JP2001147762A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor capable of effectively executing one-operation input work, using a palm rest. SOLUTION: In the information processor 1 connecting a thin base casing 100 provided with a keyboard 101 and a thin cover casing 200 provided with a display part 201, so as to open/close both the casings 100 and 200 via an operating/closing hinge part 300, the keyboard 101 is arranged on the backward part of the upper surface of the casing 100, a plane part 102 is formed in the front part of the keyboard 101, an image position indicator 10 provided with a planar coordinate position determining means is formed on the center of the plane part 202, an operation button 20 for executing previously set various applications and functions is arranged on a position shifted from the input center of the coordinate position determining means of the device 10 to the rear side, in the vicinity of one side or both sides of the device 10.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for simplifying operations in a data processing device such as a personal computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a portable information processing apparatus has been operated by inputting through a keyboard or by operating an icon or button arranged on a display screen a plurality of times. In order to improve this, one or more one-touch operation buttons for executing such a plurality of operation steps with one operation are provided, and by operating these operation buttons, stepwise operation is not performed. However, it is also possible to activate a preset application.

[0003]

However, in the prior art, the one-touch operation button is generally disposed behind a keyboard and separated from other keyboards and operation switches. Such an one-touch operation button does not have good operability in an input operation in which a palm is placed on a palm rest arranged in front of a keyboard, since the hand must be largely moved. Furthermore, since these one-touch operation buttons have one function assigned to one operation button, only a corresponding function is required to realize a plurality of one-touch operations. In the required portable information processing device, the size of the device has to be increased.

[0004] Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus in which a one-touch input operation using a palm rest is excellent.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an easy-to-use information processing apparatus that operates a plurality of objects with one operation button.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a keyboard disposed behind an upper surface of a housing, and a flat portion formed at a front portion of the keyboard. An image position specifying device including a planar coordinate position determining unit disposed at the center of the flat portion, and an information processing device including an operation button for executing various preset applications and functions; The operation buttons are arranged on one side or near both sides behind the input center position of the planar coordinate position determination means of the image position specification device.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus comprising: a keyboard disposed behind an upper surface of a housing; a flat portion formed at a front portion of the keyboard; An image position specifying device provided with a planar coordinate position determining means disposed at the center of the plane portion; and an operation button for switching an output signal of the image position specifying device, wherein the operation button includes the coordinate position determining device. Can be switched to a drawing signal for outputting a trajectory drawn by the coordinate position determining means, simultaneously with the operation of the operation button, or a predetermined signal of the operation button. Switching to the drawing signal of the image position designation device with the continuous operation, executing one of various applications and functions corresponding to the preset drawing signal, Serial to the input central position of the planar coordinate position determining means of the image position specifying device be arranged on one or both sides near the rear.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to FIGS. Note that the same functions and parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 to FIG.
FIGS. 1 to 8 are external views, FIG. 9 is a device block diagram, FIG. 10 is an operation flow diagram, and FIGS. 11 and 12 are use state diagrams of a portable information processing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. is there.

First, a schematic structure of a portable information processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the portable information processing apparatus according to the present invention in a state where a display unit is opened.

[0011] A portable information processing apparatus is generally indicated by the reference numeral 1, and a keyboard 101 as an input device is provided inside the portable information processing apparatus.
And a thin lid housing 200 provided with a display unit 201 inside thereof. The base casing 100 and the lid casing 200 have a thin and substantially rectangular shape having a planar shape of substantially the same size, and are opened and closed via an opening / closing hinge 300 provided at the rear end of each casing. It is connected as possible. Then, the lid housing 20
In a state where the cover unit 0 is closed, the display unit 201 and the keyboard 101 can be foldable so as to conceal the display unit 201 and the arrangement surfaces 102 and 202 provided with the keyboard 101 so as to cover the display unit 201 and the keyboard 101. When the display 200 is open, the display unit 201 and the keyboard 10
1 can be exposed.

In addition, the arrangement surface 102 of the base housing 100 has a keyboard 101 in which various keys are arranged in accordance with the JIS standard at a rear portion thereof, and the keyboard 101 is arranged at a full width, and a front portion thereof is used when the keyboard 101 is used. A wide flat portion 103 called a palm rest that allows an input person to input while putting his palm on is formed. The display unit 201 is located substantially at the center of the plane unit 103 in the left-right direction.
Pointing pad (image position specifying device) 10 for moving a cursor displayed on the screen, a designating key 11 and a confirming key 12 used together with the pointing pad 10, and a one-touch operation for activating various arbitrarily registered applications. A start button 20 is provided. The pointing pad 10 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape, and the one-touch activation button 20 is disposed in the vicinity of the rear of one side of the pointing pad 10, and the designation is made so as to line up on the front side of the pointing pad 10. A key 11 and an enter key 12 are provided.

