JPH11224155A - Information device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] The present invention relates to an information device in which operation switches are arranged around a small display unit or a tablet, and simplifies the operation of the information device (display unit / switches / tablet). It is an object of the present invention to provide an arrangement and a switching function of an operation system so as to be arranged so as to be easily operated with one hand and to obtain a similar operation feeling even when used with either a left hand or a right hand. SOLUTION: The operation switches arranged on the left and right sides or the left and right sides of the small display unit or the tablet, and the operation switches arranged on the upper and lower sides or the upper and lower sides, and the first operated side of the symmetrically arranged operation switches are individually set to be effective. And means for setting the other as invalid.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information device in which operation switches are arranged around a small display unit or a tablet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art It is important for an information device intended for portable use to be easily used regardless of the location or surrounding conditions.

Conventionally, these information devices have taken over the operability of portable PCs (notebook PCs, pen PCs, etc.), so that both-handed operation is fundamental and various inputs and instructions using a screen keyboard have been performed. .

[0004]

As described above, the conventional portable information device is basically operated by two hands, and it is difficult to use it while holding it on a hanging strap in a train, for example, and it can be easily used anytime and anywhere. There was a problem that it was not.

[0005] These small information devices are designed to be operated with the dominant arm during frequent operations, and even if the user wants to operate with the non-dominant hand when writing something,
There is also a problem that it is not easy to operate with the hand that is not the dominant arm.

[0006] The present invention solves these problems,
Simplify the operation of the information device (display unit / switches / tablet) and arrange it so that it can be easily operated with one hand, and the operation system so that the same operation feeling can be obtained with both left and right hands It is intended to have a function of arrangement and switching of.

[0007]

Means for solving the problem will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, switches 1 and 2 are switches symmetrically arranged on the left and right or left and right sides of a small display unit or tablet, and arranged on the upper and lower sides or the upper and lower sides.

[0008] The tablet 11 is used to input position information by pressing down with a finger or a pen. The display unit 12 displays various kinds of information, and displays the information by moving a cursor based on the position information input by the tablet 11.

The setting means 13 sets the first operated one of the symmetrically arranged switches as valid and sets the other as invalid, or makes the symmetrically arranged switches have the same function. .

Next, the operation will be described. The switches are arranged symmetrically on the left and right or left and right sides of the small display unit 12 or the tablet 11, and are arranged on the upper and lower sides or the upper and lower sides, and the first one of the switches arranged symmetrically by the setting means 13 is individually set to be effective. And the other is set to invalid.

Further, the switches are arranged symmetrically on the left and right or left and right sides of the small display unit 12 or the tablet 11, and are arranged on the upper and lower sides or the upper and lower sides, and the setting means 13 is arranged on the first operated side of the symmetrically arranged switches. All the corresponding switches for right hand operation or left operation are set to be valid, and the other switch is set to be invalid.

The switches are arranged symmetrically on the left and right or left and right side surfaces of the small display unit 12 or the tablet 11, and are arranged on the upper and lower or upper and lower side surfaces, and the setting means 13 has the same function as the symmetrically arranged operation switches. It is made to have.

At this time, the dials are arranged symmetrically on the left and right sides of the display unit 12 or the tablet 11. Further, a switch is arranged on the back of the small display unit 12 or the tablet 11.

Further, the display unit 12 is arranged on the front and the tablet 11 is arranged on the back, and the cursor is moved and displayed on the display unit 12 based on the position information specified on the tablet 11. I have.

Therefore, after simplifying the operation of the information device (display unit 12 / switches / tablet 11), the information device is arranged so that it can be easily operated with one hand, and the same operation feeling can be obtained by using either the left hand or the right hand. It is possible to have a function of switching the arrangement of the operation system and the meaning so that is obtained.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments and operations of the present invention will be sequentially described in detail with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1A shows an example of the front surface of the apparatus. In FIG. 1A, switches 1 and 2 are provided symmetrically on the left and right of the tablet 11 (or the display unit 12), and are operation switches for performing various operations.

The switch 3 is provided at the lower part of the upper and lower sides of the tablet 11 (or the display unit 12), and is an operation switch for performing various operations. Setting means 13
Is provided in the internal processing unit as shown by the dotted line, and the first one of the switches symmetrically arranged according to the program is set to valid and the other is set to invalid, or symmetrically arranged. The switch performs various controls such as giving the same function to the switch. In the case where switches provided symmetrically on the left and right in FIGS. 2 (d) to 2 (f) to be described later are provided with a mechanism that can be operated in the same manner from the left and right sides, the same function is provided to the symmetrically disposed switches. There is no need to control to have it.

FIG. 1B shows an example of the back of the apparatus. In FIG. 1B, a switch A is provided on the back of the apparatus and is an operation switch for performing various operations.

The switch 5 or dial is an operation switch or dial for performing various operations. next,
The operation when setting for right-handed use will be described with reference to (c) to (e) of FIG.

FIG. 1C shows how the switches on the front and back of the device are set. (C-1) in FIG.
Switches 1 to 3 and tablet 1 arranged on the front of the device
Reference numeral 1 denotes a state in which a right-handed user is set to be operable with the thumb.

