Portable electronic device

• US 7,864,151 B1
• Filed: 01/21/1992
• Issued: 01/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/1986
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Hamatani, Toshiji, Yamazaki, Shunpei
• Primary Examiner(s): OSORIO, RICARDO
• Application Number:
  US07/825,784
• Time in Patent Office: 6,923 Days
• Field of Search: 345/401, 345/905, 345/97, 345/169, 345/173, 345/87, 345/115, 345/185, 345/211, 345/9, 345/901, 345/179, 345/204, 345/690
• US Class Current: 345/97
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2330/021 Power management, e.g. power saving
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2360/12 Frame memory handling
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3651 using multistable liquid crystals, e.g. ferroelectric liquid crystals
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3696 Generation of voltages supplied to electrode drivers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/901 Electronic book with display

Abstract

A thin, readily portable book has a memory-type liquid crystal display in the display section of the thin portable book so as to obtain low power consumption along with compact size and reduced weight, a solar cell and a charging device in the energy section of the thin portable book, so that low power consumption is further promoted, a freely detachable cassette-type or card-type non-volatile semiconductor memory in the recording medium section of the thin portable book so as to provide further savings in power consumption.

Claims

1. A portable electronic device comprising:

a housing;

a microcomputer in said housing;

a first memory in said housing;

a temporary memory in said housing capable of temporarily storing data supplied thereto from said first memory;

a liquid crystal display panel operationally connected to said microcomputer,

a sensor juxtaposed to said liquid crystal display panel,

wherein multiple pages which are stored in said temporary memory can be simultaneously displayed on said liquid crystal display panel,

wherein a portion of a displayed information which is highlighted through said sensor can be stored in said temporary memory, and when said portion is again displayed, the highlight remains provided on said portion.

2. A portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein said device is a portable book.

3. A portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein said liquid crystal display panel comprises a ferroelectric liquid crystal.

4. The portable electronic device according to claim 1 further comprising a solar cell for supplying an electric power.

5. The portable electronic device according to claim 1 wherein said first memory is at least one of a magnetic disc, optical disc, and EPROM.

6. The portable electronic device according to claim 1 wherein said portion of the displayed information is highlighted by an underline.

7. A portable electronic device comprising:

a housing;

a microcomputer in said housing;

a first memory in said housing;

a temporary memory capable of temporarily storing data supplied thereto from said first memory;

a liquid crystal display panel operationally connected to said microcomputer; and

a sensor operationally connected to said liquid crystal display panel,

wherein multiple pages which are stored in said temporary memory can be simultaneously displayed on said liquid crystal display panel,

wherein a highlight which is provided on a portion of a displayed information through said sensor can be stored in said temporary memory, and

wherein when said portion is again displayed, the highlight remains provided on said portion.

8. A portable electronic device according to claim 7, wherein said device is a portable book.

9. A portable electronic device according to claim 7, wherein an amount of the data which can be stored in the temporary memory is greater than the amount of data which can be displayed by said liquid crystal display panel.

10. The portable electronic device according to claim 7 further comprising a solar cell for supplying an electric power.

11. The portable electronic device according to claim 7 wherein said first memory is at least one of a magnetic disc, optical disc, and EPROM.

12. The portable electronic device according to claim 7 wherein said highlight comprises an underline.

13. A portable electronic device comprising:

a housing;

a microcomputer in said housing;

a read-out device in said housing for reading out an information stored in a first memory in said housing;

a temporary memory capable of temporarily storing data supplied thereto from said first memory in said housing;

input keys operationally connected to said microcomputer; and

a liquid crystal display panel operationally connected to said microcomputer; and

a sensor juxtaposed to said liquid crystal display panel,

wherein multiple image displays of said data which are stored in said temporary memory can be simultaneously displayed on said liquid crystal display panel, and

wherein a highlight which is provided on a portion of a displayed information through said sensor can be stored in said temporary memory, and

wherein when said portion is again displayed, the highlight remains provided on said portion.

14. The portable electronic device according to claim 13 further comprising a solar cell for supplying an electric power.

15. The portable electronic device according to claim 13 wherein said first memory is at least one of a magnetic disc, optical disc, and EPROM.