A detachable battery 50 is provided at the center of the rear end of the base housing 100. Further, on the front surface and both side surfaces of the base housing 100, various operation switches, connection portions, various recording medium insertion ports, and the like are provided. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the lid housing 20
0 with respect to the base casing 100,
It is possible to open and close 180 degrees via 00.

As described above, according to the portable information processing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, when the portable information processing apparatus 1 is carried, the display unit 201 and the keyboard 101 and the like are closed by closing the lid case 200. By concealing inside and making it a thin form, portability can be improved,
At the time of use, the user can open the lid housing 200 to an appropriate position desired by the user and input data while viewing the display unit 201 using the keyboard 101, the pointing pad 10, or the like.

Particularly, in this embodiment, in the input operation in which the palm is put on the flat portions 103 on both sides of the pointing pad 10, the keyboard 101 and the pointing pad 10 can be moved without greatly moving the position of the palm. , The designation key 11, the determination key 12, and the one-touch activation button 20 can be operated. In addition, the one-touch activation button 20 can be operated by itself or by another key or the pointing pad 10.
Various applications can be activated in combination with.

For this reason, the movement of the hand to be operated can be minimized as compared with the same type of switch disposed behind the keyboard 101 as in the prior art. Furthermore,
The position on the one side rear of the pointing pad 10 where the one-touch activation button 20 is arranged is easy to operate with the thumb, and in the input operation of the keyboard 101, erroneous operation may occur due to the touch of the thumb or other finger. Since the position is difficult, the operability can be further improved.

In this embodiment, the lid housing 2
00 can be rotated up to 180 degrees, so that the display unit 201 can be shown to a partner (customer) who faces the portable information processing apparatus 1 therebetween, which is suitable for negotiations and the like. Further, in addition to the structure that can be rotated up to 180 degrees, if the display inversion function of the display unit 201 is registered in the one-touch activation button 20,
When the screen is opened up to 80 degrees, the screen can be easily switched between the input user and the opponent, so that the operability and visibility for the two users can be improved.

Hereinafter, the portable information processing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment will be described in detail. First, the external structure will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 is a plan view showing the display unit opened, FIG. 3 is a left side view showing the display unit opened, FIG. 4 is a front view showing the display unit opened, FIG. 5 is a bottom view, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a front view of a state where the display unit is closed, and FIG. 8 is a right side view of a state where the display unit is closed.

In FIG. 1, the base housing 100 is
Base cover 1 constituting the lower part of base housing 100
04 and an upper cover 105 that forms the upper part of the base case 100 constitute a main structure of the base case 100. The base cover 104 is made of a lightweight metal material, for example, a magnesium alloy, thereby achieving strength and weight reduction. On the other hand, the upper cover 1
05 is a resin molded product that can be molded in various ways, so that it is easy to develop models.

As shown in FIG. 2, inside the base case 100, a replaceable auxiliary storage device 151 is provided at the front left side, a hard disk serving as the main storage device 152 is provided at the front right side, and the main storage device 152 is provided. The PC card storage sections 153 are arranged at the rear. Further, the main board 154 and the keyboard 101 are vertically arranged behind the base housing. The main board 154 is provided with a CPU generating a large amount of heat and a fan for cooling the CPU on the left side.

The rear end of the base housing 100 has a recessed battery housing 107 inside the protrusion 106, leaving a protrusion 106 on both sides. The battery 50 has a size that fits within the projected area of the battery storage unit 107. In addition, since the battery storage unit 107 is open at the rear, it is possible to store a large-capacity battery 50 extending in the front-rear direction while the battery 50 is stored. The pair of projections 106 have slide grooves (not shown) on the inner surfaces facing each other, into which the battery 50 can be inserted from the rear. Further, the arrangement surface 102
A groove 107 is formed in a joint portion between the rear end of the battery 50 and the battery 50.
Forming a facilitates the removal of the battery 50 and improves the design.

