JPH09297630A - Personal computer having coordinate input device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) An object of the present invention is to provide a personal computer having operability equivalent to that of a so-called mouse and having a coordinate input device which can be mounted on a portable computer such as a notebook type or a palmtop type. Particularly, in a portable personal computer, a storage unit 10 in which a coordinate input device 3 corresponding to a mouse is detachably incorporated is provided in a part of a computer body 1. Further, the computer main body 1 is provided with an operation pad 4 which constitutes an operation area of the coordinate input device 3 on the bottom surface. The operation pad 4 is arranged within the range of the bottom surface of the computer main body 1 when it is not used, and is taken out to a position that can be used as an operation area of the coordinate input device 3 when it is used.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a personal computer equipped with a coordinate input device such as a mouse.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a particularly small personal computer, as shown in FIG. 16D, a coordinate input device for operating a cursor 103 displayed on a display screen 2 of a liquid crystal display device, pointing an icon, or the like. Is provided. As the coordinate input device, there is a pointing device 100 provided integrally with, for example, a keyboard 104, as shown in FIG. Where the keyboard 104
Is normally incorporated in the computer main body 1, as shown in FIG.

Further, the coordinate input device includes an electrostatic pad 101 as shown in FIG. 1B and a trackball 102 as shown in FIG. Such a coordinate input device can input the position coordinates on the display screen 2 without operating the keyboard, and thus is particularly suitable for GUI (Graph).
It is a useful device for an electronic user interface, etc.

[0004]

As described above, various devices such as the pointing device 100 have been developed as coordinate input devices. Since such a device can be operated with only one finger of the user, the operability is easy, but when the operation is frequent, the finger is easily tired and it is difficult to finely adjust the cursor. On the contrary,
In particular, since the mouse used in a desktop personal computer is operated by the entire user's hand, it is relatively stable and easy to finely adjust the cursor even when the operation is frequent. However, since the size of the entire device of the mouse is large and an operation area is required, a notebook type or palm (p
alm) Not suitable for a small personal computer such as a top type.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a personal computer having the same operability as a so-called mouse and having a coordinate input device which can be mounted on a portable computer such as a notebook type or a palmtop type.

[0006]

The present invention is particularly applicable to a portable personal computer in which an input / output unit such as a display device and a keyboard and a computer main body are integrally formed, and a mouse is provided as a part of the computer main body. This is a configuration in which a storage unit in which a corresponding coordinate input device is detachably incorporated is provided. Further, the computer main body is provided with an operation pad member that constitutes an operation area of the coordinate input device on the bottom surface, for example. The operation pad member is arranged, for example, within the range of the bottom surface of the computer main body when not in use, and is taken out to a position that can be used as an operation area of the coordinate input device when in use.

With such a configuration, even if the computer main body does not have a space for operating the coordinate input device, it can be taken out from the storage part of the computer main body and used in the same manner as a mouse when used. Is. Further, when not in use, the coordinate input device is housed in the housing part of the computer main body, so that it becomes equivalent to a state in which it is mounted as a built-in component. Therefore, the coordinate input device can be applied to a portable personal computer having a limited mounting space, and a operability equivalent to that of a mouse can be used.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an external appearance of a personal computer related to this embodiment, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a part of the personal computer related to this embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a coordinate input related to this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of an apparatus. (Structure of this Embodiment) The personal computer of this embodiment is a portable computer such as a notebook computer or a palmtop computer, and has a computer main body 1 and a liquid crystal display screen 2 as shown in FIG. Display device 2A,
The keyboard 104 is integrally configured.
The computer main body 1 contains a CPU (central processing unit), which is a main component of the computer, and various storage devices. The display device 2A is openably and closably attached to the computer main body 1, and also functions as a cover member that covers the upper surface of the keyboard 104 in the closed state.

