U.S. patent application number 13/165125 was filed with the patent office on 2011-10-13 for portable information processing apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to SONY CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Takeshi Goto.
Application Number | 20110249389 13/165125 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41088687 |
Filed Date | 2011-10-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110249389 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Goto; Takeshi |
October 13, 2011 |
PORTABLE INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS
Abstract
A portable information processing apparatus, includes: a body
section configured to have an upper face on which a keyboard for
inputting information is provided at least; and a display section
configured to have an upper face on which a display member for
displaying information is provided at least; the display section
being mounted for sliding movement between a first position at
which the display section is placed in an overlapping relationship
at an upper portion of the body section and a second position at
which the display section opens the upper portion of the body
section, the display section being mounted for tilting up and down
movements with respect to the body section when the display section
is at the second position.
Inventors: |
Goto; Takeshi; (Saitama,
JP) |
Assignee: |
SONY CORPORATION
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
41088687 |
Appl. No.: |
13/165125 |
Filed: |
June 21, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12381988 |
Mar 18, 2009 |
7990694 |
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13165125 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
361/679.26 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/1624 20130101;
G06F 1/1643 20130101; G06F 1/1616 20130101; Y10S 248/917 20130101;
H04M 1/0216 20130101; G06F 1/1681 20130101; G06F 1/1677 20130101;
H04M 1/0237 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
361/679.26 |
International
Class: |
H05K 7/00 20060101
H05K007/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 19, 2008 |
JP |
P2008-072120 |
Claims
1. A portable information processing apparatus, comprising: a body
section having a keyboard on an upper face; a touch-inputted
display section having a display member on an upper face, mounted
for sliding movement between a first position at which the display
section is placed in an overlapping relationship at the upper
portion of the body section and a second position at which the
display section opens the upper portion of said body section, and
mounted for tilting up and down movements with respect to said body
section when said display section is at the second position; a
sensor; and a control section configured to change input modes
between touch-input mode for the display section and key-input mode
for the keyboard in response to a detection by the sensor.
2. The portable information processing apparatus according to claim
1, wherein the sensor detects the tilting up and down
movements.
3. The portable information processing apparatus according to claim
2, further comprising: a second sensor configured to detect an
advanced position wherein the control section further changes power
supply status in response to the detection by the second
sensor.
4. The portable information processing apparatus according to claim
1, wherein the control section further changes operating systems in
response to the detection by the sensor.
5. The portable information processing apparatus according to claim
1, further comprising: a battery accommodated in said body section
and displaced toward a front face of said body section, in the
opposite direction to the sliding direction of said body section
when said body section slides from said first position to said
second position.
Description
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 12/381,988, filed on Mar. 18, 2009, which claims priority from
Japanese Patent Application No.: JP 2008-072120, filed in the
Japanese Patent Office on Mar. 19, 2008, the disclosures of which
are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to a portable information processing
apparatus represented, for example, by an ultra mobile personal
computer (UMPC) which has functions equivalent to those of a
notebook type personal computer but is small in size and superior
in portability while an inputting operation such as a key inputting
operation can be carried out readily in a state wherein it is held
by a hand of a user.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Several portable information processing apparatus which are
small in size and superior in portability while an inputting
operation such as a key inputting operation can be carried out
readily in a state wherein it is held by a hand of a user have been
proposed by the assignee of the present application. In some of the
portable information processing apparatus, a flattened display
section of a rectangular shape is placed on a flattened body
section of a rectangular shape such that the display section is
opened or closed with respect to the body section by a sliding
movement or a tilting movement thereof. When the display section is
opened, operation keys mounted on the body section which are
covered with the display section when the display section is closed
are exposed to allow operation thereof by the user. The portable
information processing apparatus of the type just described thus
achieve enhancement of the portability and so forth by
miniaturization. A portable information processing apparatus of the
type is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos.
2004-246605, 2005-92658, 2007-142936 or 2004-86330.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The portable information processing apparatus are
disadvantageous in the following points.
[0007] The portable information processing apparatus wherein the
display section is closed with respect to the body section by a
sliding movement thereof is disadvantageous in that, when it is
used on a desk, a great space is demanded and the user cannot
easily observe the screen image of the display section.
[0008] Meanwhile, the portable information processing apparatus
wherein the display section is closed with respect to the body
section by a tilting movement thereof does not demand space in use
thereof on a desk. However, where the portable information
processing apparatus of the type employs the touch inputting system
such as a tablet wherein the user touches directly with the screen
of the display section to carry out inputting, it is
disadvantageous in that, upon such touch inputting, the display
section is liable to tilt with respect to the body section and
therefore the operability is low.
[0009] Further, where the portable information processing apparatus
is of the type wherein the display section is closed only by a
sliding movement or a tilting movement, it is disadvantageous in
that it cannot allow diversification of changeover among various
modes.
[0010] According the present embodiment, there is provided a
portable information processing apparatus including a body section
having an upper face on which a keyboard for inputting information
is provided at least, and a display section having an upper face on
which a display member for displaying information is provided at
least, the display section being mounted for sliding movement
between a first position at which the display section is placed in
an overlapping relationship at an upper portion of the body section
and a second position at which the display section opens the upper
portion of the body section, the display section being mounted for
tilting up and down movements with respect to the body section when
the display section is at the second position.
[0011] In the portable information processing apparatus, since the
display section carries out a sliding movement and tilting up and
down movements at an upper portion of the body section on which the
keyboard is provided, the portable information processing apparatus
can be used suitably in both of a case wherein it is used on a desk
and another case wherein it is held by hand and used. Therefore,
the portable information processing apparatus is superior in
convenience in use. Further, although the single portable
information processing apparatus is used, it can make use of the
sliding movement and the two movements of the tiling up movement
and the tilting down movement of the display section with respect
to the body section to carry out automatic changeover of the mode
between the hand writing mode wherein a touch pen or the like is
used to carry out hand writing and the keyboard inputting mode
wherein a keyboard is used for inputting. Consequently,
diversification of mode changeover can be achieved.
[0012] Preferably, the portable information processing apparatus
further includes a slide mechanism provided on the body section for
slidably moving the display section between the first position and
the second position, and a tilt-up and tilt-down mechanism for
tilting up and down the display section at the second position, the
tilt-up and tilt-down mechanism being configured for movement into
and out of contact with a slide guide of the slide mechanism. With
the portable information processing apparatus, changeover between
the sliding movement of the display section between the first
position and the second position and the tilting up or down
movement of the display section can be carried out smoothly without
interruption.