16. A portable electronic device comprising;

a housing;

a microcomputer in said housing;

a read-out device in said housing for reading out an information;

a temporary memory capable of temporarily storing data;

input keys operationally connected to the microcomputer; and

a liquid crystal display panel operationally connected to the microcomputer; and

a sensor operationally connected to said liquid crystal display panel,

wherein multiple pages which are stored in said temporary memory can be simultaneously displayed on said liquid crystal display panel, and

wherein a highlight which is provided on a portion of a displayed information through said sensor can be stored in said temporary memory,

wherein when said portion is again displayed, the highlight remains provided on said portion.

17. A portable electronic device according to claim 16, wherein an amount of the data which can be stored in the temporary memory is greater than the amount of data which can be displayed by said liquid crystal display panel.

18. A portable electronic device comprising:

a housing;

a microcomputer in said housing;

a temporary memory in said housing for storing information;

a liquid crystal display panel operationally connected to said microcomputer;

a sensor through which a portion of a displayed information to be highlighted can be designated by a user of the portable electronic device;

wherein multiple pages which are stored in said temporary memory can be simultaneously displayed on said liquid crystal display panel, and

wherein the portion of the displayed information which is highlighted through said sensor can be stored in said temporary memory, and when said portion is again displayed, the highlight remains provided on said portion.

19. The portable electronic device according to claim 18 further comprising a display medium having memory characteristics such that an image display on the display panel remains unchanged during a period when a display drive signal is not applied to the display panel.

20. The portable electronic device according to claim 19 wherein the display medium comprises a ferroelectric liquid crystal material.

21. A portable electronic device comprising:

a housing;

a microcomputer in said housing;

a first memory in said housing;

a temporary memory in said housing capable of temporarily storing data supplied thereto from said first memory;

a display panel operationally connected to said microcomputer,

a sensor juxtaposed to said display panel,

wherein multiple pages which are stored in said temporary memory can be simultaneously displayed on said display panel,

wherein a portion of a displayed information which is highlighted through said sensor can be stored in said temporary memory, and when said portion is again displayed, the highlight remains provided on said portion.

22. The portable electronic device according to claim 21, wherein said device is a portable book.

23. The portable electronic device according to claim 21 further comprising a solar cell for supplying an electric power.

24. The portable electronic device according to claim 21 wherein said first memory is at least one of a magnetic disc, optical disc, and EPROM.

25. The portable electronic device according to claim 21 wherein said portion of the displayed information is highlighted by an underline.

26. A portable electronic device comprising:

a housing;

a microcomputer in said housing;

a first memory installed in said housing;

a temporary memory capable of temporarily storing data supplied thereto from said first memory;

input keys operationally connected to said microcomputer; and

a display panel operationally connected to said microcomputer; and

a sensor juxtaposed to said display panel,

wherein multiple pages which are stored in said temporary memory can be simultaneously displayed on said display panel,

wherein a highlight which is provided on a portion of a displayed information through said sensor can be stored in said temporary memory,

wherein when said portion is again displayed, the highlight remains provided on said portion.

27. The portable electronic device according to claim 26, wherein said device is a portable book.

28. The portable electronic device according to claim 26, wherein an amount of the data which can be stored in the temporary memory is greater than the amount of data which can be displayed by said display panel.

29. The portable electronic device according to claim 26 further comprising a solar cell for supplying an electric power.

30. The portable electronic device according to claim 26 wherein said first memory is at least one of a magnetic disc, optical disc, and EPROM.

31. The portable electronic device according to claim 26 wherein said highlight comprises an underline.

32. A portable electronic device comprising:

a housing;

a microcomputer in said housing;

a read-out device in said housing for reading out an information stored in a first memory in said housing;

a temporary memory capable of temporarily storing data supplied thereto from said first memory in said housing;

a display panel operationally connected to said microcomputer; and

a sensor operationally connected to said display panel,

wherein multiple image displays of data which are stored in said temporary memory can be simultaneously displayed on said display panel, and

wherein a portion of a displayed information which is highlighted through said sensor can be stored in said temporary memory, when said portion is again displayed, the highlight remains provided on said portion.

33. The portable electronic device according to claim 32 further comprising a solar cell for supplying an electric power.

34. The portable electronic device according to claim 32 wherein said first memory is at least one of a magnetic disc, optical disc, and EPROM.