Returning to FIG. 1, the lid housing 200 is composed of an outer cover 203 forming the outside of the lid housing 200 and an inner cover 204 forming the inside of the lid housing 200. The outer cover 203 is made of a lightweight metal material, for example, a magnesium alloy, thereby achieving strength and weight reduction. On the other hand, the inner cover 204
It is a resin molded product that can be molded in various ways. Inside the lid housing 200, a thin display device (not shown), in this embodiment, a liquid crystal device is provided. In this embodiment, since a liquid crystal device having a large screen is attached to the lid housing 200, the liquid crystal device is attached to a mounting rib (not shown) formed inside the outer cover 203 having a peripheral edge. Difficult to install. Therefore, in this embodiment, a semicircular notch 205 is formed at the edge of the edge of the outer cover, and a tool such as a screwdriver is inserted through the notch 205 to screw the liquid crystal device from the side. I am trying to do it. Thereby, the small lid housing 20
A large liquid crystal device can be easily attached to the device. In this embodiment, the notch 205 can be covered by the protrusion 206 provided on the inner cover 204, so that the number of parts and the number of assembly steps can be reduced. Further, since the projection 206 and the notch 205 are formed in a semicircular shape, it is easy to position a tool such as a screwdriver, and the projection 206 and the notch 205 are provided two on each side. Since the inner cover 204 and the outer cover 203 are provided, they can be easily aligned at the time of assembly.

A lower side 207 of the lid housing 200 on the side of the opening / closing hinge 300 is formed so that both sides thereof are cut out. A mechanism is mounted and housed on the outer cover 203.

On the other hand, a hinge base 301 attached to the base cover 104 is formed on the pair of projections 106 of the base casing 100 so as to protrude upward. The lid housing 200 is connected to the lower side 207.
Are mounted so as to be sandwiched between the pair of hinge bases 301, and are pivotally supported from both sides by screws (not shown), and are covered by caps 302 covering the screws. In the present embodiment, the lid housing 20
0 can be rotated in the range of 180 degrees, and the lid housing 200 can be fixed at a predetermined angle by the opening / closing mechanism (not shown). In addition, the open / close hinge 300
Is provided with a wiring cord for connecting the liquid crystal display device to each device of the base housing 100 therein.

2 and 3, in this embodiment, the open end 208 of the lid housing 200 is formed by projecting in a minus arc shape when viewed from the side (FIG. 3). A lid lock switch 209 is provided in this portion. When the lid lock switch 209 slides in the left-right direction (on the drawing), the lever 210 that fits into the lock hole 109 provided in the front part of the base housing 100 is configured to protrude and retract. On the other hand, a front end portion 108 of the arrangement surface of the base housing 100 is formed in a positive arc shape so as to match the end portion 208. With this structure,
While the lid lock switch 209 is compactly housed in the housing, the uncomfortable feeling of the palm with respect to the flat portion (palm rest) 102 is reduced, and the design is further improved.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 110 denotes the flat portion 102.
Is provided behind the speaker. Conventionally, the speaker is generally arranged behind the base housing. In the present embodiment, the speaker 110 is
02 is placed behind the flat portion 102 near the front portion of the keyboard 101, which is not blocked by the hand when the user places the hand on the battery 02, as in the present embodiment. In the type in which is arranged, it is possible to dispose it with a simple structure and without increasing the size of the housing without hindering the sound quality effect. In this embodiment, although one is provided on the left side, the sound quality of the stereo effect can be obtained by providing one on both sides.

2 and 4, reference numeral 111 denotes an operation confirmation lamp provided on one side of the front end of the flat portion 102. A plurality of the operation check lamps 111 are provided side by side in the left-right direction, and each lamp is
It is provided so as to extend from 02 to the peripheral side surface (front side) of the base housing 100. Thus, the operation confirmation lamp 111 can be seen even when the lid housing 200 is closed.

In FIG. 3, on the left side of the base case 100, from the front to the rear, a connection portion 112 with a portable telephone covered with a detachable cover, an external display covered with a detachable cover. A connection unit 113 with the device, a main power switch 114, an infrared light receiving unit 115 for external communication, a communication connection unit 116, and an exhaust port 117 are provided.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 118 denotes an energy saving switch provided on the peripheral side surface (front surface) of the base housing 100. In this embodiment, operability and visibility are improved by providing the switch 118 near the operation display lamp 111.

