JP3989297B2 - Small personal digital assistant - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a personal portable information terminal having a size similar to a notebook, and more particularly to a small portable information terminal that enables data browsing operation with one hand.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The current personal digital assistants (PDA) are the same size and weight as notebooks, but are address books, schedules, work-related memos and files that are housed in computers at home and office, etc. Many functions such as browsing and creating various files, video and image file browsing functions, music player functions, communication functions for browsing e-mails and data on the Internet in conjunction with mobile phones, etc. There are many things that have. In these small portable information terminals, menu selection, file selection, data input, etc. are easy and quick for browsing and creating stored data so that the miniaturized characteristics can be used to the maximum. Various ideas have been made so that it can be performed.
[0003]
For example, to select a menu or file, use a numeric keypad to enter the menu number displayed on the screen, or provide cursor keys at the bottom or top of the LCD screen, and move between the menus using the cursor keys. , A touch pad on the LCD screen, which can be selected by touch with a stylus pen, a dial called jog dial that can be continuously rotated and pushed, is provided on the side of the small portable information terminal, In some cases, the rotation of the jog dial is associated with the movement of the cursor to move between menus, and the jog dial is pushed to enable selection.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, many of these conventional selection methods for small portable information terminals are assumed to be used by placing these small portable information terminals on a table or holding them with one hand and operating them with the other hand. If you want to view your schedule with just one hand, or if you want to let other people know your phone number, it is very unusable.
[0005]
That is, the method of providing a numeric keypad and cursor keys on the same plane as the liquid crystal screen is difficult to operate these numeric keys and cursor keys with a held hand because of the size of a small portable information terminal. A liquid crystal display with a touch pad needs to be touched with a stylus pen, so it must be placed on a table or held with one hand and operated with the other hand. In addition, the method with the jog dial on the side allows the cursor on the menu to be moved and selected by rotating and pushing the jog dial. However, if the power button is provided on the same plane as the LCD screen, Must be placed on the table or held with one hand, and the operation while making a phone call becomes very difficult.
[0006]
In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a small portable information terminal that can perform all the browsing operations of stored data with only one hand.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Therefore, in the present invention, as described in claim 1,
In a small portable information terminal having a liquid crystal screen on the front and an operation button on the side,
An item or function selection button displayed on the liquid crystal screen and a return button for returning the selection instruction result of the selection button to the previous state are arranged between the power button and each operation button as a thumb. The power button is arranged at the operable position, and the power button arranged on the lower stage is arranged on the upper stage in a vertical sliding manner.
The selection button is configured so that a selection instruction can be performed by a swinging operation and a pressing operation, the return button arranged in the middle stage is configured as a pressing type, and the pressing direction of each button is made different,
Protrusions are provided in two corresponding housing portions, the upper portion of the selection button and the lower portion adjacent to the return button, to prevent malfunction due to contact during storage .
[0008]
In this way, when the small portable information terminal is held with one hand, for example, the left hand, the selection button of the item or function displayed on the liquid crystal screen on the part where the thumb is located, and the selection instruction result of the selection button are one. By arranging operation buttons such as a return button to return to the previous state and a power button, even in situations where one hand is blocked, such as during a telephone call, power ON operation, item or function selection operation on the display screen (Activation operation of a desired application or the like), an operation for returning the selection result to the previous state, and the like can be operated with only one hand. Also, by changing the pressing direction of each button, even if the wrong button is operated, if the pressing direction does not correspond to that button, the button will not function, and the power may be turned off accidentally It is possible to prevent accidents such as returning to the previous state, and to provide a small portable information terminal that is very easy to use.
[0009]
And each operation button is as described in claim 2,
The selection button, the return button, and the power button are formed in different shapes so that they can be recognized by touching the skin without requiring visual inspection.
[0010]
In this way, each button has a shape that makes the surface feel different, so that it becomes possible to identify each button only by the tactile sensation with the thumb, coupled with the pressing direction of each button being different, It becomes possible to operate necessary buttons more accurately.
[0011]
And the pressing direction and the arrangement position of these operation buttons are as described above .
The power button is configured as a slide type and arranged in the lower stage, and the return button is configured as a press type and arranged in the middle stage, and the selection button is configured so that a selection instruction can be performed by a swinging operation and a pressing operation. It is characterized by the fact that it is arranged in the upper stage where the thumb operation is most easy.
as well as,
The power button is configured as a slide type and arranged in the lower stage, and the return button is configured as a push type and arranged in the middle stage, and the selection button is configured to be able to give a selection instruction by swinging and lying down. It is characterized by the fact that it is arranged in the upper stage where the thumb operation is most easy.