35. A portable electronic device comprising;

a housing;

a microcomputer in said housing;

a read-out device in said housing for reading out an information;

a temporary memory capable of temporarily storing data supplied thereto from said read-out device;

a display panel operationally connected to said microcomputer; and

a sensor through which a portion of a displayed information to be highlighted can be designated by a user of the portable electronic device;

wherein multiple pages which are stored in said temporary memory can be simultaneously displayed on said display panel, and

wherein a highlight which is provided on the portion of the displayed information through said sensor can be stored in said temporary memory, and

wherein when said portion is again displayed, said highlight remains provided on said portion.

36. A portable electronic device according to claim 35, wherein an amount of the data which can be stored in the temporary memory is greater than the amount of data which can be displayed by said display panel.

37. A portable electronic device comprising:

a housing;

a microcomputer in said housing;

a first memory in said housing;

a temporary memory in said housing capable of temporarily storing data supplied thereto from said first memory;

input keys operationally connected to said microcomputer; and

a display panel operationally connected to said microcomputer,

a sensor operationally connected to said display panel,

wherein multiple image displays of said data which are stored in said temporary memory can be simultaneously displayed on said display panel,

wherein a portion of a displayed information which is highlighted through said sensor can be stored in said temporary memory, and when said portion is again displayed, the highlight remains provided on said portion.

38. The portable electronic device according to claim 37, wherein said device is a portable book.

39. The portable electronic device according to claim 37 further comprising a solar cell for supplying an electric power.

40. The portable electronic device according to claim 37 wherein said first memory is at least one of a magnetic disc, optical disc, and EPROM.

41. The portable electronic device according to claim 37 wherein said portion of the displayed information is highlighted by an underline.

42. The portable electronic device of claim 37 wherein said display panel comprises a liquid crystal.

43. The portable electronic device of claim 42 wherein said liquid crystal comprises a ferroelectric liquid crystal.

44. A portable electronic device comprising:

a housing;

a microcomputer in said housing;

a first memory in said housing;

a temporary memory capable of temporarily storing data supplied thereto from said first memory;

input keys operationally connected to said microcomputer; and

a display panel operationally connected to said microcomputer; and

a sensor through which a portion of a displayed information to be highlighted can be designated by a user of the portable electronic device;

wherein multiple image displays of said data which are stored in said temporary memory can be simultaneously displayed on said display panel,

wherein the highlight which is provided on the portion of the displayed information through said sensor can be stored in said temporary memory,

when said portion is again displayed, the highlight remains provided on said portion.

45. The portable electronic device according to claim 44, wherein said device is a portable book.

46. The portable electronic device according to claim 44, wherein an amount of the data which can be stored in the temporary memory is greater than the amount of data which can be displayed by said display panel.

47. The portable electronic device according to claim 44 further comprising a solar cell for supplying an electric power.

48. The portable electronic device according to claim 44 wherein said first memory is at least one of a magnetic disc, optical disc, and EPROM.

49. The portable electronic device according to claim 44 wherein said highlight comprises an underline.

50. The portable electronic device according to claim 44 wherein said display panel comprises a liquid crystal.

51. The portable electronic device according to claim 50 wherein said liquid crystal comprises a ferroelectric liquid crystal.

52. A portable electronic device comprising:

a housing;

a microcomputer in said housing;

a temporary memory in said housing capable of storing information;

a display panel operationally connected to said microcomputer;

a sensor operationally connected to said display panel;

wherein multiple image displays of said information which are stored in said temporary memory can be simultaneously displayed on said display panel, and

wherein a highlight which is provided on a portion of a displayed information through said sensor can be stored in said temporary memory, and

wherein when said portion is again displayed, the highlight remains provided on said portion.

53. A portable electronic device comprising:

a housing;

a microcomputer in said housing;

a temporary memory in said housing capable of storing information;

a liquid crystal display panel operationally connected to said microcomputer;

a sensor juxtaposed to the liquid crystal display panel;

wherein the liquid crystal display panel is capable of continuing to display an image after applying a display drive signal for the image until a next display drive signal is applied when the display drive signal is applied to the liquid crystal display panel less than 30 times per second; and

wherein a portion of a displayed information which is highlighted through the sensor by a user of the portable electronic device can be stored in said temporary memory, and

wherein when said portion is again displayed, said highlight remains provided on said portion.