4 and 5, in the present embodiment, the auxiliary storage device 151 has a detachable structure in which a plurality of auxiliary storage devices can be selected and mounted in correspondence with various recording media. Shown in the drawing is a CDROM device having a tray that is drawn out to the near side. In this embodiment, an FD device, a CDRAM device, and the like are separately prepared. Further, in this embodiment, by releasing the two lock switches 119 shown in FIG. 5, the entire auxiliary storage device 151 is drawn out to the front (upward in FIG. 5). And in this embodiment,
The connection portion 112 and the connection portion 113 are provided in the base case 100 supporting one side of the auxiliary storage device 151 to improve the internal mounting efficiency and promote the compactness of the case.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 120 denotes a lock switch for attaching and detaching the battery 50, and reference numerals 121 denote legs provided at four corners on the bottom surface. The legs 121 prevent the tray from hitting the installation surface when the auxiliary storage device 151 having the tray pulled out forward is adopted,
The overhang of the battery 50 and the PC card accommodating portion 153 is absorbed to reduce the size of the housing.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, this embodiment is different from the embodiment shown in FIG.
The width W is 270 mm, the depth D is 222 mm, and the leg 121
Height H1 excluding 28 mm, height H including legs 121
2, 32 mm, the height of the base housing 100 is 18 mm,
The size is approximately A4 size, which is 9 mm. In FIG. 4, the display unit 201 employs a 12.1-inch liquid crystal display device. The display unit 20
In the case where a liquid crystal display device with a touch panel of about 10 inches is adopted for the display unit 201, the display unit 201 is changed from the embodiment of FIG.
A wide edge (flat portion) can be obtained around the
A pen storage unit (not shown) for storing a touch pen for touching 01 is provided on the open right side of the lid housing 200 (upper right in FIG. 4). In this case, the pen housing is formed at the open end 208 so that the longitudinal direction of the pen housing part coincides with the left-right direction of the lid housing 200, and the pen insertion opening is provided on the peripheral side to reduce dead space. Effective utilization can be achieved.

In FIG. 8, on the right side of the base case 100, the microphone terminal 1 extends from the front to the rear.
22, an earphone terminal 123, an external connection terminal 124 covered with a removable cover, a PC card insertion slot 125, external connection terminals 126 and 127 covered with a removable cover,
A power supply connection unit 128 is provided.

As described above, in the portable information processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, by providing various connection portions for connection with the outside on both sides, wiring to the user side can be avoided. . In addition, the medium port of the auxiliary storage device 151 for pulling out a tray such as a CDROM device is provided at the front, thereby improving ease of use. And the battery 50 is provided in the back surface. Thereby, in this embodiment, the working space in the front-back direction can be reduced,
Since wiring can be performed on both sides of the device, these connections are facilitated and usability can be improved.

Next, with reference to FIG. 2 and FIGS. 9 to 12, the one-touch activation button 20, which is a major feature of this embodiment, will be described in detail. FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a device centering on the one-touch activation button 20, FIG. 10 is an operation flowchart of the one-touch activation button 20, and FIGS.

In this embodiment, it is possible to set a plurality of keys for starting an application at one time, and to set one-time start of the frequently used application among the keys on the one-touch start button 20. Specifically, by pressing one of the keys 130, 131, and 132 of the function keys arranged rearward while pressing the switch button 129 of the keyboard 101 shown in FIG. The specified application can be started. For example, the switching button 1
29 and the key 130 are simultaneously pressed to start the Internet browser, and the switch button 129 and the key 131
Are simultaneously pressed to activate the mailer, and simultaneously pressing the switch button 129 and the key 132 can activate the one-touch key help.

In this embodiment, the activation of the frequently used application can be set and registered in the one-touch activation button 20 located at the position where the user can use it most easily. In this embodiment, the registered application, for example, the screen can be turned upside down with one touch only by pressing the one-touch start button 20 on the left of the pointing pad 10. In the setting of the one-touch activation button 20 and the one-shot activation of the function key group, another application or file can be registered by user setting. For example, in the case of a file, the file can be automatically opened in the associated application. It is convenient to register frequently used presentation files and standard word processor documents. In addition, if you register frequently used items such as internal company emails and business applications,
Work efficiency can be improved. Furthermore, it is also possible to activate a program that is set to operate the specific function independently or in a continuous operation.

FIG. 9 is a device block diagram of the one-touch activation button 20 which can be activated once. The portable information processing device 1 includes the CP on the main board 154.
U63, RAM 61, input control unit 64, output control unit 67
Is provided. The mouse controller 65 is recorded on a hard disk (HDD) 62 which is the main storage device 152 and is executed by the CPU 63. The pointing pad 10, the designation key 11, the confirmation key 1
2 and the one-touch activation button 20 are controlled by the control circuit 66. In this embodiment, a signal input from the keyboard 101 is transmitted to the CPU 63 by the input control unit 64 so that the signal is transmitted to the CPU 63.
The general-purpose programs stored in the DD 62 and the RAM 61 can be operated. Thereby, the CP
U63 can output the processing result of the program to the display unit 201 via the output control unit 67.

