U.S. patent application number 12/706798 was filed with the patent office on 2010-06-10 for portable electronic apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to FUJITSU LIMITED. Invention is credited to Kenichi KIMURA, Sigi Moeslinger, Yoshifusa Togawa, Masamichi Udagawa.
Application Number | 20100141588 12/706798 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37984847 |
Filed Date | 2010-06-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100141588 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KIMURA; Kenichi ; et
al. |
June 10, 2010 |
PORTABLE ELECTRONIC APPARATUS
Abstract
In a portable electronic apparatus, a second keyboard to be
manipulated with a right hand is joined to a first keyboard unit
including a first keyboard to be manipulated with a left hand so
that the second keyboard can be turned down. A display unit having
a built-in liquid crystal display is joined to the first keyboard
unit so that the display unit can be tuned down. When the display
unit is turned down, the display unit engages with the second
keyboard unit that is turned down. When all the parts of the
electronic apparatus are closed, the electronic apparatus serves as
a CD player of a CD jacket size. When the display unit is opened,
the electronic apparatus has not only the capability of a DVD
player but also the capability of a simple personal computer. When
all the parts are left open, the electronic apparatus serves as a
personal computer having a full keyboard.
Inventors: |
KIMURA; Kenichi; (Kawasaki,
JP) ; Udagawa; Masamichi; (New York, NY) ;
Moeslinger; Sigi; (New York city, NY) ; Togawa;
Yoshifusa; (Kawasaki, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STAAS & HALSEY LLP
SUITE 700, 1201 NEW YORK AVENUE, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Assignee: |
FUJITSU LIMITED
Kawasaki
JP
|
Family ID: |
37984847 |
Appl. No.: |
12/706798 |
Filed: |
February 17, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11255919 |
Oct 24, 2005 |
7692634 |
|
|
12706798 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
345/169 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 25/043 20130101;
G11B 33/10 20130101; G06F 1/1616 20130101; G06F 1/1666 20130101;
G06F 1/1671 20130101; G11B 33/025 20130101; G06F 1/1677 20130101;
G06F 1/1656 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/169 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/02 20060101
G06F003/02 |
Claims
1. A portable electronic apparatus comprising: a first keyboard
unit including a first keyboard; a second keyboard unit including a
second keyboard; a first hinge being interposed between the first
and second keyboard units and allowing the second keyboard unit to
engage with the first keyboard unit with the first and second
keyboards opposed to each other; a display unit having a built-in
display; a second hinge allowing the display unit to engage with
the back of the second keyboard unit with the second keyboard unit
turned down to engage with the first keyboard unit; and an
operating unit arranged on the back of the second keyboard unit and
capable of being manipulated with the second keyboard unit engaged
with the first keyboard unit, wherein the operating unit comprises
a first operating unit including function keys except for a
character and a number input function designed for particular
functions.
2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising a disk drive, and a control unit that controls the
operation of the disk drive according to an operational
instruction, which is entered at the operating unit, with the
display unit opened to disengage from the second keyboard unit.
3. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising a computing feature, and a control unit that controls
the operation of the computing feature according to an operational
instruction, which is entered at the operating unit, with the
display unit opened to disengage from the second keyboard unit,
wherein the operating unit further comprises a second operating
unit including keys designed for the operational instructions.
4. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: when the
display unit is opened to disengage from the second keyboard unit,
if the first keyboard and the second keyboard that is turned down
are held in the operator's hands, the first operating unit is
located at a position on the back of the second keyboard unit at
which the first operating unit can be manipulated with one hand,
and the second operating unit is located at a position on the back
thereof at which the second operating unit can be manipulated with
the other hand.
5. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
display unit joined to the first keyboard unit via the second hinge
has an inclined surface that, when the display unit is opened with
the first keyboard unit placed on a plane, locks the display unit
so that the display unit will meet the first keyboard unit at a
predetermined angle.
6. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first
keyboard is a keyboard to be manipulated with one hand, and the
second keyboard is a keyboard to be manipulated with the other
hand.
7. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
display unit has the same contour as the side of the second
keyboard unit on which the operating unit is formed.
8. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising a control unit that, when the power supply of the
electronic apparatus is turned on and if the display unit is
opened, activates the operating unit.
9. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising an invalidating circuit that, when the second keyboard
unit is opened, invalidates an operational instruction entered at
the operating unit.
10. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising a control unit that, when the second keyboard unit is
opened, activates the first and second keyboards.
11. A portable electronic apparatus including a first keyboard unit
that includes a first keyboard, a second keyboard unit that is
joined to the first keyboard unit via a first hinge so that the
second keyboard unit can be engaged with the first keyboard unit,
and a display unit that is joined to the first keyboard unit via a
second hinge and that has a built-in display, comprising: a remote
controller connection terminal; and a first control unit that, when
the power supply of the electronic apparatus is turned on and if
the display unit is closed, instructs the electronic apparatus to
reproduce data from a disk according to an operational instruction
entered at a remote controller connected via the connection
terminal.
12. The electronic apparatus according to claim 11, further
comprising: an operating unit formed on the back of the second
keyboard unit; and a second control unit that, when the power
supply of the electronic apparatus is turned on and if the display
unit is opened, activates the operating unit.
13. The electronic apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the
remote controller has the same features as at least part of the
features of the operating unit.
14. The electronic apparatus according to claim 11, further
comprising a memory unit in which a plurality of operating systems
is stored.