[0013] Preferably, the portable information processing apparatus
further includes a battery accommodated in the body section.
Particularly, the battery is disposed at a position displaced to
the opposite side to the sliding direction of the display section
from the first position to the second position such as a position
adjacent the front face side of the body section. Consequently,
when the display section is slidably moved to the second position
to open the upper portion of the display section, the portable
information processing apparatus can be stabilized in a horizontal
posture making use of the weight of the battery. In this state, a
keyboard operation can be canner out smoothly.
[0014] Preferably, the portable information processing apparatus
further includes a first sensor for detecting that the sliding
movement of the display section from the first position to the
second position is started, a second sensor for detecting that the
tilting up movement of the display section at the second position
is started, and a control section for establishing a first
inputting mode in response to the detection by the first sensor and
establishing a second inputting mode in response to the detection
by the second sensor. With the portable information processing
apparatus, only by carrying out a sliding operation and an tilting
up operation of the display section, automatic changeover between
the first mode and the second mode can be carried out, and
therefore, the operability is high.
[0015] In this instance, the portable information processing
apparatus may be configured such that, when the first inputting
mode is established, the control section controls the display
section to execute display corresponding to the first inputting
mode, but when the second inputting mode is established, the
control section controls the display section to execute display
corresponding to the second inputting mode. With the portable
information processing apparatus, automatic changeover between the
first mode and the second mode can be carried out definitely.
[0016] Alternatively, the portable information processing apparatus
may be configured such that the control section establishes a hand
writing inputting mode when the tilting down movement of the
display section is detected. With the portable information
processing apparatus, changeover from the keyboard inputting mode
to the hand writing inputting mode can be carried out
automatically, and therefore, the operability is high.
[0017] The above and other features and advantages of the present
embodiment will become apparent from the following description and
the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings in which like parts or elements denoted by like reference
symbols.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable information
processing apparatus to which the present embodiment is
applied;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of a display screen
of a display section of the portable information processing
apparatus;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view showing a slide mechanism
and a tilt-up and tilt-down mechanism of the display section with
respect to a body section of the portable information processing
apparatus in a state wherein the display section is placed in an
overlapping relationship on the body section;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view showing the slide
mechanism and the tilt-up and tilt-down mechanism in another state
wherein the display section is slidably moved to a tilt-down
position at which it is displaced rearwardly with respect to the
body section from the overlapping at which it is positioned on the
body section;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view showing the slide
mechanism and the tilt-up and tilt-down mechanism in a further
state wherein the display section is tilted up to a tilt-up
position at which it is tilted up with respect to the body section
from the tilt-down position;
[0023] FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line A-A of
FIG. 3;
[0024] FIG. 7 is a sectional view partly broken showing, in an
enlarged scale, a structure of a pair of left and right slide
guides shown in FIG. 6;
[0025] FIG. 8 is a front elevational view showing a build up screen
image for the Internet on the display screen of the portable
information processing apparatus;
[0026] FIG. 9 is a front elevational view showing a screen image
for hand writing inputting for the Internet on the display screen
of the portable information processing apparatus;
[0027] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an internal hardware
configuration of the portable information processing apparatus;
and
[0028] FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 are flow charts illustrating different
examples 1 to 3 of controlling software of the portable information
processing apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0029] A portable information processing apparatus according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0030] The portable information processing apparatus is designed
such that it is smaller in size than and superior in portability to
a notebook type personal computer in that, while it is held by a
hand of the user, an inputting operation to it such as a key
inputting operation can be carried out readily by the user.
[0031] Referring first to FIGS. 1 to 7, the portable information
processing apparatus 1 shown includes a body section 2 having a
substantially flattened shape of a substantially rectangular outer
profile, and a display section placed horizontally at an upper
portion of the body section 2 and having a substantially flattened
shape of a substantially rectangular outer profile. The portable
information processing apparatus 1 further includes a sub body
section 11 incorporated in a rear portion of the body section 2 for
allowing the body section 2 to tilt up and down.
[0032] A keyboard 4 having a large number of inputting keys 4a
formed from touch buttons, pushbuttons and so forth is disposed on
an upper face 2a of the body section 2.
[0033] A rectangular display member 5 formed from a liquid crystal
display screen or the like is formed over an overall area of an
upper face 3a of the display section 3. The display member 5 is
formed as a touch inputting type display section, that is, as a
tablet type display section, wherein the user directly touches with
the display screen of the same to carry out inputting.
[0034] A microphone hole 6 and an image pickup mechanism 7
including an image pickup element, a lens and so forth are provided
at an upper portion of the display member 5 on the upper face 3a of
the display section 3.
[0035] A slide mechanism M1 is provided at an upper portion of the
body section 2 for slidably moving the display section 3 in forward
and backward horizontal directions indicated by arrow marks a and
b, respectively, at the upper portion of the body section 2. A
tilt-up and tilt-down mechanism M2 is provided at a rear position
of another upper portion of the body section 2 for tilting up and
down the display section 3 in upward and downward directions as
indicated by arrow marks c and d, respectively.
[0036] A battery 8, a recording medium such as a hard disk or a
flash memory, a main board and so forth not shown are accommodated
in the inside of the body section 2. The battery 8 having
particularly high weight is disposed at a position displaced to the
front face side of the body section 2.
[0037] A display board not shown in the inside of the display
section 3 is electrically connected to the main circuit and so
forth in the inside of the body section 2 by the wiring mechanism 9
which is wired through an internal space 11b of the sub body
section 11 hereinafter described. An antenna not shown for
communication with various other information processing apparatus
such as the Internet, a portable telephone set, a television set or
a radio is built in the display section 3 or some other
component.
[0038] A sensor SW1 serving as a first sensor for detecting a
advanced position P1 of the display section 3 hereinafter
described, a sensor SW2 serving as a second sensor for detecting
tilt-up and tilt-down movements of the display section 3, a sensor
SW3 serving as a third sensor for detecting a retracted position P2
of the display section 3 hereinafter described and some other
sensor not shown are provided in the body section 2. The switches
SW1, SW2 and SW3 are formed using a micro switch, a photo-sensor or
a like element.
