WO2008047494A1

WO2008047494A1 - Display input device

Info

Publication number: WO2008047494A1
Application number: PCT/JP2007/061052
Authority: WO
Inventors: Takashi Atarashi
Original assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
Priority date: 2006-10-18
Filing date: 2007-05-31
Publication date: 2008-04-24

Abstract

A display input device receives an input operation to an input screen while displaying a display screen and the input screen. The display input device comprises a display section (10) for displaying the input screen in a second display direction (D2) while displaying the display screen in a first display direction (D1) on a display surface (11) and an input section (20) for reflecting the input screen displayed in the second display direction (D2) and detecting the input operation made to the reflecting surface (input surface (21)). This secures a wide display area for each of the display screen and the input screen in a display input device constituting an electronic device or the like.

Description

Specification

Display input device

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a display input device that receives an input operation on an input screen while displaying the display screen and the input screen.

Background art

Conventionally, electronic devices including a display device for displaying information and input devices such as an input key and a mouse for inputting information have been widely used. When using such an electronic device, the user inputs information using the input device and displays it on the display device. Such an electronic device is disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example.

FIG. 14 shows an external configuration of the electronic device 101 disclosed in Patent Document 1. This electronic device 101 includes a display node 111, a power switch 112 for turning on / off the power, an edit key 113 for shifting to an input receiving state by the display panel 111, and a full display by the display panel 111. And a set key 114 for performing the operation.

[0004] The display panel 111 includes a transmissive liquid crystal display panel and a transparent keyboard arranged on the liquid crystal display panel (on the user side). Since a transmissive liquid crystal display panel having a general configuration can be used, the description thereof is omitted here.

[0005] The transparent keyboard includes a transparent sheet and a transparent circuit board that are opposed to each other with a slight gap through dot spacers, each of which has a conductive pattern formed on the opposing surfaces and arranged at a predetermined interval. As a result, when the transparent sheet is pressed from the surface side of the electronic device 101, the transparent sheet is elastically deformed, and the conductive pattern on the transparent sheet side and the conductive pattern on the transparent circuit board side are partially in contact with each other, and a predetermined input is performed. Is made.

[0006] The display panel 111 is partitioned into a key input unit 111a, a layout display unit 11 lb, and a handwriting input unit 111c, and the area ratio is set to about 2: 1: 1.

[0007] In the electronic device 101, when the power is turned on by the power switch 112 and an instruction to shift to the input receiving state by the display panel 111 is instructed by the edit key 113, the key input unit 11 la described above is displayed on the display panel 111. , Layout display 11 lb, and handwriting input Force section 1 l ie is displayed.

[0008] In this state, when the user performs input using the key input unit 11la, the content corresponding to the input key is displayed on the layout display unit 11lb. When the user inputs using the handwriting input unit 11 lc, a display corresponding to the handwriting input is made on the layout display unit 11 lb. FIG. 14 shows an input state using the handwriting input unit 111c.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Publication “JP-A 62-173521 (July 30, 1987)” Disclosure of Invention

[0009] In the electronic device 101 described above, the display area of the display panel 111 is divided into three areas and can be displayed at once on the key input section 11 la and the layout display section 11 lb. The amount of unnecessary information is reduced. In particular, if you want to display all the keys of the QWERTY array, for example, in the key input section 11 la, it is necessary to take measures such as reducing one key at a time or partially scrolling it. is there. In such a display, a problem arises when the convenience of the electronic device 101 decreases.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to secure a wide display area for each of the display screen and the input screen in a display input device constituting an electronic device or the like. Objective.

[0011] A display input device according to the present invention is a display input device that accepts an input operation on the input screen while displaying the display screen and the input screen, and is directed to the first display direction on the same display screen. A display unit that displays the input screen with respect to the second display direction while displaying the display screen, reflects the input screen displayed with respect to the second display direction, and reflects the input screen. And an input unit for detecting the input operation performed.

[0012] In the above configuration, an input operation on the input screen is accepted while displaying the display screen and the input screen. The input screen is a screen in which the content of the input operation is associated with a position on the screen, such as a screen showing an input key or a screen showing an area for handwriting input. The input operation is an operation for designating a position on the input screen with, for example, a fingertip or a pen tip. The display screen shows the content according to the input operation It may be a content that is not directly related to the input operation.

[0013] Here, in the above configuration, the same display surface is not divided into an area for displaying the input screen and an area for displaying the display screen. The input screen is displayed in the second display direction while displaying the display screen in the first display direction on the display surface. Then, the input screen displayed in the second display direction is reflected by the reflection surface of the input unit.

[0014] Thereby, in the above configuration, since both the display screen and the input screen can be displayed to the user, the user can move both the display screen and the input screen only by moving the line of sight. Can be observed.