On the other hand, the one-touch start button 20, the pointing pad 10, the designation key 11, the decision key 12
Is output by the control circuit 66 to P
The signal is converted into a packet signal of the S2 interface, output to the mouse controller 65, and further transmitted to the CPU 63 via the input control unit 64. The control circuit 66 for converting a signal output by the one-touch activation button 20 into a packet signal and driver software for driving a mouse controller 65 are provided by the HDD
The information is recorded in the storage area 62 and executed by the CPU 63. The mouse controller 65 includes a mouse 6
7 is connected, the signal from the mouse 67 is given priority to the pointing pad 10, the designation key 11, and the decision key 12. Further, the mouse controller 65 records the registration data of the one-touch activation button 20 and executes the registration data. Thus, when a signal from the control circuit 66 is output to the mouse controller 65, the CPU
The hard disk 62 and the general-purpose program stored in the RAM 61 can be operated by operating the driver software of the mouse controller 65. Then, the operation state can be output to the display unit 201 or the like, which is the output destination, through the output control unit 67.

The output signals of the keys 130, 131, 132 of the function keys output to the keyboard 101 are driven by the mouse controller 65 via the CPU 63. Next, in this embodiment, three-stage setting is possible with the one-touch activation button 20. That is, the first stage is an application startup setting at the time of application startup, the second stage is a specific file operation setting, and the third stage is a specific single or linked startup setting. In this embodiment, the first to third stages are sequentially determined, and the registered and set one is executed. Then, these settings can be registered by opening a window set by the user.

This will be further described with reference to FIG. First, the CPU 63 monitors whether or not the one-touch activation button 20 is pressed when the power of the portable information processing device 1 is turned on. When the one-touch start button 20 is pressed in step 402 when the power is turned on, the CPU 63 determines whether or not there is an application registered in step 403 with reference to the contents recorded in the mouse controller 65.
If there is a registered application, the application is started in step 404 and displayed on the display screen of the display unit 201. In step 405, the user can perform subsequent operations on the display screen. Also,
In step 403, if there is no registered application, in step 406, an application that starts up while the normal power is turned on is started up, and a subsequent operation is accepted. From this state, the user can freely start various applications by ordinary operation to perform work. next,
In step 407, the one-touch start button 2
When 0 is pressed, the CPU 407 determines in step 408 whether a file is registered with reference to the content recorded in the mouse controller 65. If the file has been registered, in step 409,
Open the registered file. The user should go to Step 4
At 10, subsequent operations can be performed.

In step 408, if there is no registered file, it is determined whether or not there is a single operation or a continuous operation setting such as operation of a specific function by pressing the one-touch start button 20 again (step 411). The determination is made with reference to the registered contents of the mouse controller 65 (step 412). This one-touch activation button 20
By pressing again, malfunction can be reduced.
If there is this operation setting, the set function is executed in step 413, and the user can continue the subsequent operation in step 414. If there is no operation setting in step 412, the current operation is maintained (step 415).

In the embodiment of FIG. 10, an application, a file, and a specific function operation can be selected according to the timing at which the one-touch start button 20 is pressed. By adopting a flow from which 406, 407, and 411 have been removed, it is possible to execute the settings registered in the priority order of the application, the file, and the specific function. Thus, a specific function can be operated at any time by pressing the one-touch activation button 20.

Next, the operability of the one-touch start button 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, in FIG. 11, when the flat portion 103 is provided in front of the keyboard 101, the user can use the flat portion 10.
The input work is performed by placing a palm on the contact areas 140 on both sides of the third area. Since the user who performs the input operation while looking at the display unit 201 extends the elbow on both sides to input, the contact area 140 is a portion that opens rearward from the near side. The contact area 140 is a part where the hand comes into contact with the device, and is an undesirable area for arranging various operation buttons.

The central portion of the flat portion 103 is a portion that is the center position of the home position of the keyboard 101, and therefore, this portion is a portion where the palm does not touch. For this reason, a pointing pad 10 and the designation key 11 and the determination key 12 below the pointing pad 10 are provided in the central portion. The pointing device located at this position can be operated via both thumbs or one-pointed finger.

The inventor of the present embodiment proposes that the flat portion 10
In the information processing apparatus provided with the pointing pad 10 at the center of the position No. 3, the position where the erroneous operation was further reduced was verified without impairing the operability of the pointing pad 10 and minimizing the movement of the palm. As a result, the substantially triangular button arrangement area 142 connecting the center part of the keyboard 101 to the rear from the vicinity of the front / rear center line 141 of the pointing pad 10 and the operability with few erroneous operations and minimizing palm movement. Was found to be a good area. By providing the one-touch activation button 20 in the button arrangement area 142, the user can rotate the palm right and left around the contact area 140 in the contact area 140, thereby turning the keyboard 1
01, pointing pad 10, designation key 11,
The enter key 12 and the one-touch start button 20 can be operated.

Further, the favorable arrangement position of the one-touch activation button 20 is determined by reducing the left-right rotation of the hand by making the one-touch activation button 20 adjacent to both sides of the pointing pad 10 in the button arrangement area 142. Movement can be reduced as much as possible.

