
- the height H 5 of the second projection 11 x (height from the surface of the liquid crystal monitor 2 to the top of the second projection 11 x ) is lower than the height H 4 of the first projection 11 w (height from the surface of the liquid crystal monitor 2 to the top of the first projection 11 w ).
- the electronic device 1 can be operated in a state in which it is placed on a desk or the like, and also in a state where it is held with one or both hands.
- FIG. 6 shows a state in which the electronic device 1 is held with both hands viewed from the front side.
- FIG. 7 shows a state in which the electronic device 1 is held with both hands viewed from the back side.
- FIG. 8 shows a state in which the electronic device 1 is held with both hands viewed from the top face 1 c side (direction indicated by the arrow U in FIG. 1 ).
- the back face 1 b includes holding portions 12 a and 12 b in positions close to the left lateral face 1 e and the right lateral face 1 f , respectively.
- the holding portions 12 a and 12 b are preferably formed as curved surfaces. This improves grip-ability because the holding portions 12 a and 12 b conform better to the fingers of a left hand 21 and a right hand 22 , respectively.
- the holding portions 12 a and 12 b can also be formed as flat surfaces.
- a boundary portion between the holding portion 12 a and the left lateral face 1 e and a boundary portion between the holding portion 12 b and the right lateral face 1 f are also preferably formed as curved surfaces. This improves grip-ability because the boundary portions conform better to portions close to the bases of the fingers and the palms of the left hand 21 and the right hand 22 .
- a depressed portion 13 is formed between the holding portions 12 a and 12 b in a depressed shape in the direction perpendicular to the back face 1 b .
- the depressed portion 13 includes an inner surface 13 a adjoining the holding portion 12 a and an inner surface 13 b adjoining the holding portion 12 b .
- a boundary portion between the inner surface 13 a and the holding portion 12 a and a boundary portion between the inner surface 13 b and holding portion 12 b preferably are formed as curved surfaces. This improves grip-ability because the boundary portions conform better to portions close to the ends of the fingers of the left hand 21 and the right hand 22 .
- the inner surfaces 13 a and 13 b are formed so as to be inclined by an angle of F degrees with respect to a line segment parallel to the short side of the liquid crystal monitor 2 .
- the palm of the left hand is in contact with a bowed portion 1 g of the left lateral face 1 e of the electronic device 1 ;
- a second digit 21 b index finger
- third digit 21 c middle finger
- fourth digit 21 d ring finger
- fifth digit 21 e little finger
- a first digit 21 a is positioned on the front face 1 a.
- the ends of the second digit 21 b to the fifth digit 21 e are in contact with the inner surface 13 a of the depressed portion 13 when the electronic device 1 is held with the left hand 21 .
- the electronic device 1 is restricted from shifting in a direction that would allow it to leave the hand, so the possibility of accidently dropping the electronic device 1 can be reduced.
- the auxiliary operation button 4 a and the like can be operated with the first digit 21 a of the left hand 21 , and the operation buttons 3 , a touch-panel-type liquid crystal monitor 2 and the like can be operated with the right hand 22 , because the right hand 22 is not holding any portions of the electronic device 1 .
- a second digit 22 b , a third digit 22 c , a fourth digit 22 d , and a fifth digit 22 e of the right hand 22 are positioned on the holding portion 12 b on the back face 1 b of the electronic device 1 ; and a first digit 22 a is positioned on the front face 1 a .
- the auxiliary operation button 4 c and the like can be operated with the first digit 22 a of the right hand 22 , and the operation buttons 3 , a touch-panel-type liquid crystal monitor 2 and the like can be operated with the left hand 21 , because the left hand 21 is not holding any portions of the electronic device 1 .
- the electronic device 1 When the electronic device 1 is held with both hands as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 , it is held in a state in which the palm of the left hand 21 is in contact with the bowed portion 1 g of the left lateral face 1 e of the electronic device 1 ; the second digit 21 b , third digit 21 c , fourth digit 21 d , and fifth digit 21 e are positioned on the holding portion 12 a on the back face 1 b of the electronic device 1 ; and the first digit 21 a is positioned on the front face 1 a .
- a portion near the end of the first digit 21 a preferably is positioned on the area A 1 , so that the erroneous operation of various types of operation buttons can be prevented.
- the electronic device 1 also is held in a state in which the palm of the right hand 22 is in contact with a bowed portion 1 h of the right lateral face 1 f of the electronic device 1 ; the second digit 22 b , third digit 22 c , fourth digit 22 d , and fifth digit 22 e are positioned on the holding portion 12 b on the back face 1 b of the electronic device 1 ; and the first digit 22 a is positioned on the front face 1 a .
- a portion near the end of the first digit 22 a preferably is positioned on the area A 2 , so that the erroneous operation of various types of operation buttons can be prevented.
- the back operation button 5 a can be operated with the second digit 21 b of the left hand 21
- the back operation button 5 b can be operated with the second digit 22 b of the right hand 22 .
- the peripheral projection 11 along the peripheral edge portion of the front face 1 a , when the electronic device 1 is handheld, the part of the first digit of the left hand 21 between the distal end of the palm side and a portion near the first knuckle (finger segment between the first knuckle and the end of the finger) becomes capable of contacting the third projection 11 y as shown in FIG. 8 . Also, part of the first digit of the right hand 22 between the distal end of the palm side and a portion near the first knuckle (finger segment between the first knuckle and the end of the finger) becomes capable of contacting the fourth projection 11 z .
- the first digit 21 a fits around the third projection 11 y , and the electronic device 1 is restricted from shifting in the direction indicated by an arrow B (see FIG. 8 ) with respect to the left hand 21 .
- the first digit 22 a fits around the fourth projection 11 z , and the electronic device 1 is restricted from shifting in the direction indicated by an arrow C (see FIG. 8 ) with respect to the right hand 22 .
- the possibility of accidentally dropping the electronic device 1 can be reduced, because the electronic device 1 is restricted from shifting in a direction that would allow it to leave the hand.
- the ends of the second digit to the fifth digit come into contact with the inner surface 13 a or 13 b of the depressed portion 13 on the back face 1 b of the electronic device 1 . Then, when the electronic device 1 is held with one hand, the electronic device 1 is restricted from shifting in a direction that would allow it to leave the hand (direction indicated by the arrow B or C in FIG. 8 ), and the possibility of accidentally dropping the electronic device 1 can be reduced. That is, by forming the peripheral projection 11 , holding portions 12 a and 12 b and depressed portion 13 , the electronic device 1 can be reliably held.
- the inner surfaces 13 a and 13 b are formed so as to be inclined by an angle of F degrees with respect to a line segment parallel to the short side of the liquid crystal monitor 2 .
- the ends of the second digits 21 b and 22 b , third digits 21 c and 22 c , fourth digits 21 d and 22 d , and fifth digits 21 e and 22 e can come into contact with the inner surfaces 13 a and 13 b , with the left hand 21 and right hand 22 in a comfortable position, as shown in FIG. 7 .
- the electronic device 1 would be held with the left hand 21 and right hand 22 in an uncomfortable position.
- the fifth digits 21 e and 22 e can reliably come into contact with the inner surfaces 13 a and 13 b , and the electronic device 1 can be held in a comfortable position.
- FIG. 9 is a side view of the electronic device 1 viewed from the direction indicated by an arrow X in FIG. 1 .
- a central portion 11 c in the longitudinal direction can be formed so as to have a difference in height (height H 6 ) relative to an end portion 11 d in the longitudinal direction.
- the height of the central portion 11 c is the same as that to the top of the first projection 11 w and second projection 11 x .
- the end portion 11 d is formed so as to be lower than the central portion 11 c and the top of the first projection 11 w and second projection 11 x by the height H 6 .
- the first knuckle of the first digit is positioned on the front face 1 a
- a second knuckle is positioned nearly on the central portion 11 c
- a thenar is positioned on the end portion 11 d . That is, by making the peripheral projection 11 uneven (central portion 11 c and end portion 11 d ) in accordance with the unevenness of the first digit and the thenar of the hand, the first digit can be positioned comfortably on the electronic device 1 , and grip-ability can be improved.
- FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the relevant parts of the peripheral projection 11 and shows a cross section of a W-W portion in FIG. 1 .
- the cross-sectional shape of the peripheral projection 11 forms a circular arc with a radius of constant curvature, it is still effective in improving grip-ability when holding the device and/or preventing erroneous operation of the operation buttons.
- the cross-sectional shape is formed as shown in FIG. 10 , its effectiveness will be increased.
- the peripheral projection 11 shown in FIG. 10 includes a face 11 e adjoining the front face 1 a that forms a concave circular arc and a face 11 f adjoining the left lateral face 1 e that forms a convex circular arc.
- curvature radii of the surfaces 11 e and 11 f may be the same or different.
- the peripheral projection 11 higher than at least the various types of operation buttons disposed on the front face 1 a , even when the electronic device 1 is placed on a desk or the like in a manner such that the front face 1 a faces a flat surface of the desk, the operation buttons will not be pressed or operated by the self-weight of the electronic device 1 , and erroneous operation can be prevented.
- the electronic device 1 may be placed in a manner such that the front face 1 a faces a desk or the like when the opening/closing cover is opened/closed. At this time, the peripheral projection 11 comes into contact with the desk or the like.
- the operation buttons will not be pressed or operated by the self-weight of the electronic device 1 , and erroneous operation of the operation buttons can be prevented.
- peripheral projection 11 higher than at least the various types of operation buttons disposed on the front face 1 a , even when the electronic device 1 is placed on a desk or the like in a manner such that the front face 1 a faces a flat surface of the desk, a space can be formed between the liquid crystal monitor 2 and the desk, and scratching of the surface 2 a of the liquid crystal monitor 2 , or the like, can be prevented.
- the peripheral projection 11 on a portion on which the first digit is positioned when the electronic device 1 is handheld, the first digit can fit around the peripheral projection 11 when holding the electronic device 1 , and the possibility of accidentally dropping the electronic device 1 can be reduced.
- the bowed portions 1 g and 1 h that are formed bowed inward toward the interior of the electronic device 1 to the left lateral face 1 e and right lateral face 1 f , respectively, the bowed portions 1 g and 1 h conform to the user's palms when the electronic device 1 is handheld, and grip-ability can be improved.
