JP2012108657A - Portable information terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a method for quickly calling a handwritten memo function by a simple operation while inputting an memo in the middle of executing an application on a portable information terminal, and returning to the original application.
A processing unit that selectively performs processing of an application used by a user and a handwritten memo, a display unit that displays a screen related to the application and / or the handwritten memo, an instruction of the user related to the application, and An input unit that receives input of the handwritten memo, a switching operation unit that receives an operation from the user for switching between processing of the application and processing of the handwritten memo, display content of the application before operation, and content of the handwritten memo A storage unit for storing the screen, and the processing unit displays a screen related to the handwritten memo on the display unit instead of the display content related to the application while a predetermined operation to the switching operation unit continues. And causing the input unit to accept the input of the handwritten memo. Band information terminal.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable information terminal having a memo function.

In recent years, portable information terminals such as PDAs and handy terminal terminals have become widespread. In general, personal digital assistants do not have processing power comparable to so-called desktop or notebook personal computers, but are accepted by the market because of the convenience that users can take with them whenever and wherever they want. .
A function to which a memo function is added is known as a function that makes better use of the portability of the portable information terminal. This is a function for storing simple sentences and small images in the portable information terminal instead of taking notes by paper. Many of them add a memo function that allows handwriting input in terms of ease of input.

However, in the conventional portable information terminal, when it is necessary to input a memo, the user first has to operate a menu or the like to activate handwritten memo software and input the memo. In addition, there are some that require an operation to save the memo data after input.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation example of handwritten memo input in a conventional portable information terminal. The screen of FIG. 8 shows an example of a handy terminal of the POS system. When the user wants to input a memo while using the handy terminal, the menu button is pressed as shown in (a), and “handwritten memo” is selected from the menu as shown in (b) to activate the handwritten memo. . When the memo input is completed and the end button is pressed as in (c), the screen of the handwritten memo is switched to the screen of the original business application.

It is troublesome for the user to perform such an operation each time a memo is input, and it cannot be said to be suitable for a portable information terminal that has an advantage of a simple operation.
In connection with such switching of operations, a mail terminal device provided with a dedicated key so that mail setting processing and transmission / reception operations can be easily performed has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). Dedicated keys such as a transmission processing start button for instructing the start of mail transmission / reception processing, a reception processing start button, a creation button for instructing to write a mail message, and a reading button for instructing to display received mail are provided. This makes it easy to perform mail operations.

  Further, a voice mail apparatus has been proposed in which a recording function is activated by operating a dedicated slide switch and a voice is recorded only while the switch is slid (see, for example, Patent Document 2). . The sound control unit controls a microphone, a speaker, and the like according to the operation of the slide switch, and stores or reproduces sound information in the RAM. The RAM further stores mail destination information and mail text. In response to the operation of the send button, the mail control unit creates and sends a voice mail based on the registered mail text and destination information. In this way, a voice mail can be created and sent to a registered destination by simply instructing mail creation and transmission from the send button.

JP-A-11-53286 JP 2000-259515 A

  As described with reference to a specific example in FIG. 8, conventionally, every time a memo input is required, it is necessary to activate the memo screen by a series of operations, which is complicated for the user. Furthermore, since it takes time to take notes, it was not possible to take notes as soon as they came up. Also, when returning to the original screen after completing the memo input, it is necessary to close the memo input screen, and it was not possible to return to work immediately. In other words, since timely recording cannot be performed, the function is difficult to use.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and while the application is being executed on the portable information terminal, the handwritten memo function can be quickly called by a simple operation, and the memo can be input. It is possible to return to the application and to provide a method for quickly confirming the contents of the entered memo.

  The present invention relates to a processing unit that selectively performs processing of an application used by a user and a handwritten memo, a display unit that displays a screen related to the application and / or the handwritten memo, an instruction of the user related to the application, and An input unit that receives input of the handwritten memo, a switching operation unit that receives an operation from the user for switching between processing of the application and processing of the handwritten memo, display content of the application before operation, and content of the handwritten memo A storage unit for storing the screen, and the processing unit displays a screen related to the handwritten memo on the display unit instead of the display content related to the application while a predetermined operation to the switching operation unit continues. And causing the input unit to accept the input of the handwritten memo. To provide a band information terminal.