Also, in this embodiment, the button shape of the one-touch activation button 20 is formed in a concave shape so that an erroneous operation is unlikely to occur even if the palm or other parts are temporarily touched.

(Other Embodiments) Next, FIGS.
Referring to FIG. 7, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. 13 and 14 show the one-touch activation button 20.
For explaining the cooperative operation between the car and the ponting pad 10, FIG.
5 is a display screen diagram of an operation guidance screen window, and FIGS. 16 and 17 are operation flow diagrams.

First, in FIG. 13, in this embodiment, a plurality of operation contents which can be activated by the one-touch activation button 20 can be set. In this embodiment, a miracle (gesture) drawn by a finger on the ponting pad 10, for example, the ponting pad 10 having a function of pressure or electrically sensing a miracle 150 shown in FIG. 13 is employed. By drawing the trajectory (gesture) of the diplomacy on the punching pad 10, the CPU 63 can be recognized as another command, and a plurality of functions can be realized. For example, when the one-touch activation button 20 is pressed with the left hand 151, the punching pad 1 is pressed.
0 indicates a standby state for detecting the shape on which the trajectory is drawn. By drawing a locus 150 on the punching pad 10 with the right hand 152, an application or function corresponding to the locus 150 can be operated.

However, when a plurality of functions are set, what kind of image is required for the user to operate the function to be executed.
It is difficult to understand if you should draw (gesture). Therefore, in conjunction with the operation of pressing the one-touch activation button 20, the operation guide screen window 153 shown in FIG.
May be displayed on the display screen 154. The user can perform gesture input while looking at the operation guide screen window 153, the function content displays 155a to 159a displayed thereon, and the trajectory (gesture) shapes 155b to 159b, and can easily perform a plurality of operations without error. be able to. Reference numeral 160 denotes a next screen display switch. Thereby, even if a plurality of programs, applications or functions set in the one-touch start button 20 are set, one of them is selected and started by one-touch operation, and the simplicity of the operation is ensured. it can.

FIG. 16 shows the operation guide screen window 1
An example of an operation flow performed while displaying 53 is shown. In FIG. 16, first, in this embodiment, in step 421, a branched flow is taken. The CP
U63 determines whether or not there is a plurality of programs or functions set in the one-touch start button 20, and determines whether or not there are a plurality of programs or functions in step 4.
When the one-touch activation button 20 is pressed in step 22 or in step 402 in FIG. 10, the flow in FIG. 10 or the flow in FIG. 16 is executed.

In the flow of FIG. 16, when the one-touch activation button 20 is pressed, the display unit 201 is pressed.
Then, the operation guide screen window 153 is displayed (step 423). Then, the CPU 63 sets the
For example, it detects and determines whether a miracle (gesture) has been drawn on the pointing pad 10 within 5 to 10 seconds. If a gesture is drawn within a certain period of time, it refers to the content registered in the mouse controller 65 and executes the corresponding start application or function (step 425). In step 424,
If the gesture is not drawn within a predetermined time, the set first order command is executed (step 426). Then, the user can perform subsequent operations and inputs while the corresponding application or function is being executed (steps 427 and 428).

Further, as shown in FIG.
6 may detect the time and interval when the one-touch activation button 20 is pressed. For example, in this embodiment, in Step 433, it is determined whether or not the press is shortly performed only once, and if this is determined, the set instruction is operated immediately (Step 436). It is assumed that a gesture to the pointing pad 10 is awaited (step 434).
Then, in step 435, when a gesture is input from the pointing pad 10, it is determined and a corresponding application or function is executed.
(Step 436). Step 431 is the same as step 421 and will not be described.

Further, as another judgment of the step 433, the input signal that is kept pressed for several seconds or pressed twice or three times at short intervals can be set as an input signal different from the operation of pressing once shortly. Then, they may be recognized as different commands and different operation commands may be transmitted.

According to the above setting, for example, as shown in FIG. 13, a simultaneous operation method of inputting a gesture through the pointing pad 10 while pressing the one-touch activation button 20, and as shown in FIG. The user can select one of two operation conditions, that is, a continuous operation method of continuously operating a gesture via the pointing pad 10 after operating the one-touch activation button 20. For example, according to the continuous operation method of FIG. 14, after the user presses the one-touch activation button 20 with the right hand 152, the user once releases the finger from the one-touch activation button 20 to draw a miracle (gesture) 150. It is possible to input a plurality of operation commands to the device with only one hand.

In order to operate simultaneously or continuously with the pointing pad 10, the one-touch activation button 20 is desirably the first button arrangement area 142 set as close to the pointing pad 10 as possible.