- the electronic device 1 can be restricted from shifting in the directions indicated by arrows D and E (see FIG. 1 ) when the device is held, and the possibility that the electronic device 1 could slip out of the hands and accidentally be dropped can be reduced.
- the present invention can also be applied to any device that a user can hold and operate.
- the present invention is useful for personal computers; drives in which a disk medium such as a DVD and the like can be mounted; portable disk players including a hard disk drive and the like; portable navigation systems; medical terminals in which nurses and the like collect inspection data to check the daily condition of a patient; and the like, for example.
- the liquid crystal monitor 2 in the present embodiment is an example of a display unit of the present invention.
- the operation buttons 3 and auxiliary operation buttons 4 a to 4 e are also examples of main operating units.
- the back operation buttons 5 a and 5 b are also examples of sub-operating units.
- the front face 1 a of the casing is also an example of a front main face of the present invention.
- the back face 1 b of the casing is also an example of a back main face of the present invention.
- the peripheral projection 11 is also an example of a peripheral projection of the present invention.
- the bowed portions 1 g and 1 h are also examples of bowed portions of the present invention.
- the depressed portion 13 is also an example of a recessed surface portion of the present invention.
- the areas A 1 and A 2 are also examples of flat portions of the present invention.
- FIGS. 11 and 12 are perspective views of the external appearance of an electronic device in the present embodiment.
- FIG. 11 mainly shows a configuration of a front side.
- FIG. 12 mainly shows a configuration of a back side.
- An electronic device 101 of the present embodiment is an example of a PDA in which a processing unit, such as a central processing unit, and a storage unit, such as a semiconductor memory capable of storing information, are provided.
- the electronic device 101 includes a liquid crystal monitor 102 (display unit), operation buttons 103 (main operating unit), auxiliary operation buttons 104 a to 104 e (main operating, unit) and back operation buttons 105 a and 105 b (sub-operating unit).
- the outer cover of the electronic device 101 is formed with a casing constituted of six sides composed of flat or curved surfaces.
- a side on which the liquid crystal monitor 102 and operation buttons 103 are disposed is defined as a front face 101 a ;
- a back side of the front face 101 a is defined as a back face 101 b ;
- a side adjoining the front face 101 a and back face 101 b is an upper side in FIGS.
- 11 and 12 is defined as a top face 101 c ; a side opposite the top face 101 c is defined as a bottom face 101 d ; a side that adjoins the front face 101 a , back face 101 b , top face 101 c , and bottom face 101 d , and is a left side in FIG. 11 is defined as a left lateral face 101 e ; and a side opposite the left lateral face 101 e is defined as a right lateral face 101 f .
- the electronic device 101 is small and light enough to be held easily by a user with one or both hands. Further, the left lateral face 101 e and right lateral face 101 f are formed so that their substantially central portions in the longitudinal direction are bowed inward toward the interior of the electronic device 101 .
- a display control microcomputer contained in the processing unit in the electronic device 101 can display various types of information on the liquid crystal monitor 102 .
- the size of the available display area of the liquid crystal monitor 102 is approximately seven inches.
- a display panel having a touch panel function with which prescribed operations can be performed by pressing a display surface is used as the liquid crystal monitor 102 in the present embodiment, a display panel that only performs a display function also may be used.
- the liquid crystal monitor 102 is mounted as a display unit in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to a liquid crystal monitor as long as a display unit is used that at least can display information such as an organic EL display.
- the operation buttons 103 are constituted from a plurality of buttons with which the alphabet and hiragana syllabary, and the like, which generally are used on, e.g., a keyboard of a personal computer, can be input.
- the present invention may include a lever-type operating unit, a ball-type operating unit and the like.
- the auxiliary operation buttons 104 a and 104 b are disposed on a side closer to the left lateral face 101 e with respect to the liquid crystal monitor 102 . Further, an area A 1 (one example of a flat portion of the present invention) on which at least a first digit of a user can be positioned is provided between the auxiliary operation buttons 104 a and 104 b . Various types of operation buttons are not disposed on the area A 1 .
- the auxiliary operation buttons 104 c to 104 e are disposed on a side closer to the right lateral face 101 f with respect to the liquid crystal monitor 102 .
- an area A 2 (one example of a flat portion of the present invention) on which at least a first digit of a user can be positioned is provided between the auxiliary operation buttons 104 d and 104 e .
- Various types of operation buttons are not disposed on the area A 2 .
- light emitting diodes capable of displaying information on the electronic device 101 , such as a power-on state, a remaining battery level and an access state of a storage unit, can be disposed near the area A 1 or A 2 .
- a luminescent state of the light emitting diodes can be viewed easily because a first digit can be prevented from covering light emitting diodes when a user holds the electronic device 101 with one or both hands.
- a bar code reader 106 includes a light emitting unit that emits infrared rays and a light receiving unit that can receive infrared rays reflected by a bar code (not shown).
- An imaging unit 107 includes a built-in image-taking device such as a CCD imaging sensor and can take a picture of a subject image and the like.
- a processing unit such as a central processing unit, and a storage unit, such as a semiconductor memory capable of storing various types of information, are provided in the electronic device 101 , and the processing unit can perform prescribed information processing when the operating unit such as the operation buttons 103 is operated by a user. Further, the results of processing in the processing unit can be displayed on a display unit such as the liquid crystal monitor 102 .
- a back operation button 105 a is disposed on the back face 101 b close to the left lateral face 101 e .
- a back operation button 105 b also is disposed on the back face 101 b close to right lateral face 101 f . It is assumed that the electronic device 101 of the present embodiment is held with one or both hands and used (described below); thus, the back operation button 105 a is disposed in a position such that it can be operated well with a left hand, and the back operation button 105 b is disposed in a position such that it can be operated well with a right hand.
- the shape of the back operation buttons 105 a and 105 b may be a perfect circle, but may also be an oval as shown in FIG. 12 .
- the back face 101 b does not include an operating unit other than the back operation buttons 105 a and 105 b . If the back face 101 b includes another operating unit, the other operating unit preferably has a different shape or size from that of the back operation buttons 105 a and 105 b . With this configuration, a user can identify or distinguish a desired operating unit by touching it with a fingertip without looking at the back face 101 b.
- a trigger function of the bar code reader 106 is assigned to the back operation buttons 105 a and 105 b . That is, by operating the back operation button 105 a or 105 b , a control circuit in the electronic device 101 is put into operation, and the bar code reader 106 disposed on the top face 101 c can be caused to read a bar code (not shown).
- FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of the back operation button 105 a .
- FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the back operation button 105 a and a cross section of a Z-Z portion in FIG. 13 . Note that, although only the back operation button 105 a is shown in FIG. 13 , the back operation button 105 b has the same configuration and will not be illustrated or described in detail.
- the back operation button 105 a is disposed in an opening portion 151 formed on the back face 101 b .
- the shape of the opening portion 151 is formed so as to be similar to that of the back operation button 105 a and is oval in the present embodiment.
- the back operation button 105 a disposed in the opening portion 151 is shiftable in the directions indicated by arrows A and B.
- the back operation button 105 a When the back operation button 105 a is not pressed or operated, it is positioned as shown in FIG. 14 .
- the back operation button 105 a shifts in the direction indicated by the arrow A from the position shown in FIG. 14 .
- the bottom of the back operation button 105 a presses a switch element 153 disposed in the bottom of the opening portion 151 .
- the back operation button 105 a shifts in the direction indicated by the arrow B, and the position thereof returns to that shown in FIG. 14 .
- a projection 105 c is formed on substantially the center of an operating surface 105 d of the back operation button 105 a .
- the projection 105 c is formed so as to be substantially a quadrangular prism, and the direction of its long side is formed substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the oval back operation button 105 a .
- the projection 105 c is a member used by a user to distinguish the position of the back operation button 105 a by touching it with his/her fingertip.
- the shape of the projection 105 c of the present embodiment is one example, and the shape may be a triangular pole, semi-cylindrical or the like that is at least projecting relative to the surface of the back operation button 105 a .
- the disposed location of the projection 105 c is not limited to the central portion of the operating surface 105 d of the back operation button 105 a.
- a projection 152 projecting in a direction perpendicular to the back face 101 b is formed around the back operation button 105 a on the back face 101 b .
- the projection 152 is formed to surround the perimeter of the back operation button 105 a .
- the projection 152 is not necessarily formed to surround the entire perimeter of the back operation button 105 a .
- a projection can be provided to only a portion adjacent to the long side portion of the oval back operation button 105 a or can be provided to partially surround the perimeter of the back operation button 105 a .
- the shape of the projection 152 is not limited as long as it enables a user to at least distinguish the position by touching it with his/her fingertip when the user cannot see the back face 101 b.
- the projection 152 when the back operation button 105 a is in a state as shown in FIG. 14 (non-operational state), the height of a top portion 152 a with respect to the back face 101 b is the same as or greater than that to the operating surface 105 d or a top portion 105 e of the projection 105 c .
- the top portion 152 a of the projection 152 comes into contact with the flat surface.
- the top portion 105 e of the projection 105 c does not come into contact with the flat surface, or comes into contact with the flat surface by being pressed just to an extent that does not operate the switch element 153 disposed under the back operation button 105 a . Accordingly, since the projection 105 c is not pressed with a large amount of force, the back operation button 105 a can be prevented from being pressed and operated in the direction indicated by the arrow A due to the self-weight of the electronic device 101 , and erroneous operation of the back operation button 105 a can be prevented.
- the electronic device 101 can be operated when it is placed on a desk or the like and also when it is held with one or both hands.
- FIG. 15 shows a state in which the electronic device 101 is held with both hands viewed from the front side.
- FIG. 16 shows a state in which the electronic device 101 is held with both hands viewed from the back side.
- a method for holding the electronic device will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 16 .
- the back face 101 b includes holding portions 112 a and 112 b in positions close to the left lateral face 101 e and the right lateral face 101 f.
- the holding portions 112 a and 112 b preferably are formed as projecting curved surfaces. This configuration improves grip-ability because the holding portions 112 a and 112 b conform better to the fingers of a left hand 121 and a right hand 122 . Note that, the holding portions 112 a and 112 b may also be formed as flat surfaces.
- a boundary portion between the holding portion 112 a and the left lateral face 101 e and a boundary portion between the holding portion 112 b and the right lateral face 101 f preferably are formed as curved surfaces. This configuration improves grip-ability because the boundary portions conform better to portions near the base of the fingers and the palm of the left hand 121 and the right hand 122 .
