Pen holding device for pen-input type information processor

• US 5,483,262 A
• Filed: 03/29/1994
• Issued: 01/09/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Izutani, Kazuaki
• Primary Examiner(s): Weldon, Ulysses
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHANG, KENT WU
• Application Number:
  US08/219,261
• Time in Patent Office: 651 Days
• Field of Search: 345/179, 345/180, 345/181, 345/182, 345/183, 345/905, 345/163, 345/156, 178/18, 178/19, 178/87, 361/681, 361/682, 364/709.01, 364/710.01, 364/708.1, 382/13
• US Class Current: 345/179
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1632 Pen holder integrated in the computer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/905 Display device with housing structure

Abstract

A pen-input type information processor includes a pen holder for holding the pen, and a push type power switch provided on the pen holder. When the user takes out the pen after once pushing the pen downward, the power switch is turned on, starting power supply to the information processor. When the user puts the pen in the pen holder while pushing the pen downward, the power switch is turned off, and power supply to the information processor stops. In a preferred embodiment the pen can be replaced temporarily without turning on/off the power and switches are provided at each end of the pen holder to permit the holder to be used identically by either a left-handed or a right-handed user.

Claims

1. An information processor to which information is input through a pen, comprising

pen holding means including

(a) means for supporting a portion of said pen in a first direction, said means for supporting being movable in opposite directions, and

(b) switching means for turning on/off power of said processor when said supporting means is moved by a prescribed amount in a second direction, which is opposite to said first direction, in response to ejection/insertion of said pen from and to said holding means, whereby the processor is turned on/off in response to ejection/insertion of the pen.

2. The processor according to claim 1, wherein

said pen holding means has a first end portion and a second end portion opposing the first end portion, and said switching means is provided on said first end portion and said second end portion.

3. An information processor to which information is input through a pen, comprising:

pen holding means including

(a) means for supporting a portion of said pen in a first direction,

(b) switching means for turning on/off power of said processor when said supporting means is moved by a prescribed amount in a second direction, which is opposite to said first direction, in response to ejection/insertion of said pen from and to said holding means, whereby the processor is turned on/off in response to ejection/insertion of the pen

wherein said prescribed amount includes a first prescribed amount and a second prescribed amount, and

said processor further comprising

control means for controlling said switching means such that said switching means is not operated by said first prescribed amount but operated by said second prescribed amount.

4. The processor according to claim 3, wherein

said pen holding means includes a first end portion and a second end portion opposing to said first end portion, and

said switching means is provided on said first and second end portions.

5. In an information processor to which information is input through a pen, the improvement comprising:

first support means for supporting one end of said pen such that;

when the pen is at a first position axially with respect to said first support means, the pen is secured from moving in one axial direction and all directions which are lateral to the axis of the pen; and

, when the pen is moved by at least a given amount in the other axial direction, it is free of the first support means;

second, moveable, support means for supporting the other end of said pen such that, when the pen is supported by the second means, the pen is biased axially in the direction of the first support means; and

means for turning on/off power to said information processor when said second support means is moved at least a fixed distance away from the first support means.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising:

means, forming part of said second, moveable, support means, for supporting said other end of said pen laterally when the pen is not in use by the user.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising:

means, forming part of said second support means, for switching on/off power to said processor when said pen is moved axially a given distance in the direction away from said first support means.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising:

means, forming part of said second support means, for permitting said pen to be inserted in said pen holding means and to be supported laterally thereby, without switching on/off power to said processor.

9. In an information processor to which information is input through a pen, the improvement comprising:

first, moveable, support means for supporting one end of said pen such that;

when the pen is at a first position axially with respect to said first support means, the pen is biased in a first axial direction and prevented from moving in all directions which are lateral to the axis of the pen; and

, when the pen is moved by at least a given amount in the first axial direction, the pen becomes free of the first support means;

second, moveable, support means for supporting the other end of said pen such that, when the pen is supported by the second means, the pen is biased axially in the direction of the first support means; and

means for turning on/off power to said information processor when said second support means is moved at least a fixed distance away from the first support means; and

means for turning on/off power to said information processor when said first support means is moved at least a fixed distance from the second support means.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising:

means, forming part of said first support means, for supporting one end of said pen laterally when the pen is not in use by the user.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising:

means, forming part of said second support means, for supporting the other end of said pen laterally when the pen is not in use by the user.