As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a keyboard disposed behind the upper surface of the housing, a flat portion formed at the front of the keyboard, and a planar coordinate disposed at the center of the flat portion. In an information processing apparatus including an image position specifying device including a position determining unit and an operation button for executing various preset applications and functions, the operation button is set to a planar coordinate position of the image position specifying device. It is characterized in that it is arranged near one side or both sides behind the input center position of the determining means.

Further, the present invention has a thin base housing having a keyboard inside thereof and a thin lid housing having a display portion inside thereof, and is provided at the rear ends of both housings. By being connected openably and closably via an openable hinge, the display unit and the keyboard are hidden when the lid housing is closed, and the display unit and the keyboard are open when the lid housing is open. In an information processing apparatus capable of exposing a keyboard, the keyboard is disposed at the rear of the upper surface of the base housing, a flat portion is formed at a front portion of the keyboard, and a flat coordinate is formed at the center of the flat portion. An image position specifying device provided with position determining means is provided, and an operation button for executing various preset applications and functions is provided on one side rearward from the input center position of the planar coordinate position determining means of the image position specifying device. Or both sides Characterized in that arranged beside.

Also, the present invention provides a keyboard disposed behind an upper surface of a housing, a flat portion formed at a front portion of the keyboard, and a planar coordinate position determining device disposed at the center of the flat portion. And an operation button for switching an output signal of the image position specifying device, wherein the operation button outputs a position signal of a cursor position output from the coordinate position determining means to the coordinate position. It is possible to switch to a drawing signal for outputting the trajectory drawn on the determining means, and simultaneously with the operation of this operation button, or
Switching to the drawing signal of the image position specifying device in accordance with the predetermined continuous operation of the operation button, executing one of various applications and functions corresponding to the preset drawing signal, It is characterized in that it is arranged near one or both sides behind the input center position of the planar coordinate position determining means of the position specifying device.

Further, the present invention has a thin base housing having a keyboard inside thereof and a thin lid housing having a display portion inside thereof, and is provided at the rear ends of both housings. By being connected openably and closably via an openable hinge, the display unit and the keyboard are hidden when the lid housing is closed, and the display unit and the keyboard are open when the lid housing is open. In an information processing apparatus capable of exposing a keyboard, the keyboard is disposed at the rear of the upper surface of the base housing, a flat portion is formed at a front portion of the keyboard, and a flat coordinate is formed at the center of the flat portion. An image position specifying device having position determining means is provided, and an operation button for switching an output signal of the image position specifying device is operated on one side or both sides behind the input center position of the planar coordinate position determining means of the image position specifying device. Place it near The operation button is capable of switching a position signal of a cursor position output from the coordinate position determining means to a drawing signal for outputting a trajectory drawn by the coordinate position determining means. Simultaneously or in accordance with a predetermined continuous operation of the operation button, switching to the drawing signal of the image position designation device, and executing one of various applications and functions corresponding to the preset drawing signal. It is characterized by.

Further, the present invention has a thin base housing having a keyboard inside thereof and a thin lid housing having a display portion inside thereof, and is provided at the rear ends of both housings. By being connected openably and closably via an openable hinge, the display unit and the keyboard are hidden when the lid housing is closed, and the display unit and the keyboard are open when the lid housing is open. In an information processing apparatus capable of exposing a keyboard, the lid housing is provided so as to be rotatable up to 180 degrees with respect to the base housing, and the keyboard is disposed behind an upper surface of the base housing. Forming a flat portion in the portion, providing an image position specifying device provided with a planar coordinate position determining means in the center of the flat portion, an operation button for inverting the display direction of the display portion, the operation button of the image position specifying device Planar coordinate position determination Characterized in that the input center position of the stage is arranged on one or both sides near the rear.

[0063]

According to the present invention, a function frequently used by a user is realized by a simple operation of one operation button, so that a simple operation is realized.
Quick operation can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state where a display unit of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention is opened.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state where a display unit of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention is opened.

FIG. 3 is a left side view of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention in a state where a display unit is opened.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention in a state where a display unit is opened.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a state where a display unit of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention is closed.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention with the display unit closed.

FIG. 8 is a right side view of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention with the display unit closed.

FIG. 9 is a device block diagram of an information processing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an operation flowchart of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a use state of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a use state of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an operation explanatory diagram of another embodiment of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an operation explanatory diagram of another embodiment of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a screen explanatory diagram of another embodiment of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is an operation flowchart of another embodiment of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 17 is an operation flowchart of another embodiment of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 information processing device, 11 designation key, 12 confirmation key,
20: One-touch start button, 100: Base housing, 1
01: keyboard, 102: flat part, 200: lid housing,
201: display unit, 300: open / close hinge unit.