54. The portable electronic device according to claim 53, wherein an amount of data which can be stored in said temporary memory is greater than the amount of data which can be displayed by said liquid crystal display panel.

55. The portable electronic device according to claim 53, wherein said device is a portable book.

58. The portable electronic device according to claim 53, wherein said device is a portable book.

56. A portable electronic device comprising:

a housing;

a microcomputer in said housing;

a temporary memory in said housing capable of storing information;

a display panel operationally connected to said microcomputer; and

a sensor juxtaposed to the display panel,

wherein the display panel is capable of continuing to display an image for at least 45 seconds even without applying a display drive signal for the image after applying the display drive signal;

wherein a highlight which is provided on a portion of a displayed information through the sensor by a user of the portable electronic device can be stored in said temporary memory,

wherein when said portion is again displayed, the highlight remains provided on said portion.

57. The portable electronic device according to claim 56, wherein an amount of data which can be stored in said temporary memory is greater than the amount of data which can be displayed by said display panel.

59. A portable electronic device comprising:

a housing;

a microcomputer in said housing;

a non-volatile semiconductor memory capable of storing contents of a book, in said housing;

a temporary memory in said housing capable of temporarily storing data supplied thereto from said non-volatile semiconductor memory;

a liquid crystal display panel operationally connected to said microcomputer; and

a sensor operationally connected to the liquid crystal display panel;

wherein the display panel is capable of continuing to display an image after applying a display drive signal for the image until a next display drive signal is applied when the display drive signal is applied to the display panel less than 30 times per second;

wherein multiple pages which are stored in said temporary memory can be simultaneously displayed on said liquid crystal display panel,

wherein a portion of a displayed information which is highlighted through the sensor by a user of the portable electronic device can be stored in said temporary memory, and when said portion is again displayed, said highlight remains provided on said portion.

60. The portable electronic device according to claim 59, wherein said non-volatile semiconductor memory is EPROM.

61. The portable electronic device according to claim 59, wherein an amount of data which can be stored in said temporary memory is greater than the amount of data which can be displayed by said liquid crystal display panel.

62. The portable electronic device according to claim 59, wherein said device is a portable book.

63. A portable electronic device comprising:

a housing;

a microcomputer in said housing;

a non-volatile semiconductor memory capable of storing contents of a book, in said housing;

a temporary memory capable of temporarily storing data supplied thereto from said non-volatile semiconductor memory;

a liquid crystal display panel operationally connected to said microcomputer; and

a sensor operationally connected to the liquid crystal display panel;

wherein the display panel is capable of continuing to display an image for at least 45 seconds even without applying a display drive signal for the image after applying the display drive signal;

wherein multiple pages which are stored in said temporary memory can be simultaneously displayed on said liquid crystal display panel,

wherein a highlight which is provided on a portion of a displayed information through the sensor by a user of the portable electronic device can be stored in said temporary memory,

wherein when said portion is again displayed, the highlight remains provided on said portion.

64. The portable electronic device according to claim 63, wherein said non-volatile semiconductor memory is EPROM.

65. The portable electronic device according to claim 63, wherein an amount of data which can be stored in said temporary memory is greater than the amount of data which can be displayed by said liquid crystal display panel.

66. The portable electronic device according to claim 63, wherein said device is a portable book.

67. A portable electronic device comprising:

a housing;

a microcomputer in said housing;

a non-volatile semiconductor memory capable of storing contents of a book, in said housing;

a temporary memory in said housing capable of temporarily storing data supplied thereto from said non-volatile semiconductor memory;

a display panel operationally connected to said microcomputer; and

a sensor through which a portion of a displayed information to be highlighted can be designated by a user of the portable electronic device;

wherein the display panel is capable of continuing to display an image after applying a display drive signal for the image until a next display drive signal is applied when the display drive signal is applied to the display panel less than 30 times per second;

wherein multiple pages which are stored in said temporary memory can be simultaneously displayed on said display panel,

wherein the portion of the displayed information which is highlighted through the sensor by the user of the portable electronic device can be stored in said temporary memory, and when said portion is again displayed, the highlight remains provided on said portion.

68. The portable electronic device according to claim 67, wherein said non-volatile semiconductor memory is EPROM.

69. The portable electronic device according to claim 67, wherein an amount of data which can be stored in said temporary memory is greater than the amount of data which can be displayed by said display panel.