[0039] Now, the slide mechanism M1 and the tilt-up and tilt-down
mechanism M2 are described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6.
[0040] The sub body section 11 is accommodated at a position
displaced to the rear end 2c side in the inside of the body section
2.
[0041] The sub body section 11 is mounted on the front end side
thereof for pivotal motion at a position of the body section 2
displaced to the rear end 2c side by a pair of left and right
fulcrum members 12. Thus, the sub body section 11 can be pivoted or
swung in the directions indicated by arrow marks a and b, that is,
in upward and downward directions, around the fulcrum members 12
with respect to the body section 2.
[0042] A pair of left and right slide guides 13 are formed at the
opposite left and right side positions of the upper face 2a of the
body section 2, respectively. The slide guides are formed in
parallel from guide grooves or the like having a substantially
L-shaped cross section and having shapes symmetrical with each
other in the leftward and rightward direction.
[0043] A pair of left and right slide guides 14 are formed also at
the opposite left and right side positions of an upper face 11a of
the sub body section 11, respectively. The slide guides 14 are
formed from guide rails or the like having a substantially L-shaped
cross section and having shapes symmetrical with each other in the
leftward and rightward direction. The left and right slide guides
14 of the sub body section 11 are formed such that they extend
linearly and removably connect to the rear end of the left and
right slide guides 13 of the body section 2.
[0044] A pair of left and right slide guides 15 are formed in
parallel to each other on the opposite left and right sides of a
lower face 3b of the display section 3, respectively. The slide
guides 15 are formed from guide rails or the like having a
substantially L-shaped cross section and having shapes symmetrical
with each other in the leftward and rightward direction. The left
and right slide guides 15 can extend through the left and right
slide guides 14 of the sub body section 11 until they are fitted
into the left and right slide guides 13 of the body section 2,
respectively.
[0045] The slide mechanism M1 slidably moves the display section 3
on the body section 2 in the directions indicated by arrow marks a
and b in FIGS. 3 and 4 between the advanced position P1 which is a
first position indicated by solid lines in FIG. 3 and indicated by
alternate long and short dash lines in FIG. 4 and the retracted
position P2 which is a second position indicated by alternate long
and short dash lines in FIG. 3 and indicated by solid lines in FIG.
4. The slide mechanism M1 is composed of the left and right slide
guides 13 and 14 and slide guides 15 paired with each other.
[0046] For example, a pair of front and rear stops 16a and 16b are
formed integrally at a lower portion of the opposite end portions
in the directions of the arrow marks a and b of each of the left
and right slide guides 15 of the display section 3. The pairs of
the front and rear stops 16a and 16b project downwardly through the
slide guides 13a and 14a formed in bottom portions of the left and
right slide guides 13 and of the sub body section 11 of the body
section 2, respectively.
[0047] A pair of left and right stops 17a and 17b are provided in
the body section 2 and the sub body section 11 for defining the
movement positions of the front and rear stops 16a and 16b of the
display section 3 in the directions of the arrow marks a and b.
[0048] In FIG. 4, it is indicated by solid lines that end portions
of the left and right slide guides 15 of the display section 3 in
the direction of the arrow mark a are removed from the left and
right slide guides 13 of the body section 2 in the direction of the
arrow mark b and the stops 16b of the left and right slide guides
15 in the direction of the arrow mark a are abutted with the left
and right stops 17b of the sub body section 11 in the direction of
the arrow mark b. Consequently, the display section 3 is held on
the sub body section 11 by the end portions of the left and right
slide guides 15 in the direction of the arrow mark a.
[0049] The tilt-up and tilt-down mechanism M2 is configured to tilt
up and down the display section 3 at the retracted position P2
shown in FIG. 4 integrally with the sub body section 11 within an
angle of approximately 90.degree. in the directions indicated by
arrow marks c and d between a tilt-down position P3 which is
indicated by solid lines in FIG. 4 and is a horizontal retracted
position indicated by alternate long and short dash lines in FIG. 5
and an upwardly erected tilt-up position P4 indicated by solid
lines in FIG. 5 around the fulcrum members 12 with respect to the
body section 2.
[0050] A wiring mechanism 9 such as a belt-shaped flexible wiring
line board is wired between the body section 2 and the display
section 3 through the internal space 11b of the sub body section 11
such that it has a length sufficient to allow a sliding movement
and a tilt-up and tilt-down movement hereinafter described of the
portable information processing apparatus 1 with respect to the
body section 2 by the slide mechanism M1 and the tilt-up and
tilt-down mechanism M2.
[0051] According to the slide mechanism M1 and the tilt-up and
tilt-down mechanism M2 configured in such a manner as described
above, when the display section 3 is at the advanced position or
first position P1 at which the display section 3 covers over the
body section 2 as indicated by solid lines in FIG. 3, the left and
right slide guides 15 of the display section 3 extend through the
left and right slide guides 14 of the sub body section 11 into the
left and right slide guides 13 of the body section 2.
[0052] Then, the left and right stops 16a of the lower face 3b of
the display section 3 are abutted with the left and right stops 17a
of the sub body section 11 or the like in the direction indicated
by the arrow mark a to position the display section 3 at the
advanced position P1. Further, that the display section 3 is
positioned at the advanced position P1 is detected by the sensor
SW1 provided in the body section 2 and the power supply is
controlled to an off state.
[0053] At this time, the display section 3 is positioned by a pair
of friction structure sections 18 between the left and right slide
guides 13 and 14 and the left and right slide guides 15 or the
like. It is to be noted that the friction structure sections 18 can
be replaced by mechanical positioning mechanisms not shown or the
like.
[0054] It is to be noted that, when the sub body section 11 which
is swung in the directions indicated by the arrow marks c and d
which are upward and downward directions around the fulcrum members
12 is pivoted back in the direction indicated by the arrow mark d
which is the downward direction, it is abutted with a stop 19
provided on the bottom of the body section 2 and assumes a
horizontal position.
[0055] When the sub body section 11 is positioned horizontally, the
left and right slide guides 15 of the sub body section 11 are
horizontally and removably connected to rear ends of the horizontal
left and right slide guides 13 of the body section 2.