15. The electronic apparatus according to claim 14, wherein: the
plurality of operating systems includes a first operating system
and a second operating system that provides the electronic
apparatus with a larger number of features than the first operating
system does; and software that controls reproduction of data from a
disk and that runs on the first operating system is stored in the
memory unit.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application is a Continuation application of
application Ser. No. 11/255,919 filed Oct. 24, 2005, now allowed,
and the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD AND BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a portable electronic
apparatus or, more particularly, to a portable electronic apparatus
having a cover. The apparatus which includes a display and a first
keyboard joined via a hinge so that the cover can be turned down,
and having the first keyboard and a second keyboard joined via a
hinge so that the second keyboard can be turned down.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In recent years, personal computers, that are typical
examples of electronic apparatuses, have been highly sophisticated.
Once the personal computer is connected on the Internet, the
personal computer can communicate data to or from computers located
around the world and get various pieces of information. Moreover,
when it comes to portable personal computers, a user can connect
his/her personal computer on the Internet at any place away from
home. The computer is now usable irrespective of the place and has
become indispensable for work. As for displays, a liquid crystal
display substitutes for a cathode-ray tube and contributes to
downsizing of the display.
[0006] In addition to a desktop computer to be used while being
immobilized on a desktop in a room, a portable personal computer
including a portable liquid crystal display and driven by a battery
and, for example, a notebook personal computer (hereinafter, a
notebook computer) is rapidly prevailing in the marketplace. The
notebook computer generally includes a main unit that is a major
portion of the computer, a keyboard unit having a keyboard, and a
liquid crystal display that can be turned down on a hinge to engage
with the keyboard unit.
[0007] The notebook computer is required to be compact because the
portability thereof counts. However, the keyboard should be large
enough to allow the user to smoothly enter characters. Downsizing
of the notebook computer is restricted by the keyboard. A proposal
has been made of a portable computer whose keyboard can be folded
in the center thereof (refer to Japanese Unexamined Patent
Publication No. JP-A-4-281509). In a portable computer, after a
cover including a liquid crystal screen is opened to disengage from
a keyboard unit, when a right keyboard unit is opened to disengage
from a left keyboard unit, the portable computer can be used as a
computer.
[0008] However, the portable computer disclosed in the publication
No. JP-A-4-281509 has only the capability of a computer. When the
right keyboard unit is turned down to engage with the left keyboard
unit, the portable computer cannot be used as a computer.
SUMMARY
[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a portable
electronic apparatus permitting use of a specific feature thereof
even with a keyboard is turned down or permitting use of part or
all of features thereof according to a limited manipulating method.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a compact,
multirole, and foldable portable computer that can operate as a CD
player with all parts thereof turned down, that, when a cover
including a liquid crystal display screen is opened to disengage
from a keyboard unit being turned down, permits use of not only the
capability of a CD player but also the capability of a DVD player
and use of a computing feature which does not require entry of
characters, and that, when a right keyboard unit is opened to
disengage from a left keyboard unit, permits use of all the
features of the personal computer.
[0010] According to the first aspect of the present invention
intended to accomplish the above object, there is provided a
portable electronic apparatus including: a first keyboard unit
having a first keyboard; a second keyboard unit having a second
keyboard; a first hinge that is interposed between the first and
second keyboard units and that allows the second keyboard unit to
engage with the first keyboard unit with the first and second
keyboards opposed to each other; a display unit having a built-in
display; a second hinge that allows the display unit to engage with
the back of the second keyboard unit with the second keyboard unit
turned down to engage with the first keyboard unit; and an
operating unit formed on the back of the second keyboard unit and
capable of being manipulated with the second keyboard unit engaged
with the first keyboard unit.
[0011] According to the second aspect of the present invention
intended to accomplish the foregoing object, there is provided a
portable electronic apparatus including: a first keyboard unit
having a first keyboard; a second keyboard unit having a second
keyboard and being joined to the first keyboard unit via a first
hinge so that the second keyboard unit can be engaged with the
first keyboard unit; and a display unit having a built-in display
and being joined to the first keyboard unit via a second hinge. The
portable electronic apparatus further includes a remote controller
connection terminal, and a first control circuit that, when the
power supply of the electronic apparatus is turned on, if the
display unit is closed, reproduces data from a disk according to an
operational instruction entered at a remote controller connected
via the connection terminal.
[0012] According to the third aspect of the present invention
intended to accomplish the aforesaid object, there is provided a
portable electronic apparatus in which: a second keyboard unit is
joined to a first keyboard unit, which includes a first keyboard,
via a first hinge so that the second keyboard unit can be turned
down; a display unit having a built-in display is joined to the
first keyboard unit via a second hinge; and when the display unit
is turned down on the second hinge, the display unit engages with
the turned-down second keyboard unit. The flank of the display unit
on the side of the second hinge is formed as an inclined surface
that meets at a predetermined angle a side opposite to a side on
which the display is exposed. When the display unit is opened with
the first keyboard unit placed on a plane, the display unit is left
open to the greatest extent with the inclined surface thereof
placed on the plane. In this state, the display unit meets the
first keyboard at a predetermined angle.