  The portable information terminal of the present invention includes a storage unit that stores the display content of the application before the operation and the content of the handwritten memo, and the processing unit, while a predetermined operation to the switching operation unit continues, Since the screen related to the handwritten memo is displayed on the display unit instead of the display content related to the application and the input unit accepts the input of the handwritten memo, the user who is executing the application on the portable information terminal By operating the switching operation unit, it is possible to quickly call up the handwritten memo function with a simple operation, input the memo, and return to the original application. That is, the user can input a handwritten memo immediately by a simple operation and return to the original application. In addition, since the display content of the application before the operation is stored in the storage unit, the influence on the application that has been interrupted due to the processing of the handwritten memo, for example, the erroneous operation due to the collapse or switching of the display screen Occurrence can be avoided.

  In this invention, the portable information terminal is an information processing terminal that can be carried by the user. Specific examples thereof include a personal portable information terminal called PDA, which mainly manages personal schedules, address books, and the like, and a mobile phone incorporating a PDA function. Examples of the portable information terminal for business use include a POS terminal used for counting sales of stores and a handy terminal used for order management. In the embodiments to be described later, a handy terminal is described as an example of those portable information terminals.

  For example, if the PDA is a PDA, the processing unit executes processing related to a personal schedule, an address book, and the like. If it is a POS terminal, it communicates with the host and accepts input of sales or displays the amount of money, the type of goods, and the quantity. If it is a handy terminal, it is the process which displays the kind and quantity of the goods which concern on an order, or receives the input which concerns on an order. These processes correspond to applications. Further, in addition to these processes, the processing unit of the present invention executes handwritten memo processing. A specific hardware aspect of the processing unit is, for example, a processing circuit centered on a CPU.

The display unit displays the contents of data processed by the processing unit. The data includes letters and numbers. Furthermore, it includes image data such as handwriting as the contents of handwritten memos. A specific example of the display unit is a dot matrix type liquid crystal display device, for example.
Furthermore, the input unit receives an instruction from the user regarding processing of the processing unit. The specific aspect is the touch panel arrange | positioned on the surface of a display part, for example. In an embodiment to be described later, the user performs input corresponding to a menu displayed on the display unit by touching the touch panel. In addition, a handwritten memo is input by moving the tip of the input pen on the touch panel. That is, the handwritten memo is recorded as a locus of the input pen.

In response to the input unit, the switching operation unit receives an operation from the user separately from an instruction from the user received by the input unit. The specific mode is, for example, an operation button. In an embodiment described later, the switching operation unit corresponds to a handwritten memo button. The handwritten memo button is arranged on a side surface of the portable information terminal and is operated by a user's finger.
The storage unit stores an application executed by the processing unit, a handwritten memo processing program, the contents of the input handwritten memo and the display contents of the application. A specific example thereof is a nonvolatile storage device such as a flash memory.

  The processing of the handwritten memo executed by the processing unit records information based on the handwritten handwritten by the user so that it can be confirmed later. In the embodiment described later, the contents of the handwritten memo are recorded as pen locus data on the touch panel. As a modification, for example, a handwritten character recognition machine technique may be applied to the trajectory to convert the processing unit into characters and numbers, and record the converted information. Alternatively, instead of converting into letters and numbers, a process of shaping the blur or distortion of the trajectory so as to be easy to read may be performed.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the portable information terminal of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation example of the handwritten memo input in the portable information terminal of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the aspect which takes in the display screen of the handwritten memo input which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the aspect which adds a time stamp by the handwritten memo input which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the aspect which transmits memo content as mail by the handwritten memo input which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the setting menu for a user to preset the function relevant to a handwritten memo in this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the said process which a process part performs in the portable information terminal of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation example of the handwritten memo input in the conventional portable information terminal.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described.
When the operation to the switching operation unit that has been continued is completed, the processing unit causes the display unit to display the display content related to the application before the operation is started, and causes the input unit to display the application. Such an instruction may be accepted. In this way, after the user finishes the handwritten memo processing, the user can return to the previous application state and continue the processing, which is convenient for the user.

