JP2000207103A - Information processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To prevent erroneous input by a thumb. SOLUTION: A thumb key 4b and a decision button 17 of a keyboard 4 arranged on an upper surface of a computer main body 2 are provided.
Is provided with a thumb rib 16 having a height equal to or higher than the key top of the keyboard 4, so that when an input operation is performed on any input key of the thumb corresponding key 4b, a thumb rib 16 is provided. 16 prevents the enter button 17 adjacent to the target input key from being pressed, so that erroneous input by the thumb is prevented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, and is particularly suitable for a portable personal computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, personal computers of a size suitable for carrying, such as mobile computers, have been widely developed. These mobile computers generally include a main body in which a keyboard is provided, and a display unit having a liquid crystal (LCD) monitor, and a structure in which the display unit is openably and closably connected to the main unit. It has been. In addition, various sizes have been developed as the planar shape, for example, so-called B4 plate and A4 plate.
A sheet of the same size as a sheet called a plate is known.

[0003] These mobile computers are used not only in specific places such as offices and homes, but also in various places because of their ease of carrying. For example, when a user puts on a lap in a car such as a train. Sometimes used. In such a case, it is necessary for the user to perform use in an unstable state on the knee, for example, to perform an input operation on a keyboard.

For this reason, in a B4 size or A4 size mobile computer, for example, a keyboard provided on the main body is disposed above the main body. And
A hard disk drive (HDD), a CD-ROM driver, etc. are stored below the main unit (user side),
In some cases, an area in which no keyboard or the like is arranged is provided below (on the user side) below the upper surface (housing surface) of the main body housing the D or CD-ROM driver.

[0005] When an area in which no keyboard or the like is arranged is provided below the upper surface of the main body, this area functions as a so-called palm rest for supporting the user's hands and arms during an input operation. In addition, the user can perform a relatively stable input operation even under unstable use.

[0006]

In recent years, mobile computers have been required to be smaller and lighter. For this reason, many input keys including the input key of the keyboard must be provided in a limited space such as the upper surface of the main body. In other words, the size of the input keys of the keyboard for inputting characters and numbers should be small, and the interval between the input keys should be narrow, as well as providing a sufficient space in front of the keyboard. Instead, it is necessary to provide an input key used for inputting a pointing device.

However, when the user makes an input to the input key of the keyboard, the other four fingers except the thumb press the input key with their fingertips raised, while the thumb is usually kept in a lying state. An input key is pressed. For this reason, of the input keys provided on the keyboard, a sufficient interval should be provided in front of the input keys that are normally depressed by the thumb (for example, the space key or the non-conversion key that is normally arranged in the front row). If you have a new input key without
When an input operation is performed with the thumb, there is a problem that a target input key and another input key disposed in front of the target input key are simultaneously pressed, and erroneous input is likely to occur.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and has a first input means comprising a plurality of input keys, and a first input means provided in front of the first input means. A main body in which a second input means comprising one or more input keys is disposed; and a display unit which is openably and closably connected to the main body, the first input means and the second input means. A projection having a predetermined height is formed between the input means and the input means.

The protruding portion has a height equal to or higher than the height of the input key in a state where the input key is not pressed, or a height position where the input key is brought into an electrical contact state when the input key is pressed. The height is set to be higher.

According to the present invention, the input key of the first input means provided on the upper surface of the main body and the second key provided on the front side of the input key of the first input means. A projection having a predetermined height is provided between the input means and an input key. At this time, the height of the protruding portion is higher than, for example, the height position of the input key when it is not pressed, or higher than the height position at which the input key is electrically contacted when the input key is pressed. It forms so that it may become. As a result, for example, when the user performs an input operation on a target input key (one input key of the first input means) with the thumb, the user is provided with the protrusion to be disposed in front of the target input key. Other input keys (one input key of the second input means) can be prevented from being pressed simultaneously.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a portable personal computer will be described as an embodiment of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention. First, a portable personal computer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the portable personal computer of the present embodiment in a state where a display unit is opened with respect to a main body, and FIG. 2 is a plan view thereof. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the personal computer 1 of the present embodiment includes a computer main unit (hereinafter, referred to as “computer main unit”) 2 and a display unit 3. Is openably and closably connected to the computer main body 2.

On a top surface of the computer main body 2, a keyboard 4 provided with a plurality of input keys operated as a first input means for inputting various characters and symbols is provided.
And a track point (trademark) 5 operated when the mouse cursor is moved.

The planar shape of the computer main body 2 according to the present embodiment has a size dependent on the formation range of the keyboard 4, that is, a size slightly larger than the formation range of the keyboard 4 but substantially the same as the keyboard 4 (so-called keyboard size). As shown in the figure, a part of the input keys (input key group 4 a) of the keyboard 4 is arranged up to the front edge of the computer main body 2. That is, the planar shape of the personal computer 1 according to the present embodiment depends on the size of the keyboard 4, and therefore, the above-mentioned area for the palm rest is not provided on the upper surface of the computer main body 2. It is said.

In the vicinity of the center of the keyboard 4 on the near side (user side), a determination button 17 including a left button 17a, a right button 17b, and a center button 17c used for inputting the track point 5 is provided as a second input means. Have been. In front of the keyboard 4 on the computer main body 2, a hole 6 and a speaker 8 for outputting sound are provided.
Is provided. The claw 13 provided in the display unit 3 is fitted into the hole 6 to lock the display unit 3 to the computer main body 2 when the display unit 3 is closed. A shutter button 10 is provided on the upper right side of the computer main body 2. The shutter button 10 is operated when an image is captured by a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) video camera 23 provided on the display unit 3.

Further, in the present embodiment, among the keyboards 4 provided on the computer main body 2, the input keys 4a provided at the front edge of the computer main body 2 are provided at the front of the keyboard 4 as shown in FIG. A flat plate-shaped protrusion (hereinafter, referred to as “rib for little finger”) 15 is provided.

Of the input keys of the keyboard 4, when the user puts his hand on the home position of the keyboard, input keys such as a space key and a non-conversion key (hereinafter referred to as "thumb-compatible keys") which are depressed by the thumb. "
A plate-shaped protrusion (hereinafter, referred to as a “rib for thumb”) 16 is also provided between the thumb button 4b and the enter button 17 arranged on the front side of the thumb-corresponding key 4b. I have.

In the present embodiment, these small finger ribs 1
5, and the height of the thumb rib 16 are formed to be equal to or higher than the key top position, which is the height position when the keyboard 4 is not operated.

The height of the ribs 16 for the thumb is not limited to this. For example, at least when the input key of the keyboard 4 or the enter button 17 is pressed, the height of the What is necessary is just to form so that it may become higher than the contact position which comes into contact. Further, these shapes, forming ranges, and positions are merely examples, and other shapes can be considered.

A display unit 3 is provided on the front of the computer body 2.
A slide lever 7 for locking the display unit 3 to the computer main body 2 when the computer is closed, a programmable power key (PPK) 9, an intake hole 14, and the like are provided. On the right side of the computer main body 2, for example, an exhaust hole 11 or a PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Car) is provided.
d International Association) card (PC card)
Is provided with a slot 12.

The display unit 3 is provided with a liquid crystal display (LCD) (Liquid Crystal Display) 21 for displaying an image, and further has an image pickup unit 22 with a CCD video camera 23 attached at the upper end thereof. Is provided.
The imaging unit 22 is rotatably supported by the display unit 3. That is, the imaging unit 22 is connected to a liquid crystal display unit (hereinafter, “LC
D ”) is rotatable within a range of 180 degrees from a position in the same direction as the display surface 21 to a position in the opposite direction (backward direction) to the display surface, and any position within the range. It can be fixed to. A microphone 24 for sound collection is provided next to the imaging unit 22. Claws 13
Is provided at a position corresponding to the hole 6 formed on the upper surface of the computer main body 2 described above, and is fitted into the hole 6 when the display unit 3 is closed. The lamp display unit 25
It is provided below the display surface of the display unit 3 and includes a power lamp PL, a battery lamp BL, a message lamp ML, and an LED (Light Emitting Diode) for other displays.

FIG. 3 is a left side view when the display unit 3 of the personal computer 1 of the present embodiment is closed, and FIG. 4 is a right side view when the display unit 3 is opened 180 degrees with respect to the computer main body 2. It is the figure which each showed the figure. As shown in FIG. 3, a power switch 40 for turning on / off the power of the personal computer 1 is provided on the left side surface of the computer main body 2. Also, from the right side view shown in FIG. 4, a rib 15 for the little finger provided at the front of the input key group 4a of the keyboard 4, and a rib for the thumb provided between the keyboard 4 and the enter button 17 are shown. It can be seen that the height 16 is formed higher than the key top position of the keyboard 4.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the personal computer according to the present embodiment when the display unit is closed. The focus adjustment ring 25 is an adjustment ring for adjusting the focus of the CCD video camera 23. Slide lever 7
When the display unit 3 is closed with respect to the computer body 2,
The display unit 3 can be unlocked by locking or sliding the display unit 3 on the computer main body 2 by engaging with the claw 13 fitted in the hole 8. The display unit 3 can be rotated by releasing the lock with the slide lever 7. Also, the computer main body 2 shown in FIG.
The small finger rib 15 provided at the front of the keyboard 4 can be seen from the gap between the keyboard 4 and the display unit 3.

FIG. 6 shows the display unit 3 of the personal computer 1 according to the present embodiment,
It is a bottom view at the time of opening a degree. As shown in FIG. 6, the microphone 24 has a structure capable of picking up sound and the like from the back of the display unit 3. On the back surface of the computer main body 2, for example, a lid 26 for covering an opening for mounting an additional memory in the computer main body 2, a small hole 41 for inserting a pin for releasing a lock nail of the lid 26, and the like are provided. ing.

As described above, the personal computer 1 according to the present embodiment operates when the user puts his hand on the home position of the keyboard 4 among the input keys of the keyboard 4 provided on the computer main body 2. Input key pressed by the user's thumb (thumb-compatible key 4b)
For example, a thumb rib 16 whose height is higher than the key top position of the keyboard 4 is provided between the key 4b and the enter button 17 provided on the front side of the thumb key 4b. That is, in the present embodiment, when the thumb corresponding key 4b operated by the thumb is not in the front row but in the second row or later, the thumb corresponding key 4b and the input key arranged on the near side thereof (decision) Thumb rib 1 between button 17)
6 are provided.

Therefore, for example, when the user performs an input operation on the space key of the keyboard 4 with the thumb,
The thumb rib 16 prevents the user's thumb from simultaneously pressing the determination button 17 disposed on the near side together with the space key.

As a result, for example, even when the enter button 17 is arranged without providing a sufficient space in front of the input key (thumb key 4b) of the keyboard 4 on which the input operation is performed by the thumb, the input operation by the thumb is performed. Sometimes, the user's thumb does not simultaneously press the enter button 17 disposed on the near side of the keyboard 4,
Erroneous input by the thumb can be prevented.

By providing the ribs 15 for the little finger, the base of the little finger of the user is arranged at the front edge of the computer main body 2 when the user puts his hand or finger on the home position of the keyboard 4. Touching the input key group 4a that is being operated can be prevented. As a result, erroneous input due to the base of the user's little finger can be prevented.

In this embodiment, the personal computer 1 having a keyboard size has been described as an example. However, the planar shape of the personal computer is not limited to this. For example, a personal computer of A4 size or B4 size is used. It is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to a personal computer provided with a computer and a palm rest.

[0029]

As described above, according to the information processing apparatus of the present invention, the input key of the first input means provided on the upper surface of the main body and the input key of the first input means Between the input key of the second input means arranged on the side
A projection having a predetermined height is provided. At this time, the height of the protruding portion is higher than, for example, the height position of the input key when it is not pressed, or higher than the height position at which the input key is electrically contacted when the input key is pressed. It forms so that it may become.

As a result, for example, when the user performs an input operation on the target input key (the input key of the first input means) with the thumb, the protrusion is disposed in front of the target input key. Since input keys (input keys of the second input means) can be prevented from being pressed at the same time, erroneous input caused by the thumb can be prevented.

This is particularly effective for an information processing device that can be reduced in size as a keyboard size or an information processing device without a palm rest. More specifically, a projection is provided between the input key for the thumb of the first input means (space key or non-conversion key) and the input key of the second input means disposed on the near side. By providing the section, the most effect can be obtained in preventing erroneous input by the thumb.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a portable personal computer according to an embodiment of the present invention in a state where a display unit is opened with respect to a main unit.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a portable personal computer according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a left side view of the portable personal computer according to the embodiment in a state where a display unit is closed.

FIG. 4 is a right side view when the display unit of the portable personal computer according to the present embodiment is opened 180 degrees with respect to the main body unit.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the portable personal computer according to the embodiment in a state where a display unit is closed.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the portable personal computer according to the present embodiment in a state where the display unit is opened 180 degrees with respect to the main unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 personal computer, 2 computer body,
3 display unit, 4 keyboard, 4a input key group, 4b
Thumb key, 15 little finger rib, 16 thumb rib, 17 enter button

Claims (5)

[Claims] A first input means comprising a plurality of input keys; and a main body provided with a second input means comprising one or more input keys at a front side of the first input means. A display unit that is openably and closably coupled to the main body unit, and that a projection having a predetermined height is formed between the first input unit and the second input unit. An information processing apparatus characterized in that: 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is formed at a height equal to or higher than a height position when the input key is not pressed. 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the projecting portion is formed higher than a height position at which the input key is electrically contacted when the input key is pressed. Information processing device. 4. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the second input means is one or more input keys provided adjacent to and near the thumb corresponding operation key of the first input means. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is formed at a distance between the thumb key corresponding to the first input means and the second input means. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an upper surface of the main body has a size depending on a formation range of the first input means, and a portion serving as a palm rest is not formed. Item 2. The information processing device according to item 1.