[0015] Further, in the above configuration, the input unit detects an input operation performed on the reflecting surface. Accordingly, the user can perform an input operation on the reflecting surface while viewing the input screen reflected by the reflecting surface, so that the position on the input screen can be determined based on the input screen being viewed. The input operation of the contents associated with can be performed.

[0016] Thus, in the above configuration, each of the display screen and the input screen can be displayed as if two display surfaces are used without partitioning one display surface area. Therefore, it is possible to use a force S to secure a wide display area for each of the display screen and the input screen.

[0017] In the display input device according to the present invention, in the display input device, the display unit and the input unit have a closed state in which the display surface and the reflection surface overlap each other, and the display surface and the reflection surface form a predetermined angle. It is desirable that they are pivotably attached to each other so as to take an open state where they are separated from each other. In the closed state, the reflection surface is preferably switched to a transmission state in order to transmit the display screen.

[0018] In the above configuration, the display unit and the input unit are configured to be foldable, and in the open state, the input force as described above, and the display screen and input as if using two display surfaces. While the screen can be displayed separately, in the closed state (folded state), the display screen can be observed through the reflective surface overlapping the display surface. As a result, it is possible to expand the usage forms of the display input device.

[0019] A display input device according to the present invention is the above display input device, wherein the display unit includes a plurality of display units. It is desirable that the input screen can be switched and displayed. In the above configuration, it is possible to accept a variety of input operations by switching and using a plurality of input screens.

[0020] In the display input device according to the present invention, it is desirable that the plurality of input screens include a keyboard key layout screen.

[0021] With the above-described configuration, the key input operation can be performed by considering a general keyboard key layout screen included in the input screen. Here, in the above configuration, unlike the case of a mechanical keyboard in which characters and symbols are fixedly printed on the surface of each input key, each input key can be changed by changing the displayed input screen. You can change only the character type that is in use among multiple selectable character types (alphabet, symbol, hiragana, etc.) assigned to each key, or change the key layout. The power to do S. Also, by displaying only the character types that are in use, it becomes possible to easily determine the characters that can be used at that time.

[0022] In the display input device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the plurality of input screens include a key layout screen dedicated to password input.

[0023] With the above configuration, when the password input is requested when the display input device is turned on or when the operation of the display input device is started, the password input key layout screen is displayed and the password is input. The operation can be accepted.

[0024] In a configuration in which a password input operation is accepted by a general keyboard key layout, the password may be estimated from the trace of the input operation remaining on the reflective surface or the like. In the above configuration that displays and accepts password input operations, such a risk can be reduced. As a result, security can be improved.

[0025] It is particularly desirable that the key layout screen dedicated to password entry has a key layout that changes each time a password is requested.

[0026] A display input device according to the present invention includes an application execution unit that switches and executes a plurality of application software in the display input device, and the plurality of input screens are set for each application software being executed. Desired input screen to be included Good.

[0027] The application software means software including processing for accepting some input from a user using the display input device. With the above configuration, it is possible to display an optimal input screen for operating the application software being executed.

[0028] In the display input device according to the present invention, the input screen set for each application software being executed preferably includes a keyboard key layout screen in the display input device.

[0029] With the configuration described above, a portion specific to the application software being executed can be displayed in a part of the display area for displaying the input screen among the input screens set for each application software being executed. In some cases, by including a general keyboard key layout screen in other areas, the portion specific to the application software being executed can be minimized. Therefore, it is possible to suppress information processing and control necessary for generating a part specific to the application software being executed, and to reduce power consumption.

[0030] In the display input device according to the present invention, in the display input device, the display screen according to the application software being executed in the first display direction is displayed, and the display input device in the second display direction. A display processing unit that displays an input screen; and an input processing unit that assigns input information to the detection result of the input unit according to the input screen displayed by the display processing unit. can do.

[0031] A control method according to the present invention is a control method for the display input device, wherein the display screen is displayed with respect to a first display direction of the display unit, and the input with respect to a second display direction is performed. A process of displaying a screen, and a process of assigning input information to the detection result of the input unit according to the displayed input screen.

[0032] Further, the control method according to the present invention is a control method for the display input device, wherein the display screen is set with respect to a process of switching the reflection unit to a reflection state and a first display direction of the display unit. A process of displaying the input screen in the second display direction while displaying and a process of assigning input information to the detection result of the input unit according to the displayed input screen. There may be. [0033] Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a control program for causing a computer to execute these control methods, the control program causing the computer to execute each of the processes, and a computer-readable recording medium on which the control program is recorded. Included in the category.

[0034] Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be sufficiently understood from the following description. The advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a cross-sectional view of a display unit in the electronic device of FIG.

3 is a cross-sectional view of an input unit in the electronic device of FIG.

4 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of the electronic device in FIG. 1.

5 is a block diagram showing a software configuration of the electronic device of FIG.