Further, in the personal computer of this embodiment, the coordinate input device 3 for operating the cursor displayed on the display screen 2 and for instructing the icon is mounted in the storage portion 10 of the computer main body 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the coordinate input device 3 is, for example, a prismatic device, and is a device corresponding to a mouse provided with click buttons (selection and cancellation) 3A and 3B. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the coordinate input device 3 is referred to as a mouse.

A storage unit 1 provided in the computer main body 1.
As shown in FIG. 2, 0 is a kind of groove which is formed, for example, in the vicinity of the corner of the side surface and which is formed by removing a part of the bottom surface 1A of the computer main body 1. As will be described later, a pair of grooves 10A and 10B for holding the mouse 3 are formed inside the storage portion 10.

As shown in FIG. 3, the mouse 3 has convex portions 3C and 3D on its respective side surface portions, which are fitted into the grooves 10A and 10B.
Is provided. The mouse 3 has the convex portions 3C and 3D in the groove 1
It is fitted in 0A, 10B and is housed inside the housing part 10 using the grooves 10A, 10B as guides. Conversely,
Using the grooves 10A and 10B as guides, the mouse 3 is used as a storage unit
It is taken out from 0. The grooves 10A and 10B prevent the mouse 3 from dropping from the storage section 10 to the lower side of the computer body 1 (in the direction of the bottom surface section 1A).

On the other hand, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
As shown in (B), an operation pad (mouse pad) 4 for forming an operation area of the mouse 3 is provided on the bottom surface 1A side of the computer main body 1. The operation pad 4 is made of a thin plate-shaped hard plastic material and has substantially the same area as the bottom surface portion 1A of the computer main body 1.
A cloth for smoothly operating the mouse 3 is provided on the surface.

As shown in FIG. 6, the operation pad 4 has a screw 5 and a washer 6 on the bottom surface 1a of the computer body 1.
And are rotatably attached. As shown in FIG. 7, the position of the rotary shaft by the screw 5 is one of the front side 4A, the right side 4B, and the left side 4C of the computer main body 1. That is, FIG. 7 is a plan view of the case where the computer main body 1 is on the back side, and as shown in FIG. 1B, when the operation pad 4 is taken out to the front side of the computer main body 1 and used, it is rotated. The axis position is set to the front side 4A. Similarly, when the operation pad 4 is taken out and used on the right side of the computer main body 1 (when the state shown in FIG. 1B is the front), the position of the rotary shaft is on the right side 4B (the opposite side in FIG. 7). If you set it to the left side) and take it out to the left side of the computer main body 1 and use it, the position of the rotation axis is 4
Set to C. (Holding Structure of Mouse 3) As described above, in the present embodiment, when the mouse 3 is not used, the mouse 3 is stored in the storage section 10 provided in the computer body 1 as shown in FIG. At this time, the storage part 10 has grooves 10A and 10B.
Since the mouse 3 is provided,
It does not fall on the lower side. However, when the computer main body 1 is tilted so that the storage opening of the storage unit 10 is on the lower side, the mouse 3 may fall out of the storage unit 10. In particular, in this embodiment, since a portable computer is assumed, there is a situation in which the computer main body 1 is tilted as described above.

Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the protrusion member 7 for preventing the mouse 3 from falling out of the storage opening of the storage portion 10 is provided in the computer main body 1.
On the side. Here, FIG. 4A shows the computer main body 1.
FIG. 2B is a plan view of the computer 1 as viewed from the bottom surface 1A side, and FIG. 1B shows the computer main body 1 with the bottom surface 1A side facing up.
It is the front view seen from the side surface part in which the storage port of 0 was provided.
Further, FIG. 5 shows a portion 4 corresponding to the protruding member 7 of FIG.
0 is an enlarged sectional view of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, the projecting member 7 is held by a spring 8 at a position corresponding to the inside of the accommodating portion 10 on the bottom surface portion 1A of the computer main body 1. The protruding member 7 is urged toward the inside of the storage unit 10 by a spring 8 and is regulated at a predetermined position by a claw portion 9 provided on the computer body 1. That is, FIG.
As shown in (B), when the mouse 3 is not housed, the projecting member 7 is biased by the spring 8 to project to the inside of the housing unit 10.