FIG. 1C-2 shows a state in which the switches 4 and 5 arranged on the back of the apparatus are set so that a right-handed user can operate it with the index finger. FIG. 1D shows a state in which the switch 1 operated by the thumb on the front of the apparatus is canceled, and the switch 2 is determined and set. This is because the switch 1 operated by the thumb is far from the thumb of the right-handed user and the tablet 11
, The tablet 11 becomes invisible because the operation is performed across the tablet 11. Therefore, the operation is not performed while watching the tablet 11 but is set as a cancel switch. The switch 2 operated by the thumb is set as a decision switch because the switch 2 can be operated while looking at the tablet 11 close to the thumb of the right-handed user.

FIG. 1E shows a setting for right-handed use when the right switch 2 is first depressed when the power is turned on or when shifting from the suspended state to the operating state.
(C) and (d) are shown.

As shown in FIGS. 1 (c) to 1 (e), when a right-handed user presses the switch 3 which is easy to press when the power is turned on or when shifting from the suspend state to the operating state, the switch is automatically turned on. By making settings for right-handed use ((c) to (e) in FIG. 1), it is possible to set the switch to a state that is easy to use.

Next, the operation for setting for left-handed use will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 (f) to 1 (h). FIG. 1F shows how the switches on the front and back of the device are set.

FIG. 1 (f-1) shows a state in which switches 1 to 3 and tablet 11 arranged on the front of the apparatus are set so that a left-handed user can operate with his thumb. (F-
2) shows a state in which the switches 4 and 5 arranged on the back of the apparatus are set so that a left-handed user can operate it with the index finger.

FIG. 1 (g) shows a state in which the switch 1 operated by the thumb on the front of the apparatus is determined and the switch 2 is set to cancel. This is switch 2 operated by thumb
Since the user operates the tablet 11 far from the thumb of the left-handed user and crosses the tablet 11, the tablet 11 becomes invisible. Therefore, the operation is not performed while watching the tablet 11, but is set as a cancel switch. The switch 1 operated by the thumb is set as a decision switch because it can be operated while looking at the tablet 11 close to the thumb of the left-handed user.

FIG. 1H shows a setting for left-handed use when the left switch 1 is first depressed when the power is turned on or when shifting from the suspended state to the operating state.
(F) and (g) are shown.

As shown in FIGS. 1 (f) to 1 (h), when a left-handed user presses the easy-to-press switch 1 when the power is turned on or when shifting from the suspend state to the operating state, the right-handed user is automatically shifted to the right. By making the settings for the dominant use ((f) to (h) in FIG. 1), it is possible to set the switches in an easy-to-use state.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A shows a switch 1 symmetrically on the side of the device.
2 shows an example in which a dial is provided.

FIG. 2B shows that when the user operates the right hand, the right dial is first operated by the thumb when power is turned on, and the left switch 1 is operated by the index finger to enable the right dial. FIG. 6 shows a state in which the switch 2 is set, and the switch 2 on the left side is operated with the middle finger to be set to be valid. As a result, the switches 1, 2, and the dial can be individually customized easily with the right hand operation.

FIG. 2C shows that when the user operates the left hand, when the power is turned on, the left dial is first operated by the thumb to enable it, and the right switch 1 is operated by the index finger to enable it. FIG. 7 shows a state in which the switch 2 is set, and the switch 2 on the right side is operated with the middle finger to set the switch 2 to valid. As a result, the switches 1, 2, and the dial can be individually customized easily with the left hand operation.

As described above, when the power is turned on or when the operation mode is shifted from the suspend state to the operation state, such as the right-hand operation or the left operation, the switch 1, 2 or the dial to be activated which is symmetrically arranged. By operating the switch individually, the other is set to be invalid, and various controls can be performed by operating the switches 1, 2 and the dial on the side set to be effective in the subsequent operations.

FIG. 2 (d) shows the state shown in FIG. 2 (a) to (c).
2 (a) to 2 (c) show a view from the front of the device of the symmetric switch arranged in FIGS. 2 (a) to 2 (c). FIG. .
As shown in the figure, there is a switch unit on the internal substrate, and when the switch unit is enlarged, it becomes as shown in (f-1) of FIG. 2, and the switches 1 and 2 are operated by a switch operation transmission mechanism (bar). It works in conjunction with it.

FIG. 2F is an enlarged view of the switch section shown in FIGS. 2D and 2E. (F-1) of FIG. 2 has a switch unit (push button type) on the substrate,
2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration in which a switch operation transmitting mechanism (bar) connected to the second unit 2 moves left and right to depress a switch unit to be turned on / off.

FIG. 2 (f-2) shows a case where the button is pressed from the right side. (F-3) of FIG. 2 illustrates a case where the pressing operation is performed from the left side. (D) to (f) of FIG.
As shown in the figure, the switches 1 and 2 provided on the left and right side surfaces of the device are constituted by symmetric switches 1 and 2.
Operates completely the same regardless of which side (left or right) is operated, so that there is no need to add a special mechanism or electric circuit.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3A shows the front of the apparatus. Here, an example in which the display unit 12 is provided on the front surface of the apparatus is shown. This display unit 12
Is a panel such as a liquid crystal panel for displaying various operation instructions, data, icons, and the like.