[0056] Then, if the display section 3 is slidably moved in the
direction indicated by the arrow mark b as indicated by solid lines
in FIG. 4 from the advanced position or first position P1 to the
retracted position or second position P2 and the tilt-down position
P3, then the sensor SW3 is turned on. Consequently, the power
supply is turned on, and the operation mode of the portable
information processing apparatus 1 is changed over, for example,
from a keyboard inputting mode in which the keyboard 4 is used for
inputting to a hand writing inputting mode in which a touch pen is
used for inputting or the like. In other words, selection of an
inputting method is carried out.
[0057] Then, the keyboard 4 and so forth on the upper face 2a of
the body section 2 are all exposed or opened.
[0058] At this time, the left and right slide guides 15 of the
display section 3 are pulled out from the left and right slide
guides 13 of the display section 3 in the direction indicated by
the arrow mark b and held into the left and right slide guides 14
of the sub body section 11.
[0059] Then, the left and right stops 16b of the lower face 13b of
the display section 3 are abutted with the left and right stops 17b
of the sub body section 11 in the direction indicated by the arrow
mark b to position the display section 3 at the retracted position
P2.
[0060] Further, at this time, the sensor SW1 in the body section 2
is turned off while the sensor SW3 in the direction indicated by
the arrow mark b in the display section 3 is turned on by the
display section 3 to detect the retracted position P2 of the
display section 3.
[0061] Also at this time, the display section 3 is positioned at
the retracted position P2 by the friction structure sections 18
between the left and right slide guides 14 and the left and right
slide guides 15 or the mechanical positioning mechanisms not
shown.
[0062] Then, when the display section 3 is slidably moved to the
retracted position P2 and the tilt-down position P3 indicated by
solid lines in FIG. 4 and indicated by alternate long and short
dash lines in FIG. 5, the display section 3 can be angularly
upwardly adjusted freely to an arbitrary tilt-up position or third
position P4, which is within a range of substantially 90.degree.
upwardly from the horizontal position, within a range of
approximately 90.degree. in the direction indicated by the arrow
marks c and b as indicated by solid lines in FIG. 5.
[0063] At this time, since the left and right slide guides 15 of
the display section 3 are held at portions thereof in the direction
indicated by the arrow mark a in the left and right slide guides 14
of the sub body section 11 by the friction structure sections 18,
it is possible to pivotally move or swing the display section 3
steplessly or stepwise in the directions indicated by the arrow
marks c and d around the left and right fulcrum members 12
integrally with the sub body section 11 to set the display section
3 to an erected position, that is, to the third position, within
the range of substantially 90.degree..
[0064] Also at this time, the display section 3 is positioned at an
arbitrary position in the directions indicated by the arrow marks c
and d by friction mechanisms 20 of the sub body section 11 or the
multi-stage mechanical positioning mechanisms (not shown) with
respect to the body section 2 around the left and right fulcrum
members 12.
[0065] Then, if the display section 3 is pivoted in the direction
indicated the arrow mark c upwardly around the fulcrum members 12,
then the sensor SW3 in the body section 2 is turned off while the
sensor SW2 in the body section 2 is turned on to detect that the
display section 3 is tilted up.
[0066] Then, in response to the turning on of the sensor SW2, input
changeover, for example, from the hand writing inputting mode by
the touch pen to the keyboard inputting mode in which the keyboard
4 is used or to some other mode, that is, selection of an inputting
method, is automatically carried out.
[0067] It is to be noted that, in order to store the portable
information processing apparatus 1, the display section 3 is first
pivoted or folded in the direction indicated by the arrow mark d
from the tilt-up position indicated by solid lines in FIG. 5 to the
retracted position P2 or horizontal position indicated by solid
lines in FIG. 4 around the left and right fulcrum members 12. Then,
the display section 3 is slidably moved in the direction indicated
by the arrow mark a to the advanced position P1 indicated by solid
lines in FIG. 3 along the left and right slide guides 13, 14 and 15
until the display section 3 covers over the body section 2,
whereupon the two sensors SW1 and SW2 are turned on and off,
respectively, to turn off the power supply.
[0068] According to the portable information processing apparatus 1
having the configuration described above, when the portable
information processing apparatus 1 is placed at the bottom face 3c
of the display section 3 thereof on a desk and used in this state,
if the display section 3 is used in a state wherein it is slidably
moved to a rear portion of the body section 2, then the operability
when the user uses the touch pen to carry out such an operation as
inputting to the display member 5 of the display section 3 or the
like as hereinafter described is good.
[0069] Thereupon, if the battery 8 having comparatively high weight
is provided at a position displaced toward the front face 2b in the
opposite direction to the sliding direction of the body section 2
to the retracted position P2 as seen in FIGS. 3 to 5, then when the
user carries out an inputting operation to the display member 5 of
the display section 3 using the touch pen, the front face 2b side
of the display section 3 is less likely to move upwardly like a
seesaw. Thus, the operability of the touch pen inputting
operability is improved.
[0070] On the other hand, when the user holds by hand and uses the
portable information processing apparatus 1, the portable
information processing apparatus 1 is used in a state wherein the
display section 3 is erected in the direction indicated the arrow
mark c at the rear position of the display section 3. By this, the
visual observability of the display member 5 is assured.
[0071] FIG. 2 shows an example of an application for inputting to
the display member 5 of the portable information processing
apparatus 1 using the touch pen. Referring to FIG. 2, the display
member 5 includes an internet SW (switch) 21 which is a touch
switch for starting up a web browser and establishing a connection
to the Internet, a mail SW 22 which is a touch switch for starting
up a mail application, and a music SW 23 which is a touch switch
for starting up an application for music reproduction, disposed in
order from the left in an uppermost row.
[0072] In a second row in FIG. 2, a map SW 24 which is a touch
switch for starting up a map displaying application, a
communication SW 25 which is a touch switch for starting up an
instant messenger by which chatting, file transfer and so forth can
be carried out and a my document SW 26 which is a touch switch for
displaying an image for referring to a file in a my document folder
are disposed in order from the left.
[0073] In a third row in FIG. 2, a communication SW 27 which is a
touch switch for starting up an instant messenger which is an
application by which chatting, file transfer and so forth can be
carried out, a camera SW 28 for starting up an image pickup
application and a wireless connection setting SW 29 which is a
touch switch for displaying a setting screen image for setting an
apparatus to be connected by wireless connection are disposed in
order from the left.
