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Description  |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a portable information processing
apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years portable information processing apparatuses including, a
notebook personal computer (having a standard pocket book size), a
subnotebook size personal computer (having a size smaller than the
ordinary notebook size), an electronic notebook (having a standard
pocketbook size or palm size), and the like have become known well. The
information processing ability and the packing density of these portable
information processing apparatuses are increasing year by year, and the
number of functions of these portable information processing apparatuses
is also increasing.
Very small sized portable information processing apparatuses such as the
above described subnote type personal computer, the electronic pocketbook,
and the like, each having a function for treating an image information,
have also been developed. Further, information processing apparatus which
processes image information inputted therein as digital data and which
also has a photographing function portion for performing photographing,
has also been proposed.
Japanese Utility Model Application KOKOKU publication No. 6-15316
(published on Apr. 20, 1994) discloses an apparatus entitled an electronic
memorandum having a photographing apparatus. This apparatus has a light
collecting device for collecting light on an imaging surface of a charge
coupled device, with the collecting device being arranged at a position
near to a liquid crystal display surface of an electronic memorandum
(electronic pocketbook). The Japanese Utility Model Application KOKOKU
publication No. 6-15316, however, does not disclose features such as how
an operating portion for setting a photographing action mode in the
apparatus is constructed and how a user may recognize whether or not the
photographing action mode is set.
In electronic still cameras, which are essentially apparatuses for
photographing, miniaturization and multi-functioning have progressed, and
electronic still cameras with a reproducing device for reproducing an
image after it is photographed have been proposed.
Japanese Utility Model Application KOKOKU publication No. 7-3735 (published
on Jan. 30, 1995) discloses an apparatus entitled as a camera with a
reproducing apparatus. This apparatus, like an electronic pocketbook, has
a hinge portion and two portions which are rotatable around the hinge
portion so that the two portions can be opened and closed with respect to
each other. The two portions are constructed by a housing divided into two
portions of a display device portion and a recording/reproducing portion.
In this apparatus, a photographing can be performed through a
photographing window provided on one end surface side of the hinge portion
when the display device portion is pivoted to a closed position at which
the display device portion overlaps the recording/reproducing device, and
a reproduction of a recorded image can be performed through a reproducing
display of the display device portion when the display device portion is
pivoted to move away from an upper surface of the recording/reproducing
portion so that the display device and the recording/reproducing device
are arranged at a right angle with respect to one another. A limit switch
for detecting whether the display device portion and the
recording/reproducing portion are in an open state or in the closed state
is provided. When the open state is detected, this electronic still camera
automatically changes its action mode to a reproducing action mode. The
apparatus disclosed in the Japanese Utility Model Application KOKOKU
publication No. 7-3735, however, does not respond to a recent strong
desire for an electronic still camera for photographing and reproducing a
recorded image which has various information processing functions and a
photo-graphing function and which has a superior operability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, there is provided a portable
information processing apparatus which comprises a first member, a second
member, and a hinge member.
The first member is provided with an information display unit and has an
outer surface in which the information display unit is exposed. The second
member is provided with an information input unit and has an outer surface
in which the information input unit is exposed. The hinge member pivotally
connects the first and second members with each other so that the first
and second members can be pivotable between a portable position, where the
first and second members overlap each other while the outer surface of the
first member exposing the information display unit and the outer surface
of the second member exposing the information input unit oppose each
other, and an open position, where the outer surfaces of the first and
second members are moved away from each other to separate the first and
second members from each other.
The apparatus of the present invention further comprises an angle detector
for detecting an angle of substantially 180.degree. or 360.degree. between
the first and second members while the first and second members are
rotated in the open position, and a photographing unit which can perform
photographing when the angle of substantially 180.degree. or 360.degree.
between the first and second members is detected by the angle detector.
In this aspect, the portable information processing apparatus of the
present invention is essentially distinct from the above described
conventional electronic still camera (Japanese Utility Model Application
KOKOKU publication No. 7-3735).
In particular, the photographing unit of the present invention can perform
photographing when the angle of substantially 180.degree. or 360.degree.
between the first and second members is detected by the angle detector.
This feature is not disclosed in the Japanese Utility Model Application
KOKOKU publication No. 7-3735.
In the above described aspect of the present invention, the photographing
unit can be provided in the hinge member, and the first or second member
can be provided with a microphone.
When the first member is provided with an electronic flash, the second
member can be provided with an information processing unit.
Alternatively, when the first member is with an information processing
unit, the second member can be provided with an electronic flash.