6 is a diagram showing a display example of the display unit in the electronic device of FIG. 1. (a) shows an example of a display screen displayed in the first display direction, and (b) is displayed in the second display direction. An example of the input screen is shown.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the electronic device of FIG. 1, wherein (a) shows a closed state, (b) shows a state of (a), and the display surface is observed through the input unit. Show you what you can do.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a modification of the electronic device in FIG. 1, wherein (a) and (b) show a closed state and an open state, respectively.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example when a password is input in the electronic device of FIG. 1, and (a) and (b) show examples of a display screen and an input screen, respectively.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example when the electronic piano software in the electronic device of FIG. 1 is activated. (A) and (b) show examples of a display screen and an input screen, respectively.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display example when the picture power ^ software is activated in the electronic device of FIG. 1, and (a) and (b) show examples of a display screen and an input screen, respectively.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display example in the electronic device of FIG. 1. (a) and (b) show examples of a display screen and an input screen when the word processor software is started, respectively. d) shows examples of the display screen and input screen when drawing software is started. 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example when the video display software is started in the electronic device of FIG. 1, and (a) and (b) show examples of a display screen and an input screen, respectively.

14] It is a plan view showing a configuration of a conventional electronic device.

Explanation of symbols

1 Electronic equipment (display input device)

10 Display section

11 Table not 1≤

12 LCD panel

20 Input section

21 Input side

22 Touch panel

23 Cholesteric LCD panel

31 Noku Sline

32 CPU

33 Controller

34 memory

35 hard disk

40 Control unit

41 Application execution part

42 Display processing section

43 Input processor

44 Reflection / transmission switching part

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

An electronic apparatus such as a personal computer will be described as an embodiment of a display input device according to the present invention. In addition to the personal computer, the electronic device described here can be a mobile phone, PDA (personal digital assistance), calculator, facsimile, POS (point of sale) as long as it has a display function and an input function. ) On the terminal etc. There may be.

FIG. 1 shows an external configuration of the electronic device 1. The electronic device 1 is configured by a display unit 10 serving as an output interface and an input unit 20 serving as an input interface in terms of the structure appearing on the appearance. Each of the display unit 10 and the input unit 20 is a substantially rectangular plate-like body, and is connected to each other in a foldable manner by a hinge 2 (see FIGS. 7A and 7B described later) on each side. ing.

[0039] The display unit 10 is configured by a so-called multi-view display, and displays different screens simultaneously from the one display surface 11 in each of the first and second display directions D1'D2. . The first display direction D1 is a vertical direction of the display surface 11, and the second display direction D2 is a direction inclined toward the input unit 20 with respect to the vertical direction of the display surface 11.

In order to realize such a display, the display unit 10 has a structure in which a lenticular lens 13 is superimposed on the panel of the liquid crystal display panel 12 as shown in FIG. In this structure, some of the light emitted from a backlight (not shown) and modulated and converted into BGR by the liquid crystal display panel 12 passes through the flat portion 13a of the lenticular lens 13 and passes through the first display direction D1. The other direction passes through the prism-shaped lens 13b of the lenticular lens 13 and is directed toward the second display direction D2.

The input unit 20 is a so-called touch panel type input unit, and accepts an input operation by detecting that a user's finger touches the surface (input surface) 21 thereof. In addition to such a general touch panel function, the input unit 20 functions even if the input surface 21 is a reflective surface. As a result, the screen displayed in the second display direction D2 from the display unit 10 is reflected toward the user positioned substantially in the vertical direction of the display surface 11.

In order to realize such a reflection function, the input unit 20 includes a cholesteric liquid crystal panel 23 on the back surface of the touch panel 22 as shown in FIG. As the touch panel 22, a conventionally known one can be used, and the description thereof is omitted here.

[0043] The cholesteric liquid crystal panel 23 includes, from the touch panel 22 side, a cholesteric liquid crystal section 23B that can selectively reflect B (blue) light and a cholesteric liquid crystal section 23G that can selectively reflect G (green) light. And a cholesteric liquid crystal unit 23G capable of selectively reflecting R (red) color light. is doing.

[0044] Of these, the cholesteric liquid crystal unit 23B will be described as an example. The cholesteric liquid crystal unit 23B includes a pair of transparent substrates including an upper electrode substrate 23u and a lower electrode substrate 23d facing each other via a spacer (not shown), A transparent electrode (not shown) formed in a column-direction stripe on one electrode substrate, a transparent electrode (not shown) formed in a row-direction stripe on the other electrode substrate, and the pair of transparent substrates, And cholesteric liquid crystal 23c that can selectively reflect B-color light. Each of the above transparent electrodes may be a flat plate (not a solid electrode) instead of a strip.

[0045] The cholesteric liquid crystal unit 23G and the cholesteric liquid crystal unit 23R have the same configuration as the cholesteric liquid crystal unit 23B. The difference is that the cholesteric liquid crystal unit 23G can selectively reflect G-color light. The cholesteric liquid crystal unit 23R uses a cholesteric liquid crystal that can selectively reflect R-color light.