[0074] In a lowermost row in FIG. 2, a touch switch 30 for a GUI
for musical adjustment and a touch switch 31 for a GUI for changing
the brightness of the liquid crystal screen are disposed in order
from the left. On the right side of the switches mentioned above, a
touch switch 32 for a GUI for external display output changeover
and a touch switch 33 for a GUI for changing over between vertical
and horizontal displaying manners of the screen are disposed in
order from above.
[0075] The portable information processing apparatus 1 of the
present embodiment incorporates first and second operating systems.
The first operating system may be, for example, the Linux. The
Linux has a characteristic that it operates lightly also on a
computer having a low performance in comparison with other
operating systems.
[0076] Meanwhile, for example, the Windows Vista (registered
trademark) is used for the second operating system.
[0077] FIG. 8 shows a display screen image 41 displayed on the
display member 5 after the second operating system represented, for
example, by the Windows Vista (registered trademark) is started
up.
[0078] Here, the starting up time of the second operating system is
shorter than the starting up time of the first operating system. In
other words, the second operating system demands a longer period of
time for starting up thereof.
[0079] The display screen image 41 of FIG. 8 displays a large
number of known shortcut icons 42 for my document, my computer, my
network, Internet and so forth, a task bar 44 having a start button
43 and so forth.
[0080] FIG. 9 shows a virtual inputting screen image 51 for hand
writing inputting by a touch pen displayed on the display member 5
and is a screen image of a memo application executed as a hand
writing inputting mode on the first operating system. Accordingly,
for example, when it is desired to take notes immediately or in a
like case, execution of the memory application on the first
operating system which is started up in comparatively short time
achieves enhancement of the convenience. Above all, in a state
wherein the portable information processing apparatus 1 is held,
hand writing inputting by a touch pen is convenient.
[0081] At a lower position or some other position of the virtual
inputting screen image 51, a plurality of inputting frame regions
52, a plurality of processing buttons 53 for executing a
predetermined process, a display portion 54 in which characters
inputted are displayed and so forth are displayed. Further, a
conversion key 55 is displayed at a lower end in each of the
inputting frame regions 52.
[0082] The inputting frame regions 52 are produced as data, for
example, of the bitmap type (CBitmapButton), and detection
regarding an inputting frame region 52 is carried out using a
"WM_MOUSEMOVE" message (detection step). A pointer 56 is moved into
an inputting frame region 52, and when the coordinate value of the
pointer 56 becomes equal to a value included in a coordinate value
in the inputting frame region 52 based on an "ON_WM_MOUSEMOVE"
message outputted then, the bitmap image display of the inputting
frame region 52 is converted and an active state is entered.
[0083] Accordingly, a displaying controlling step at which the
inputting frame region 52a is made greater in size than the object
inputting frame region 52 is provided.
[0084] Therefore, when the user uses the touch pen to carry out
hand writing inputting to the virtual inputting screen image 51,
for example, if the user tries to input characters "bloom", then if
the characters "b," "l," "o," "o" and "m" begin to be successively
inputted to an inputting region 57, then a "WM_LBUTTONDOWN" message
is outputted.
[0085] FIG. 9 illustrates that "m" is inputted, and during
inputting of the characters, a WM_MOUSEMOVE message is outputted in
response to the movement of the pointer 56.
[0086] If the hand writing inputting ends and the outputting of the
WM_MOUSEMOVE message is stopped for a fixed period of time, then
the screen display mode changes over to a type display mode and a
typeface conversion is carried out. Consequently, typeface
characters 58 of "There are roses in bloom" as a result of the
conversion are displayed at a left upper portion or some other
portion of the virtual inputting screen image 51.
[0087] Here, controlling operation of the portable information
processing apparatus 1 having the configuration described above in
response to the position and the tilted state of the display
section 3 is described.
[0088] First, an internal hardware configuration of the portable
information processing apparatus 1 is described with reference to
FIG. 10.
[0089] A CPU 101 serving as a control center is connected to a
control section 102 through a bus (FSB: Front Side Bus). The
control section 102 cooperates with another control section and
several devices hereinafter described to form mathematical
operation processing mechanism. The control section 102 takes
charge of control of a main memory 103 and control relating to a
graphic function and has a role principally of processing a large
amount of data at a high speed. To the control section 102 in the
present embodiment which is called "north bridge" in an AT
(automatic transmission) compatible machine, the CPU 101, the main
memory 103, a control section 104 and a display member 5 such as
the liquid crystal display device described hereinabove are
connected.
[0090] The control section 104 principally controls control devices
for a user interface and so forth and carries out bus linking and
so forth of the devices. The control section 104 is called "south
bridge" in an AT compatible machine and has a role, in the "PCI to
ISA bridge," of bridging a bus "PCI: Peripheral Component
Interconnect bus" to a low speed bus (ISA: Industry Standard
Architecture bus) or the like and has a function of an ISA
controller, an IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) controller or the
like.
[0091] To the bus (PCI bus), a wireless LAN (W-LAN) as a wireless
communication device 106 and a device 107 for carrying out
connection to or control of an external memory or an external
apparatus are connected. As the external memory, a semiconductor
memory device which can be removably mounted on the apparatus body
section such as, for example, a controlling device 108 for writing
and reading out data into and from a stick type storage medium or a
controlling device 109 for a card type storage medium or the like
is provided. The device 107 defines a function of an interface for
connection to an external apparatus such as, for example, "IEEE
1394" which defines specifications of hardware for adding a serial
device to a computer.
[0092] A LAN (Local Area Network) connecting device 110 is
connected to the control section 104.
[0093] A touch panel 111 is formed on the display member 5 such
that input information through the touch panel 111 is inputted to
the control section 104 to carry out hand writing inputting by the
touch pen described above.
[0094] While a drive apparatus which uses, for example, a magnetic
disk or an optical disk is used as an auxiliary storage section
112, in the present embodiment, a drive apparatus which uses a
large capacity storage medium such as a hard disk is used and
connected to (an IDE (integrated drive electronics) controller of)
the control section 104.
[0095] An audio signal processing section (Audio Codec) 113
connected to the control section 104 signals an audio signal after
digital-analog information, for example, to a speaker 114 or a
headphone 115 to output sound.