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ───

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] April 21, 2000 (200.4.2
1)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Fig. 1

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG.

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Fig. 4

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 4

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Fig. 7

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 7

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Fig. 9

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 9

[Procedure amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] FIG.

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 11

[Procedure amendment 6]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] FIG.

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG.

[Procedure amendment 7]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] FIG.

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 13

[Procedure amendment 8]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] FIG.

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 14

[Procedure amendment 9]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] FIG.

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor, Nobuhiro Kato 810 Shimo-Imaizumi, Ebina-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture PC Division, Hitachi, Ltd. Inside Electronic Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Daisuke Iseki 1-280 Higashi-Koigabo, Kokubunji-shi, Tokyo F-term in Hitachi, Ltd.Design Research Laboratories (reference) 5B020 AA17 DD02 DD11 FF17 HH21 5B087 AA09 AB02 AE09 BC08 BC17 DD06 DE02 DE07

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A keyboard disposed behind an upper surface of a housing, a flat portion formed at a front portion of the keyboard, and a planar coordinate position determining means disposed at a center of the flat portion. In an information processing apparatus including an image position specifying device and an operation button for executing various preset applications and functions, the operation button is set to an input center position of a planar coordinate position determining unit of the image position specifying device. An information processing apparatus characterized in that the information processing apparatus is arranged near one side or both sides rearward from the camera. 2. A thin base housing having a keyboard on the inside thereof, and a thin lid housing having a display unit on the inside thereof, and an opening / closing hinge provided on the rear ends of both housings. When the cover is closed, the display unit and the keyboard are hidden when the cover is closed, and when the cover is opened, the display and the keyboard are exposed. In the information processing device, the keyboard is arranged behind the upper surface of the base housing,
A flat portion is formed at the front of the keyboard, an image position specifying device having a flat coordinate position determining means is provided at the center of the flat portion, and operation buttons for executing various preset applications and functions are provided. An information processing apparatus, wherein the information processing apparatus is arranged in the vicinity of one or both sides behind the input center position of the planar coordinate position determining means of the image position specifying device. 3. A keyboard disposed behind an upper surface of a housing, a flat portion formed at a front portion of the keyboard, and a planar coordinate position determining means disposed at a center of the flat portion. An image position specifying device, and an operation button for switching an output signal of the image position specifying device, wherein the operation button draws a position signal of a cursor position output from the coordinate position determining device on the coordinate position determining device. It is possible to switch to the drawing signal to output the trajectory, simultaneously with the operation of this operation button, or with the predetermined continuous operation of this operation button, switch to the drawing signal of the image position designation device, One of various applications and functions corresponding to the preset drawing signal is executed, and further, an input center of a planar coordinate position determining means of the image position specifying device is executed. The information processing apparatus characterized by being arranged on one or both sides near the place et rearward. 4. A thin base housing provided with a keyboard inside thereof, and a thin lid housing provided with a display unit inside thereof, and an opening / closing hinge provided at the rear ends of both housings. When the cover is closed, the display unit and the keyboard are concealed when the cover is closed, and when the cover is open, the display and the keyboard are exposed. In the information processing device, the keyboard is arranged behind the upper surface of the base housing,
A flat portion is formed at the front of the keyboard, an image position specifying device having a planar coordinate position determining means is provided at the center of the flat portion, and an operation button for switching an output signal of the image position specifying device is provided. The operation position button is disposed near one side or both sides behind the input center position of the planar coordinate position determining means of the image position specifying device, and the operation button transmits a position signal of a cursor position output from the coordinate position determining means to the coordinates. It is possible to switch to a drawing signal for outputting a trajectory drawn on the position determining means. Simultaneously with the operation of this operation button, or in accordance with a predetermined continuous operation of this operation button, the image position specifying device An information processing apparatus which switches to a drawing signal and executes one of various applications and functions corresponding to the preset drawing signal. 5. A thin base housing provided with a keyboard inside thereof and a thin lid housing provided with a display unit inside thereof, and an opening / closing hinge provided at the rear ends of both housings. When the cover is closed, the display unit and the keyboard are hidden when the cover is closed, and when the cover is opened, the display and the keyboard are exposed. In the information processing device, the lid housing is provided to be rotatable up to 180 degrees with respect to the base housing, and the keyboard is arranged on the upper surface rear side of the base housing.
A flat portion is formed at the front of the keyboard, an image position specifying device having a flat coordinate position determining means is provided at the center of the flat portion, and an operation button for reversing a display direction of the display portion is provided on the image. An information processing apparatus, wherein the information processing apparatus is arranged on one side or near both sides behind an input center position of a planar coordinate position determining means of the position specifying device.