[0046] Generally, a cholesteric liquid crystal can take three kinds of alignment states: a planar state (selective reflection), a focal conic state (forward scattering), and a home-to-mouth pick state (transmission).

In the planar state, color light in a certain wavelength range (selective reflection wavelength range) is reflected among incident light, and color light in other wavelength ranges is transmitted. In the focal conic state, incident light is transmitted while being scattered in the incident direction. In the home-to-mouth pick state, liquid crystal molecules are aligned perpendicular to the substrate surface, and therefore transmit incident light.

[0048] Switching between the alignment states can be electrically controlled. That is, when a voltage is applied between the transparent electrodes provided on each of the pair of transparent substrates, the planar state changes to the focal conic state. When the voltage is further increased, the focal conic state force changes to the homeo mouth pick state. When the voltage is gradually lowered in the homeo mouth pick state, the focal conic state is established. If the voltage is suddenly decreased in the homeo mouth pick state, it becomes a planar state. The planar state and the focal conic state can maintain the orientation state even when the voltage is not applied.

[0049] In the cholesteric liquid crystal panel 23, the cholesteric liquid crystal unit 23B .23G.23R is mainly used in the planar state, and when the reflective surface is switched to the transmissive state as described later, the home Use in the automatic picking state.

[0050] When the cholesteric liquid crystal portion 23B'23G'23R is in the planar state, the cholesteric liquid crystal selectively reflects light having a wavelength in a predetermined wavelength range and emits light having a wavelength outside the predetermined wavelength range. To Penetrate. That is, the cholesteric liquid crystal unit 23B selectively reflects B color light among RGB color light emitted from the display unit 10, and transmits R color light and G color light. Similarly, the cholesteric liquid crystal unit 23G selectively reflects G color light among the RGB color light emitted from the display unit 10, and transmits R color light and B color light. The cholesteric liquid crystal unit 23R selectively reflects R color light out of RGB color light output from the display unit 10, and transmits G color light and B color light.

[0051] The cholesteric liquid crystal part 23B .23G.23R is a cholesteric liquid crystal part 23B .23G-23.

This is to reflect the screen displayed in the first display direction D1 of the display unit 10 instead of changing the image (display switching) while displaying the image by R itself. For this reason, inconvenience due to the problem of cholesteric liquid crystals that display switching is slow is unlikely to occur.

Next, the system configuration of the electronic device 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the hardware constituting the system of the electronic device 1 performs information processing and control of the device connected to the electronic device 1 with respect to the bus line 31 to which the display unit 10 and the input unit 20 are connected. A CPU (central processing unit) 32 and a controller 33 having an input / output terminal for connecting external devices such as a hard disk 35 and an optical device (not shown) are connected. Further, a memory 34 as a main storage device in the electronic device 1 is connected to the CPU 32. Further, a hard disk 35 is connected to the controller 33 as an external device.

[0053] By executing the control program of the electronic device 1 in the control unit 40 configured by a computer including the CPU 32 and the memory 34, the functional blocks shown in FIG. 5 are realized in software. That is, the control unit 40 constitutes functional blocks of an application execution unit 41, a display processing unit 42, an input processing unit 43, and a reflection Z transmission switching unit 44.

[0054] The application execution unit 41 switches and executes a plurality of application software installed in the electronic device 1 as appropriate. The power that can be considered as a variety of application software Here, word processor software will be described as an example. The application execution unit 41 sends display screen generation data for generating a word processor screen as a display screen (still image, moving image, character, etc.) to the display processing unit 42. This word processor screen is a screen displayed in the first display direction D1 of the display unit 10, and is, for example, as shown in FIG.

[0056] Further, the application execution unit 41 performs display processing of input screen generation data for generating a keyboard key layout screen (virtual keyboard screen) as an input screen (still image, video, character, etc.). Send to part 42. This key layout screen is a screen displayed in the second display direction D2 of the display unit 10, for example, as shown in FIG. 6B. Note that the input screen is reflected by the input unit 20 and needs to be the screen that should be displayed by flipping up, down, left, and right. However, for the sake of explanation, inversion by reflection is not considered here.

[0057] The display processing unit 42 generates a display screen signal and an input screen signal that can be input to the display unit 10 based on the display screen generation data and the input screen generation data sent from the application execution unit 41, respectively. These are sent to the input terminal for the first display direction D1 and the input terminal for the second display direction D2 provided in the display unit 10, respectively. As a result, a display screen and an input screen corresponding to the application software being executed can be displayed in the first and second display directions Dl'Dl, respectively.