- a depressed portion 113 is formed as a depressed shape in the direction perpendicular to the back face 101 b with respect to the holding portions 112 a and 112 b .
- the depressed portion 113 includes an inner surface 113 a adjoining the holding portion 112 a and an inner surface 113 b adjoining the holding portion 112 b .
- a boundary portion between the inner surface 113 a and the holding portion 112 a and a boundary portion between the inner surface 113 b and the holding portion 112 b preferably are formed as curved surfaces. This configuration improves grip-ability because the boundary portions conform better to portions close to the ends of the fingers of the left hand 121 and the right hand 122 .
- the palm of the left hand 121 is in contact with a bowed portion 101 g of the left lateral face 101 e of the electronic device 101 ; a second digit 121 b (index finger), third digit 121 c (middle finger), fourth digit 121 d (ring finger) and fifth digit 121 e (little finger) are positioned on the holding portion 112 a on the back face 101 b of the electronic device 101 ; and a first digit 121 a (thumb) is positioned on the front face 101 a .
- the ends of the second digit 121 b to fifth digit 121 e are in contact with the inner surface 113 a of the depressed portion 113 when the electronic device 101 is held with the left hand 121 .
- the electronic device 101 is restricted from shifting in a direction that would allow it to leave the hand, and the electronic device 101 can be prevented from being accidentally dropped.
- the auxiliary operation button 104 a and the like can be operated with the first digit 121 a of the left hand 121 , and the operation buttons 103 and the like can be operated with the right hand 122 , because the right hand 122 is not holding any portions of the electronic device 101 . Also, when the electronic device 101 is held with the right hand 122 , by positioning the fingers of the left hand 121 in a similar position to the above description, the electronic device 101 can be held and operated.
- the electronic device 101 when the electronic device 101 is held with both hands, it is held in a state in which the palm of the left hand 121 is in contact with the bowed portion 101 g of the left lateral face 101 e of the electronic device 101 ; the second digit 121 b , third digit 121 c , fourth digit 121 d and fifth digit 121 e are positioned on the holding portion 112 a on the back face 101 b of the electronic device 101 ; and the first digit 121 a is positioned on the front face 101 a .
- a portion near the end of the first digit 121 a is preferably positioned on the area A 1 , and erroneous operation of various types of operation buttons can be prevented accordingly.
- the electronic device 101 is held in a state in which the palm of the right hand 122 is in contact with a bowed portion 101 h of the right lateral face 101 f of the electronic device 101 ; the second digit 122 b , third digit 122 c , fourth digit 122 d , and fifth digit 122 e are positioned on the holding portion 112 b on the back face 101 b of the electronic device 101 ; and the first digit 122 a is positioned on the front face 101 a .
- a portion near the end of the first digit 122 a is preferably positioned on the area A 2 , and erroneous operation of various types of operation buttons can be prevented accordingly.
- the electronic device 101 When the electronic device 101 is held with both hands, it usually is held in a state in which the second digit 121 b , third digit 121 c , fourth digit 121 d and fifth digit 121 e of the left hand 121 are positioned on the holding portion 112 a ; and the second digit 122 b , third digit 122 c , fourth digit 122 d and fifth digit 122 e of the right hand 122 are positioned on the holding portion 112 b . From this state, the second digit 121 b of the left hand 121 can be shifted onto the back operation button 105 a . Also, the second digit 122 b of the right hand 122 can be shifted onto the back operation button 105 b .
- FIG. 16 shows a state in which the second digit 122 b of the right hand 122 has been shifted onto the back operation button 105 b .
- the back operation button 105 b can be pressed and operated with the second digit 122 b.
- the switch element 153 disposed under the back operation buttons 105 a and/or 105 b is turned on, and a prescribed function is implemented.
- the back operation buttons 105 a and 105 b are respectively assigned to issue the bar code reader 106 with a command to start reading a bar code. Accordingly, by operating at least one of the back operation buttons 105 a and 105 b , the bar code reader 106 is controlled so as to emit infrared rays, and the bar code reader 106 is controlled so as to receive the infrared rays reflected by the bar code.
- buttons 105 a and 105 b are assigned the same function, but may be assigned a different function from each other, respectively.
- the function assigned to the back operation buttons 105 a and 105 b is not limited to a bar code reading command, but may be another function.
- a release button function capable of taking a picture of a subject image and the like using the imaging unit 107 disposed on the electronic device 101 may be assigned.
- the projection 152 around the back operation buttons 105 a and 105 b , even when the electronic device 101 is placed in a manner such that the front face 101 a faces a flat surface of a desk or the like, erroneous operation of the back operation buttons 105 a and 105 b caused by the self-weight of the electronic device 101 can be prevented.
- the back operation buttons 105 a and 105 b are disposed on portions close to the left or right ends respectively of the back face 101 b , even when the electronic device 101 is held with a left hand, a right hand or both hands, the back operation button 105 a or 105 b can be reliably operated. Accordingly, usability can be improved.
- an operating unit (operating pad) disposed on a back side of a terminal device is disposed near one corner of the back side.
- the terminal device is held with both hands and used, it can be operated only with either the left or right hand (only a finger of the right hand in the figure), so it cannot be said to have good operability.
- the operating unit disposed on the back of the casing can be operated with a left or right hand, and so operability can be improved.
- the projections 105 c on the back operation buttons 105 a and 105 b disposed on the back face 101 b and by further forming the projections 152 around the back operation buttons 105 a and 105 b , a user can easily distinguish the positions of the back operation buttons 105 a and 105 b by touching them with his or her fingertip (second digit in the present embodiment).
- the back operation buttons 105 a and 105 b of the present embodiment when the left lateral face 101 e side is held with the left hand 121 and/or the right lateral face 101 f side is held with the right hand 122 , the back operation buttons 105 a and 105 b can be found easily and quickly with a fingertip by disposing the back operation buttons 105 a and 105 b within a range in which the second digits 121 b and 122 b positioned on the back face 101 b can be easily shifted.
- the projection 152 as high as or higher than the back operation buttons 105 a and 105 b (height of the projection 105 c ), even when the electronic device 101 is placed in a manner such that the front face 101 a faces a flat surface of a desk or the like, erroneous operation of the back operation buttons 105 a and 105 b caused by the self-weight of the electronic device 101 can be prevented.
- buttons 105 a and 105 b are disposed so that the direction of the long side thereof is substantially parallel to the direction along an end portion of the back face 101 b , adjoining the left lateral face 101 e
- the buttons may be disposed so as to be inclined at a prescribed angle (e.g. 30 degrees) as shown in FIG. 17 .
- the inclination of the back operation buttons 105 a and 105 b virtually conforms to that of the second digits 121 b and 122 b . Accordingly, the back operation buttons 105 a and 105 b can be operated while keeping the second digits 121 b and 122 b in a comfortable position, and operability can be improved.
- the electronic device 101 can be held with one hand and operated, and erroneous operation (pressing a wrong button) will not occur, even when the device is held with both hands.
- both of the projection 105 c and the projection 152 are provided, even if only either one of these is provided, the positions of the back operation buttons 105 a and 105 b can be distinguished without looking at the back face 101 b.
- the present invention also can be applied to any device that a user can hold and operate.
- the present invention is useful for personal computers; drives in which a disk medium, such as a DVD, and the like can be mounted; portable disk players, including a hard disk drive and the like; portable navigation systems; medical terminals in which nurses and the like collect inspection data to check the daily condition of a patient; and the like, for example.
- the liquid crystal monitor 102 in the present embodiment is an example of a display unit of the present invention.
- the operation buttons 103 and auxiliary operation buttons 104 a to 104 e are also examples of main operating units.
- the back operation buttons 105 a and 105 b are also examples of sub-operating units.
- the front face 101 a of the casing is also an example of a front main face of the present invention.
- the back face 101 b of the casing is also an example of a back main face of the present invention.
- the bowed portions 101 g and 101 h are also examples of bowed portions of the present invention.
- the projection 152 is also an example of a surrounding projection.
- the projection 105 c is also an example of a projecting portion of the present invention.
- the operating surface 105 d is an example of an operating surface of the present invention.
- the top portion 152 a is also an example of a top portion of the present invention.
- the depressed portion 113 is also an example of a recessed surface portion of the present invention.
- the electronic device of the present invention is useful as a device capable of being handheld and used.
Abstract
An electronic device of the present invention is an electronic device including a box-shaped casing, a liquid crystal monitor 2 that is disposed on a front face 1 a of the casing and on which visual information converted from an information signal can be displayed, and operation buttons 3 disposed near the liquid crystal monitor 2. A peripheral projection 11 projecting in the direction perpendicular to the front face 1 a is provided on a peripheral edge portion of the front face 1 a. The height of the peripheral projection 11 in the perpendicular direction is formed so as to be greater than the height of the operation buttons 3 with respect to the front face 1 a. With this configuration, erroneous operation of the operating portion caused by the self-weight of the device can be prevented.
Description
- This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/391,538 filed Feb. 24, 2009, which application is incorporated herein by reference.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to an electronic device capable of processing various types of information.
- 2. Description of Related Art
- Conventionally, for an electronic device such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), in general, all elements are disposed on only one surface of a casing of the device in order not to impair operability. However, recently, while the miniaturization of PDAs is a requirement, the demand for the size of the display area of a liquid crystal monitor to be made larger has grown since functions for viewing video content have been installed. Accordingly, it is becoming difficult to secure space in which to dispose various operating units such as cursor keys and number input keys.
- In order to solve the above problem, configurations as disclosed in Patent Document 1 (JP2002-6988A) and Patent Document 2 (JP2003-198703A) have been proposed. In
Patent Document 1, a configuration in which an operating unit to which major functions of an electronic device are assigned is disposed on a front side of the casing of the device and an operating unit to which auxiliary functions are assigned is disposed on another side (e.g. back side) is disclosed. InPatent Document 2, a configuration in which operation buttons respectively are disposed on both sides of a mobile phone is disclosed. - However, in the configurations disclosed in
Patent Documents - Therefore, with the foregoing in mind, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic device in which erroneous operation of an operating portion caused by the self-weight of the device can be prevented from occurring.