[0096] A sound input from a microphone 121 is digitized by the
audio signal processing section 113.
[0097] A control program for causing a computer to operate and so
forth are stored in a storage section 116. The storage section 116
is connected to the control sections 104 and 117 using an LPC (Low
Pin Connect: serial bus) or the like.
[0098] The control section 117 is a general purpose apparatus which
controls various signals, and, for example, an "EC" (Embedded
Controller) is used for the control section 117 and controls in
regard to a function of a keyboard controller, the power supply of
the system, an additional function of the system and so forth. In a
portable apparatus like the portable information processing
apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, a microcomputer may be
incorporated. It is to be noted that the controlling method of the
computer can be changed by changing the control program in the
storage section 116.
[0099] A signal from an operation section 119 including a plurality
of operation elements provided on the apparatus body section such
as the keyboard 4 is signaled to the control section 117.
[0100] Further, detection signals from the switches SW1, SW2 and
SW3 described hereinabove are signaled to the control section
117.
[0101] A USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector is provided as a
connection section 120 for directly connecting an external
apparatus to the apparatus body section. The USB connector is
connected to the control section 104.
[0102] A first processing example as an example of a process
carried out in response to the state of the slide mechanism M1 and
the tilt-up and tilt-down mechanism M2 by the portable information
processing apparatus 1 having the configuration described above is
described with reference to FIG. 11 as well as FIGS. 1 to 7 and
10.
[0103] This is a processing example of a mode changeover function
of the first operating system changed over in response to the
position and the tilted state of the display section 3.
[0104] The CPU 101 of the portable information processing apparatus
1 detects the state of the switches SW1, SW2 and SW3 detected by
the control section 117 and carries out the process of FIG. 11.
[0105] When the end portion of the display section 3 is at the
advanced position P1 and the power supply is in an off state or the
first operating system is in a standby state, the CPU 101 decides
at step 0010 after every predetermined interval of time whether or
not the display section 3 is slidably moved in the opening
direction with respect to the body section 2, that is, in the
direction indicated by the arrow mark b.
[0106] The control section 117 normally supervises the state of the
switches SW1, SW2 and SW3 and decides the position of the display
section 3 with respect to the display section 3 or the state of a
sliding operation or a tilting operation in response to an on
signal or an off signal from the switches SW1, SW2 and SW3 and then
transmits the detected states to the CPU 101. Then, if the control
section 117 detects a sliding movement of the display section 3 in
the opening direction from an off signal of the sensor SW1 and an
on signal of the sensor SW3, then it issues a notification of this
to the CPU 101.
[0107] If the CPU 101 detects a sliding movement of the display
section 3 in the opening direction based on the notification from
the control section 117, then it advances the processing from step
0010 to step 0011.
[0108] At step 0011, the CPU 101 carries out control of a power
supply on state or returning control from a standby state. Then,
following the startup of the first operating system (hereinafter
referred to as OS) or the returning from the standby state, the CPU
101 starts up the memo application executed as a hand writing
inputting mode at step 0012.
[0109] At steps 0013 and 0015, the CPU 101 supervises the state of
the display section 3 based on a notification from the control
section 117.
[0110] If the control section 117 recognizes from an on signal of
the sensor SW2 that the display section 3 is tilted up, then it
issues a notification of this to the CPU 101. Consequently, the CPU
101 detects the tilt-up movement of the display section 3 at step
0015. In this instance, the CPU 101 advances the processing to step
0016, at which it carries out a changeover process to the keyboard
inputting mode. In the keyboard inputting mode, inputting through
the keyboard 4 is carried out.
[0111] After the keyboard inputting mode is established, the CPU
101 supervises the tilt-down at step 0017.
[0112] The CPU 101 recognizes from an off signal of the sensor SW2
and an on signal of the sensor SW3 that the display section 3 is
tilted down, that is, the display section 3 is positioned at the
retracted position P2, and notifies the CPU 101 of this.
[0113] When the CPU 101 detects the tilt-down of the display
section 3 based on the notification from the control section 117,
it returns the processing to step 0012, at which it starts up the
hand writing inputting mode. After the hand writing inputting mode
is restored, the CPU 101 supervises the state of the display
section 3 at steps 0013 and 0015 again.
[0114] If the control section 117 detects, in a state wherein the
display section 3 is at the retracted position P2 and is in the
hand writing inputting mode, from an off signal of the sensor SW3
and an on signal of the sensor SW1, that the display section 3 is
slidably moved in the closing direction, that is, slidably moved to
the advanced position P1, then it notifies the CPU 101 of this.
[0115] When the CPU 101 detects based on the notification from the
control section 117 that the display section 3 is slidably moved in
the closing direction, it advances the processing from step 0013 to
step 0014, at which it carries out power supply off control or a
changing process to a standby state. Consequently, the portable
information processing apparatus 1 is placed into a power off state
or a standby state.
[0116] Through the process described above with reference to FIG.
11, when the display section 3 is slidably moved in the opening
direction, the first operating system is started up or restored in
the portable information processing apparatus 1, and the portable
information processing apparatus 1 enters the hand writing
inputting mode. In other words, the portable information processing
apparatus 1 is placed into a state wherein the user can input
information by hand writing inputting.
[0117] Further, if the user tilts up the display section 3, then
the portable information processing apparatus 1 is automatically
placed into the keyboard inputting mode, in which inputting using
the keyboard 4 is permitted.
[0118] On the other hand, if the user tilts down the display
section 3, then the portable information processing apparatus 1 is
placed back into the hand writing inputting mode. If the display
section 3 is slidably moved further to the closed position, then
the power supply is turned off or a standby state is
established.
[0119] Now, a second example of a process of the portable
information processing apparatus 1 is described with reference to
FIG. 12.
[0120] The CPU 101 of the portable information processing apparatus
1 carries out the process of FIG. 12 in response to the state of
the switches SW1, SW2 and SW3 detected by the control section
117.
[0121] When the end portion of the display section 3 is at the
advanced position P1, the CPU 101 decides at step 0020 after each
predetermined interval of time whether or not the display section 3
is slidably moved in the opening direction with respect to the body
section 2, that is, in the direction indicated by the arrow mark
b.