Further, the application execution unit 41 sends the input allocation reference information to the input processing unit 43. This input assignment reference information is information for reference when assigning input information indicating the content of the input operation to the input operation performed on the input surface 21 of the input unit 20, for example, This is a look-up table in which an area on the input surface 21 is associated with input information. Therefore, this input allocation reference information corresponds to the contents of the input screen generation data.

The touch position signal is sent from the input unit 20 to the input processing unit 43. This touch position signal is a signal indicating, by coordinates, the position of the touch operation performed on the input surface 21 that is the same as a general touch panel.

[0060] Upon receiving the input assignment reference information and the touch position signal, the input processing unit 43 receives the input assignment reference information. With reference to the reference information, input information corresponding to the touch position indicated by the touch position signal is extracted, the input information is assigned to the input operation, and is sent to the application execution unit 41. As a result, the application execution unit 41 can accept input information.

Specifically, in the example of the word processor, when the user touches (presses) the finger on the input surface 21, a touch position signal indicating the touch position is sent from the input unit 20 to the input processing unit ₄₃ . The input processing unit 43 refers to the input assignment reference information, extracts, for example, “Q” as a key input corresponding to the touch position, and sends this to the application execution unit 41. The application execution unit 41 accepts “Q” as a character input, and displays “Q” at the cursor position on the display screen via the display processing unit 42.

Note that in order to realize such input, the position on the input surface 21 of the input unit 20 and the position of the input screen reflected and displayed by the input surface 21 must be in a predetermined positional relationship. In reality, this positional relationship changes depending on the position of the user's eyes.

[0063] Therefore, a mark for alignment is engraved at a predetermined position on the input surface 21, and a mark for alignment is also provided at a predetermined position on the input screen ("+" in Fig. 6 (b)). So that they are displayed and aligned so that they can be observed. Thereby, the user can adjust the position of the eye to an appropriate position based on the mark on the input surface 21 and the mark on the input screen.

[0064] It is also possible to provide the mark for alignment at the home position of the keyboard. The home position is a standard for touch typing, and “F” and “J” are usually used for alphabet keys, and “5” is usually used for numeric keys. These home positions may be stamped or provided with protrusions as marks for the above alignment.

The reflection / transmission switching unit 44 sends a reflection / transmission switching signal for switching the reflection / transmission state of the input surface 21 in the input unit 20 to the input unit 20. The input unit 20 switches the reflection Z transmission state of the input surface 21 in accordance with the reflection / transmission switching signal. As described later, the reflection / transmission state is switched between the display unit 10 and the input unit 20 of the electronic device 1. Therefore, the reflection / transmission switching unit 44 is provided with an open / close detection sensor 44a for detecting the open / close state. The reflection / transmission switching signal may be generated based on the above.

[0066] As described above, each functional block constituting the control unit 40 in FIG. 5 is the control program stored in the memory 34 such as the arithmetic means S, R0M or RAM of the CPU 32 shown in FIG. It can be realized by executing. Therefore, the above-described control in the electronic device 1 can be realized by the CPU 32 reading the memory 34 that records the control program and executing the control program. Further, by recording the control program on a removable recording medium, the various functions and various processes described above can be realized on any electronic device 1.

[0067] The recording medium may be a program medium such as a memory, for example, a ROM (not shown) for processing by an arbitrary electronic device, although not shown. A program reading device may be provided as an external storage medium, and the program medium may be read by inserting a recording medium therein.

[0068] In any case, the stored program is preferably configured to be accessed and executed by the CPU 32. Furthermore, it is preferable that the program is read out, and the read program is downloaded to the program storage area of the CPU 32 and the program is executed. This download program is assumed to be stored in the main unit in advance.

[0069] The program medium is a recording medium configured to be separable from the main body, such as a tape system such as a magnetic tape or a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a flexible disk or a hard disk, or a CD / MOZMD / DVD. Semiconductor devices such as disk systems such as discs, card systems such as IC cards (including memory cards), mask ROM, EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasaole Programmable Read Only Memory), flash ROM, etc. There are recording media that carry a fixed program including

[0070] Also, in the case of a system configuration capable of connecting a communication network including the Internet, the program is fluidly carried so as to download the program from the communication network. It is preferable to be a recording medium.

[0071] Further, when downloading a program from the communication network in this way, the download program may be stored in the main device in advance or installed from another recording medium. preferable.

[0072] Usage modes of the electronic device 1 having the above-described configuration will be described.

In the electronic device 1, when the input unit 20 is used as a keyboard, as shown in FIG. 1, the display unit 10 and the input unit 20 are in an open state separated by a predetermined angle. The display unit 10 displays the keyboard key layout screen ((b) in FIG. 6) in the second display direction D2. This key layout screen is reflected and displayed on the input surface 21 of the input unit 20, so that the user can recognize the input surface 21 as a keyboard. Since the input unit 20 includes the touch panel 22, the position touched by the user is detected by the touch panel 22, and is processed in the electronic device 1 as a key operation of the keyboard. At this time, in the first display direction D1 of the display unit 10, a display screen ((a) in FIG. 6) for displaying various information generated by the electronic device 1 is displayed.