- An electronic device of the present invention includes a casing that has been formed to be box-shaped including a front casing and a back casing, a display unit that is disposed on a front main face of the front casing and on which visual information converted from an information signal can be displayed, and a main operating unit that is disposed near the display unit. A peripheral projection projecting in a direction perpendicular to the front main face is provided on a peripheral edge portion of the front main face, and the peripheral projection is formed so that a height in the perpendicular direction is greater than that of the main operating unit with respect to the front main face.
- According to the present invention, even when the device is placed in a manner such that a side on which a main operating unit and/or sub-operating unit is disposed faces a flat surface of a desk or the like, erroneous operation of the operating unit caused by the self-weight of the device can be suppressed.
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FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the external appearance of an electronic device according toEmbodiment 1. -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the external appearance of an electronic device according toEmbodiment 1. -
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a Z-Z portion inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 4 is a side view of an electronic device viewed from the direction indicated by an arrow X inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a Y-Y portion inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a state in which a user is holding an electronic device according to Embodiment 1. -
FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a state in which a user is holding an electronic device according to Embodiment 1. -
FIG. 8 is a side view showing a state in which a user is holding an electronic device according to Embodiment 1. -
FIG. 9 is a side view of an electronic device viewed from the direction indicated by an arrow U inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a W-W portion inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the external appearance of an electronic device according toEmbodiment 2. -
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the external appearance of an electronic device according toEmbodiment 2. -
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a back operation button. -
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a Z-Z portion inFIG. 13 . -
FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a state in which a user is holding an electronic device according to Embodiment 2. -
FIG. 16 is a plan view showing a state in which a user is holding an electronic device according to Embodiment 2. -
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the external appearance of another example of an electronic device according toEmbodiment 2. - Hereinafter, the present invention will be described by way of illustrative embodiments with reference to the drawings.
- An electronic device of the present invention includes a casing that has been formed to be box-shaped including a front casing and a back casing, a display unit that is disposed on a front main face of the front casing and on which visual information converted from an information signal can be displayed, and a main operating unit that is disposed near the display unit. A peripheral projection projecting in a direction perpendicular to the front main face is provided on a peripheral edge portion of the front main face, and the peripheral projection is formed so that a height in the perpendicular direction is greater than that of the main operating unit with respect to the front main face. With this configuration, even when the device is placed in a manner such that the display unit side faces a flat surface of a desk or the like, erroneous operation caused by the main operating unit contacting the flat surface of a desk or the like, and scratching of the display unit or the like can be prevented, because a space can be formed between the display unit and the desk. In addition, by forming a peripheral projection, the ability of a hand holding the electronic device to grip the device can be improved, and the device can be held reliably.
- The electronic device of the present invention can be configured so that the front casing includes bowed portions formed so as to be bowed inward toward the display unit that are respectively formed on a pair of sides facing each other that form a peripheral edge constituting a perimeter of the front main face. With this configuration, when the electronic device is handheld, the position of a hand holding the device can be stably maintained on the bowed portion. Thus, for example, the electronic device can be restricted from shifting in the surface direction of the front main face, and the electronic device can be prevented from being accidentally dropped.
- The electronic device of the present invention can be configured so as to include a sub-operating unit that is disposed on the back casing, and a surrounding projection that is formed around the sub-operating unit in a projecting manner in a direction perpendicular to a back main face of the back casing parallel to the front main face, and the two sub-operating units respectively are disposed as a pair close to a pair of end sides facing each other on the back main face. With this configuration, when a user is holding the present device in a manner such that the front main face of the front casing is opposing the user, although the sub-operating unit disposed on the back main face cannot be seen, the position of the surrounding projection can be distinguished by touching it with a fingertip, and the position of the sub-operating unit can be distinguished. Accordingly, the sub-operating unit can be operated by touch. By also providing the surrounding projection, even when the electronic device is placed in a manner such that the back main face faces a desk or the like, erroneous operation of the sub-operating unit caused by the self-weight of the electronic device can be prevented.
- The electronic device of the present invention can be configured so that the sub-operating unit includes a projecting portion near a central portion of an operating surface for operating the sub-operating unit, the projecting portion being formed higher than the operating surface. With this configuration, when a user is holding the present device in a manner such that the front main face of the front casing is opposing the user, although the sub-operating unit disposed on the back main face cannot be seen, the position of the projecting portion can be distinguished by touching it with a fingertip, and the position of the sub-operating unit can be distinguished. Accordingly, when the user operates the sub-operating unit by touch, the operating surface of the sub-operating unit can be distinguished reliably, and the operability of the sub-operating unit can be improved.
- The electronic device of the present invention can be configured so that the surrounding projection includes a top portion formed so as to be higher than the operating surface of the sub-operating unit with respect to the back main face or higher than the projecting portion. With this configuration, when the present device is placed on a desk or the like in a manner such that the back main face faces downward, the surrounding projection comes into contact with the desk while the top of the projecting portion does not come into contact with the desk or comes into contact with the desk, but only is pressed to just an extent that does not operate the switch element disposed under the sub-operating unit. Thus, erroneous operation of the sub-operating unit caused by the self-weight of the present device can be prevented.
- The electronic device of the present invention can be configured so that a same function is assigned to the sub-operating units disposed as a pair. With this configuration, the electronic device can be held with one hand and operated, and erroneous operation (pressing a wrong button) will not occur even when the device is held with both hands.
- The electronic device of the present invention can be configured so that the back casing includes a recessed surface portion sunken in a depressed manner with respect to the back main face that is formed on a substantially central portion of the back main face facing the front main face. With this configuration, by contacting the end of a user's finger with the inner surface of the recessed surface portion when the device is held, the ability of a hand holding the electronic device to grip the device can be improved.
- The electronic device of the present invention can be configured so that the front casing includes bowed portions bowed inward that are formed on a pair of lateral sides facing each other that form a peripheral edge constituting a perimeter of the front main face, the back casing includes a recessed surface portion sunken in a depressed manner with respect to a back main face, that is formed on a substantially central portion of the back main face opposite the front main face, and the casing includes a flat portion on an area on the front main face with which a first digit can be in contact when at least the ends of a second digit, third digit, fourth digit, and fifth digit of an operator are positioned on the recessed surface portion, at least a palm of the operator is positioned so as to be in contact with or opposing the bowed portion and at least an end of the first digit of the operator is positioned so as to be in contact with the front main face. With this configuration, since the flat portion does not include the main operating unit, sub-operating unit, display unit or the like, erroneous operation of the main operating unit and/or sub-operating unit caused by contact with the first digit by chance can be prevented, and the first digit can be prevented from covering at least one portion of the display unit. Furthermore, when either of the main operating unit and sub-operating unit is not operated, what is known as a home position in which the first digit is in contact with the flat portion can be taken.
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FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of the external appearance of an electronic device according to the present embodiment.FIG. 1 mainly shows the configuration of a front side.FIG. 2 mainly shows the configuration of a back side. Anelectronic device 1 of the present embodiment is an example of a PDA in which a processing unit such as a central processing unit and a storage unit, such as a semiconductor memory capable of storing information, are provided. Theelectronic device 1 includes a liquid crystal monitor 2 (display unit), operation buttons 3 (main operating unit),auxiliary operation buttons 4 a to 4 e (main operating unit) and backoperation buttons - The outer cover of the
electronic device 1 is formed with a casing that may be constituted of six sides composed of flat or curved surfaces. In the present embodiment, a front face 1 a is disposed on theliquid crystal monitor 2 and operation buttons 3. Aback face 1 b is back side of the front face 1 a. - A
top face 1 c is a side that adjoins the front face 1 a and theback face 1 b, and is an upper side inFIGS. 1 and 2 . Abottom face 1 d is a side opposite thetop face 1 c. A leftlateral face 1 e is a side that adjoins the front face 1 a, theback face 1 b, thetop face 1 c and thebottom face 1 d, and is a left side inFIG. 1 . A rightlateral face 1 f is a side opposite the leftlateral face 1 e. In the present embodiment, theelectronic device 1 is small and light enough to be held easily by a user with one or both hands. Further, the leftlateral face 1 e and rightlateral face 1 f are formed so that their substantially central portions in the longitudinal direction are bowed inward toward an interior of theelectronic device 1. The casing is formed in a box shape by connecting a front casing to a back casing (not shown). - A display control microcomputer contained in the processing unit in the
electronic device 1 can display various types of information on theliquid crystal monitor 2. In the present embodiment, the size of the available display area of the liquid crystal monitor 2 is approximately seven inches. Although a display panel having a touch panel function with which prescribed operations can be performed by pressing a display surface is used as the liquid crystal monitor 2 in the present embodiment, a display panel that only performs a display function may also be used. Although the liquid crystal monitor 2 is mounted as a display unit in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to a liquid crystal monitor as long as a display unit is used that can at least display information, such as an organic EL display (EL: electronic luminescence). - The operation buttons 3 are constituted from a plurality of buttons with which the alphabet and the Japanese language, and the like, which are generally used on, e.g., a keyboard of a personal computer, can be input. Although only push-button-type operation buttons are disposed in the present embodiment, the present invention may include a lever-type operating unit, a ball-type operating unit and the like.