[0013] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention
intended to accomplish the aforesaid object, there is provided a
recording medium in which a program to be run in a portable
electronic apparatus is recorded. The electronic apparatus has a
second keyboard unit joined to a first keyboard unit, which
includes a first keyboard, via a first hinge so that the second
keyboard unit can be turned down, and has a display unit, which has
a built-in display, joined to the first keyboard unit via a second
hinge. When the display unit is turned down on the second hinge,
the display unit engages with the second keyboard unit that is
turned down. The electronic apparatus has a built-in disk drive.
The program detects whether the display unit is open or closed when
the power supply of the electronic apparatus is turned on, and
instructs the electronic apparatus to control the operation of the
disk drive according to whether the display unit is open or
closed.
[0014] According to a portable electronic apparatus to which the
present invention is adapted, the portable electronic apparatus
operates as a CD player with all parts thereof turned down. When a
cover including a liquid crystal display screen is opened to
disengage from a keyboard unit being turned down, the portable
electronic apparatus permits use of not only the capability of a CD
player but also the capability of a DVD player and permits use of a
computing feature that does not require entry of characters. All
the features of the portable electronic apparatus are usable with a
second keyboard unit opened to disengage from a first keyboard
unit. Consequently, the portable electronic computer is designed to
be compact and user-friendly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S)
[0015] The present invention will be more clearly understood from
the description as set forth below with reference to the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing a portable computer,
that is a portable electronic apparatus in accordance with the
present invention and that is fully folded, viewed from the side of
a disk insertion port and a remote controller connection
terminal;
[0017] FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the portable computer
shown in FIG. 1A viewed from a side opposite to the side shown in
FIG. 1A;
[0018] FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing the portable computer
in accordance with the present invention, which has a cover with a
built-in display opened, viewed from the right front of the
portable computer;
[0019] FIG. 2B is a side view showing the portable computer in
accordance with the present invention shown in FIG. 2A viewed in
the direction of arrow B;
[0020] FIG. 2C is a side view showing the portable computer in
accordance with the present invention shown in FIG. 2A viewed from
the direction of arrow C;
[0021] FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing the portable computer
in accordance with the present invention that has a second keyboard
unit including a right hand-manipulated keyboard opened from the
state shown in FIG. 2A;
[0022] FIG. 3B is a perspective view showing a hinge via which
first and second keyboard units included in the portable computer
shown in FIG. 3A are joined;
[0023] FIG. 3C is a front view showing the portable computer shown
in FIG. 3A viewed from in front of the portable computer;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a block circuit diagram showing part of the
internal components of the portable computer in accordance with the
present invention;
[0025] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of
software to be installed in the portable computer in accordance
with the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for use in explaining
blockage of a signal, which is sent from a DVD/CD player operation
button, by a second sensor and a gate circuit;
[0027] FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a circuit
that produces an interrupt signal according to whether the second
sensor is activated or inactivated;
[0028] FIG. 8A is a plan view showing an example of a sensor
adopted as the first and second sensors;
[0029] FIG. 8B is a side view showing the sensor shown in FIG.
8A;
[0030] FIG. 8C is a circuit diagram showing the internal components
of the sensor shown in FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B;
[0031] FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B are flowcharts describing an example of
actions to be performed according to the folded state of the
portable computer in accordance with the present invention when the
power supply of the portable computer is turned on;
[0032] FIG. 10 is a flowchart describing an example of actions to
be performed in the portable computer in accordance with the
present invention (which has two operating systems installed
therein), which has a cover alone opened, when the state of the
second sensor has changed;
[0033] FIG. 11 is a flowchart describing an example of actions to
be performed when the portable computer in accordance with the
present invention is restarted;
[0034] FIG. 12A is a flowchart describing an example of actions to
be performed in the portable computer in accordance with the
present invention (which has two operating systems installed
therein), in which a disk is in operation, when the second keyboard
unit is opened;
[0035] FIG. 12B is a flowchart describing interruption to be
performed in a case where when the portable computer in accordance
with the present invention is in operation, the keyboard is
closed;
[0036] FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B are flowcharts describing actions to
be performed in the portable computer in accordance with the
present invention which has one operating system installed therein;
and
[0037] FIG. 14 is a flowchart describing an example of actions to
be performed in the portable computer in accordance with the
present invention (which has one operating system installed
therein), which has the cover alone opened, when the state of the
second sensor has changed.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S)
[0038] FIG. 1A shows a portable computer 1, which is an example of
a portable electronic apparatus in accordance with the present
invention and which is fully folded, viewed from the side of an
insertion port for a disk 2 and a connection terminal for a remote
controller-inclusive headphone 3. FIG. 1B shows the portable
computer 1 viewed from the side opposite to the side shown in FIG.