On the other hand, when the input unit 20 is not used, as shown in FIG. 7A, the display unit 11 and the input unit 21 are folded so that the display surface 11 and the input surface 21 are overlapped. It becomes. In this state, as shown in Fig. 7 (b), the cholesteric liquid crystal panel 23 (see Fig. 3) of the input unit 20 is placed in the focal conic state (forward scattering) or homeo mouth picking state (transmission). The surface 21 becomes transparent, and the display in the first display direction D1 of the display unit 10 can be observed through the input unit 20. The display in the first display direction D1 at this time may be a single view display by the display unit 10.

[0075] As the hinge 2 connecting the display unit 10 and the input unit 20, in the open state, the input unit 20 is 180 degrees with the axis parallel to the normal direction of the display surface 11 of the display unit 10 as the rotation axis. By adopting a hinge that can be rotated (such a hinge is commonly used in notebook computers classified as tablet PCs), the input unit 20 It is also possible to make the input surface 21 face the user side. This makes it possible to operate the electronic device 1 on the input surface 21 while observing the display screen displayed in the first display direction D1 of the display unit 10. In addition to the above, the connection form between the display unit 10 and the input unit 20 includes a cycloid hinge structure (the display unit 10 is 90 ° as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B). The display unit 10 and the input unit 20 can be arranged in a T shape by rotating them. In this structure, a cycloid hinge 3 is provided in addition to the hinge 2. In this structure, when the electronic device 1 shifts from the closed state shown in FIG. 8 (a) to the open state shown in FIG. 8 (b), first, the electronic device 1 is similar to FIG. It becomes an open state (a state where a known clamshell type mobile phone terminal is opened). In this state, the input unit 20 can simply use the input screen displayed in the second display direction D2 of the display unit 10 as a touch pad without reflective display. Next, the display unit 10 is rotated by 90 ° through the cycloid hinge 3. By rotating the display unit 10 by 90 °, the display unit 10 and the input unit 20 are arranged in a T shape as shown in FIG. 8 (b). Then, on the input surface 21 of the input unit 20, the input screen displayed in the second display direction D2 of the display unit 10 is reflected and displayed. The area on the input surface 21 that is not used for the reflective display of the input screen can be used as a touch pad.

As described above, the electronic device 1 has a function as a display input device that accepts an input operation on the input screen while displaying the display screen and the input screen. Reflects the display unit 10 that displays the display screen in the second display direction D2 while displaying the display screen in the first display direction D1, and the input screen displayed in the second display direction D2. And an input unit 20 for detecting an input operation performed on the reflecting surface (input surface 21).

In the above configuration, the same display surface 11 is not divided into a region for displaying the input screen and a region for displaying the display screen. 11. Display the input screen in the second display direction D2 while displaying the display screen in the first display direction D1 on 11. Then, the input screen displayed in the second display direction D2 is reflected by the input surface 21 of the input unit 20.

[0079] Thereby, in the above configuration, since both the display screen and the input screen can be displayed to the user, the user can move both the display screen and the input screen only by moving the line of sight. Can be observed.

[0080] Further, in the above configuration, the input unit 20 detects the input operation performed on the input surface 21. To know. Therefore, the user can perform an input operation on the input screen 21 while viewing the input screen reflected by the input screen 21. Therefore, the user can perform an input operation on the input screen based on the input screen being viewed. It is possible to perform the input operation of the contents associated with the position.

[0081] Thus, in the above configuration, the display screen and the input screen can be displayed as if using two display screens without dividing the area of one display screen 11 respectively. Therefore, it is possible to secure a wide display area for each of the display screen and the input screen.

[0082] In the conventional electronic device 101 shown in FIG. 14, if the entire display panel 111 is to be used as the display panel 111, it is necessary to prepare a display device dedicated to displaying information in addition to the electronic device 101. In addition, if the entire display panel 111 is used as a layout display section 11 lb, it is necessary to prepare a separate keyboard in addition to the electronic device 101, which may cause a problem of reduced convenience of the electronic device 101. It was.

On the other hand, in the electronic device 1 of the present embodiment, the input unit 20 can be used as a keyboard or the like when the electronic device 1 is used in an open state.

[0084] When the electronic device 1 is used in a closed state, the input surface 21 is directed to the user side so as to overlap the display surface 11, and the input surface 21 is transmitted to transmit the display screen. By switching to the state, the input unit 20 can be used as a touch panel for the electronic device 1.

[0085] As described above, it is not necessary to separately prepare a display device and a keyboard in addition to the electronic device 1, and the electronic device 1 can be used in a plurality of usage forms, and the convenience of the electronic device 1 is improved. To do.