FIG. 3B shows the back of the apparatus. Here, an example is shown in which a tablet 11 is provided on the back of the apparatus. The tablet 11 is pressed with a finger to read the position coordinates.

FIG. 3C shows a display unit 12 provided on the front of the apparatus and a tablet 11 provided on the back of the apparatus.
FIG. 6 shows a state in which the position coordinates of pressing down with a fingertip are detected and a cursor is displayed on the display unit 12 on the front of the apparatus. As shown,
By pressing a fingertip on a tablet 11 provided on the back of the apparatus to detect its position coordinates, and moving and displaying a cursor at a position on the display section 12 corresponding to the detected position coordinates, the display section 12 on the front of the apparatus is displayed. Move the cursor displayed above to
Press and move the tablet 11 placed on the back of the device with the index finger to position it at a desired position, for example, a command,
By selecting the command, the function of the command can be activated to execute various processes.

Next, the operation of the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 will be described in detail according to the order shown in the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the present invention.

In FIG. 4, S1 returns from PowON (power on) or from suspend (returns to an operating state) by operating a switch. In S2, it is determined whether the above switch is right. This corresponds to, for example, the already described FIG.
It is determined whether or not the switch 2 on the right side of FIG. 7 has been returned to the operating state from the power-on or the suspension when the switch 2 is pressed. In the case of YES, the right hand operation mode is set in S3, and the process proceeds to S5. On the other hand, in the case of NO, the left operation mode is set in S4, and the process proceeds to S5.

In step S5, a normal operation is performed. This is S3
Is set in the right-hand operation mode, and in S4, the left-hand operation mode is set. Therefore, various normal operations are performed using the information device in the set right-hand / left-hand operation mode.

In step S6, normal processing is performed. In S7, it is determined whether or not no operation has elapsed for a predetermined time. If YES, S10
To go to suspend and end. If NO, S
Proceed to 8. In S8, it is determined whether the operation is a Pow switch operation. Y
In the case of ES, P9 turns off (power off) in S9.
And exit. If NO, the process returns to S5 and repeats.

By the above S1 to S10, when the switch pressed first to return to the operation state from the power-on or the suspend is the right-hand switch symmetrically provided, for example, as described above in FIG. On the other hand, when the left switch is set, the left hand operation mode is set, and thereafter, various processes can be executed by operating the switches and dials according to the set right hand operation mode / left hand operation mode.

In FIG. 4, S11 returns from PowON or suspend by operating a switch.
In step S12, the operation switch selection mode is set.

At S13, it is determined which of the paired switch systems has been operated. S14 enables the operated switch and disables the paired switch. this is,
As described above with reference to FIGS. 2A to 2C,
With respect to the switches 1 and 2 and the dial provided symmetrically, the one operated individually first is set to be valid, and the others are set to be invalid. Then, the process proceeds to S5.

According to the above S11 to S14, for the switches 1, 2 and dials arranged symmetrically in the information device, the user individually sets the switch to be enabled first and then sets it to enabled, and disables the others. , And the user can select to set either the right side or the left side of each switch or dial to be valid, so that it is easy to use and can be customized.

[0048]

As described above, according to the present invention,
After simplifying the operation of the information device (display unit 12 / switches / tablet 11), it is arranged so that it can be easily operated with one hand, and the same operation feeling can be obtained when used with either left or right hand. The function of switching the arrangement and meaning of the operation system can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 2, 3, 4, 5: switch 11: setting means

Claims (6)

[Claims] An information device in which operation switches are arranged around a small display unit or a tablet, wherein the operation switches are arranged symmetrically on the left and right or left and right sides of the small display unit or the tablet, and are arranged on the upper and lower sides or the upper and lower sides. Means for individually setting the first operated side of the symmetrically arranged operation switches to valid and setting the other to invalid. 2. An information device having an operation switch disposed around a small display unit or a tablet, comprising: an operation switch disposed symmetrically on the left and right or left and right sides of the small display unit or the tablet; Means for setting all switches for right-hand operation or left-hand operation corresponding to the first operated side of the symmetrically arranged operation switches as valid and setting the other as invalid. . 3. An information device in which operation switches are arranged around a small display unit or a tablet, wherein the operation switch is arranged symmetrically on the left and right or left and right side surfaces of the small display unit or the tablet, and is arranged on the upper and lower or upper and lower side surfaces. An information device, comprising: a switch; and means for causing the symmetrically arranged operation switches to have the same function. 4. The display device or the tablet according to claim 1, wherein left and right sides of the tablet are provided with symmetrical dials.
An information device according to claim 3. 5. The information device according to claim 1, further comprising an operation switch on the back of the small display unit or the tablet. 6. A display device comprising: a display unit provided on a front surface; a tablet provided on a rear surface; and means for moving a cursor on the display unit based on positional information designated on the tablet to display the cursor. The information device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: