JP2003058276A - Portable information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable information processor with excellent operability capable of being stably mounted and used even when a sufficient installation area can not be obtained in using the portable information processor without damaging portability. SOLUTION: The portable information processor is provided with a main body part 21 provided with an input means and an opening/closing type display part 26 and the display part 26 is provided so as to invert the front and back to the main body part 21 and can vertically invert and display display information. The input means is attachably and detachably provided on the main body part 21 and is detachable from the main body part 21 while enabling information input through a communication means when the display information is vertically inverted and displayed at the display part 26.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable information processing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In portable information processing apparatuses such as notebook personal computers (hereinafter referred to as "notebook personal computers") and mail terminals, miniaturization and portability have been pursued in recent years. Further, the notebook type personal computer is being developed not only to be used by placing it on a table but also to be applicable to various usage forms.

For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-34370 discloses a technique of a portable information processing device having an opening / closing type display unit. As shown in FIG. 7, the portable information processing device 7 includes an opening / closing display unit 71 and a main body unit 74. The display unit 71 is turned upside down so that it can be freely attached and detached.
The display surface 73 of the display unit 71 can be displayed upside down. Further, the display unit 71 is provided so that it can be opened to the back side of the main body unit 74.

The portable information processing device 7 is usually a main body 7
4 is installed on a table and the display unit 71 is raised at an appropriate angle for use. When used in a place where the installation area is small, the display unit 71 is once removed from the main body unit 74, the display unit 71 is turned upside down and attached to the main unit 74, and then the display surface 73
The contents displayed on the screen are turned upside down, the display surface 73 is directed to the user side, and the portable information processing device 7 is set upright. Alternatively, in a state in which the display unit 71 is rotated to the rear surface side of the main body unit 74, each widthwise end edge of the main body unit 74 and the display unit 71 is used as a support unit so that the display surface 73 faces the operator side. The processing device 7 is set upright. Further, a keyboard 75 equivalent to a keyboard used in a desktop information processing device is connected, and the keyboard 75 is installed in front of the display surface 73 for use.

[0005]

However, the above-mentioned conventional technique cannot be said to be excellent in portability even though it is a portable information processing device. That is, when the portable information processing device is used in a standing position in a small installation area, an input device such as a keyboard is required separately. While the purpose is to carry around the portable information processing device so that it can be used even in a small installation space, in practice, along with carrying this portable information processing device, an input device such as a keyboard that is externally attached is also provided. It is something that you must carry with you. Also, the keyboard equivalent to the keyboard used in the desktop type,
Since the size is large, it may be difficult to install and use in a narrow space.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to stabilize the use of a portable information processing device even when a sufficient installation space cannot be obtained. Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable information processing device that can be mounted and used for a long time and has excellent operability without impairing portability.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has a main body portion having an input means and an opening / closing type display portion, and the display portion is provided with respect to the main body portion. A portable information processing device, which is capable of being turned upside down and is capable of displaying display information by turning it upside down, wherein the input means is detachably provided on the main body and the display information is displayed on the display. Is displayed upside down, it can be detached from the main body while information can be input through the communication means.

According to this invention, the portable information processing device can be used in a standing state, and the installation area of the portable information processing device can be reduced. Moreover, since the input means can be detached from the main body and used, it is possible to enhance portability without requiring a peripheral device for input separately.

The communication by the communication means is performed either by wire or wirelessly.

When the communication is performed wirelessly, a cable or the like for connection is not required, the input means can be installed in a wider range, and a connection cable or the like is not required to be carried, and there is a risk of loss thereof. Disappear.

The main body and the display may be rotatably connected via a hinge, and the main body and the display may be provided with cutouts around the hinge.

In this case, the hinge portion can be used also as a handle, and can be made more portable.

Further, the hinge portions are parallel to each other.
It is composed of two rotating shafts and a link portion connecting the rotating shafts to each other. The frictional force generated between the rotating shafts and the link portions causes the angle of the main body portion with respect to the installation surface and the main body of the display unit. The angle with respect to the part may be fixed arbitrarily.

In this case, the angle of the user with respect to the installation surface of the main body and the angle of the display with respect to the main body can be set to angles that are easy for the user to input, and operability can be further improved. Further, when the main body is inclined with respect to the installation surface, heat dissipation from the main body can be promoted, and the heat dissipation effect can be enhanced.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of a portable information processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In each of the following embodiments, a laptop computer is shown as an example of a portable information processing device.
The present invention is another information processing apparatus that is required to be portable, and can be suitably applied to, for example, a mail terminal or an electronic notebook. Further, the same components common to the respective embodiments shown below are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[First Embodiment] FIGS. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable information processing device as seen from the front side thereof, and FIGS. 3 is a side view when the main body and the display are rotated via the hinge, FIG.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a case where the input means is detached from the main body and used.

As shown in FIG. 1, the portable information processing device 1 has a main body portion 11 having a keyboard portion 12 as an input means, and an opening / closing type display portion 16. The keyboard section 12 includes various input keys 13 and a track pad 14.
Etc. are provided. A CPU, an electronic component, a printed circuit board, and the like (not shown) are mounted inside the main body 11 to operate the portable information processing device 1. The body portion 11 and the display portion 16 are rotatably connected via a hinge portion 18. Further, the display unit 16 is provided with a display surface 17 for displaying information.

The main body portion 11 and the display portion 16 have a hinge portion 1
The angle between them can be fixed to any angle via 8. As shown in FIG. 2A, the portable information processing device 1 is
The keyboard portion 12 and the display surface 17 are housed inside while being carried or not used, and the main body portion 11 and the display portion 16 are closed. The user can open the main body 11 and the display 16 in the closed state by hand to freely set the angle between the main body 11 and the display 16. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, the angle formed by the main body 11 and the display 16 may be an obtuse angle or an angle of about 180 degrees. Further, by further expanding this, as shown in FIG. 6D, the angle formed between the back side of the main body 11 and the back side of the display 16 can be set to an acute angle. In each of the states shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the display unit 16 is expanded by hand to an angle at which the main body unit 11 and the display surface 17 can be easily used, and when the hand is released, frictional force in the hinge unit 18 causes the main body unit to move. Both 11 and the display unit 16 are fixed.

As shown in FIG. 3, the keyboard portion 12
Is detachably attached to the main body 11. In the present embodiment, the keyboard portion 12 is housed in the engagement portion 15 provided in the main body portion 11, and the keyboard portion 12 is moved by sliding the keyboard portion 12 in the width direction, for example.
It is provided so that it can be removed from 1. The detached keyboard portion 12 is still capable of inputting information via the communication means, and can be used even when detached from the main body portion 11.

Communication by the communication means is performed either by wire or wirelessly. As long as an input signal input from the keyboard unit 12 can communicate with the CPU or the like in the main body unit 11, wireless connection or wired connection may be used. As shown in FIG. 3, when the wireless connection is used, the keyboard portion 12 is not restricted by the connection cable or the like that connects the keyboard portion 12 and the main body portion 11, and thus the keyboard portion 12 can be more excellent in operability. it can.

The display unit 16 is provided so that it can be turned upside down with respect to the main body 11. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, when viewed from the front, the display unit 16 is attached via the hinge unit 18 in such a direction that the display surface 17 appears to the front. It is also possible to remove it, reverse it, and attach it so that the back side of the display unit 16 appears on the front side.

Further, the display information displayed on the display surface 17 can be displayed upside down. As shown in FIG. 2 (d) and FIG.
When the angle formed between the back side of 1 and the back side of the display unit 16 is set to an acute angle, the characters are displayed upside down for the user when the display surface 17 is left as it is. In such a case, the display information displayed on the display surface 17 is displayed upside down. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-538 discloses a method of displaying the display information by vertically inverting it.
No. 2, JP-A-63-253427, JP-A-5
The technology of the display device described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 197349 and the like can be used.