1A. The portable computer 1 in accordance with the present
invention includes a first keyboard unit 10, a second keyboard unit
20, and a cover 30. The second keyboard unit 20 is turned down to
engage with the first keyboard 10, and the cover 30 covers the
second keyboard unit 20.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 1A, the first keyboard unit 10 has a disk
insertion port 11 through which a disk 2 is inserted. The second
keyboard unit 20 has a power switch 21, an external connection
connector 22, a headphone jack 23, and a battery insertion port 24
formed therein. Any other necessary connection terminals may be
formed in the flanks of the first and second keyboard units 10 and
20 respectively. The remote controller-inclusive headphone 3 having
a plug 3A inserted into the headphone jack 23 includes a remote
controller 3B connected to the plug 3A, and an inner-ear headphone
3C connected to the remote controller 3B. The remote controller 3B
has a multi-select button 3D whose four portions can be pressed in
order to control the motion of the disk 2 inserted into the first
keyboard unit 10. The button 3D is used to reproduce data recorded
in the disk 2, quickly advance the disk, withdraw the disk, or halt
the disk.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 1B, the first keyboard unit 10 and second
keyboard unit 20 are joined via a biaxial hinge member 4 that will
be described later. The cover 3 is attached to the first keyboard
unit 10 using a hinge that is not shown. An inclined surface 31
communicating with the face of the cover 30 at an angle is formed
behind the hinged portion of the cover 30. The inclined surface 31
is, as described later, intended to lock the cover 30 so that when
the cover 30 is left open, the cover 30 will meet at a
predetermined angle a plane, on which the portable computer 1 is
placed, such as a desktop. Moreover, the presence of the inclined
surface 30 makes it easy to distinguish the hinge side of the cover
30 from the opening side thereof.
[0041] FIG. 2A shows the portable computer 1 in accordance with the
present invention, which has the cover 30 with a built-in display
32 left open, with viewed from the portable computer. FIG. 2B shows
the portable computer 1 shown in FIG. 2A viewed from the direction
of arrow B. FIG. 2C shows the portable computer 1 shown in FIG. 2A
viewed from the direction of arrow C. The display 32 is formed with
a liquid crystal panel and disposed on the back of the cover 30.
Two loudspeakers 33 are disposed in a portion below the display 32
so that stereophonic sounds will be radiated through the
loudspeakers. The cover 30 can pivot on a hinge 34.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 2A, a first function key 26 is disposed on
a portion of the back 25 of the second keyboard unit 20, which
appears when the cover 30 is opened, that is seen on the right side
of the back with an observer's eye opposed to the display 32, and a
second function key 27 is disposed on a left portion of the back.
The first function key 26 includes four buttons and has the same
features as the remote controller 3B shown in FIG. 1A has. When a
disk is loaded in the first keyboard unit 10, the disk can be
treated using the first function key 26. In the present embodiment,
features of reproduction, halt, quick advancement, and withdrawal
are allocated to the four respective buttons.
[0043] Moreover, the second function key 27 includes five buttons.
The center button serves as an Enter key. The buttons located
above, below, or the right or left side of the Enter key serve as
cursor movement keys for use in moving a cursor, which appears on
the display 32, upwards, downwards, rightwards, or leftwards.
[0044] The first function key 26 disposed on the back 25 of the
second keyboard unit 20 is positioned so that when a user holds the
assembly of the first and second keyboard units 10 and 20 in
his/her hands, the user can press the first function key 26 with
his/her right-hand thumb. Likewise, the second function key 27 is
positioned so that when a user holds the assembly of the first and
second keyboard units 10 and 20 in his/her hands, the user can
press the second function key 27 with his/her left-hand thumb.
Thus, FIG. 2A illustrates the first function key 27 and second
function key 27 serving as an operating unit of the present
invention.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 2B and FIG. 2C, when the portable computer
1 is placed on a plane G and the cover 30 is turned on the hinge 34
to become open, the inclined surface 31 shown in FIG. 1B abuts on
the plane G. Consequently, the cover 30 is locked to meet the plane
G at an angle D. The angle D is an angle allowing a user to easily
view an image displayed on the display 32 when the user looks down
on the display 32 including a liquid crystal display device.
[0046] Furthermore, a bushing 28 made of a rubber is disposed at
four corners of the back 25 of the second keyboard unit 20 so that
the bushings will prevent the cover 30 from abutting on the back 25
of the second keyboard unit 20 when the cover 30 is closed, and the
bushings will serve as legs standing on the plane G when the second
keyboard unit 20 is opened. In addition, at least one first sensor
5 is disposed on the opposed sides of the second keyboard unit 20
and cover 30 so that the first sensor 5 will detect whether the
cover 30 is closed or opened to engage with or disengage from the
second keyboard unit 20.
[0047] FIG. 3A shows the portable computer 1 in accordance with the
present invention with the second keyboard unit 20 opened from the
state shown in FIG. 2A. FIG. 3B shows the hinge member 4 that joins
the first and second keyboard units 10 and 20 of the portable
computer 1 shown in FIG. 3A. FIG. 3C shows the portable computer 1
shown in FIG. 3A viewed from the portable computer (in a direction
of arrow E). A keyboard 13 to be manipulated with a left hand is
formed on the face 15 of the first keyboard unit 10, and a keyboard
12 to be manipulated with a right hand is formed on the face 29 of
the second keyboard unit 20. When the second keyboard unit 20 is
opened to disengage from the first keyboard unit 10, both keyboards
appear. Herein, a keyboard having keys arranged in a predetermined
manner is divided into a right hand-manipulated portion and a left
hand-manipulated portion. The right hand-manipulated portion is
allocated to the second keyboard unit 20 as the right
hand-manipulated keyboard 12, and the left hand-manipulated portion
is allocated to the first keyboard unit 10 as the left
hand-manipulated keyboard 13. The key arrangement is not limited to
any specific one. Either a known key arrangement or a unique key
arrangement may be adopted as long as the key arrangement will not
hinder keystrokes when it is adopted for the portable computer
1.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 3B, the hinge member 4 includes a first
hinge shaft 4A and a second hinge shaft 4B. The shafts 4A and 4B
are parallel to each other. The shaft 4A is attached to the first
keyboard unit 10, and the shaft 4B is attached to the second
keyboard unit 20. As the hinge member 4 has the two shafts 4A and
4B, when the second keyboard unit 20 is turned down to engage with
the first keyboard unit 10, one side of the hinge member 4 is, as
shown in FIG. 2A, flush with the flanks of the first and second
keyboard units 10 and 20. When the second keyboard unit 20 is
opened to disengage from the first keyboard unit 10, the other side
of the hinge member 4 is, as shown in FIG. 3C, flush with the faces
15 and 29 of the first and second keyboard units 10 and 20.