When the projecting member 7 comes into contact with the flat surface of the mouse 3 and a force exceeding the biasing force of the spring 8 is applied, the projecting member 7 is pushed into the computer body 1 as shown in FIG. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the mouse 3 has a recessed portion 3E which conforms to the shape of the tip of the protrusion 7.
Are formed.

In such a structure, when the mouse 3 is inserted into the storage portion 10 of the computer main body 1, the flat portion (relatively convex portion) other than the recessed portion 3E protrudes to the inside of the storage portion 10. You can push it in. Then, when the mouse 3 is completely stored in the storage portion 10, the projecting member 7 projects at the position of the recess 3E of the mouse 3 by the bias of the spring 8 and fits into the recess 3E of the mouse 3. As a result, the mouse 3 is held by the projecting member 7, and even when the computer main body 1 is tilted with the storage opening of the storage section 10 facing downward, the mouse 3 does not fall out of the storage section 10 and the storage section 10 Keeps securely held inside the.

On the other hand, when the mouse 3 is taken out from the storage section 10, the mouse 3 is moved from the bottom surface 1A of the computer main body 1 toward the storage port. At this time, the projecting member 7 is disengaged from the concave portion 3E of the mouse 3 and is brought into a state of being pushed into the computer main body 1 side by the plane portion other than the concave portion 3E. Therefore, the mouse 3 can be easily connected to the computer main body 1.
Can be taken from.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the mouse 3 is not used, as shown in FIG.
Can be stored inside the computer main body 1.
That is, the mouse 3 can be mounted inside the computer main body 1 as if it were a built-in component. On the other hand, when the mouse 3 is used to operate the cursor on the display screen 2, the mouse 3 is moved to the storage unit 1 of the computer body 1.
Take out from 0. At this time, as shown in FIG. 1B, the operation pad 4 arranged on the bottom surface 1A of the computer main body 1 is rotated and taken out to the front. Mouse 3 taken out
Is operated on the plane of the operation pad 4 to operate the cursor on the display screen 2.

Therefore, it becomes possible to equip a portable computer, which has a limited mounting space, with the mouse 3, which is usually applied to a desktop computer, as a coordinate input device as a standard equipment. In other words, it is possible to provide a personal computer including a coordinate input device that can obtain both the operability of the mouse 3 and the small size that can be mounted on the computer main body 1. (Modification 1 of this embodiment) FIGS. 8 to 11 are views showing a modification of the mounting structure of the operation pad 4 in this embodiment. The present modification has a structure in which the operation pad 4 is arranged not on the bottom surface portion 1 of the computer main body 1 but on the upper side of the keyboard 104. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, when the mouse 3 is not used, the operation pad 4 is arranged as a cover of the keyboard 104. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, when the mouse 3 is used, the operation pad 4 is opened so that it is taken out before the computer body 1. In other words, the present modification has a structure in which the operation pad 4 is attached to the display device 2A of the computer main body 1 facing each other by the rotation mechanism 20 so as to be openable and closable.

As shown in FIG. 10, the rotating mechanism 20 includes a metal rod 21 forming a rotating shaft, bearing portions 22A and 22B holding the metal rod 21, and a bearing portion provided on one side of the operation pad 4. 14A. Computer body 1
The bearings 22A and 22B on the side are the storage portions 10 of the mouse 3.
Are arranged at the corners of the upper surface (the plane in which the keyboard 104 is incorporated) on the front side on which is provided. Bearing part 22
A and 22B are provided with through holes 23 for penetrating the metal rod 21. On the other hand, the bearing portion 14A of the operation pad 4 also has a through hole 1 through which the metal rod 21 penetrates.
4B is provided. FIG. 11 is a side view of the computer main body 1 of FIG. 10 seen from the side.