[Embodiment 2] FIGS. 4 and 5 show Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the keyboard portion is removed from the main body portion of the portable information processing device. 5 is a side view of the portable information processing device.

The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in the structure of the hinge portion and its surroundings.
Here, only the differences will be described, and description of other parts will be omitted.

The hinge portion 28 is composed of two rotating shafts 29, 30 parallel to each other and a link portion 31 connecting the rotating shafts 29, 30 to each other. That is, the main body 21
Has one rotating shaft 29 at the end edge of the display section 26 and another rotating shaft 30 at the end edge of the display section 26, and a link section 31 provided between the main body section 21 and the display section 26 provides these two Rotation axis 2
9, 30 are connected.

A notch 32 is formed around the hinge 28.
Is provided. As shown in FIG. 4, the notch 32 is
In the vicinity of the central portion of the hinge portion 28 provided in the width direction, the body portion 21 and the display portion 26 are provided with a notch having the same shape. It is desirable that the size and shape of the cutout 32 be such that the hinge portion 28 can be held by hand. As a result, the notch 32 can be used as a handle when carrying the portable information processing device 2, or can be hooked on a hanging member such as a hook to hold the portable information processing device 2 on a wall surface or a desk side. It can also be hung on an upright surface.

In the hinge portion 28, the angle of the main body portion 21 with respect to the installation surface 4 and the display portion 26 are caused by the frictional force generated between the rotating shafts 29, 30 and the link portion 31.
The angle with respect to the main body portion 21 can be arbitrarily fixed. FIG. 5A shows a case where the portable information processing device 2 is placed on a desk or the like with the entire back surface 21a of the main body portion 21 as a supporting surface, and the display portion 26 is adjusted to any angle of the user. To be done. FIG. 2B shows the front end 2 of the main body 21.
The case where the portable information processing device 2 is placed on the installation surface 4 by using 1b and the lower end portion 26b of the display unit 26 as supporting portions is shown.
In this case, by installing the main body portion 21 so as to be inclined toward the front side with respect to the installation surface 4, it is possible to more easily perform input from the keyboard portion 12, and at the same time, the rear surface 21a of the main body portion 21 and the installation surface 4 can be installed. Since there is a space between and, heat dissipation from the back surface 21a of the main body 21 can be promoted, and the heat generated inside the main body 21 can be radiated more efficiently.

In each of the above embodiments, the main body 11,
A non-slip portion 33 may be further provided at the corners of the display 21 and the display portions 16 and 26. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the portable information processing device 2 provided with the anti-slip portion 33. As described above, when the portable information processing device 2 is used in an upright state, each edge of both the main body 21 and the display 26 serves as a support. The anti-slip portion 33 is provided at the corner of the edge serving as the support portion. The anti-slip portion 33 is formed of synthetic resin such as rubber. With this non-slip portion 33, the portable information processing device 2 can be stably placed without slipping even on a smooth installation surface.
The anti-slip part 33 is provided at two corners of the main body part 21 and the display part 26 so as to cover the entire corner part in FIG. 6, but the invention is not limited to this, and a part of the corner part or a part of the corner part may be provided. ,
It may be provided on the entire widthwise edges of the main body and the display.

As a method of using the portable information processing device described above, an example of a procedure for installing the portable information processing device on the installation surface when it is used in a situation where the installation area cannot be sufficiently obtained will be described.

FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 6 described above show the installation form on the installation surface in a situation where the installation space of the portable information processing device cannot be sufficiently obtained.