[0049] As shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, one side of the hinge
member 4 has a plurality of concave parts 4C. The plurality of
concave parts 4C is useful in releasing heat that is dissipated
from the insides of the first and second keyboard units 10 and 20
when the portable computer 1 is put to use in the state shown in
FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B or in FIG. 2A. Moreover, the hinge member 4
has, as shown in FIG. 3B, a slit 4D formed in both the flanks
thereof that are opposed to the flanks of the first and second
keyboard units 10 and 20 respectively when the second keyboard unit
20 is opened to disengage from the first keyboard unit 10. The
slits 4D are used to pass a flexible cable over which two groups
into which internal circuits are divided and which are distributed
to the insides of the first and second keyboard units 10 and 20
respectively as described later are interconnected.
[0050] Furthermore, at least one second sensor 6 that detects
whether the second keyboard unit 20 is closed to engage with the
first keyboard unit 10 is disposed on the opposed surfaces of the
first and second keyboard units 10 and 20 near the hinge member 4.
The second sensor 6 is activated when the second keyboard unit 20
is closed to engage with the first keyboard unit 10, and
inactivated when the second keyboard unit 20 is opened.
[0051] FIG. 4 is a block circuit diagram showing an example of
internal circuits 40 incorporated in the portable computer 1 in
accordance with the present invention. The groups into which the
internal circuits 40 are divided and which are incorporated in the
first and second keyboard units 10 and 20 respectively are
interconnected over the flexible cable. Herein, the internal
circuits 40 are not shown as divided into the groups that are
incorporated in the first and second keyboard units 10 and 20
respectively. In the present embodiment, the internal circuits 40
incorporated in the portable computer 1 are divided into the two
groups that are incorporated in the first and second keyboard units
10 and 20 respectively. The place where the internal circuits 40
are incorporated is not limited to the first and second keyboard
units 10 and 20 and may be the cover.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 4, a direct (dc) voltage into which an
alternating (ac) voltage received through a power plug 41 inserted
into a mains outlet is converted by an AC/DC converter 42 is
supplied to the internal circuits 40. The received dc voltage is
converted into various voltages by a DC/DC converter 43, and the
voltages are supplied to the internal circuits 40 that need
predetermined voltages. The DC/DC converter 43 shall include a dc
voltage conversion circuit and a control circuit so as to charge a
battery 44 incorporated in the second keyboard unit 20.
[0053] The internal circuits 40 include a CPU 50 responsible for
control. A ROM 51 in which software including a BIOS is stored, a
RAM 52 in which data is stored, a keyboard controller 53, a
function key controller 54, a wireless LAN controller 55, a disk
controller 56, a memory controller 57, and an LCD controller 58
that controls display on a liquid crystal included in the display
are connected to the CPU 50 over an internal bus 46. The memory
controller 57 controls a memory (a hard disk drive (HDD) or a flash
memory) 59 incorporated in the first or second keyboard unit 10 or
20.
[0054] The first and second sensors 5 and 6 are connected on the
internal bus 46. The loudspeakers 33 incorporated in the cover 30
are driven by an audio controller 45 connected on the internal bus
46. The headphone jack 23 is connected to the audio controller 45.
An output terminal 47 via which image data reproduced from a disk
is transmitted is connected to the disk controller 56.
[0055] FIG. 5 shows an example of software installed in the memory
59 incorporated in the portable computer 1 in accordance with the
present invention. In the present embodiment, two operating systems
are stored in the memory 59. One of the operating systems is an
operating system OS1, and the other is an operating system OS2. The
operating system OS1 provides, unlike the operating system OS2, a
limited number of features (for example, Linux.RTM. or Windows XP
Embedded.RTM.). Application software dedicated to driving of such a
disk as a DVD or a CD is run on the operating system OS1. Moreover,
the operating system OS2 is software (for example, Windows XP.RTM.
Professional or Home Edition and applications) providing the
portable computer 1 with various features. The operating system OS1
provides a smaller number of features than the operating system OS2
does. Therefore, the startup time required for the operating system
OS1 is shorter than that required for the operating system OS2.
Moreover, when the operating system must be changed from the
operating system OS1 to the operating system OS2, the portable
computer 1 is restarted.
[0056] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing blockage of a
signal sent from the first function key 26, which includes DVD/CD
player buttons, by the second sensor 6 and a gate circuit 7. In the
present embodiment, when the second sensor 6 is active or in an on
state, that is, the second keyboard unit 20 is turned down to
engage with the first keyboard unit 10, the gate circuit 7 is made
in response to an on-state signal sent from the second sensor 6.
Consequently, the signal sent from the first function key 26 is
transferred to the disk controller 56 shown in FIG. 4. In contrast,
when the second keyboard unit 20 is opened to disengage from the
first keyboard unit 10, the gate circuit 7 is broken in response to
an off-state signal sent from the second sensor 6. Consequently,
the signal sent from the first function key 26 is blocked and not
transferred to the disk controller 56 shown in FIG. 4.