The rotating mechanism 20 is constructed by combining the respective elements described above. That is, the bearing portion 1 of the operation pad 4
4A to the bearing portions 22A, 22 on the computer main body 1 side.
The intervals of B are set so that the centers of the respective through holes 14B and 23 coincide with each other. Then, the operation pad 4 is formed by inserting the metal rod 21 into the through holes 14B and 23.
Is held in a structure that can be opened and closed by using the metal rod 21 as a rotation axis.

With the operation pad 4 having such a structure, as shown in FIG. 9, when the computer is used, after the display device 2A is opened, the operation pad 4 is opened.
Can be opened immediately. Therefore, the user can operate the keyboard 104, and also can take out the mouse 3 from the computer main body 1 and operate it on the operation pad 4. (Modification 2 of this embodiment) FIGS. 12 to 15 are views showing a second modification of the mounting structure of the operation pad 4. As shown in FIG. 12, this modification has a structure in which the operation pad 4 is provided on the bottom surface portion 1 of the computer main body 1 as in the present embodiment, but has a slide type structure instead of a rotation type. Here, for the computer main body 1,
The operation pad 4 is slid rightward.

As shown in FIG. 13 (side view of FIG. 12), the sliding mechanism for such an operation pad 4 has a claw portion 11 provided on the bottom surface of the computer main body 1. Supported by the claw portion 11, the operation pad 4 is slid outward from the bottom surface portion of the computer body 1.

Further, as shown in FIG. 12, a slit-shaped window 12 is provided below the side surface of the computer main body 1. The operation pad 4 is fixed by the screw 13 through the window 12. Here, as shown in FIG. 15, the side surface of the operation pad 4 is, for example, 3 in the sliding direction.
Screw holes 24A, 24B, and 24C are provided at the points. The operation pad 4 is fixed by fitting the screw 13 into the screw holes 24A, 24B and 24C.

That is, as shown in FIG. 14, the operation pad 4 arranged on the bottom surface of the computer main body 1 is slid rightward to take out the operation surface of the mouse 3 from the computer main body 1 to the outside. Here, the left end side of the operation pad 4 can be fixed to the bottom surface portion of the computer main body 1 by tightening the screw 13 in the screw hole 24A on the left side of the operation pad 4 through the window 12, for example. Further, when not in use, the operation pad 4 is arranged on the bottom surface portion of the computer main body 1 and the screw 13 is fastened to the central screw hole 24B to fix the operation pad 4 to the bottom surface portion of the computer main body 1. You can Further, for example, the operation pad 4 arranged on the bottom surface of the computer body 1
In the case of sliding to the left, the screw 13 is tightened in the screw hole 24C on the right side of the operation pad 4 in reverse to the above, thereby fixing the right end side of the operation pad 4 to the bottom surface of the computer main body 1. be able to.

With the operation pad 4 having such a structure, unlike the above-described present embodiment and the first modification, the operation pad 4 is not developed in front of the computer body 1, and the computer body 1 is not expanded. With respect to the right or left side, the operation pad 4 can be deployed. Further, the window 12, the screw 13, and the screw holes 24A, 24B, and 24C are not indispensable elements, but by using them, the operation pad 4 is securely fixed to the computer body 1 when not in use and in use. can do.