In these cases, for example, in the portable information processing device 2 shown in FIG. 6, first, the keyboard portion 12 provided in the main body portion 21 is removed from the main body portion 21. As with the portable information processing device 1 shown in FIG. 2D, the main body 21 and the display unit 26 have an acute angle between the rear surface of the main body 21 and the rear surface of the display unit 26. Expand this,
Can be fixed. At this time, the portable information processing device 2 is used in an upright state by using the widthwise end edges of both the main body portion 21 and the display portion 26 as support portions. The user
The display surface 27 of the display unit 26 is set at an angle that is easy to visually recognize and placed on the installation surface, the keyboard unit 12 removed from the main body unit 21 is installed in front of the display unit 26, and an input operation is performed. According to the size of the installation space of the portable information processing device 2, the angle formed between the back side of the main body part 21 and the back side of the display part 26 can be adjusted by narrowing or expanding it from the state shown in the figure. it can. Thereby, the installation area of the portable information processing device 2 can be appropriately determined according to the size of the installation space. Further, the display contents displayed on the display surface 27 are displayed upside down.

Since the keyboard section 12 can communicate input information using wireless communication means, the keyboard section 12 does not necessarily have to be placed on the installation surface. That is, in the case where only the space for installing the main body 21 and the display unit 26 can be secured, it is possible to place the keyboard unit 12 on the knee or the like and input information, and to use a smaller installation space. Can be installed.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, when the notch 32 is provided around the hinge 28,
It is also possible to place only the keyboard section 12 on the installation surface or on the knee, etc., and install the display section 26 on the wall surface for use. For example, when the installation surface itself cannot be obtained, the display surface 27 faces outward and the main body portion 21 and the display portion 2
It is also possible to use the portable information processing device 2 by closing 6 and hooking the notch 32 on a suspending member such as a hook provided separately on the wall surface.

[0035]

As described above, the portable information processing apparatus according to the present invention can be used even when the edges of the main body portion and the display portion are erected as the supporting portions, and the portable information processing apparatus can be used. The installation area of the device can be reduced. In addition, since the input means provided in the portable information processing device itself can be detached and used for input, it is possible to provide excellent portability without requiring a peripheral device for input separately. it can.

Further, when the communication by the communication means is formed wirelessly, the condition of the installation space of the portable information processing device is more relaxed, the connection cable and the like are not required to be carried, and the risk of loss is eliminated. .

Further, when the notch is provided around the hinge portion, the hinge portion can be used also as a handle, and can be more portable.

Further, in the case where the hinge portion having the two rotating shafts parallel to each other and the link portion connecting the rotating shafts is provided, the user can set the angle of the main body portion with respect to the installation surface and the display portion. The angle with respect to the main body can be set to an angle that is easy to input, and operability can be further improved. Moreover, when the main body is inclined with respect to the installation surface, heat dissipation from the main body is promoted, and the heat dissipation effect can be enhanced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable information processing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention viewed from the front side.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the portable information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention when the main body section and the display section are rotated via the hinge section.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example in which the input unit is detached from the main body of the portable information processing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention and used.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example in which the input means is detached from the main body of the portable information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention and used.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the portable information processing device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portable information processing device provided with a non-slip portion.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a conventional portable information processing device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 2 Portable information processing device 11, 21 Main body 12 Keyboard part 16, 26 Display 17, 27 Display surface 18, 28 Hinge part 29, 30 rotation axis 31 Link 32 notch 33 Anti-slip part

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A main body having an input means and an opening / closing type display. The display is provided so that the front and back of the main body can be reversed, and the display information can be displayed upside down. In the portable information processing device, the input means is detachably provided in the main body, and when the display information is displayed upside down on the display, information can be input through the communication means. A portable information processing device, characterized in that it is detachable from the main body as it is. 2. The portable information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication by the communication unit is performed by wire or wirelessly. 3. The main body section and the display section are rotatably connected via a hinge section, and the main body section and the display section are each provided with a cutout section around the hinge section. The portable information processing device according to claim 1 or 2. 4. The hinge part is composed of two rotary shafts parallel to each other and a link part connecting the rotary shafts to each other, and a frictional force generated between the rotary shafts and the link parts causes 4. The portable information processing device according to claim 1, wherein an angle of the main body with respect to the installation surface and an angle of the display with respect to the main body can be arbitrarily fixed.