Further, the processing unit causes the display unit to display the contents of the handwritten memo stored in the storage unit when the switching operation unit receives the first operation, and the storage unit stores the memory during the second operation. The content of the handwritten memo memorize | stored in the part may be erase | eliminated, and the screen which receives the input of a new handwritten memo may be displayed on the said display part. Furthermore, when the first operation is received, the processing unit may cause the input unit to accept further handwritten memo input.
If it does in this way, the contents of the handwritten memo can be confirmed or an additional input can be performed by the first operation, and the memo can be newly input by the second operation. The user can conveniently use the operation according to the situation and can input and confirm the handwritten memo.

Furthermore, when the switching operation unit accepts the second operation, the processing unit displays the screen background related to the screen handwritten memo related to the application displayed on the display unit before the operation, You may memorize | store the handwritten memo input when 2nd operation was completed with the said background in the said memory | storage part.
In this way, the user can conveniently use the handwritten memo function as if writing a memo on the application screen.

A time generation unit that provides a current date and time may be further provided, and the processing unit may store the current date and time provided from the time generation unit together with the input handwritten memo in the storage unit when the operation is finished. In this way, the handwritten memo can be stored and confirmed together with the date and time, which is convenient for the user.
The communication unit may further include a communication unit that communicates with an external device, and the processing unit may cause the communication unit to transmit the input handwritten memo to an external device when a predetermined operation is finished.
In this way, the contents of the memo can be transmitted to an external device in association with the operation of the handwritten memo, which is convenient for the user. The mail transmission destination may be set in advance.

Furthermore, when the operation to the switching operation unit that has been continued is completed, the processing unit stores the input handwritten memo in the storage unit, and then the switching operation unit accepts a predetermined operation. The handwritten memo stored in the storage unit may be displayed on the display unit. In this way, the contents of the inputted handwritten memo can be confirmed by the same predetermined operation as that at the time of input, which is convenient for the user.
The various preferable aspects shown here can also be combined.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the following description is an illustration in all the points, Comprising: It should not be interpreted as limiting this invention.
≪Configuration example of portable information terminal≫
First, a hardware configuration example of the portable information terminal according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a portable information terminal according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the portable information terminal 11 includes a processing unit 13, a display unit 15, a touch panel input unit 17, a communication unit 19, a storage unit 21, a time generation unit 31, and a handwritten memo button 33. The storage unit 21 is a memory that stores the business application 23, handwritten memo software 25, handwritten memo content 27, and handwritten memo setting 29. Specifically, a so-called silicon disk using a hard disk device or a flash memory is used.

The processing unit 13 is a microcomputer that executes processing programs such as the business application 23 and the handwritten memo software 25 stored in the storage unit 21 and its peripheral circuits.
The display unit 15 displays operation menus and processing results, and specifically includes a liquid crystal display device and its drive circuit. The touch panel input unit 17 detects an operation performed by the user on the portable information terminal 11 using a transparent touch panel arranged on the surface of the display unit 15.

The communication unit 19 is an interface circuit that communicates with a host and other portable information terminals wirelessly and / or by wire.
The time generation unit 31 is a so-called real-time clock circuit and provides the current time in response to the reference of the processing unit 13.
The handwritten memo button 33 is an operation button provided in the portable information terminal. When the user operates this operation button, the handwritten memo can be activated easily and quickly.

≪Example of handwritten memo input operation≫
FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing an operation example of handwritten memo input in the portable information terminal of the present invention. The screen of FIG. 2 shows an example of a handy terminal of the POS system. When the user wants to input a memo while executing the business application of the handy terminal, the user operates the handwritten memo button 33 provided in the portable information terminal 11 as follows. The handwritten memo button 33 is pressed with the user's finger 41 as shown in (a) (arrow A). Then, in response to this, the processing unit 13 starts input acceptance processing of the handwritten memo software 25. As a result, a handwritten memo input screen is displayed on the display unit 15 as shown in FIG. The processing unit 13 causes the display unit 15 to display the handwritten memo input screen (b) while the handwritten memo button 33 is pressed.

  When the user puts the tip of the input pen 43 on the touch panel input unit 17 superimposed on the surface of the display unit 15 and handwrites the memo content, the processing unit 13 stores the locus of the input pen 43 as the handwritten memo content 27 in the storage unit 21. Store. When the finger 41 is spoken from the handwritten memo button 33 after completing the input of the memo contents, in response to this, the processing unit 13 ends the input acceptance processing of the handwritten memo software 25 and returns to the processing of the original business application 23. However, monitoring of the handwritten memo button 33 continues. The display content of the display unit 15 is switched to the display of the business application (a).

When the user presses the handwritten memo button 33 again, the processing unit 13 responds to the display, displays the handwritten memo content 27 previously input on the display unit 15 again, and starts accepting additional input of the handwritten memo.
Also, when a predetermined operation, for example, an operation of quickly pressing and releasing the handwritten memo button 33 within one second is performed twice and then continuously pressed, the contents of the handwritten memo software are erased and displayed on the front.
According to the present invention, input of a handwritten memo and confirmation of input contents can be performed only by operating the handwritten memo button 33, and a complicated menu operation is not required.

≪Capture display screen≫
As a different aspect of handwritten memo input according to the present invention, a function of capturing a display screen will be described. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an aspect of capturing a display screen for handwritten memo input according to the present invention.
When the user performs a predetermined operation on the handwritten memo button 33 during execution of the business application, in response to this, the processing unit 13 captures the contents of the screen currently displayed on the display unit 15 as the background of the handwritten memo. The predetermined operation is, for example, an operation in which the handwritten memo button 33 is quickly pressed once in one second, released, and then pressed again. According to this aspect, the processing unit 13 accepts input of a handwritten memo in a state where the content of the screen when the handwritten memo button 33 is operated is taken as a background as shown in (b).

  After the user has handwritten the memo contents with the input pen 43, when the finger 41 is released from the handwritten memo button 33, in response to this, the processing unit 13 ends the input acceptance process of the handwritten memo software 25, and the original business application 23 Return to processing. The display content of the display unit 15 is switched to the display of the business application (a).

≪Time stamp addition≫
As a further different aspect of the handwritten memo input according to the present invention, a function of adding a time stamp will be described. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a mode of adding a time stamp by handwritten memo input according to the present invention.

  As shown in (a), when the user presses the handwritten memo button 33 during the execution of the business application (arrow A), the processing unit 13 starts input acceptance processing of the handwritten memo software 25 in response thereto. After the user has handwritten memo contents with the input pen 43, when the finger 41 is released from the handwritten memo button 33, the processing unit 13 stores the locus of the input pen 43 in the storage unit 21 as the handwritten memo content 27 in response thereto. At this time, a time stamp is added to the handwritten memo content 27. As shown in (b), the date and time may be displayed on the handwritten memo input screen, and the date and time display when the handwritten memo input is terminated may be stored as the handwritten memo content 27 together with the locus. The current date and time is acquired from the time generation unit 31. Then, the input acceptance process of the handwritten memo software 25 is terminated and the process returns to the process of the original business application 23.

When the user presses the handwritten memo button 33 again, the processing unit 13 responds to it and causes the display unit 15 to display the contents of the handwritten memo with the date and time display added.
Whether or not to add a time stamp to the handwritten memo may be set in advance by the user using the setting menu.

≪Automatic mail transmission≫
As another aspect of the handwritten memo input according to the present invention, a function of transmitting memo contents as mail will be described. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an aspect in which the memo content is transmitted as an e-mail by handwritten memo input according to the present invention.

As shown in (a), when the user presses the handwritten memo button 33 during the execution of the business application (arrow A), the processing unit 13 starts input acceptance processing of the handwritten memo software 25 in response thereto. After the user has handwritten the memo content with the input pen 43 and speaks the finger 41 from the handwritten memo button 33 (arrow B), in response to this, the processing unit 13 uses the locus of the input pen 43 as the handwritten memo content 27 and stores the memory 21 To store. Furthermore, as shown in (b), the handwritten memo content 27 is transmitted as an email. Then, the input acceptance process of the handwritten memo software 25 is terminated and the process returns to the process of the original business application 23.
Whether or not to transmit the handwritten memo may be set in advance by the user using the setting menu. The destination of the mail may be registered in advance using the setting menu.

≪Handwritten memo setting menu≫
An example of a setting menu related to a handwritten memo will be described. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a setting menu for the user to set in advance functions related to the handwritten memo in the present invention.
In the setting menu screen shown in FIG. 6, “Setting” is selected in the “Main Menu” of the business application in FIG. 2A, and the setting of “Handwritten Memo” is selected on the setting item selection screen (not shown). Is displayed.

As shown in FIG. 6, the setting items related to “handwritten memo” include the presence / absence of “add time stamp”, the presence / absence of “automatic transmission of email”, and the “destination address” of email. “Add time stamp”, whether to add a time stamp to the created memo when the handwritten memo ends. “Automatic e-mail transmission” is a setting for whether or not to send the created memo by e-mail when the handwritten memo ends. “Destination address” registers a destination address to be transmitted when “automatic transmission of electronic mail” is “ON”.
The contents set by the user using the setting menu are stored in the storage unit 21 as the handwritten memo setting 29. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the setting contents of the handwritten memo setting 29 are as follows. No time stamp is added (OFF). Automatic email transmission is performed (ON). The destination address is “abc@xyz.co.jp”.

<< Processes executed by the processing unit >>
Next, among the processes executed by the processing unit 13, a process related to acceptance of handwritten memo input will be described.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of the processing executed by the processing unit in the portable information terminal of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the processing unit 13 performs processing according to the following procedure. For simplicity, the flowchart is described as sequential processing, but in actuality, time division processing is performed as multitask processing or polling processing. Also, description of processing that is not strongly related to acceptance of handwritten memo input is omitted.

When the portable information terminal 11 is turned on, the processing unit 13 starts processing of handwritten memo software on the display unit 15. Each item of the handwritten memo setting 25 is read into a work RAM (not shown) of the microcomputer, and the following temporary variable values i) to iii) are set corresponding to the settings (step S1).
i) A value corresponding to the setting of “ON” or “OFF” is set in the temporary variable TS corresponding to the item “add time stamp”.
ii) A value corresponding to the setting of “ON” or “OFF” is set in the temporary variable ML corresponding to the item of “automatic mail transmission”.
iii) The input address (“abc@xyz.co.jp” in the example of FIG. 6) is set in the temporary variable AD corresponding to the item “destination address”.

Then, the memory area holding the handwritten memo and the handwritten memo content 27 are cleared (step S2).
Subsequently, the processing unit 13 starts processing of the business application 23 that is normally used (step S3). As described above, the processing unit 13 processes the business application and the handwritten memo in a time-sharing manner in parallel.

However, at this stage, the handwritten memo processing is so-called background processing, and the business application screen is displayed in the foreground so that the user can see it (step S4).
Then, it is confirmed whether or not there is an input to the touch panel input unit 17 (step S5). If there is an input, the routine proceeds to step S6.

  When there is an input to the touch panel input unit 17, the business application process is executed in accordance with the touch input position. For example, when the position of the “order” button is pressed, the process proceeds to order processing (step S6). On the other hand, if there is no input in step S5, the routine proceeds to the next step S7. The routine loops through steps S5, S6, and S7 while continuing the business application process while the handwritten memo button 33 is not pressed.

The processing unit 13 confirms whether or not the handwritten memo button 33 is pressed in step S7. If the handwritten memo button 33 is pressed here, the routine proceeds to step S8. Step S7 and subsequent steps are acceptance processing for handwritten memo input.
In step S8, the processing unit 13 confirms how many times the handwritten memo button 33 is pressed per second. This is to determine whether to capture the display content of the screen as the background or to clear the content of the handwritten memo according to the operation on the handwritten memo button 33.

  If the button is pressed twice per second, the screen image of the business application displayed at that time is copied to the handwritten memo content 27 as a background (step S9). Then, the routine proceeds to step S11. If the button is pressed three times per second, the contents of the handwritten memo are cleared (step S10). Then, the routine proceeds to step S11.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S8 that the handwritten memo button is pressed only once per second, the routine proceeds from step S8 to step S11. The background capture and / or clearing of the handwritten memo content may be set in advance in the setting menu of FIG. 6 instead of the mode determined according to the operation of the handwritten memo button 33 as described above.

In step S <b> 11, the processing unit 13 starts a process for accepting handwritten memo input from the touch panel input unit 17. The display content of the display unit 15 is switched to a handwritten memo input screen as shown in FIG. 2B (step S11). When the handwritten memo button 33 is pressed only once per second, the content stored in the handwritten memo content 27 is called up. When the handwritten memo button 33 is pressed twice per second, as described in step S9, it is the content of the screen displayed before that. When the handwritten memo button 33 is pressed three times per second, the handwritten memo content 27 is cleared as described in step S10, so that the screen is a new screen. A similar new screen is displayed when the mobile information terminal is first activated.
The processing of the business application 23 is so-called background processing until the handwritten memo button 33 is released.