[0028]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the coordinate input device having the same operability as a mouse is mounted on a portable personal computer having a limited mounting space and taken out when necessary. Can be operated in the state. Therefore, even if the operation is frequent, a portable personal computer substantially equipped with a coordinate input device corresponding to a mouse having excellent operability, which is relatively stable and facilitates fine adjustment of the cursor. Can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an appearance of a personal computer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a part of a personal computer related to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an appearance of a coordinate input device related to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a bottom surface portion of a personal computer related to the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a structure of a protrusion member related to the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a mounting structure of an operation pad related to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a mounting structure of an operation pad related to the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an outer appearance of a personal computer related to a first modification of the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an external appearance of a personal computer related to a first modification of the present embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a view showing a rotation mechanism of an operation pad related to a modified example 1 of this embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a view showing a rotation mechanism of an operation pad related to a modified example 1 of this embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an external appearance of a personal computer related to a second modification of the present embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a side view of a personal computer related to modification 2 of the present embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a slide mechanism of an operation pad related to a modified example 2 of the present embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a view showing an operation pad related to Modification 2 of the present embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining a conventional coordinate input device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... Computer main body 1A ... Bottom part 2 ... Display screen 2A ... Display device (output unit) 3 ... Mouse (coordinate input device) 3A, 3B ... Click button 3C, 3D ... Convex part 3E ... Recessed part 4 ... Operation pad (mouse Pad 5) Screw 6 ... Washer 7 ... Projection member 8 ... Spring 9 ... Claw 10 ... Storage 10A, 10B ... Groove 11 ... Claw 12 ... Window 13 ... Screw 14A ... Bearing (operation pad 4 side) 14B ... Through hole 20 ... Rotation mechanism 21 ... Metal rods 22A, 22B ... Bearing portion (computer main body 1 side) 23 ... Through hole 24A-24C ... Screw hole (operation pad 4) 100 ... Pointing device 101 ... Electrostatic pad 102 … Trackball 103… Cursor 104… Keyboard (input unit)

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A personal computer having a structure in which a central processing unit, various storage units, and a data input / output unit are integrated, the computer main body including at least the central processing unit, and the computer main body. A personal computer, comprising: a coordinate input device detachably incorporated in a storage portion provided in a part of the computer. 2. A personal computer having a structure in which a central processing unit, various storage units, and a data input / output unit are integrated, the computer main body including at least the central processing unit, and the computer main body. A coordinate input device that is detachably incorporated in a storage part provided in a part of the computer, and is attached to the computer main body so that the coordinate input device can be taken out from the computer main body to a usable position when the coordinate input device is used in operation. And a pad member for operating the coordinate input device having a different structure. 3. A storage structure provided in a part of the computer body for holding the coordinate input device is provided, and when the coordinate input device is stored in the storage part, 4. The personal computer according to claim 2, wherein a member for fitting and holding the holding structure is provided in the coordinate input device. 4. A protrusion member that protrudes inside the storage unit is provided in a part of the computer body, and the protrusion member receives the coordinate input when the coordinate input device is stored in the storage unit. 4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the coordinate input device functions to prevent the coordinate input device from being separated from the storage opening of the storage portion by engaging with a predetermined position of the device. The personal computer described in any of the above. 5. The operation pad member is rotatably attached to a bottom surface portion of the computer main body about a predetermined position as a fulcrum, and is arranged within a range of the bottom surface portion of the computer main body when not in use, 3. The personal computer according to claim 2, wherein the personal computer is configured to be rotated about the fulcrum as an axis when used to extend from a bottom surface portion of the computer main body to form an operation area of the coordinate input device. 6. The projection member is biased toward the inner side of the storage portion by a spring mechanism, and a concave portion that fits with a tip end portion of the projection member is provided at the predetermined position of the coordinate input device. Then, when the coordinate input device is stored in the storage part, the projecting member comes into contact with the outer surface of the coordinate input device other than the recessed part to move the inside of the storage part to the inside of the computer body. 5. The personal computer according to claim 4, wherein the personal computer is pushed in and fits into the recess to prevent the coordinate input device from being separated from the storage opening of the storage section. 7. A display device, which is an output unit of the input / output units, is openably and closably attached to the computer main body, and a keyboard, which is an input unit, is built in a flat portion of the main body, The pad member is arranged on the upper surface of the keyboard in a closed state, and is openably and closably attached to the computer main body at a position facing the attachment position of the display device so as to form a substantially flush plane with the keyboard in an opened state. The personal computer according to claim 2, wherein the personal computer has a different structure. 8. The operation pad member is slidably attached by a slide mechanism provided on a bottom surface portion of the computer body, and is arranged within a range of the bottom surface portion of the computer body when not in use, 3. The personal computer according to claim 2, wherein the slide mechanism is configured to extend from the bottom surface of the computer main body to form an operation area of the coordinate input device when in use.