[0057] FIG. 7 shows an example of an interrupt signal generation
circuit 60 that generates an interrupt signal according to whether
the second sensor 6 is activated or inactivated. The interrupt
signal generation circuit 60 includes a delay flip-flop 61, two AND
circuits 62 and 63, and an OR circuit 64. One of the output
terminals of the second sensor 6 is connected to one input terminal
of the AND circuit 62, and the other output terminal is connected
to an inverting input terminal of the AND circuit 63. One of the
outputs of the second sensor 6 having passed through the delay
flip-flop 61 is applied to one of the input terminals of the AND
circuit 63, and the other output is applied to the inverting input
terminal of the AND circuit 62. The output terminals of the AND
circuits 62 and 63 respectively are connected to the two input
terminals of the OR circuit 64. The output terminal of the OR
circuit 64 is connected to the clock input terminal CK of the delay
flip-flop 61. Owing to this circuitry, whether an output of the
second sensor 6 changes from an on-state signal to an off-state
signal or vice versa, the OR circuit 64 transmits an interrupt
signal.
[0058] FIG. 8A is a plan view showing an example of a sensor
adopted as the first and second sensors 5 and 6 included in the
portable computer 1 in accordance with the present invention. FIG.
8B is a side view showing the sensor adopted as the sensors 5 and 6
and shown in FIG. 8A. FIG. 8C is a circuit diagram showing the
internal configuration of the sensor adopted as the sensors 5 and 6
and shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. In the present embodiment, the
sensors 5 and 6 each have a power terminal Vcc, a ground terminal
Gnd, and an output terminal Out. The sensors 5 and 6 each include
four magneto-resistors R1 to R4, an operational amplifier 81, a
latch circuit 82, a MOS drive circuit 83, a sampling circuit 84,
and a switch 85.
[0059] The first and second sensors 5 and 6 utilize a
magneto-resistance effect and exploit the phenomenon that the
resistances of the magneto-resistors R1 to R4 that are formed using
a thin film whose main component is a ferromagnetic metal such as
Ni, Fe, or Co vary with a change in a magnetic field strength. The
action of a sensor utilizing the magneto-resistance effect is
already known, and a description of the actions will be
omitted.
[0060] According to the present invention, whether the cover is
turned down and whether the keyboard unit is turned down are
detected based on whether the first and second sensors 5 and 6 are
activated or inactivated. Specifically, when the cover is turned
down and closed, the first sensor 5 transmits an on-state signal.
When the cover is opened, the first sensor 5 transmits an off-state
signal. When the keyboard to be manipulated with a right hand
(second keyboard unit) is closed (turned down), the second sensor 6
transmits an on-state signal. When the right hand-manipulated
keyboard is opened, the second sensor 6 transmits an off-state
signal.
[0061] Now, a description will be made of the actions to be
performed in the portable computer 1 in accordance with the present
invention, which has the foregoing components, on the basis of
whether the cover 1 and second keyboard unit 30 are turned
down.
[0062] (1) When the cover 30 is turned down (FIG. 1A and FIG.
1B)
[0063] The portable computer 1 operates as a CD player with the
remote controller-inclusive headphone 3 connected to the second
keyboard unit 20.
[0064] (2) When the cover 30 alone is opened (FIG. 2A to FIG.
2C)
[0065] If the second keyboard unit 20 is turned down to engage with
the first keyboard unit 10, the portable computer 1 operates as a
CD player or a DVD player. An image browser and other simple
applications installed in the computer may be utilized by moving a
cursor or the like using the second function key 27.
[0066] (3) When the second keyboard unit 20 is opened (FIG. 3A and
FIG. 3C)
[0067] The portable computer 1 operates as a computer itself
according to manipulations performed on the full keyboard.
[0068] FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B are flowcharts describing an example of
actions to be performed based on the folded state of the portable
computer when the power supply of the portable computer in
accordance with the present invention is turned on. In the present
embodiment, the operating system (OS1) having a limited number of
features, software that drives or controls a disk and runs on the
operating system OS1, and software (OS2) that controls computing
actions are stored in the memory 59 shown in FIG. 4.
[0069] When the power supply of the portable computer is turned on,
the basic input/output system (BIOS) stored in the ROM 51 is
started at step 901. At the next step 902, the first sensor is
checked to see if it is active in order to determine whether the
cover is open. If the first sensor is active, that is, if the cover
is closed, control is passed to step 903. A determination is made
of whether the operational condition for a CD player is met. The
operational condition for a CD player is that the remote
controller-inclusive headphone 3 is, as shown in FIG. 1A, connected
to the second keyboard unit 20. If the remote controller-inclusive
headphone 3 is connected to the second keyboard unit 20, the
operating system OS1 described in conjunction with FIG. 5 is read
at step 904. The portable computer (PC in the drawings) is allowed
to operate as a CD player, and the routine is terminated. If the
operational condition for a CD player is not recognized to be met
at step 903, the routine is terminated.
[0070] On the other hand, if the first sensor is not recognized to
be activated at step 902, that is, if the cover is recognized to be
open, control is passed to step 905. The display (LCD) formed with
a liquid crystal panel is operated. At the next step 906, the
second sensor is checked to see if it is activated.