  The processing unit 13 confirms whether or not there is an input to the touch panel (step S12), and if there is an input, displays the touched locus on the display unit 15 in accordance with the touch input position (step S13). Then, the routine returns to step S12 and repeats confirmation of input from the touch panel input unit 17. On the other hand, if there is no input, the routine proceeds to step S14.

  In step S14, the processing unit 13 confirms whether or not the handwritten memo button 33 has been released. If the handwritten memo button 33 has not been released, the routine returns to step S12 and repeats the confirmation of whether there has been a touch input. On the other hand, if the handwritten memo button 33 is released, the routine then proceeds to step S15.

  In step S15, the processing unit 13 checks whether or not the variable TS is “ON”. If “ON”, the current date and time are acquired from the time generator 31. And the acquired present date is added to the handwritten memo content 27 (step S16). On the other hand, if “OFF”, the routine proceeds to the next step S17 without acquiring the current date and time.

In step S <b> 17, the processing unit 13 confirms whether or not the variable ML is “ON”. If “ON”, the transmission destination address is acquired from the variable AD, and the contents of the handwritten memo are transmitted via the communication unit (step S18). Thereafter, the routine returns to step S4 to execute the business application with the handwritten memo process as the background. On the other hand, if “OFF”, the routine returns to step S4 without transmitting the contents of the handwritten memo.
The above is the processing of the processing unit 13.

  In addition to the embodiments described above, there can be various modifications of the present invention. These modifications should not be construed as not belonging to the scope of the present invention. The present invention should include the meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims and all modifications within the scope.

11: mobile information terminal 13: processing unit 15: display unit 17: touch panel input unit 19: communication unit 21: storage unit 23: business application 25: handwritten memo software 27: handwritten memo content 29: handwritten memo setting 31: time generating unit 33: Handwritten memo button 41: Finger 43: Input pen

Claims (8)

A processing unit for selectively processing an application used by a user and a handwritten memo;
A display unit for displaying a screen related to the application and / or the handwritten memo;
An input unit for receiving an instruction of the user and the input of the handwritten memo relating to the application;
A switching operation unit that accepts an operation from the user for switching between the processing of the application and the processing of the handwritten memo;
A storage unit for storing the display content of the application before operation and the content of a handwritten memo;
While the predetermined operation to the switching operation unit is continued, the processing unit causes the display unit to display a screen related to the handwritten memo instead of the display content related to the application, and causes the input unit to perform the handwriting A portable information terminal that accepts input of a memo.   When the operation to the switching operation unit that has been continued is completed, the processing unit causes the display unit to display the display content related to the application before the operation is started, and causes the input unit to display the application. The portable information terminal according to claim 1, wherein the instruction is received.   The processing unit displays the contents of the handwritten memo stored in the storage unit on the display unit when the switching operation unit receives the first operation, and displays the content of the handwritten memo in the storage unit during the second operation. The portable information terminal according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the stored handwritten memo is erased and a screen for accepting an input of a new handwritten memo is displayed on the display unit.   The portable information terminal according to claim 3, wherein when the first operation is received, the processing unit causes the input unit to receive an input of a further handwritten memo.   When the switching operation unit accepts the second operation, the processing unit displays the screen handwritten memo related to the application displayed on the display unit before the operation as a background of the screen. The portable information terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a handwritten memo input when the operation is completed is stored in the storage unit together with the background. It further includes a time generator that provides the current date and time,
The portable information terminal according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit stores the current date and time provided from the time generation unit together with the input handwritten memo in the storage unit when the operation is finished. . A communication unit for communicating with an external device;
The portable information terminal according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit causes the communication unit to transmit an input handwritten memo to an external device when a predetermined operation is finished. When the operation to the switching operation unit has been continued, the processing unit stores the input handwritten memo in the storage unit,
2. The portable information terminal according to claim 1, wherein when the switching operation unit receives a predetermined operation, the handwritten memo stored in the storage unit is displayed on the display unit.