[0122] The control section 117 normally supervises the state of the
switches SW1, SW2 and SW3 and decides the position or the state of
a sliding movement or a tilting movement of the display section 3
with respect to the body section 2 and then transmits the decided
state to the CPU 101. Then, if the control section 117 detects a
sliding movement of the display section 3 in the opening direction
from an off signal of the sensor SW1 and an on signal of the sensor
SW3, then it issues a notification of this to the CPU 101.
[0123] The CPU 101 detects the sliding movement of the display
section 3 in the opening direction based on the notification from
the control section 117 and advances the processing from step 0020
to step 0021.
[0124] At step 0021, the CPU 101 carries out starting up of the
first operating system or a returning process from a standby state.
Consequently, the portable information processing apparatus 1 is
placed into a state wherein various operation processes can be
carried out on the first operating system.
[0125] The CPU 101 supervises the state of the display section 3
based on a notification from the control section 117 at steps 0022
and 0024.
[0126] The control section 117 recognizes based on an on signal
from the sensor SW2 that the display section 3 is tilted up and
notifies the CPU 101 of this. Consequently, the CPU 101 detects the
tilting up of the display section 3 at step 0024. In this instance,
the CPU 101 advances the processing to step 0025, at which it
carries out starting up of the second operating system or a
returning process from the standby state. Consequently, the
portable information processing apparatus 1 is placed into a state
wherein various operation processes can be carried out on the
second operating system. It is to be noted that, at this time, the
first operating system is placed into a standby state.
[0127] After the portable information processing apparatus 1 enters
an operating state by the second operating system, the CPU 101
supervises the tilt-down of the display section 3 at step 0026.
[0128] If the control section 117 recognizes based on an off signal
of the sensor SW2 and an on signal of the sensor SW3 that the
display section 3 is tilted down, that is, the display section 3 is
moved to the retracted position P2, then it issues a notification
of this to the CPU 101.
[0129] The CPU 101 detects based on the notification from the
control section 117 that the display section 3 is tilted down and
ends the operating state by the second operating system or places
the second operating system into a standby state at step 0027.
Then, the processing returns to step 0021, at which the CPU 101
returns the first operating system from the standby state to
establish a state wherein various operation processes can be
carried out on the first operating system.
[0130] When the display section 3 is positioned at the retracted
position P2 and the portable information processing apparatus 1 is
in a state wherein various operation processes can be carried out
on the first operating system, if the control section 117
recognizes based on an off signal of the sensor SW3 and an on
signal of the sensor SW1 that the display section 3 is slidably
moved in the closing direction, that is, the display section 3 is
slidably moved to the advanced position P1, then it issues a
notification of this to the CPU 101.
[0131] The CPU 101 detects based on the notification from the
control section 117 that the display section 3 is slidably moved in
the closing direction, and advances the processing from step 0022
to step 0023, at which it carries out an ending process of the
first operating system or a changing process to a standby
state.
[0132] Through the process described above with reference to FIG.
12, if the user moves the display section 3 in the opening
direction, then the first operating system is started up or
restored to allow various operation processes to be carried out on
the first operating system in the portable information processing
apparatus 1.
[0133] Then, if the user tilts up the display section 3, then the
second operating system is started or restored to establish a state
wherein various operation processes can be carried out on the
second operating system.
[0134] Accordingly, in a state wherein the display section 3 is
merely slidably moved in the direction indicated by the arrow mark
b from the advanced position P1 to the retracted position P2, the
first operating system which starts up in short time is started up.
Then, if a function is selected on the menu screen image of the
display member 5 of FIG. 2, then utilization of a minimal function
is permitted immediately although the function can be selected from
a limited number of choices.
[0135] Now, a third example of a process of the portable
information processing apparatus 1 is described with reference to
FIG. 13.
[0136] The CPU 101 of the portable information processing apparatus
1 carries out the process of FIG. 13 in response to the state of
the switches SW1, SW2 and SW3 detected by the control section
117.
[0137] When the end portion of the display section 3 is at the
advanced position P1, the CPU 101 decides at step 0030 after each
predetermined interval of time whether or not the display section 3
is slidably moved in the opening direction with respect to the body
section 2, that is, in the direction indicated by the arrow mark
b.
[0138] The control section 117 normally supervises the state of the
switches SW1, SW2 and SW3 and decides the position or the state of
a sliding movement or a tilting movement of the display section 3
with respect to the body section 2 and then transmits the decided
state to the CPU 101. Then, if the control section 117 detects a
sliding movement of the display section 3 in the opening direction
from an off signal of the sensor SW1 and an on signal of the sensor
SW3, then it issues a notification of this to the CPU 101.
[0139] The CPU 101 detects the sliding movement of the display
section 3 in the opening direction based on the notification from
the control section 117 and advances the processing from step 0030
to step 0031.
[0140] At step 0031, the CPU 101 carries out starting up of the
first operating system or a returning process from a standby state.
Consequently, the portable information processing apparatus 1 is
placed into a state wherein various operation processes can be
carried out on the first operating system.
[0141] Also, the CPU 101 starts the starting up process of the
second operating system.
[0142] The CPU 101 supervises the state of the display section 3
based on a notification from the control section 117 at steps 0032
and 0034.
[0143] The control section 117 recognizes based on an on signal
from the sensor SW2 that the display section 3 is tilted up and
notifies the CPU 101 of this. Consequently, the CPU 101 detects the
tilting up of the display section 3 at step 0034. In this instance,
the CPU 101 advances the processing to step 0035, at which it
changes over the operation of the portable information processing
apparatus 1 to operation by the second operating system. Since the
starting up process of the second operating system was started at
the stage at step 0031, in almost all cases, operation by the
second operating system can be started immediately after the
display section 3 is tilted up.
[0144] After the portable information processing apparatus 1 enters
an operating state by the second operating system, the CPU 101
supervises the tilt-down of the display section 3 at step 0036.
[0145] If the control section 117 recognizes based on an off signal
of the sensor SW2 and an on signal of the sensor SW3 that the
display section 3 is tilted down, that is, the display section 3 is
moved to the retracted position P2, then it issues a notification
of this to the CPU 101.
[0146] The CPU 101 detects based on the notification from the
control section 117 that the display section 3 is tilted down and
changes over the operation state of the portable information
processing apparatus 1 from the operation state by the second
operating system to an operation state by the first operating
system. Thereafter, the CPU 101 returns the processing to the
supervision process at steps 0032 and 0034.