[0071] If the second sensor is activated, that is, the second
keyboard unit 20 is closed, control is passed from step 906 to step
907. The operating system OS1 described in conjunction with FIG. 5
is read. At the next step 908, a determination is made whether a
disk has been inserted through the disk insertion port 11 and
loaded in the first keyboard unit. If the disk is recognized to be
loaded, control is passed to step 909. Disk data is read from the
loaded disk.
[0072] At the next step 910, the disk data read at step 909 is
checked to see if the disk is a DVD. If the disk is not recognized
as a DVD but recognized as a CD, control is passed to step 911. CD
player application software is invoked so that the portable
computer will operate as a CD player. After invoking the CD player
application software is completed at step 911, control is passed to
step 912. A command for invoking any of the features associated
with the respective buttons included in the first and second
function keys is executed within the CD player application software
according to a manipulation performed on any of the buttons
included in the first and second function keys.
[0073] On the other hand, if the disk is recognized as a DVD at
step 910, control is passed to step 913. DVD player application
software is invoked so that the portable computer will operate as a
DVD player. After the invoking of the DVD player application
software is completed at step 913, control is passed to step 914. A
command for invoking any of the features associated with the
respective buttons included in the first and second function keys
is executed within the DVD player application software according to
a manipulation performed on any of the buttons included in the
first and second function keys.
[0074] If the disk is not recognized to be loaded at step 908, the
routine is terminated. When single application software into which
the CD player application software and DVD player application
software are integrated is employed, the integrated application
software is invoked at each of steps 911 and 913. Feature commands
dependent on a disk type are assigned to the buttons included in
the first and second function keys.
[0075] If the second sensor is recognized to be inactivated at step
906, that is, if the second keyboard unit is fully open and the
keyboard of the first keyboard unit to be manipulated with a left
hand and the keyboard of the second keyboard unit to be manipulated
with a right hand are exposed, control is passed from step 906 to
915. At step 915, the operating system OS2 described in conjunction
with FIG. 5 is read in order to allow the portable computer to
operate as a computer itself. The routine is then terminated.
[0076] Next, processing to be performed in case when the cover is
left open and the second keyboard unit is opened or closed to
disengage from or engage with the first keyboard unit, will be
described in conjunction with the flowchart of FIG. 10. The
processing described in the flowchart is adapted to a case where
the portable computer has two operating systems (OS1 and OS2)
installed therein, and is executed in response to an interrupt
signal described in conjunction with FIG. 7.
[0077] At step 1001, the second sensor is checked to see if it is
activated, that is, changed from an off state to an on state. If
the second sensor is recognized to be changed from the on state to
the off state at step 1001, it means that the second keyboard unit
is opened. The DVD or CD player application is terminated at step
1002, and the operating system OS1 is terminated at the next step
1003. The portable computer is restarted in order to start up the
operating system OS2, and the routine is terminated.
[0078] On the other hand, if the second sensor is recognized to be
changed from the off state to the on state at step 1001, it means
that the second keyboard unit is turned down. The operating system
OS2 is terminated at step 1004, and the portable computer is
restarted in order to start up the operating system OS1. At the
next step 1005, the DVD or CD player application is invoked, and
the routine is terminated.
[0079] FIG. 11 is a flowchart describing actions to be performed in
a case where when the portable computer in accordance with the
present invention is restarted and the operating system OS2 is
started up. When the portable computer is restarted, the BIOS is
started at step 1101. At the next step 1102, a determination is
made of whether the BIOS is started in a hibernation mode. If the
BIOS is recognized to be started in the hibernation mode at step
1102, control is passed to step 1103. The operating system OS2 is
reset in the hibernation environment, and the routine is
terminated. On the other hand, if the BIOS is not recognized to be
started in the hibernation mode at step 1102, control is passed to
step 1104. The operating system OS2 is started up, and the routine
is terminated.
[0080] FIG. 12A is a flowchart describing an example of actions to
be performed when the second keyboard unit is opened with the cover
alone left open in a case where a disk, in the portable computer in
accordance with the present invention, is in motion. In this case,
at step 1201, a message asking "Is the DVD or CD player environment
to be changed to the portable computer environment?" is displayed
on the display included in the cover. At step 1202, a counter CT
that counts the number of times a specific cycle is repeated so as
to determine the elapse of a predetermined time is started. At step
1203, a DVD/CD player cancel flag CAFDK is set to 1. The flag CAFDK
is, as described at step 1211 in FIG. 12B, reset to 0 when the
second keyboard unit is closed.
[0081] At step 1204, a determination is made of whether an
affirmative reply, Yes, is returned to the message displayed at
step 1201 (for example, an alphabetic key Y included in the
keyboard is pressed). If the affirmative reply, Yes, is returned to
the message displayed at step 1201, control is passed to step 1209.
The DVD or CD player is terminated, and the portable computer is
restarted at step 1210. The routine is then terminated.
[0082] On the other hand, if the affirmative reply, Yes, is not
returned at step 1204, a determination is made whether a negative
reply, No, is returned to the message, which is displayed at step
1201, at step 1205 (for example, whether an alphabetic key N
included in the keyboard is pressed). If the negative reply, No, is
returned to the message displayed at step 1201, the DVD or CD
player environment is left intact, and the routine is
terminated.