- The
auxiliary operation buttons lateral face 1 e with respect to theliquid crystal monitor 2. Further, an area A1 (one example of a flat portion of the present invention) on which at least a first digit of a user can be positioned is provided between theauxiliary operation buttons lateral face 1 f with respect to theliquid crystal monitor 2. Further, an area A2 (one example of a flat portion of the present invention) on which at least a first digit of a user can be positioned is provided between theauxiliary operation buttons electronic device 1 with one or both hands. When first digits are not operating the operation buttons 3 or either the left or right auxiliary operation buttons 4 (4 a to 4 e), what is known as a home position in which a non-operating first digit is positioned on the area A1 or A2 can be taken, enabling a user to hold theelectronic device 1 reliably. - In addition, light emitting diodes capable of displaying information on the
electronic device 1, such as a power-on state, a remaining battery level and a state of access to a storage unit, can be disposed near the area A1 or A2. By disposing the light emitting diodes on a portion other than the areas A1 and A2, the state of luminescence of the light emitting diodes easily can be viewed because a first digit does not cover the light emitting diodes when a user holds theelectronic device 1 with one or both hands. - The
back operation buttons back face 1 b. Different functions may be respectively assigned to theback operation buttons back operation buttons - A processing unit, such as a central processing unit, and a storage unit, such as a semiconductor memory capable of storing various types of information, are provided in the
electronic device 1, and the processing unit can perform prescribed information processing when the operating unit, such as the operation buttons 3, is operated by a user. Further, in theelectronic device 1, the results of processing in the processing unit can be displayed on a display unit, such as the liquid crystal monitor 2: - On the
electronic device 1 of the present embodiment, aperipheral projection 11 is formed along a peripheral edge portion of the front face 1 a as shown inFIG. 1 . Theperipheral projection 11 includes afirst projection 11 w, asecond projection 11 x, athird projection 11 y, and afourth projection 11 z. Thefirst projection 11 w,second projection 11 x,third projection 11 y, andfourth projection 11 z are connected to each other. Thefirst projection 11 w is a portion formed along the peripheral edge portion of the front face 1 a that adjoins thetop face 1 c. Thesecond projection 11 x is a portion formed along the peripheral edge portion of the front face 1 a that adjoins thebottom face 1 d. Thethird projection 11 y is a portion formed along the peripheral edge portion of the front face 1 a that adjoins the leftlateral face 1 e. Thefourth projection 11 z is a portion formed along the peripheral edge portion of the front face 1 a that adjoins the rightlateral face 1 f. -
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of theelectronic device 1 and shows a cross section of a Z-Z portion inFIG. 1 . A height H1 of theperipheral projection 11 is formed so as to be greater than a height H2 of the entire operating portion disposed at least on the front face 1 a (onlyauxiliary operation buttons FIG. 3 ) in a non-operational state. Consequently, when theelectronic device 1 is placed on a desk or the like, even if it is placed in a manner such that the front face 1 a faces a flat surface of the desk, the top of theperipheral projection 11 comes into contact with the flat surface, and the top of the operating portion disposed on the front face 1 a does not come into contact with the flat surface. Thus, erroneous operation of the operating portion disposed on the front face 1 a caused by the self-weight of theelectronic device 1 is prevented. - Note that, “the top of the
peripheral projection 11” refers to the highest portion of theperipheral projection 11 in the direction perpendicular to the front face 1 a of the casing with respect to the front face 1 a. Note that, “the top of the operating portion” refers to the highest portion of the operation buttons 3 andauxiliary operation buttons 4 a to 4 e in the direction perpendicular to the front face 1 a of the casing with respect to the front face 1 a. - Moreover, the
peripheral projection 11 is formed so as to have a greater height than asurface 2 a of theliquid crystal monitor 2. Accordingly, even if theelectronic device 1 is placed in a manner such that the front face 1 a faces a flat surface of a desk, thesurface 2 a of the liquid crystal monitor 2 does not come into contact with the flat surface while theperipheral projection 11 comes into contact with the flat surface. Consequently, scratching of thesurface 2 a of the liquid crystal monitor 2 or damage to theliquid crystal monitor 2, caused by pressure due to the self-weight of theelectronic device 1, can be prevented. - Although the
peripheral projection 11 can be formed with a resin or a metal, it is preferable to form theperipheral projection 11 using an elastic material such as rubber. By forming theperipheral projection 11 using an elastic material, even if theelectronic device 1 is dropped on a floor or the like with the front face 1 a facing vertically downward, theperipheral projection 11 can reduce damage to theelectronic device 1 because theperipheral projection 11 can absorb the shock when the device is dropped. In addition, by forming theperipheral projection 11 using an elastic material, when a user holds the device, elastic deformation occurs slightly in accordance with the shape of the user's hand, and grip-ability improves. Further, by forming theperipheral projection 11 using an elastic material, in comparison with the case in which theperipheral projection 11 is formed using a hard material such as metal, theperipheral projection 11 can reduce the fatigue that a user feels when holding the device for a long time by dispersing the pressure on the user's hand. Note that, for example, a resin material having elastomeric properties can be used as a material for theperipheral projection 11. - Note that, in the present embodiment, the height of the
peripheral projection 11 is determined so that the top of the operating portion does not come into contact with a flat surface when theelectronic device 1 is placed in a manner such that the front face 1 a faces such a flat surface. However, even if the height allows the top of the operating portion to come into contact with the flat surface or the operating portion to be pressed slightly, the height of theperipheral projection 11 may be determined so that a switch element disposed inside or under the operating portion can be prevented from operating. - Also, the entire
peripheral projection 11 may be formed so as to be the same in height, but part of theperipheral projection 11 may be different in height.FIG. 4 is a side view of theelectronic device 1 viewed from the direction indicated by an arrow U inFIG. 1 . As shown inFIG. 4 , for thefirst projection 11 w of theperipheral projection 11, acentral portion 11 a in the longitudinal direction can be formed to have a difference in height (height H3) with respect to anend portion 11 b in a longitudinal direction. With this configuration, even when theelectronic device 1 is placed on a desk in a manner such that the front face 1 a faces a flat surface of the desk, erroneous operation of the operation buttons disposed on the front face 1 a can be prevented, because the top of theperipheral projection 11 comes into contact with the flat surface, while the top of the operating portion disposed on the front face 1 a does not come into contact with the flat surface. Even when theelectronic device 1 is placed on a desk in a manner such that the front face 1 a faces a flat surface of the desk, damage to the liquid crystal monitor 2 can also be prevented, because the top of theperipheral projection 11 comes into contact with the flat surface, while the liquid crystal monitor 2 does not come into contact with the flat surface. - Note that, the
central portion 11 a is formed to have the same height as that of other portions of the peripheral projection 11 (second projection 11 x,third projection 11 y, andfourth projection 11 z), and theend portion 11 b is formed to have a lower height than thecentral portion 11 a and other portions of theperipheral projection 11. - Further, configuration is not limited to one embodiment in which the
central portion 11 a and end portion lib of thefirst projection 11 w are formed so as to have different heights as shown inFIG. 4 . A central portion and an end portion of thethird projection 11 y may be formed so as to have different heights. A central portion and an end portion of thefourth projection 11 z may be formed so as to have different heights. - Although the
peripheral projection 11 may be formed along the entire peripheral edge portion of the front face 1 a, theperipheral projection 11 functions similarly if it is formed along at least three sides of the peripheral edge portion of the front face 1 a. For example, by forming only thefirst projection 11 w, thethird projection 11 y and thefourth projection 11 z, even if theelectronic device 1 is placed in a manner such that the front face 1 a faces a flat surface, erroneous operation of the operating portion disposed on the front face 1 a and damage to the liquid crystal monitor 2 can be prevented. - In the present embodiment, the
first projection 11 w, thethird projection 11 y, and thefourth projection 11 z are formed so as to have the same height, and thesecond projection 11 x is formed so as to have a lower height than thefirst projection 11 w and the like. -
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a Y-Y portion inFIG. 1 . As shown inFIG. 5 , the height H5 of thesecond projection 11 x (height from the surface of the liquid crystal monitor 2 to the top of thesecond projection 11 x) is lower than the height H4 of thefirst projection 11 w (height from the surface of the liquid crystal monitor 2 to the top of thefirst projection 11 w). With this configuration, erroneous operation of the operation buttons disposed on the front face 1 a and damage to the liquid crystal monitor 2 can be prevented. - The
electronic device 1 can be operated in a state in which it is placed on a desk or the like, and also in a state where it is held with one or both hands. -
FIG. 6 shows a state in which theelectronic device 1 is held with both hands viewed from the front side.FIG. 7 shows a state in which theelectronic device 1 is held with both hands viewed from the back side.FIG. 8 shows a state in which theelectronic device 1 is held with both hands viewed from thetop face 1 c side (direction indicated by the arrow U inFIG. 1 ). - As shown in
FIG. 2 , theback face 1 b includes holdingportions lateral face 1 e and the rightlateral face 1 f, respectively. - As shown in
FIG. 4 , the holdingportions portions left hand 21 and aright hand 22, respectively. Note that, the holdingportions FIG. 4 , a boundary portion between the holdingportion 12 a and the leftlateral face 1 e and a boundary portion between the holdingportion 12 b and the rightlateral face 1 f are also preferably formed as curved surfaces. This improves grip-ability because the boundary portions conform better to portions close to the bases of the fingers and the palms of theleft hand 21 and theright hand 22. - As shown in
FIG. 3 , adepressed portion 13 is formed between the holdingportions back face 1 b. As shown inFIG. 3 , thedepressed portion 13 includes aninner surface 13 a adjoining the holdingportion 12 a and aninner surface 13 b adjoining the holdingportion 12 b. A boundary portion between theinner surface 13 a and the holdingportion 12 a and a boundary portion between theinner surface 13 b and holdingportion 12 b preferably are formed as curved surfaces. This improves grip-ability because the boundary portions conform better to portions close to the ends of the fingers of theleft hand 21 and theright hand 22. As shown inFIG. 2 , theinner surfaces liquid crystal monitor 2. - When the
electronic device 1 is held with one hand, for example, theleft hand 21, the palm of the left hand is in contact with a bowedportion 1 g of the leftlateral face 1 e of theelectronic device 1; asecond digit 21 b (index finger),third digit 21 c (middle finger), fourth digit 21 d (ring finger) andfifth digit 21 e (little finger) are positioned on the holdingportion 12 a on theback face 1 b of theelectronic device 1; and afirst digit 21 a (thumb) is positioned on the front face 1 a. - In addition, on the
back face 1 b of theelectronic device 1, the ends of thesecond digit 21 b to thefifth digit 21 e (distal ends) are in contact with theinner surface 13 a of thedepressed portion 13 when theelectronic device 1 is held with theleft hand 21. Thus, theelectronic device 1 is restricted from shifting in a direction that would allow it to leave the hand, so the possibility of accidently dropping theelectronic device 1 can be reduced. - When the