[0147] When the display section 3 is positioned at the retracted
position P2 and the portable information processing apparatus 1 is
in a state wherein various operation processes can be carried out
on the first operating system, if the control section 117
recognizes based on an off signal of the sensor SW3 and an on
signal of the sensor SW1 that the display section 3 is slidably
moved in the closing direction, that is, the display section 3 is
slidably moved to the advanced position P1, then it issues a
notification of this to the CPU 101.
[0148] The CPU 101 detects based on the notification from the
control section 117 that the display section 3 is slidably moved in
the closing direction, and advances the processing from step 0032
to step 0033, at which it carries out an ending process of the
first operating system or a changing process to a standby state.
Further, the CPU 101 carries out an ending process of the second
operating system.
[0149] Through the process described above with reference to FIG.
13, if the user moves the display section 3 in the opening
direction, then the portable information processing apparatus 1 is
placed into an operation state by the first operating system. Then,
if the user tilts up the display section 3, then the portable
information processing apparatus 1 is placed into an operation
state by the second operating system.
[0150] Although particularly the second operating system demands
time for starting up the same in comparison with the first
operating system, since the starting up process of the second
operating system is started when the first operating system remains
in an operating state, the portable information processing
apparatus 1 can enter an operation state by the second operating
system rapidly after the display section 3 is tilted up.
[0151] The portable information processing apparatus 1 configured
and operating in such a manner as described above has the following
characteristics:
[0152] (A) Since the display section 3 carries out a sliding
movement and tilting up and down movements at an upper portion of
the body section 2 on which the keyboard 4 is provided, the
portable information processing apparatus 1 can be used suitably in
both of a case wherein it is used on a desk and another case
wherein it is held by hand and used. Therefore, the portable
information processing apparatus 1 is superior in convenience in
use. Further, although the single portable information processing
apparatus 1 is used, it can be used in various modes making use of
the sliding movement and the two movements of the tiling up
movement and the tilting down movement of the display section 3
with respect to the body section 2.
[0153] (B) Since the tilt-up and the tilt-down of the display
section 3 are detected by the sensor SW2 and changeover between the
first and second operating systems is carried out in response to
the detection, automatic changeover between the first and second
operating systems can be carried out.
[0154] (C) Since the second operating system is started up while
starting of a sliding movement of the display section 3 from the
first position P1 to the second position P2 is detected by the
sensor SW1 and the first operating system operates, starting up of
the second operating system is carried out quickly. Therefore, the
portable information processing apparatus 1 is high in
operability.
[0155] (D) Since the display section 3 carries out a sliding
movement and tilting up and down movements at an upper portion of
the body section 2 on which the keyboard 4 is provided, the
portable information processing apparatus 1 can be used suitably in
both of a case wherein it is used on a desk and another case
wherein it is held by hand and used. Therefore, the portable
information processing apparatus 1 is superior in convenience in
use. Further, although the single portable information processing
apparatus 1 is used, it can make use of the sliding movement and
the two movements of the tiling up movement and the tilting down
movement of the display section 3 with respect to the body section
2 to carry out automatic changeover of the mode between the hand
writing mode wherein a touch pen or the like is used to carry out
hand writing and the keyboard inputting mode wherein a keyboard is
used for inputting. Consequently, diversification of mode
changeover can be achieved.
[0156] (E) Since the tilt-up and tilt-down mechanism M2 of the
display section 3 is configured for movement into and out of
contact with the slide guides of the slide mechanism M1 for
slidably moving the display section 3 between the first position P1
and the second position P2, changeover between the sliding movement
of the display section 3 between the first position P1 and the
second position P2 and the tilting up or down movement of the
display section 3 can be carried out smoothly without being
interrupted.
[0157] (F) Since the battery 8 accommodated in the body section 2
is disposed at a position displaced to the opposite side to the
sliding direction of the display section 3 from the first position
P1 to the second position P2 on the upper face 2a side of the
display section 3 or the like, when the display section 3 is
slidably moved to the second position P2 to open an upper portion
of the display section 3, the portable information processing
apparatus 1 can be stabilized in a horizontal posture making use of
the weight of the battery 8 and a keyboard operation in this state
can be carried out smoothly.
[0158] (G) Since it is detected by the sensor SW1 that a sliding
movement of the display section 3 from the first position P1 to the
second position P2 is started and it is detected by the sensor SW2
that a tilting up movement of the display section 3 is started at
the second position P2 and besides the portable information
processing apparatus 1 has the first inputting mode wherein the
display section 3 is started up by the sensor SW1 and the second
inputting mode wherein the display section 3 is started up by the
sensor SW2, automatic changeover between the first inputting mode
and the second inputting mode can be carried out only by carrying
out a sliding operation and a tilting up operation of the display
section 3. Therefore, the portable information processing apparatus
1 has high operability.
[0159] (H) Since the portable information processing apparatus 1
has the first display mode wherein the display section 3 is
displayed on a first display screen image corresponding to the
first input mode and the second display mode wherein the display
section 3 is displayed on a second display screen image
corresponding to the second input mode, automatic changeover of the
mode between the first display mode and the second display mode can
be carried out definitely.
[0160] (I) Since a tilt down movement of the display section 3 is
detected to change over the mode of the display section 3 to the
hand writing inputting mode, changeover from the keyboard inputting
mode to the hand writing inputting mode can be carried out
automatically. The portable information processing apparatus 1 has
high operability in this regard.
[0161] While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has
been described using specific terms, such description is for
illustrative purpose only, and it is to be understood that changes
and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or
scope of the following claims.
[0162] For example, while, in the embodiment described above, the
mechanism composed of the slide guides 15 formed on the lower face
3b of the display section 3 and the slide guides 13 and 14 formed
on the upper faces 2a and 11a of the body section 2 and the sub
body section 11 is used as the slide mechanism for slidably moving
the display section 3 in the directions indicated by the arrow
marks a and b on the body section 2, according to the present
embodiment, the slide mechanism is not limited to the mechanism
described, but various structures which can slidably move the
display section 3 in the directions indicated by the arrow marks a
and b on the body section 2 can be used as the slide mechanism.
* * * * *