[0083] In contrast, if no reply is returned to the inquiry made at
step 1201, control is passed to step 1206. The value of the counter
CT started at step 1202 is decremented by one. At step 1207, the
DVD/CD player cancel flag CAFDK is checked to see if it is reset to
0 because the second keyboard unit is turned down. If the flag
CAFDK is reset to 0, the routine is terminated. If the flag CAFDK
is not reset to 0, the value of the counter CT is checked at step
1208 to see if it is 0. If the counter value is not 0, control is
returned to step 1206. If the counter value is 0, control is passed
to step 1209. The DVD or CD player is forcibly terminated. At step
1210, the portable computer is restarted and the routine is
terminated.
[0084] In the present embodiment, as described in conjunction with
FIG. 5, the two operating systems (OS1 and OS2) are stored in the
memory. Alternatively, the operating system OS2 alone may be stored
in the memory and the operating system OS1 may be excluded. FIG. 13
is a flowchart describing an example of actions to be performed
based on the folded state of the portable computer when the power
supply of the portable computer in accordance with the present
invention is turned on in a case where only one operating system is
stored in the memory. The same actions as those described in FIG. 9
will be assigned the same step numbers.
[0085] When the power supply of the portable computer is turned on,
first, the BIOS stored in the ROM 51 is started at step 901. At the
next step 1301, the operating system stored in the memory 59 is
read. At the next step 902, the first sensor is checked to see if
it is active in order to determine whether the cover is open. If
the first sensor is active, control is passed to step 903. A
determination is made of whether the operational condition for a CD
player is met. If the operational condition for a CD player is
recognized to be met, the personal computer is operated as a CD
player according to an application running on the operating system
at step 1302. The routine is then terminated. If the operational
condition for a CD player is not recognized to be met at step 903,
the routine is terminated.
[0086] On the other hand, if the first sensor is not recognized to
be active at step 902, that is, if the cover is recognized to be
open, control is passed to step 905. The liquid crystal display
device (LCD) is then started. At the next step 906, the second
sensor is checked to see if it is active. If the second sensor is
recognized to be inactive at step 906, that is, if the second
keyboard unit is left fully open and the keyboard of the first
keyboard unit to be manipulated with a left hand and the keyboard
of the second keyboard unit to be manipulated with a right hand are
exposed, control is passed from step 906 to step 1303. At step
1303, the portable computer is operated as the computer itself on
the operating system read at step 1301, and the routine is
terminated.
[0087] On the other hand, if the second sensor is recognized to be
active at step 906, that is, if the second keyboard unit 20 is
closed, control is passed from step 906 to step 908. At step 908, a
determination is made whether a disk has been inserted through the
disk insertion port 11 and loaded in the first keyboard unit 10. If
the disk is recognized to have been loaded, control is passed to
step 909. Disk data is then read from the loaded disk.
[0088] At the next step 910, the disk data read at step 909 is
checked to see if the disk is a DVD. If the disk is not recognized
as a DVD but recognized as a CD, control is passed to step 911. The
CD player application software is invoked so that the portable
computer will operate as a CD player. After invoking the CD player
application software is completed at step 911, control is passed to
step 912. A command for invoking any of the features associated
with the respective buttons included in the first and second
function keys is executed within the CD player application software
according to a manipulation performed on any of the buttons
included in the first and second function keys.
[0089] On the other hand, if the disk is recognized as a DVD at
step 910, control is passed to step 913. The DVD player application
software is invoked so that the portable computer will operate as a
DVD player. After the invoking of the DVD player application
software is completed at step 913, control is passed to step 914. A
command for invoking any of the features associated with the
respective buttons included in the first and second function keys
is executed within the DVD player application software according to
a manipulation performed on any of the buttons included in the
first and second function keys.
[0090] Assuming that the disk is not recognized to be loaded at
step 908 and any button included in the second function key is
recognized to be manipulated at step 1304, the portable computer is
instructed to move a cursor according to the manipulated button or
finalize a decision or execute a command in response to a press of
the Enter key.
[0091] Next, processing to be performed in case when the cover is
left open, the second keyboard unit is opened or closed to
disengage from or engage with the first keyboard unit will be
described in conjunction with the flowchart of FIG. 14. The
processing described in the flowchart is adapted to a case where
one operating system is installed in the portable computer, and
initiated with an interrupt signal described in conjunction with
FIG. 7.
[0092] At step 1401, the second sensor is checked to see if it is
activated, that is, it is changed from an off state to an on state.
If the second sensor is recognized to be changed from the on state
to the off state at step 1401, it means that the second keyboard
unit is opened. At step 1402, the DVD or CD player application is
terminated, and the portable computer is allowed to operate as the
computer itself. The routine is terminated.
[0093] On the other hand, if the second sensor is recognized to be
changed from the off state to the on state at step 1401, it means
that the second keyboard unit is turned down. At step 1403, the DVD
or CD player application is invoked and the routine is
terminated.
[0094] Referring to the flowcharts of FIG. 9 to FIG. 14, the
actions to be performed in the portable computer 1 in accordance
with the present invention having the components shown in FIG. 1A
to FIG. 4 have been described based on whether the cover 30 is open
or closed or the second keyboard unit 20 is opened or closed to
disengage from or engage with the first keyboard unit 10. The
actions are a mere example. The actions to be performed in the
portable computer 1 in accordance with the present invention are
not limited to the embodiment. Needless to say, the portable
computer 1 in accordance with the present invention is usable as a
game machine.
* * * * *