Further, in the above configuration, when the reflective display is performed by the input unit 20, the cholesteric liquid crystal panel 23 is used in the planar state. Therefore, the power consumption of the electronic device 1 can be reduced as compared with the prior art.

In this embodiment, in order to switch the input surface 21 to the transmissive state, the force using the cholesteric liquid crystal panel 23 is used instead of the cholesteric liquid crystal panel 23. A magic mirror that reflects the light and transmits the light from the side opposite to the display unit 10 may be used. In addition, if the input unit 20 does not need to be used as a touch panel in the closed state, the input surface 21 does not have to be switched to the transmissive state, so that a normal mirror can be used instead of the cholesteric liquid crystal panel 23.

In the present embodiment, the force S using the touch panel 22 to detect the input operation performed on the input surface 21 in the input unit 20 and the input operation performed on the input surface 21 are performed. Any other configuration that can be detected may be used. For example, the sensing technology of a virtual keyboard (projecting an image of a keyboard and detecting an input by a position detection sensor) can be applied. For this purpose, the input screen displayed on the display unit 10 is reflected on the input surface 21 and the position of the key selected by the input operation is detected by the position detection sensor provided on the display unit 10 side. Good. As such a position detection sensor, a sensor realized in the virtual keyboard technology can be used.

Next, examples of a display screen and an input screen will be described. These display screens and input screens can be switched and displayed by the display processing unit 42 in the control unit 40 as described above.

[0090] One such input screen includes a keyboard key layout screen. In this key layout screen, the key layout may be changeable. When changing the key layout to another key layout, the first selectable key layout name and the characteristics of each key layout are displayed in a list on the display unit 10. Then, any one of the key arrangements displayed in the list is selected by using a keyboard currently reflected on the input surface 21 or a mouse or a track pad (not shown) provided separately. When a new key layout is selected, an input screen related to the corresponding key layout is displayed in the second display direction D2 of the display unit 10. As a result, the input screen showing the newly selected key arrangement is reflected on the input surface 21 and the user can recognize and use the input surface 21 as a keyboard.

[0091] In this configuration, only the alphabet key layout is displayed, only the hiragana key layout is displayed,! Display only the key layout for symbols such as and $, display only the key layout corresponding to the desired language, and display multiple characters for one key as in the past. Eventually, it will be possible to select four powers. Previously, multiple characters were always displayed for one key (for example, on QWERTY type keyboards, they were displayed simultaneously on the keys with the power of “!”, “1” and “Nu”). Which of these characters can be entered cannot be determined by looking at the keyboard, but it must be determined from the characters displayed by operating the keyboard once.

On the other hand, in the above configuration, it is possible to display only one specific type of character that can be selected, and it is possible to easily determine characters that can be currently input from the input screen.

[0093] Further, in the above configuration, according to the user's preference, the key reduction display, the key reduction left display, the key reduction right display, the key reduction center display, the key reduction bottom display, and the key reduction Various displays such as an upper display can be selected.

Furthermore, in the above configuration, the user can select a key to be displayed or control the font change of the displayed key, such as a key arrangement without function keys.

[0095] As another example of the input screen, as shown in (b) of FIG. 9 ((a) of FIG. 9 shows an example of a display screen corresponding to the input screen of (b).) The key layout screen may be included. In other words, as a security measure in the startup phase of electronic device 1 and in the recovery phase from the sleep state or standby state, when the user enters a password, the key layout screen dedicated to password entry is reflected on the input surface 21 and this is reflected. Enter your password using the input screen.

On this key layout screen dedicated to password input, every time a password needs to be entered, a key used for password entry (hereinafter referred to as “password key”) at a position different from the normal key layout. (Alternatively, a numeric keypad or an alphabet key may be included.) Is displayed. For this purpose, both the key arrangement may be shifted or the order of the key arrangement may be changed.

[0097] When the display position of the password key reflected on the input surface 21 is the same when the password is input and after the password is input, the password is caused by a mark of a finger or the like attached by performing an input operation on the input surface 21. It is possible to guess the key used to input In contrast, the display position of the password key changes between when the password is entered and after the password is entered. By doing so, it can be made difficult to guess the key used to input the password by the marks on the finger or the like attached by the input of the password. As a result, the unauthorized use of third parties can be suppressed.

[0098] Note that the display position of the password key itself is not fixed, and it is made more difficult to guess the key used to enter the password by changing the password every time it is required. Security can be further improved.

[0099] Further, the input screen is set for each application software executed in the application execution unit 41 of the control unit 40, and the input screen is switched according to the switching of the application software. Moyore.

[0100] Examples of application software and its display screen and input screen are as follows.

[0101] For example, electronic piano software can be considered as application software. In this case, the display unit 10 sets the display screen displayed in the first display direction D1 to the score screen as shown in FIG. 10 (a), and the input screen displayed in the second display direction D2 as shown in FIG. 10 (b). It can be used as a piano keyboard screen.