In the above described aspect of the present invention, the photographing
unit is provided in the first member. In this case, the second member may
be provided with a microphone.
In a case that the photographing unit is provided in the first member and
the electronic flash is provided in the second member, the photographing
unit and the electronic flash can be arranged such that they are most
close to each other when the first and second members are located at the
portable portion or the 360.degree. open position in which the angle
between the first and second members is 360.degree., and are most moved
away from each other when the first and second members are located at a
180.degree. open position in which the angle between the first and second
members is 180.degree..
The first member can further be provided with an information processing
unit.
When the photographing unit is provided in the first member, the
photographing unit can be exposed at an end surface of the first member
which is located opposite to a connecting portion of the first member to
the hinge member.
When the second member is provided with the photographing unit, the first
member can be provided with the microphone.
In a case that the first member is further provided with an electronic
flash, the photographing unit and the electronic flash can be arranged
such that they are most close to each other when the first and second
members are located at the portable position or the 360.degree. open
position in which the angle between the first and second members is
360.degree., and are moved away from each other when the first and second
members are located at a 180.degree. open position in which the angle
between the first and second member is 180.degree..
In this case, the second member can be provided with an information
processing unit.
In the above described aspect, the second member can be provided with an
information processing unit.
In the above described aspect, the information storage unit can be provided
with an information storage medium part through which an independent
information storage medium can be inserted into the information storage
unit or be removed out therefrom.
In the above described aspect, the hinge member can be provided with a
first holding member by which the apparatus can be easily held by a palm
of a user while the photographing unit is enable to perform photographing.
In this case, the first holding member can be constructed to have a shape
that increases a friction between fingers of the user and the first
holding member when the user holds the information processing apparatus by
its fingers.
Further, the first holding member includes a palm-held strap which prevents
the palm of the user from removing away from the outer surface of the
information processing apparatus when the user holds the apparatus by its
fingers.
In the above described aspect, the first member can be provided with a
second holding member by which the apparatus can be easily held by a hand
of the user while the photographing unit is enable to perform
photographing.
Further, the second member can be provided with a third holding member by
which the apparatus can be easily held by the hand of the user while the
photographing unit is enable to perform photographing.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
portable information processing apparatus which also comprises the first
member, the second member, and the hinge member which are the same as
those of the first aspect. The another aspect of the present invention
further comprises a photographing unit, and an exposed portion protecting
member for protecting an exposed portion of the information input unit
when the information processing apparatus is placed on a plain surface
while the outer surface of the second member is faced to the plain
surface.
In this another aspect of the present invention, the exposed portion
protecting member can have a plurality of protecting projections which
project from a region of the outer surface of the second member
surrounding the exposed portion and height of each of which is larger than
that of the exposed portion of the information input unit.
In this case, the first member can have a plurality of depressed portions
at positions of the outer surface thereof which correspond to the
plurality of the protecting projections of the outer surface of the second
member when the first and second member are located at the portable
position, the depressed portions being able to receive the protecting
projections of the second member.
In the above described another aspect of the present invention, the exposed
portion protecting member can be constructed by projecting more than the
exposed portion of the information input unit from the outer surface of
the second member at its region surrounding the exposed portion of the
information input unit but excepting an access portion to the exposed
portion.
Alternatively, the exposed portion protecting member can be constructed by
setting the connecting portion of the hinge member to the second member
higher than the second member including the exposed portion of the
information input unit.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a portable information processing apparatus which comprises an
information display unit, a photographing unit, a recognizing portion for
recognizing a reception of a predetermined detection signal which
correspond to an operation for setting an action mode of the apparatus to
a photographing mode, and a display circuit for displaying a pattern which
functions as an operation panel for operating the photographing unit, on
the exposed portion of the information display unit when the recognizing
portion recognizes the photographing mode.
In this still another aspect of the present invention, the information
storage unit can be provided with an information storage medium part
through which an independent information storage medium can be inserted
into the information storage unit or be removed out therefrom.
According to still further aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a portable information processing apparatus which comprises an
information display unit, a photographing unit, a recognizing portion for
recognizing a reception of a predetermined detection signal which
correspond to an operation for setting an action mode of the apparatus to
a photographing mode, and a track ball operating member being able to
operate the photographing unit when the recognizing portion recognizes the
photographing mode.
In this still further aspect of the present invention, the track ball
operating member is constructed to be able to indicate a position at which
the photographing unit focusing its focusing point in the exposed portion
of the information display unit while the photographing mode is set.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a portable information processing apparatus which comprises an
information display unit, an information input unit including a plurality
of operation keys, a photographing unit, a recognizing portion for
recognizing a reception of a predetermined detection signal which
corresponds to an operation for setting an action mode of the apparatus to
a photographing mode, and function setting means for setting predetermined
ones in a plurality of operation keys of the information input unit as
photographing operation input keys when the recognizing portion recognizes
the photographing mode.
In this still another aspect of the present invention, the information
storage unit can also be provided with an information storage medium part
through which an independent information storage medium can be inserted
into the information storage unit or be removed out therefrom.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a portable information processing apparatus which also comprises
the first member, the second member, and the hinge member which are the
same as those of the first aspect. This still another aspect of the
present invention further comprises a photographing unit mounted in the
hinge member, and an optical extending member optically connected to the
photographing unit, projecting from the hinge member in a direction
crossing rotational outer lines between the hinge member and the first and
second members, and orientating its optical axis in the direction.
In this still another aspect of the present invention, the optical
extending member can be provided at its extending end with a microphone.
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
portable information processing apparatus comprising: a first member
provided with an information display unit and having an outer surface in
which the information display unit is exposed; a second member provided
with an information input unit and having an outer surface in which the
information input unit is exposed; a hinge member pivotally connecting the
first and second members with each other so that the first and second
members can be pivotable between a portable position, where the first and
second members overlap each other while the outer surface of the first
member exposing the information display unit and the outer surface of the
second member exposing the information input unit oppose each other, and
an open position, where the outer surface of the first member and the
outer surface of the second member are moved away from each other to
separate the first and second members from each other; and a photographing
unit, provided in one of the first member, the second member, and the
hinge member, and enabled to perform photographing at least when the first
and second members are pivoted by one of substantially 180.degree. and
360.degree. with respect to each other at the open position.
With this arrangement, the user of the portable information processing
apparatus can determine, at a glance, whether the portable information
processing apparatus is set in the photographic mode utilizing an image
sent from the photographing unit at any specific open position or the
normal mode not utilizing an image sent from the photographing unit.
Therefore, the user of the portable information processing apparatus does
not miss a so-called shutter chance when he is to utilize an image sent
from the photographing unit, and can easily hold and operate the portable
information processing apparatus.
In the information processing apparatus having this arrangement, it is
preferable that the exposed portion of the information input unit on the
outer surface of the second member project from the outer surface, and the
information processing apparatus further comprise an exposed portion
protecting member for protecting the exposed portion of the information
input unit from being brought into contact with the flat surface when the
information processing apparatus is placed on the flat surface such that
the outer surface of the second member faces the flat surface.
The exposed portion protecting member can have a plurality of protecting
projections projecting from a region of the outer surface of the second
member which surrounds the exposed portion and having a height larger than
that of the exposed portion of the information input unit on the outer
surface of the second member. When the information processing apparatus is
placed on the flat surface such that the outer surface of the second
member faces the flat surface, the projecting ends of the plurality of
protecting projections are abutted against the flat surface, thereby
preventing the exposed portion of the information input unit from being
brought into contact with the flat surface.
When the exposed portion protecting member has the plurality of protecting
projections, as described above, the first member preferably has a
plurality of recessed portions at positions on the outer surface thereof
exposing the information display unit which correspond to the plurality of
protecting projections of the outer surface of the second member, for
receiving the plurality of protecting projections on the outer surface of
the second member when the first and second members are arranged at the
portable position.
With this arrangement, when the first and second members are arranged at
the portable position, the plurality of protecting projections will not
project from the information processing apparatus into the outer space,
and the information processing apparatus can be carried easily.
The exposed portion protecting member can also be obtained by forming a
region of the outer surface of the second member which surrounds the
exposed portion of the information input unit so as to project higher than
the exposed portion from the outer surface except for an access portion to
the exposed portion. When the information processing apparatus is placed
on the flat surface such that the outer surface of the second member faces
the flat surface, the projecting end of the surrounding region of the
outer surface is abutted against the flat surface, thereby preventing the
exposed portion of the information input unit from being brought into
contact with the flat surface. When compared to the plurality of
protecting projections described above, the surrounding region projecting
from the outer surface of the second member allows the second member to be
placed on the flat surface more stably when the information processing
apparatus is placed on the flat surface such that the outer surface of the
second member faces the flat surface.
The exposed portion protecting member can also be obtained by setting the
height of the connecting portion of the hinge member with the second
member to be larger than the height of the second member including the
exposed portion of the information input unit.
In the portable information processing apparatus having the above
arrangement according to one aspect of the present invention, when the
photographing unit is enabled to perform photographing, the exposed
portion of the information display unit of the first member preferably
displays an image photographed by the photographing unit and an operation
panel used for operating the photographing unit.
With this arrangement, when the photographing unit is enabled to perform
photographing, an independent display unit used for displaying an image
photographed by the photographing unit is not necessary, and the operation
of the photographing unit becomes easy.
If the image photographed by the photographing unit is displayed on the
exposed portion of the information display unit of the first member when
the photographing unit is enabled to perform photographing, as described
above, the information input unit preferably includes a track ball and/or
a click member provided to the second member. It is preferable that this
track ball and/or the click member be arranged within a range of the
second member which is capable of being accessed by a user's finger when
the photographing unit is enabled to perform photographing and the
information processing apparatus is held by the user, thereby allowing
operation of the photographing unit.
Even when the information processing apparatus is used in the normal mode
not utilizing the image sent from the photographing unit, or in the
photographic mode utilizing such an image, input to the information
apparatus can be easily performed by using the track ball and/or the click
member.
It is more convenient if the track ball and/or the click member can
designate a position on an image displayed on the exposed portion of the
information display unit, on which the photographing unit must be focused,
when the photographing unit is enabled to perform photographing.
The portable information processing apparatus having the above arrangement
according to one aspect of the present invention further comprises an
electronic flash arranged at a position of one of the first and second
members which is far from the hinge member. The photographing unit can be
arranged at a position of the other one of the first and second members
which is far from the hinge member. If the electronic flash and the
photographing unit are arranged in this manner, when the first and second
members are arranged at a closed position or a 360.degree.-pivot or rotate
position, the electronic flash and the photographing unit are most close
to each other, and when the first and second members are arranged at a
180.degree.-pivot or rotate position, the electronic flash and the
photographing unit are most moved away from each other.
When the electronic flash and the photographing unit come closest to each
other, it is convenient for so-called closeup photographing. When the
electronic flash and the photographing unit are moved apart farthest from
each other, a so-called pink-eye effect can be effectively prevented.
The portable information processing apparatus having the above arrangement
according to one aspect of the present invention can further comprise an
electronic flash and an information processing unit. In this case, it is
preferable that the electronic flash be arranged at one of the first and
second members, and the information processing unit be arranged at the
other one of the first and second members.
With this arrangement, electrical noise generated when the electronic flash
emits light can be effectively prevented from adversely affecting the
information processing unit.
The portable information processing apparatus having the above arrangement
according to one aspect of the present invention can further comprises a
microphone in one of the first and second members. In this case, it is
preferable that the photographing unit be arranged in the hinge member or
the other one of the first and second members.
With this arrangement, noise generated when the photographing unit operates
can be effectively prevented from being picked up by the microphone.
In the portable information processing apparatus having the above
arrangement according to one aspect of the present invention, when the
first and second members are compared with the hinge member, the internal
spaces of the first and second members are larger than that of the hinge
member. Thus, the information processing apparatus can further comprise an
information storage unit in one of the first and second members.
When the information processing apparatus further comprises the information
storage unit in one of the first and second members, one of the first and
second members can be provided with an information storage medium port
which enables attachment and detachment of an independent information
storage medium in and from the information storage unit. Since the
internal spaces of the first and second members are larger than that of
the hinge member, when the information storage medium port is provided to
one of the first and second members and not to the hinge member, the
structure of the information storage medium port can be made simple.
In the portable information processing apparatus having the above
arrangement according to one aspect of the present invention, at least one
of the first member, the second member, and the hinge member is preferably
provided with a holding member which facilitates holding of the
information processing apparatus by the hands of a user for the
information processing apparatus when the photographing unit is enabled to
perform photographing.
This holding member can be formed to have a shape to fit with fingers of
the hands of the user, when the user holds the information processing
apparatus with the fingers of the hands, thereby increasing friction with
the fingers. Also, or alternatively, the holding member can include a
palm-held strap which suppresses the palm of the user from separating from
the outer surface of the information processing apparatus when the user
holds the information processing apparatus with the fingers of the hands,
thereby holding the information processing apparatus.
In order to achieve the object of the present invention described above,
according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
portable information processing apparatus comprising: a first member
provided with an information display unit and having an outer surface in
which the information display unit is exposed; a second member provided
with an information input unit and having an outer surface in which the
information input unit; a hinge member pivotally connecting the first and
second members with each other so that the first and second members can be
pivotable between a portable position, where the first and second members
overlap each other while the outer surface of the first member exposing
the information display unit and the outer surface of the second member
exposing the information input unit oppose each other, and an open
position, where the outer surface of the first member and the outer
surface of the second member are moved away from each other to separate
the first and second members from each other; a photographing unit
provided to one of the first member, the second member, and the hinge
member; and a photographing unit operating member, arranged in a region of
an outer surface of one of the first member, the second member, and the
hinge member, which is exposed to an outer space when the first and second
members are arranged at the portable position, for operating the
photographing unit.
When the apparatus comprises the photographing unit operating member
arranged in the above manner, the photographing unit can be conveniently
operated even while the first and second members are arranged at the
portable position. More specifically, when this apparatus is compared with
the portable information processing apparatus according to one aspect of
the present invention described above, while the first and second members
are arranged at the portable position, they need not be pivoted from the
portable position to a 180.degree.- or 360.degree.-open position for
enabling the photographing unit to perform photographing. Thus, a
so-called shutter chance will not be missed.
In the portable information processing apparatus having the above
arrangement according to another aspect of the present invention, it is
preferable that the photographing unit be provided to the hinge member and
have an optical viewfinder in the hinge member.
When such an optical viewfinder is employed to observe an image
photographed by the photographing unit while the first and second members
are arranged at the portable position, the arrangement of the
photographing unit can be made compact, and thus the outer size of the
portable information processing apparatus can be made small.
Even in the portable information processing apparatus having the above
arrangement according to another aspect of the present invention, the
photographing unit can be enabled to perform photographing at least when
the first and second members are pivoted by one of substantially
180.degree. and 360.degree. with respect to each other at the open
position. In this manner, if the photographing unit can perform
photographing even when the first and second members are at the
180.degree.- and/or 360.degree.-pivot position, the portable information
processing apparatus which is in use in the normal mode can be easily
changed to the photographic mode. The information display unit of the
first member or the information input unit of the second member exposed to
the outer space can be used as an operating member for the photographing
unit. Also, the information display unit can display an image photographed
in the photographic mode.
The portable information processing apparatus having the above arrangement
according to another aspect of the present invention can also comprise an
electronic flash in one of the first and second members, and an
information processing unit in the other one of the first and second
members. In this case, as in the portable information processing apparatus
having the above arrangement according to one aspect of the present
invention, it is preferable that the electronic flash be arranged in one
of the first and second members, and the information processing unit be
arranged in the other one of the first and second members.
The reason why this arrangement is preferable is the same as that for the
portable information processing apparatus described above according to one
aspect of the present invention. That is, electrical noise generated when
the electronic flash emits light can be effectively prevented from
adversely affecting the information processing unit.
As in the portable information processing apparatus having the above
arrangement according to one aspect of the present invention, the portable
information processing apparatus having the above arrangement according to
another aspect of the present invention can further comprise a microphone
in one of the first and second members. The photographing unit is
preferably arranged in one of the hinge member and the other one of the
first and second members.
With this arrangement, as in the portable information processing apparatus
having the above arrangement according to one aspect of the present
invention, noise generated when the photographing unit operates can be
effectively prevented from being picked up by the microphone.
As in the portable information processing apparatus having the above
arrangement according to one aspect of the present invention, in the
portable information processing apparatus having the above arrangement
according to another aspect of the present invention, when each of the
first and second members is compared with the hinge member, the internal
space of each of the first and second members is larger than that of the
hinge member. Thus, the information processing apparatus can further
comprise an information storage unit in one of the first and second
members.
If the information processing apparatus further comprises an information
storage unit in one of the first and second members, one of the first and
second member can be provided with an information storage medium port
which enables attachment and detachment of an independent information
storage medium in and from the information storage unit. Since the
internal space of each of the first and second members is larger than that
of the hinge member, when the information storage medium port is provided
to one of the first and second members and not to the hinge member, the
structure of the information storage medium port can be made simple.
As in the portable information processing apparatus having the above
arrangement according to one aspect of the present invention, in the
portable information processing apparatus having the above arrangement
according to another aspect of the present invention, at least one of the
first member, the second member, and the hinge member is preferably
provided with a holding member which facilitates holding of the
information processing apparatus by the hands of the user for the
information processing apparatus when the photographing unit is enabled to
perform photographing.
As in the portable information processing apparatus having the above
arrangement according to one aspect of the present invention, this holding
member can be formed to have a shape to fit with the fingers of the
predetermined hand of the user when the user holds the information
processing apparatus with the fingers of the predetermined hand, thereby
increasing friction with the fingers. Also, or alternatively, the holding
member can include a palm-held strap which suppresses the palm of the user
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