electronic device 1 is held with theleft hand 21, theauxiliary operation button 4 a and the like can be operated with thefirst digit 21 a of theleft hand 21, and the operation buttons 3, a touch-panel-typeliquid crystal monitor 2 and the like can be operated with theright hand 22, because theright hand 22 is not holding any portions of theelectronic device 1. - When the
electronic device 1 is held with theright hand 22; asecond digit 22 b, athird digit 22 c, afourth digit 22 d, and afifth digit 22 e of theright hand 22 are positioned on the holdingportion 12 b on theback face 1 b of theelectronic device 1; and afirst digit 22 a is positioned on the front face 1 a. When theelectronic device 1 is held with theright hand 22, the auxiliary operation button 4 c and the like can be operated with thefirst digit 22 a of theright hand 22, and the operation buttons 3, a touch-panel-typeliquid crystal monitor 2 and the like can be operated with theleft hand 21, because theleft hand 21 is not holding any portions of theelectronic device 1. - When the
electronic device 1 is held with both hands as shown inFIGS. 6 to 8 , it is held in a state in which the palm of theleft hand 21 is in contact with the bowedportion 1 g of the leftlateral face 1 e of theelectronic device 1; thesecond digit 21 b,third digit 21 c, fourth digit 21 d, andfifth digit 21 e are positioned on the holdingportion 12 a on theback face 1 b of theelectronic device 1; and thefirst digit 21 a is positioned on the front face 1 a. At this time, a portion near the end of thefirst digit 21 a preferably is positioned on the area A1, so that the erroneous operation of various types of operation buttons can be prevented. Theelectronic device 1 also is held in a state in which the palm of theright hand 22 is in contact with a bowed portion 1 h of the rightlateral face 1 f of theelectronic device 1; thesecond digit 22 b,third digit 22 c,fourth digit 22 d, andfifth digit 22 e are positioned on the holdingportion 12 b on theback face 1 b of theelectronic device 1; and thefirst digit 22 a is positioned on the front face 1 a. At this time, a portion near the end of thefirst digit 22 a preferably is positioned on the area A2, so that the erroneous operation of various types of operation buttons can be prevented. - When the
electronic device 1 is held with both hands, by shifting thefirst digit 21 a of theleft hand 21 in the surface direction of the front face 1 a, the operation buttons disposed on a side near the leftlateral face 1 e from among the operation buttons 3 and theauxiliary operation buttons first digit 22 a of theright hand 22 in the surface direction of the front face 1 a, the operation buttons disposed on a side near the rightlateral face 1 f from among the operation buttons 3 and the auxiliary operation buttons 4 c to 4 e can be operated. - Moreover, when the
electronic device 1 is held with both hands, theback operation button 5 a can be operated with thesecond digit 21 b of theleft hand 21, and theback operation button 5 b can be operated with thesecond digit 22 b of theright hand 22. - In the present embodiment, by forming the
peripheral projection 11 along the peripheral edge portion of the front face 1 a, when theelectronic device 1 is handheld, the part of the first digit of theleft hand 21 between the distal end of the palm side and a portion near the first knuckle (finger segment between the first knuckle and the end of the finger) becomes capable of contacting thethird projection 11 y as shown inFIG. 8 . Also, part of the first digit of theright hand 22 between the distal end of the palm side and a portion near the first knuckle (finger segment between the first knuckle and the end of the finger) becomes capable of contacting thefourth projection 11 z. Accordingly, for example, when theelectronic device 1 is held with theleft hand 21, thefirst digit 21 a fits around thethird projection 11 y, and theelectronic device 1 is restricted from shifting in the direction indicated by an arrow B (seeFIG. 8 ) with respect to theleft hand 21. Also, when theelectronic device 1 is held with theright hand 22, thefirst digit 22 a fits around thefourth projection 11 z, and theelectronic device 1 is restricted from shifting in the direction indicated by an arrow C (seeFIG. 8 ) with respect to theright hand 22. - Thus, when the
electronic device 1 is held with one hand, the possibility of accidentally dropping theelectronic device 1 can be reduced, because theelectronic device 1 is restricted from shifting in a direction that would allow it to leave the hand. - In addition to this, the ends of the second digit to the fifth digit (distal ends) come into contact with the
inner surface depressed portion 13 on theback face 1 b of theelectronic device 1. Then, when theelectronic device 1 is held with one hand, theelectronic device 1 is restricted from shifting in a direction that would allow it to leave the hand (direction indicated by the arrow B or C inFIG. 8 ), and the possibility of accidentally dropping theelectronic device 1 can be reduced. That is, by forming theperipheral projection 11, holdingportions depressed portion 13, theelectronic device 1 can be reliably held. - As shown in
FIG. 2 , theinner surfaces liquid crystal monitor 2. As a result of this, when theelectronic device 1 is handheld, the ends of thesecond digits third digits fourth digits 21 d and 22 d, andfifth digits inner surfaces left hand 21 andright hand 22 in a comfortable position, as shown inFIG. 7 . For example, if the distance between the leftlateral face 1 e andinner surface 13 a and the distance between the rightlateral face 1 f and theinner surface 13 b are the same along the entireinner surfaces fifth digits second digits third digits fourth digits 21 d and 22 d; to reach theinner surfaces electronic device 1 would be held with theleft hand 21 andright hand 22 in an uncomfortable position. As in the present embodiment, by inclining theinner surfaces fifth digits inner surfaces electronic device 1 can be held in a comfortable position. -
FIG. 9 is a side view of theelectronic device 1 viewed from the direction indicated by an arrow X inFIG. 1 . As shown inFIG. 9 , on thefourth projection 11 z (or thethird projection 11 y), acentral portion 11 c in the longitudinal direction can be formed so as to have a difference in height (height H6) relative to anend portion 11 d in the longitudinal direction. The height of thecentral portion 11 c is the same as that to the top of thefirst projection 11 w andsecond projection 11 x. Theend portion 11 d is formed so as to be lower than thecentral portion 11 c and the top of thefirst projection 11 w andsecond projection 11 x by the height H6. By forming them as described above, when theelectronic device 1 is handheld as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, part of the first digit between the distal end and the first knuckle comes into contact with thecentral portion 11 c. Thus, theelectronic device 1 is restricted from shifting in a direction that would allow it to leave the hand, and the possibility of accidentally dropping theelectronic device 1 can be reduced. - When the
electronic device 1 is handheld, the first knuckle of the first digit is positioned on the front face 1 a, a second knuckle is positioned nearly on thecentral portion 11 c, and a thenar is positioned on theend portion 11 d. That is, by making theperipheral projection 11 uneven (central portion 11 c andend portion 11 d) in accordance with the unevenness of the first digit and the thenar of the hand, the first digit can be positioned comfortably on theelectronic device 1, and grip-ability can be improved. -
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the relevant parts of theperipheral projection 11 and shows a cross section of a W-W portion inFIG. 1 . Although, even if the cross-sectional shape of theperipheral projection 11 forms a circular arc with a radius of constant curvature, it is still effective in improving grip-ability when holding the device and/or preventing erroneous operation of the operation buttons. However, if the cross-sectional shape is formed as shown inFIG. 10 , its effectiveness will be increased. - The
peripheral projection 11 shown inFIG. 10 includes aface 11 e adjoining the front face 1 a that forms a concave circular arc and a face 11 f adjoining the leftlateral face 1 e that forms a convex circular arc. With this configuration, when theelectronic device 1 is handheld, a portion near the end of the first digit (part of the first digit between the distal end and first knuckle) comes into contact with theface 11 e, and the thenar comes into contact with the face 11 f. Accordingly, theface 11 e conforms to the portion near the end of the first digit, and grip-ability can be improved. - Moreover, by making the face 11 f with which the thenar comes into contact a convex circular arc, pressure on the thenar can be dispersed, and the fatigue caused by using the device for a long time can be reduced.
- Note that, the curvature radii of the
surfaces 11 e and 11 f may be the same or different. - According to the present embodiment, on the peripheral edge portion of the front face 1 a of the
electronic device 1, by forming theperipheral projection 11 higher than at least the various types of operation buttons disposed on the front face 1 a, even when theelectronic device 1 is placed on a desk or the like in a manner such that the front face 1 a faces a flat surface of the desk, the operation buttons will not be pressed or operated by the self-weight of theelectronic device 1, and erroneous operation can be prevented. - For example, in the case in which the
electronic device 1 includes a power supply battery internally, and an opening/closing cover for exchanging the power supply battery is disposed on theback face 1 b, theelectronic device 1 may be placed in a manner such that the front face 1 a faces a desk or the like when the opening/closing cover is opened/closed. At this time, theperipheral projection 11 comes into contact with the desk or the like. Thus, the operation buttons will not be pressed or operated by the self-weight of theelectronic device 1, and erroneous operation of the operation buttons can be prevented. In particular, if a power button is operated accidentally by the self-weight of theelectronic device 1 just before the power supply battery is removed from theelectronic device 1, the power of theelectronic device 1 will be turned on, and the start-up process of theelectronic device 1 will begin. Then, if a user, who is not aware that the start-up process has been operated, opens the opening/closing cover in order to remove the power supply battery from theelectronic device 1, a system of theelectronic device 1 may be damaged. In the present embodiment, such a problem is not likely to occur because the possibility that erroneous operation of the power button occurs when the power supply battery is removed is low. - Further, on the peripheral edge portion of the front face 1 a of the
electronic device 1, by forming theperipheral projection 11 higher than at least the various types of operation buttons disposed on the front face 1 a, even when theelectronic device 1 is placed on a desk or the like in a manner such that the front face 1 a faces a flat surface of the desk, a space can be formed between theliquid crystal monitor 2 and the desk, and scratching of thesurface 2 a of theliquid crystal monitor 2, or the like, can be prevented. - Moreover, by forming the
peripheral projection 11 on a portion on which the first digit is positioned when theelectronic device 1 is handheld, the first digit can fit around theperipheral projection 11 when holding theelectronic device 1, and the possibility of accidentally dropping theelectronic device 1 can be reduced. - In addition, by providing the bowed
portions 1 g and 1 h that are formed bowed inward toward the interior of theelectronic device 1 to the leftlateral face 1 e and rightlateral face 1 f, respectively, the bowedportions 1 g and 1 h conform to the user's palms when theelectronic device 1 is handheld, and grip-ability can be improved. - Further, by providing portions that are formed bowed inward toward the interior of the
electronic device 1 to the leftlateral face 1 e and rightlateral face 1 f, theelectronic device 1 can be restricted from shifting in the directions indicated by arrows D and E (seeFIG. 1 ) when the device is held, and the possibility that theelectronic device 1 could slip out of the hands and accidentally be dropped can be reduced. - Note that, although a PDA is exemplified and described in the present embodiment, the present invention can also be applied to any device that a user can hold and operate. The present invention is useful for personal computers; drives in which a disk medium such as a DVD and the like can be mounted; portable disk players including a hard disk drive and the like; portable navigation systems; medical terminals in which nurses and the like collect inspection data to check the daily condition of a patient; and the like, for example.
- The liquid crystal monitor 2 in the present embodiment is an example of a display unit of the present invention. The operation buttons 3 and
auxiliary operation buttons 4 a to 4 e are also examples of main operating units. Theback operation buttons back face 1 b of the casing is also an example of a back main face of the present invention. Theperipheral projection 11 is also an example of a peripheral projection of the present invention. The bowedportions 1 g and 1 h are also examples of bowed portions of the present invention. Thedepressed portion 13 is also an example of a recessed surface portion of the present invention. The areas A1 and A2 are also examples of flat portions of the present invention. -
FIGS. 11 and 12 are perspective views of the external appearance of an electronic device in the present embodiment.FIG. 11 mainly shows a configuration of a front side.FIG. 12 mainly shows a configuration of a back side. Anelectronic device 101 of the present embodiment is an example of a PDA in which a processing unit, such as a central processing unit, and a storage unit, such as a semiconductor memory capable of storing information, are provided. In addition, theelectronic device 101 includes a liquid crystal monitor 102 (display unit), operation buttons 103 (main operating unit),auxiliary operation buttons 104 a to 104 e (main operating, unit) and backoperation buttons - The outer cover of the
electronic device 101 is formed with a casing constituted of six sides composed of flat or curved surfaces. In the present embodiment, a side on which theliquid crystal monitor 102 andoperation buttons 103 are disposed is defined as afront face 101 a; a back side of thefront face 101 a is defined as aback face 101 b; a side adjoining thefront face 101 a and back face 101 b, and is an upper side inFIGS. 11 and 12 is defined as a top face 101 c; a side opposite the top face 101 c is defined as abottom face 101 d; a side that adjoins thefront face 101 a, back face 101 b, top face 101 c, andbottom face 101 d, and is a left side inFIG. 11 is defined as a leftlateral face 101 e; and a side opposite the leftlateral face 101 e is defined as a rightlateral face 101 f. Also, in the present embodiment, theelectronic device 101 is small and light enough to be held easily by a user with one or both hands. Further, the leftlateral face 101 e and rightlateral face 101 f are formed so that their substantially central portions in the longitudinal direction are bowed inward toward the interior of theelectronic device 101. - A display control microcomputer contained in the processing unit in the
electronic device 101 can display various types of information on theliquid crystal monitor 102. In the present embodiment, the size of the available display area of theliquid crystal monitor 102 is approximately seven inches. Although a display panel having a touch panel function with which prescribed operations can be performed by pressing a display surface is used as the liquid crystal monitor 102 in the present embodiment, a display panel that only performs a display function also may be used. Although theliquid crystal monitor 102 is mounted as a display unit in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to a liquid crystal monitor as long as a display unit is used that at least can display information such as an organic EL display. - The
operation buttons 103 are constituted from a plurality of buttons with which the alphabet and hiragana syllabary, and the like, which generally are used on, e.g., a keyboard of a personal computer, can be input. Although only push-button-type operation buttons are disposed in the present embodiment, the present invention may include a lever-type operating unit, a ball-type operating unit and the like. - The
auxiliary operation buttons lateral face 101 e with respect to theliquid crystal monitor 102. Further, an area A1 (one example of a flat portion of the present invention) on which at least a first digit of a user can be positioned is provided between theauxiliary operation buttons auxiliary operation buttons 104 c to 104 e are disposed on a side closer to the rightlateral face 101 f with respect to theliquid crystal monitor 102. Further, an area A2 (one example of a flat portion of the present invention) on which at least a first digit of a user can be positioned is provided between theauxiliary operation buttons electronic device 101 with one or both hands. - In addition, light emitting diodes capable of displaying information on the
electronic device 101, such as a power-on state, a remaining battery level and an access state of a storage unit, can be disposed near the area A1 or A2. By disposing the light emitting diodes on portions other than the areas A1 and A2 in the case of disposing light emitting diodes, a luminescent state of the light emitting diodes can be viewed easily because a first digit can be prevented from covering light emitting diodes when a user holds theelectronic device 101 with one or both hands. - A
bar code reader 106 includes a light emitting unit that emits infrared rays and a light receiving unit that can receive infrared rays reflected by a bar code (not shown). - An
imaging unit 107 includes a built-in image-taking device such as a CCD imaging sensor and can take a picture of a subject image and the like. - A processing unit, such as a central processing unit, and a storage unit, such as a semiconductor memory capable of storing various types of information, are provided in the
electronic device 101, and the processing unit can perform prescribed information processing when the operating unit such as theoperation buttons 103 is operated by a user. Further, the results of processing in the processing unit can be displayed on a display unit such as theliquid crystal monitor 102. - As shown in
FIG. 12 , aback operation button 105 a is disposed on theback face 101 b close to the leftlateral face 101 e. Aback operation button 105 b also is disposed on theback face 101 b close to rightlateral face 101 f. It is assumed that theelectronic device 101 of the present embodiment is held with one or both hands and used (described below); thus, theback operation button 105 a is disposed in a position such that it can be operated well with a left hand, and theback operation button 105 b is disposed in a position such that it can be operated well with a right hand. - In addition, the shape of the
back operation buttons FIG. 12 . In the present embodiment, theback face 101 b does not include an operating unit other than theback operation buttons back face 101 b includes another operating unit, the other operating unit preferably has a different shape or size from that of theback operation buttons back face 101 b. - In addition, different functions respectively may be assigned to the
back operation buttons back operation buttons electronic device 101 can be operated held with one hand, and erroneous operation caused by pressing a wrong button will not occur even when held with both hands. In the present embodiment, a trigger function of thebar code reader 106 is assigned to theback operation buttons back operation button electronic device 101 is put into operation, and thebar code reader 106 disposed on the top face 101 c can be caused to read a bar code (not shown). -
FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of theback operation button 105 a.FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of theback operation button 105 a and a cross section of a Z-Z portion inFIG. 13 . Note that, although only theback operation button 105 a is shown inFIG. 13 , theback operation button 105 b has the same configuration and will not be illustrated or described in detail. - As shown in
FIGS. 13 and 14 , theback operation button 105 a is disposed in anopening portion 151 formed on theback face 101 b. The shape of theopening portion 151 is formed so as to be similar to that of theback operation button 105 a and is oval in the present embodiment. - The
back operation button 105 a disposed in theopening portion 151 is shiftable in the directions indicated by arrows A and B. When theback operation button 105 a is not pressed or operated, it is positioned as shown inFIG. 14 . By being pressed and operated, theback operation button 105 a shifts in the direction indicated by the arrow A from the position shown inFIG. 14 . Then, the bottom of theback operation button 105 a presses aswitch element 153 disposed in the bottom of theopening portion 151. When a user removes his/her finger from theback operation button 105 a, due to an elastic unit separately provided, theback operation button 105 a shifts in the direction indicated by the arrow B, and the position thereof returns to that shown inFIG. 14 . - A
projection 105 c is formed on substantially the center of anoperating surface 105 d of theback operation button 105 a. In the present embodiment, theprojection 105 c is formed so as to be substantially a quadrangular prism, and the direction of its long side is formed substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the oval backoperation button 105 a. Theprojection 105 c is a member used by a user to distinguish the position of theback operation button 105 a by touching it with his/her fingertip. Note that the shape of theprojection 105 c of the present embodiment is one example, and the shape may be a triangular pole, semi-cylindrical or the like that is at least projecting relative to the surface of theback operation button 105 a. Also, the disposed location of theprojection 105 c is not limited to the central portion of theoperating surface 105 d of theback operation button 105 a. - Further, a
projection 152 projecting in a direction perpendicular to theback face 101 b is formed around theback operation button 105 a on theback face 101 b. Theprojection 152 is formed to surround the perimeter of theback operation button 105 a. Note that, theprojection 152 is not necessarily formed to surround the entire perimeter of theback operation button 105 a. A projection can be provided to only a portion adjacent to the long side portion of the oval backoperation button 105 a or can be provided to partially surround the perimeter of theback operation button 105 a. The shape of theprojection 152 is not limited as long as it enables a user to at least distinguish the position by touching it with his/her fingertip when the user cannot see theback face 101 b. - Also, as for the
projection 152, when theback operation button 105 a is in a state as shown inFIG. 14 (non-operational state), the height of atop portion 152 a with respect to theback face 101 b is the same as or greater than that to theoperating surface 105 d or atop portion 105 e of theprojection 105 c. By forming theprojection 152 as described above, when theelectronic device 101 is placed on a flat surface of a desk or the like in a manner such that theback face 101 b faces the flat surface, thetop portion 152 a of theprojection 152 comes into contact with the flat surface. At this time, thetop portion 105 e of theprojection 105 c does not come into contact with the flat surface, or comes into contact with the flat surface by being pressed just to an extent that does not operate theswitch element 153 disposed under theback operation button 105 a. Accordingly, since theprojection 105 c is not pressed with a large amount of force, theback operation button 105 a can be prevented from being pressed and operated in the direction indicated by the arrow A due to the self-weight of theelectronic device 101, and erroneous operation of theback operation button 105 a can be prevented. - The
electronic device 101 can be operated when it is placed on a desk or the like and also when it is held with one or both hands. -
FIG. 15 shows a state in which theelectronic device 101 is held with both hands viewed from the front side.FIG. 16 shows a state in which theelectronic device 101 is held with both hands viewed from the back side. Hereinafter, a method for holding the electronic device will be described with reference toFIGS. 12 to 16 . - As shown in
FIG. 12 , theback face 101 b includes holdingportions lateral face 101 e and the rightlateral face 101 f. - The holding
portions portions left hand 121 and aright hand 122. Note that, the holdingportions - Additionally, a boundary portion between the holding
portion 112 a and the leftlateral face 101 e and a boundary portion between the holdingportion 112 b and the rightlateral face 101 f preferably are formed as curved surfaces. This configuration improves grip-ability because the boundary portions conform better to portions near the base of the fingers and the palm of theleft hand 121 and theright hand 122. - A
depressed portion 113 is formed as a depressed shape in the direction perpendicular to theback face 101 b with respect to the holdingportions depressed portion 113 includes aninner surface 113 a adjoining the holdingportion 112 a and aninner surface 113 b adjoining the holdingportion 112 b. A boundary portion between theinner surface 113 a and the holdingportion 112 a and a boundary portion between theinner surface 113 b and the holdingportion 112 b preferably are formed as curved surfaces. This configuration improves grip-ability because the boundary portions conform better to portions close to the ends of the fingers of theleft hand 121 and theright hand 122. - When the
electronic device 101 is held with one hand, for example, theleft hand 121 as shown inFIG. 15 , the palm of theleft hand 121 is in contact with a bowedportion 101 g of the leftlateral face 101 e of theelectronic device 101; asecond digit 121 b (index finger),third digit 121 c (middle finger),fourth digit 121 d (ring finger) andfifth digit 121 e (little finger) are positioned on the holdingportion 112 a on theback face 101 b of theelectronic device 101; and afirst digit 121 a (thumb) is positioned on thefront face 101 a. In addition, on theback face 101 b of theelectronic device 101, the ends of thesecond digit 121 b tofifth digit 121 e (distal ends) are in contact with theinner surface 113 a of thedepressed portion 113 when theelectronic device 101 is held with theleft hand 121. Thus, theelectronic device 101 is restricted from shifting in a direction that would allow it to leave the hand, and theelectronic device 101 can be prevented from being accidentally dropped. When theelectronic device 101 is held with theleft hand 121, theauxiliary operation button 104 a and the like can be operated with thefirst digit 121 a of theleft hand 121, and theoperation buttons 103 and the like can be operated with theright hand 122, because theright hand 122 is not holding any portions of theelectronic device 101. Also, when theelectronic device 101 is held with theright hand 122, by positioning the fingers of theleft hand 121 in a similar position to the above description, theelectronic device 101 can be held and operated. - Further, as shown
FIGS. 15 and 16 , when theelectronic device 101 is held with both hands, it is held in a state in which the palm of theleft hand 121 is in contact with the bowedportion 101 g of the leftlateral face 101 e of theelectronic device 101; thesecond digit 121 b,third digit 121 c,fourth digit 121 d andfifth digit 121 e are positioned on the holdingportion 112 a on theback face 101 b of theelectronic device 101; and thefirst digit 121 a is positioned on thefront face 101 a. At this time, a portion near the end of thefirst digit 121 a is preferably positioned on the area A1, and erroneous operation of various types of operation buttons can be prevented accordingly. Also, theelectronic device 101 is held in a state in which the palm of theright hand 122 is in contact with a bowedportion 101 h of the rightlateral face 101 f of theelectronic device 101; thesecond digit 122 b,third digit 122 c,fourth digit 122 d, andfifth digit 122 e are positioned on the holdingportion 112 b on theback face 101 b of theelectronic device 101; and thefirst digit 122 a is positioned on thefront face 101 a. At this time, a portion near the end of thefirst digit 122 a is preferably positioned on the area A2, and erroneous operation of various types of operation buttons can be prevented accordingly. - When the
electronic device 101 is held with both hands, by shifting thefirst digit 121 a of theleft hand 121 in the surface direction of thefront face 101 a, the operation buttons disposed on a side near the leftlateral face 101 e from among theoperation buttons 103 and theauxiliary operation buttons first digit 122 a of theright hand 122 in the surface direction of thefront face 101 a, the operation buttons disposed on a side near the rightlateral face 101 f from among theoperation buttons 103 and theauxiliary operation buttons 104 c to 104 e can be operated. - When the
electronic device 101 is held with both hands, it usually is held in a state in which thesecond digit 121 b,third digit 121 c,fourth digit 121 d andfifth digit 121 e of theleft hand 121 are positioned on the holdingportion 112 a; and thesecond digit 122 b,third digit 122 c,fourth digit 122 d andfifth digit 122 e of theright hand 122 are positioned on the holdingportion 112 b. From this state, thesecond digit 121 b of theleft hand 121 can be shifted onto theback operation button 105 a. Also, thesecond digit 122 b of theright hand 122 can be shifted onto theback operation button 105 b.FIG. 16 shows a state in which thesecond digit 122 b of theright hand 122 has been shifted onto theback operation button 105 b. In this state, theback operation button 105 b can be pressed and operated with thesecond digit 122 b. - When a user's both hands are in a state as shown in
FIG. 16 , his/her face usually is facing thefront face 101 a of theelectronic device 101. Thus, the user can see thefront face 101 a, but cannot easily see theback face 101 b. Even when the user cannot see theback face 101 b as described above, by forming theprojection 105 c on theback operation buttons projection 152 around theback operation buttons back operation buttons - By pressing and operating the
back operation buttons 105 a and/or 105 b, theswitch element 153 disposed under theback operation buttons 105 a and/or 105 b is turned on, and a prescribed function is implemented. In the present embodiment, theback operation buttons bar code reader 106 with a command to start reading a bar code. Accordingly, by operating at least one of theback operation buttons bar code reader 106 is controlled so as to emit infrared rays, and thebar code reader 106 is controlled so as to receive the infrared rays reflected by the bar code. - In the present embodiment, the
back operation buttons - Also, the function assigned to the
back operation buttons imaging unit 107 disposed on theelectronic device 101 may be assigned. - According to the present embodiment, by forming the
projection 152 around theback operation buttons electronic device 101 is placed in a manner such that thefront face 101 a faces a flat surface of a desk or the like, erroneous operation of theback operation buttons electronic device 101 can be prevented. - Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, by disposing the
back operation buttons back face 101 b, even when theelectronic device 101 is held with a left hand, a right hand or both hands, theback operation button - For example, in a configuration disclosed in JP2002-6988A, an operating unit (operating pad) disposed on a back side of a terminal device is disposed near one corner of the back side. Thus, even if the terminal device is held with both hands and used, it can be operated only with either the left or right hand (only a finger of the right hand in the figure), so it cannot be said to have good operability. Compared to this, as for the electronic device of the present embodiment, the operating unit disposed on the back of the casing can be operated with a left or right hand, and so operability can be improved.
- Also, by forming the
projections 105 c on theback operation buttons back face 101 b, and by further forming theprojections 152 around theback operation buttons back operation buttons - In addition, as shown in
FIGS. 15 and 16 , as for theback operation buttons lateral face 101 e side is held with theleft hand 121 and/or the rightlateral face 101 f side is held with theright hand 122, theback operation buttons back operation buttons second digits back face 101 b can be easily shifted. - Also, by making the
projection 152 as high as or higher than theback operation buttons projection 105 c), even when theelectronic device 101 is placed in a manner such that thefront face 101 a faces a flat surface of a desk or the like, erroneous operation of theback operation buttons electronic device 101 can be prevented. - In the present embodiment, although the
back operation buttons back face 101 b, adjoining the leftlateral face 101 e, the buttons may be disposed so as to be inclined at a prescribed angle (e.g. 30 degrees) as shown inFIG. 17 . By disposing them as described above, when theelectronic device 101 is held with one or both hands, and thesecond digits back operation buttons FIG. 16 , the inclination of theback operation buttons second digits back operation buttons second digits - With a configuration assigning the same function to the
back operation buttons electronic device 101 can be held with one hand and operated, and erroneous operation (pressing a wrong button) will not occur, even when the device is held with both hands. - Note that in the present embodiment, although both of the
projection 105 c and theprojection 152 are provided, even if only either one of these is provided, the positions of theback operation buttons back face 101 b. - Although a PDA is exemplified and described in the present embodiment, the present invention also can be applied to any device that a user can hold and operate. The present invention is useful for personal computers; drives in which a disk medium, such as a DVD, and the like can be mounted; portable disk players, including a hard disk drive and the like; portable navigation systems; medical terminals in which nurses and the like collect inspection data to check the daily condition of a patient; and the like, for example.
- The liquid crystal monitor 102 in the present embodiment is an example of a display unit of the present invention. The
operation buttons 103 andauxiliary operation buttons 104 a to 104 e are also examples of main operating units. Theback operation buttons front face 101 a of the casing is also an example of a front main face of the present invention. Theback face 101 b of the casing is also an example of a back main face of the present invention. The bowedportions projection 152 is also an example of a surrounding projection. Theprojection 105 c is also an example of a projecting portion of the present invention. Also, the operatingsurface 105 d is an example of an operating surface of the present invention. Thetop portion 152 a is also an example of a top portion of the present invention. Thedepressed portion 113 is also an example of a recessed surface portion of the present invention. - The electronic device of the present invention is useful as a device capable of being handheld and used.
- The invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The embodiments disclosed in this application are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not limiting. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.
Claims (7)
1. An electronic device comprising:
a casing that has been formed to be box-shaped comprising a front casing and a back casing;
a display unit that is disposed on a front main face of the front casing and on which visual information converted from an information signal can be displayed; and
a main operating unit that is disposed on the front main face provided with the display unit,
wherein a peripheral projection projecting in a direction perpendicular to the front main face is provided on an entire peripheral edge portion of the front main face, and
the peripheral projection is formed so that a height in the perpendicular direction is greater than that of the main operating unit with respect to the front main face.
2. The electronic device according to claim 1 ,
wherein the front casing comprises bowed portions formed so as to be bowed inward toward the display unit that are respectively formed on a pair of sides facing each other that form a peripheral edge constituting a perimeter of the front main face.
3.-9. (canceled)
10. The electronic device according to claim 1 ,
wherein a pair of opposing peripheral projections of the peripheral projection provided on the entire peripheral edge portion has a central portion and an end portion in a longitudinal direction of the peripheral projection, and the central portion is higher than the end portion with respect to the front main face.
11. The electronic device according to claim 1 ,
wherein the height of the peripheral projection from the front main face is uniform.
12. The electronic device according to claim 1 ,
wherein the front main face has an area between the display unit and the peripheral projection with which a first digit of an operator holding the electronic device can be in contact.
13. The electronic device according to claim 1 ,
wherein the peripheral projection has a convex circular arc that is formed continuously on the front main face.
Priority Applications (1)
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US13/102,681 US20110235256A1 (en) | 2008-02-28 | 2011-05-06 | Electronic device |
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US13/102,681 US20110235256A1 (en) | 2008-02-28 | 2011-05-06 | Electronic device |
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Also Published As
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US8014148B2 (en) | 2011-09-06 |
US20090219684A1 (en) | 2009-09-03 |
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