[0012]
In this way, the power button is constructed in a slide type, for example, it is prevented from being turned on inadvertently even if it is stored in a pocket or handbag, and it is not used except when the power is turned on, so it is placed on the lower stage where it is most difficult to operate and returned The button is configured to be pressed so that it can be easily operated when an item is selected incorrectly, the middle button is easier to operate than the power button, and the most frequently used selection button is provided in the upper stage. Is linked with the software to make selection instructions by swinging and pressing, or swinging and lying down, making it easier to operate when holding a small portable information terminal with one hand A small portable information terminal capable of displaying information can be provided.
[0013]
Also, this selection button is as described in claim 3 or 4 ,
A selection candidate is changed by a swinging operation of the selection button, and a selection instruction of a selection item is given by a pressing operation or a sideways operation.
In addition, a selection candidate is changed by a swinging operation of the selection button, and a selection instruction for a selection item is given by a sideways operation.
[0014]
As described above, the selection candidate is changed by the swing operation of the selection button, and the selection instruction of the selection item is given by the pressing operation or the horizontal operation, so that the operation when holding the small portable information terminal with one hand becomes very easy. Therefore, it is possible to provide a small portable information terminal that can easily display necessary information.
[0015]
The selection button, you a movable range of the rocking motion before Symbol selection button and a range.
[0016]
In this way, by configuring the movable range by the swing operation of the selection button as a fixed range in cooperation with the software and changing the selection candidate, it is said that the finger gets tired by frequent rotation operations like the operation button that rotates continuously. Therefore, it is possible to provide a small portable information terminal that is extremely easy to handle.
[0017]
Furthermore, this selection button, with the top of the selection buttons, the bottom adjacent to the return button, a projection on the corresponding two housing parts is provided, configured to prevent a malfunction due to contact during storage, further Preferably, a housing portion corresponding to both side portions of the selection button is raised, and one of the ridges is made larger than the other ridge so as to prevent malfunction due to contact during storage.
[0018]
By doing so, for example, even if a music player or the like is operated and stored in a pocket or handbag, it can be prevented that the one stored together touches the selection button and malfunctions.
[0019]
The side with these operation buttons, a side having a front Symbol operation buttons is raised relative to other aspects, the arrangement of the operation buttons you to know the recognition of the skin.
[0020]
By doing so, it becomes possible to determine the direction in which the small portable information terminal is held without observing it, and it is possible to provide a small portable information terminal that is easier to handle.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be exemplarily described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the components described in this embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to those unless otherwise specified. This is just an example.
[0022]
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a small portable information terminal showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a detailed view of a side portion where operation buttons are arranged in the small portable information terminal of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion where selection buttons are arranged. In the figure, 1 is a small portable information terminal according to the present invention, 2 is a liquid crystal screen, 3 is a power button, 4 is a return button for returning the selection instruction result to the previous state, and 5 is an item displayed on the liquid crystal screen. Or a function selection button, 6 is a side cover of each of these button portions, 7 is a housing protrusion provided on the side cover to prevent malfunction of the selection button 5, and 8, 9, 10, and 11 are operating directions of the respective operation buttons. , 12 is a cover of the small portable information terminal 1, 30 is a protrusion provided on the power button 3, 50 is unevenness provided on the selection button 5, 51 and 52 are steps provided on the selection button 5, and 53 is a side cover 6. A ridge 60 provided on the side of the selection button 5 is an opening for the power button 3.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 1, the small portable information terminal 1 according to the present invention has a liquid crystal screen 2 of about 3.5 to 4 inches, a cover 12 that protects a circuit board and a battery housed therein, and other side surfaces. When the portable information terminal 1 is raised and held, the side cover 6 is made to recognize that the raised operation button is located on the side where the operation buttons are arranged. For example, when holding with the left hand, the thumb is shown in FIG. It is comprised so that it may come to the position of the selection button 5 of the side cover 6 located in the left side. Therefore, even if the small portable information terminal 1 according to the present invention is taken out from a handbag or a pocket during a telephone call or the like, the liquid crystal screen 2 does not mistake the front and back and the upper and lower sides due to the presence of the side cover 6 raised from the other side. The thumb can be easily positioned at the operation buttons when held.
[0024]
Of the operation buttons, the power button 3 is provided with a plurality of protrusions 30 on the surface in a rectangular shape with both ends circular as shown in FIG. 2, for example, and from a power button opening 60 provided on the side cover 6. The power supply opening 60 is slightly protruded so as to be slidable in the direction indicated by the arrow 8 in FIG. 1, and the power is turned on by this sliding operation. The slide direction 8 of the power button 3 is set to the upward direction in the illustrated example, but may be the downward direction or the left / right direction. It is preferable to slide it.