[0102] Also, drawing software can be considered as application software. In this case, the display unit 10 sets the display screen displayed in the first display direction D1 as a canvas screen as shown in FIG. 11A, and the input screen displayed in the second display direction D2 as shown in FIG. It can be a palette screen like this. In this case, the user selects the paint reflected on the input surface 21 with an operation pen (not shown), and touches the display surface 11 of the display unit 10 with the operation pen, so that the color of the selected paint is changed. Display it at the touch position on the display screen. In this case, it is necessary to provide a touch panel on the display unit 10 as well. By repeating these operations, a desired picture can be drawn on the display screen.

[0103] Furthermore, the input screen set for each application software being executed includes (b) and (d) in FIG. 12 ((a) and (c) in FIG. And (d) shows an example of a display screen that corresponds to the input screen.) As shown in the figure, a keyboard key layout screen is included. Of the input screens set for each application software being executed, the part of the display area for displaying the input screen is the part specific to the application software being executed. When a part can be displayed, it is possible to minimize the part specific to the application software being executed by including a general keyboard key layout screen in the other area. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the information processing and control necessary for generating a part specific to the application software being executed, and to reduce power consumption.

[0104] Furthermore, after the electronic device 1 is activated, the software control key executed by the electronic device 1 may be displayed over the keyboard. For example, if the video display software is activated while the keyboard is displayed on the input screen, (b) in Fig. 13 (Fig. 13 (a) shows the display screen corresponding to the input screen in Fig. 13 (b). As shown in the example, video display software control keys (for example, operation menu, channel button, volume control button) are displayed over the keyboard.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and the technical means disclosed in the embodiment can be appropriately combined. Embodiments obtained in this manner are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0106] As described above, the display input device according to the present invention displays the input screen in the second display direction while displaying the display screen in the first display direction on the same display surface. And an input unit that reflects the input screen displayed in the second display direction and detects an input operation performed on the reflective surface.

[0107] In the above configuration, the display screen and the input screen can be displayed as if using two display surfaces without dividing the area of one display surface. A large display area for each of the screen and the input screen can be secured.

[0108] The specific embodiments or examples made in the detailed description section of the present invention are to clarify the technical contents of the present invention, and are limited to such specific examples. Thus, the present invention should not be construed in a narrow sense, and can be carried out with various modifications within the spirit of the present invention and the scope of the following claims.

Industrial applicability

[0109] The display input device according to the present invention is a notebook computer that displays information such as still images and moving images. Konya can be widely used as information terminals such as PDAs, mobile phone terminals, and mopile phones.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] In a display input device that accepts an input operation on the input screen while displaying the display screen and the input screen.

A display unit for displaying the input screen in the second display direction while displaying the display screen in the first display direction on the same display surface;

A display input device comprising: an input unit configured to reflect an input screen displayed in the second display direction and detect an input operation performed on the reflective surface.

[2] The display unit and the input unit are rotatably attached to each other so as to take a closed state in which the display surface and the reflection surface overlap each other and an open state in which the display surface and the reflection surface are separated from each other by a predetermined angle. And

2. The display input device according to claim 1, wherein in the closed state, the reflective surface is switched to a transmissive state in order to transmit the display screen.

3. The display input device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is capable of switching and displaying a plurality of input screens.

4. The display input device according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of input screens include a keyboard key layout screen.

5. The display input device according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of input screens include a key layout screen dedicated to password input.

[6] The system according to claim 3, further comprising an application execution unit that switches and executes a plurality of application software, wherein the plurality of input screens include an input screen set for each application software being executed. Display input device.

7. The display input device according to claim 6, wherein the input screen set for each application software being executed includes a keyboard key layout screen.

[8] A display processing unit that displays the input screen in the second display direction while displaying a display screen corresponding to the application software being executed in the first display direction, and the display processing unit 7. An input processing unit that assigns input information to a detection result of the input unit according to an input screen displayed by the input unit. Display input device.

9. The display input device according to claim 1, wherein the reflecting surface is formed of a cholesteric liquid crystal panel.

10. The display input device according to claim 1, wherein the reflecting surface is formed of a magic mirror that reflects light from the display unit side and transmits light from a side opposite to the display unit.

11. The display input device according to claim 1, wherein the reflecting surface is a mirror.

[12] A method of controlling a display input device according to claim 1,

Processing to display the input screen in the second display direction while displaying the display screen in the first display direction of the display unit;

And a process for allocating input information to the detection result of the input unit according to the input screen being displayed.

[13] A method of controlling a display input device according to claim 2,

A process of switching the reflecting portion to a reflecting state;

[14] A control program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to claim 12 or 13,

A control program for a display input device, characterized by causing a computer to execute each of the processes.

15. A computer-readable recording medium on which the control program according to claim 14 is recorded.