[0025]
The return button 4 is a button for returning the selected state to the previous state. As shown in FIG. 2, a projection is not provided on the surface, and a signal is sent by pressing in the direction indicated by the arrow 9 in FIG. It is configured as follows. Therefore, for example, when the application selected by the selection button 5 from the menu displayed on the liquid crystal screen is activated, pressing the return button 4 in the direction indicated by the arrow 9 in FIG. In other words, the selection instruction result of the selection button 5 can be returned to the previous state.
[0026]
For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the selection button 5 is formed by swinging and pushing, or swinging and tilting a mountain-shaped button member provided with an uneven portion 50 at the center and steps 51 and 52 on both sides thereof. This is attached to a switch that is configured to emit a signal, and as shown by an arrow 10 in FIG. 1, selection of items such as menus and functions displayed on the liquid crystal screen 2 by swinging the button 51 at a certain angle in a two-dimensional direction. The selection of the selection item is instructed by changing the candidate by a push-in operation as shown by an arrow 11 or a side-by-side operation in which the selection button 5 is slid on the liquid crystal screen 5 although not shown by an arrow. The selection button 5 alone enables selection of items displayed on the liquid crystal screen 2 and activation of an application or the like. Once the application is started, for example, in the address book, it is possible to move to the person who wants to check, and further browse the detailed information such as the person's address and telephone number, just by this selection button 5 alone. It becomes.
[0027]
Further, the swinging range of the selection button 5 is limited to a certain range, and the finger does not get tired due to frequent rotating operation unlike the operation button for continuous rotation of the conventional apparatus, and AA in FIG. As shown in the partial cross-sectional view in the direction, the housing protrusion 7 provided on the selection button 5 of the side cover 6 and the bulge provided with the 53 side larger than the opposite side on both sides of the selection button 5 Even if it is housed in a device, the object housed in it is prevented from touching and malfunctioning. Therefore, for example, even if the small portable information terminal 1 is accommodated in a pocket or handbag while the music player is operated, an accident that the selection button 5 is operated and the reproduction is interrupted does not occur. Further, due to the housing protrusion 7 and the bulge 53, the selection button 5 has the concavo-convex portion 50 almost the same height as the surface of the side cover 6, and it is very easy to operate with the thumb.
[0028]
The power button 3, the return button 4, and the selection button 5 can be operated with only the thumb of the left hand held as can be understood from the above description. Therefore, the power is turned on, the application is selected, started, and necessary. This makes it possible to select necessary information, and to return to the previous state when it is selected by mistake. For example, even when operating while making a call, it is possible to browse necessary information with one hand. Further, as described above, the power button 3, the return button 4, and the selection button 5 have the surface shapes of the power button 3 having protrusions 30, the return button 4 having a flat surface, and the selection button 5 having irregularities 50. Therefore, the necessary operation buttons can be recognized only by touch. Further, the pressing direction of the power button 3 slides, the return button 4 pushes in, and the selection button 5 pushes the rocking operation and pushes or rocks. Even if the wrong button is selected even if the wrong button is selected, there is no accident of turning off the power by mistake.
[0029]
The power button 3, the return button 4, and the selection button 5 are arranged in a lower stage that is most difficult to operate because the power button 3 is not used except when the power is turned on, and the operation of the return button 4 is performed only when an item is selected incorrectly. Because the frequency of use is not so high, it is arranged in the middle stage, which is easier to operate than the power button, and the selection button 5 is arranged in the upper stage, which is most frequently used and easy to operate with the thumb. It becomes easy and there is no worry of getting tired even if it is operated for a long time with one hand.
[0030]
The above is the outline of the small portable information terminal according to the present invention. The browsing operation in the small portable information terminal of the present invention configured as described above will be explained. First, the small portable information terminal is held with the left hand and is powered with the thumb. The button 3 is pushed up and slid, the power is turned on, and a menu is displayed. Then, with the thumb, the selection button 5 is swung upward or downward as indicated by an arrow 10 to move the cursor to a desired item, and the selection button 5 is pushed in the direction of the arrow 11 in FIG. Go and perform the selection instruction operation, thereby launching the application. If an erroneous application starts up at this time, the user can return to the original menu screen by placing the thumb on the return button 4 and pressing the return button 4.
[0031]
Then, a necessary application starts up, and if there are selection items there, the selection button 5 is swung upward or downward in the same manner to select the necessary items, and the selection button 5 is further moved as shown in FIG. Desired data can be easily browsed by performing a selection instructing operation by pushing in the direction of the arrow 11 or lying down. Also in this case, when an incorrect item is selected, it is exactly the same that the thumb is placed on the return button 4 and the return button 4 is pressed to return to the previous state.
[0032]
The above is the browsing operation of the small portable information terminal according to the present invention. In the above description, the power button 3 is provided with a plurality of protrusions 30 on the surface as a rectangular shape with both ends circular, and the return button 4 has protrusions on the surface. Although it has been described that it is not provided, it is needless to say that the shape and surface state of both buttons may be configured in any way as long as the difference can be recognized with the thumb. In addition, the selection button 5 has been described as a mountain shape having a concavo-convex 50 at the center as shown in FIG. 3, but what if it can be swung, pressed or laid down within a certain range? Of course, any shape is acceptable.
[0033]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the small portable information terminal is held with one hand, for example, the left hand, selection of items or functions displayed on the liquid crystal screen at the position where the thumb is located. The button, the return button for returning the selection instruction result of the selection button to the previous state, and the operation button such as the power button are arranged, so that even in a situation where one hand is blocked as in a telephone, An ON operation, an operation for selecting an item or function on the display screen (operation for starting a desired application, etc.), an operation for returning a selection result to the previous state, and the like can be operated with one hand. Also, by changing the pressing direction of each button, even if the wrong button is operated, if the pressing direction does not correspond to that button, the button will not function, and the power may be turned off accidentally It is possible to prevent accidents such as returning to the previous state, and to provide a small portable information terminal that is very easy to use.
[0034]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the selection button, the return button, and the power button have different shapes on the surface, so that each button can be identified only by the tactile sensation with the thumb. In combination with the different pressing directions of the buttons, the necessary buttons can be operated more accurately.
[0035]
According to the above-described present invention, the power button is configured to be slid, and for example, it is hard to operate because it is prevented from being inadvertently turned on even when stored in a pocket or handbag and is not used except when the power is turned on. Arranged in the lower stage, the return button is configured to be pressed so that it can be easily operated if the item selection is incorrect, the middle stage is easier to operate than the power button, and the most frequently used selection button is provided in the upper stage. The operation of the selection button is linked with the software, and the selection instruction is given by the swinging operation and the pressing operation or the swinging operation and the sideways operation, so that the operation when holding the small portable information terminal with one hand is very easy. Thus, a small portable information terminal that can easily display necessary information can be provided.
[0036]
According to the third or fourth aspect of the present invention, the selection candidate is changed by the swing operation of the selection button, and the selection instruction of the selection item is given by the pressing operation or the side-by-side operation. Therefore, it is possible to provide a small portable information terminal that can be easily displayed and can easily display necessary information.
[0037]
According to the above-described present invention, the movable range by the swing operation of the selection button is made to be a fixed range, and it is configured so as to change the selection candidate so that it can be rotated frequently like an operation button that rotates continuously. Thus, it is possible to provide a small portable information terminal that is extremely easy to handle without causing fatigue of the finger.
[0038]
Further, according to the present invention described above , for example, even if a music player or the like is operated and stored in a pocket or handbag, it can be prevented that the one stored together touches the selection button and malfunctions. it can.
[0039]
According to the present invention described above , when the small portable information terminal is held, it is possible to determine the direction in which the small portable information terminal is held without visual observation, and it is possible to provide a small portable information terminal that is easier to handle.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a small portable information terminal showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a detailed view of a side portion where operation buttons are arranged in the small portable information terminal of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a detailed perspective view of a selection button in the small portable information terminal of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion where a selection button is arranged.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Small portable information terminal 2 Liquid crystal screen 3 Power button 4 Return button 5 Selection button 6 Side cover 7 Housing protrusion 8, 9, 10, 11 Operation direction 12 Cover

Claims (6)

In a small portable information terminal having a liquid crystal screen on the front and an operation button on the side,
An item or function selection button displayed on the liquid crystal screen and a return button for returning the selection instruction result of the selection button to the previous state are arranged between the power button and each operation button as a thumb. The power button is arranged at the operable position, and the power button arranged on the lower stage is arranged on the upper stage in a vertically sliding manner.
The selection button is configured so that a selection instruction can be performed by a swinging operation and a pressing operation, the return button arranged in the middle stage is configured as a pressing type, and the pressing direction of each button is made different,
Small portable information characterized in that protrusions are provided at two corresponding housing portions, the upper portion of the selection button and the lower portion adjacent to the return button, to prevent malfunction due to contact during storage. Terminal.   2. The selection button, the return button, and the power button have shapes that make the surface feel different so that they can be recognized by touching the skin without requiring visual inspection. The described small portable information terminal. 2. The small portable information terminal according to claim 1 , wherein selection candidates are changed by a swinging operation of the selection button, and a selection instruction of a selection item is given by a pressing operation. 2. The small portable information terminal according to claim 1 , wherein selection candidates are changed by a swinging operation of the selection button, and a selection instruction of a selection item is given by a sideways operation. The small portable information terminal according to claim 1, 3 or 4 , wherein a movable range by a swinging operation of the selection button is a fixed range.   2. The small portable information terminal according to claim 1, wherein a side portion having the operation button is raised with respect to another side surface so that the arrangement of the operation button can be recognized by skin recognition.

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