70. The portable electronic device according to claim 67, wherein said device is a portable book.

71. A portable electronic device comprising:

a housing;

a microcomputer in said housing;

a non-volatile semiconductor memory capable of storing contents of a book, in said housing;

a temporary memory capable of temporarily storing data supplied thereto from said non-volatile semiconductor memory;

a display panel operationally connected to said microcomputer, wherein the display panel is such that an image display on the display panel remains unchanged during a period when a display drive signal is not applied to the display panel; and

a sensor juxtaposed to the display panel,

wherein multiple pages which are stored in said temporary memory can be simultaneously displayed on said display panel,

wherein a highlight which is provided on a portion of a displayed information through the sensor by a user of the portable electronic device can be stored in said temporary memory,

wherein when said portion is again displayed, said highlight remains provided on said portion.

72. The portable electronic device according to claim 71, wherein said non-volatile semiconductor memory is EPROM.

73. The portable electronic device according to claim 71, wherein an amount of data which can be stored in said temporary memory is greater than the amount of data which can be displayed by said display panel.

74. The portable electronic device according to claim 71, wherein said device is a portable book.

75. A portable electronic device comprising:

a housing;

a microcomputer in said housing;

a non-volatile semiconductor memory capable of storing contents of a book, in said housing;

a temporary memory in said housing capable of temporarily storing data supplied thereto from said non-volatile semiconductor memory;

a display panel operationally connected to said microcomputer, wherein the display panel is such that an image display on the display panel remains unchanged during a period when a display drive signal is not applied to the display panel; and

a sensor operationally connected to the display panel;

wherein a portion of a displayed information which is highlighted through the sensor by a user of the portable electronic device can be stored in said temporary memory, and when said portion is again displayed, said highlight remains provided on said portion.

76. The portable electronic device according to claim 75, wherein said non-volatile semiconductor memory is EPROM.

77. The portable electronic device according to claim 75, wherein an amount of data which can be stored in said temporary memory is greater than the amount of data which can be displayed by said display panel.

78. The portable electronic device according to claim 75, wherein said device is a portable book.

79. A portable electronic device comprising:

a housing;

a microcomputer in said housing;

a non-volatile semiconductor memory capable of storing contents of a book, in said housing;

a temporary memory capable of temporarily storing data supplied thereto from said non-volatile semiconductor memory;

a display panel operationally connected to said microcomputer; and

a sensor through which a portion of a displayed information to be highlighted can be designated by a user of the portable electronic device,

wherein the display panel is capable of continuing to display an image for at least 45 seconds even without applying a display drive signal for the image after applying the display drive signal;

wherein a highlight which is provided on the portion of the displayed information through the sensor by the user of the portable electronic device can be stored in said temporary memory, and

wherein when said portion is again displayed, said highlight remains provided on said portion.

80. The portable electronic device according to claim 79, wherein said non-volatile semiconductor memory is EPROM.

81. The portable electronic device according to claim 79, wherein an amount of data which can be stored in said temporary memory is greater than the amount of data which can be displayed by said display panel.

82. The portable electronic device according to claim 79, wherein said device is a portable book.

83. A portable electronic device comprising:

a housing;

a microcomputer in said housing;

a first memory in said housing;

a temporary memory in said housing capable of temporarily storing data supplied thereto from said first memory;

a liquid crystal display panel operationally connected to said microcomputer, wherein the liquid crystal display panel is such that an image display on the liquid crystal display panel remains unchanged during a period when a display drive signal is not applied to the liquid crystal display panel; and

a sensor juxtaposed to the liquid crystal display panel,

wherein multiple pages which are stored in said temporary memory can be simultaneously displayed on said liquid crystal display panel,

wherein a portion of a displayed information which is highlighted through the sensor by a user of the portable electronic device can be stored in said temporary memory, and when said portion is again displayed, said highlight remains provided on said portion.

84. The portable electronic device according to claim 83, wherein said first memory is at least one of a magnetic disc, optical disc and EPROM.

85. The portable electronic device according to claim 83, wherein an amount of data which can be stored in said temporary memory is greater than the amount of data which can be displayed by said liquid crystal display panel.

86. The portable electronic device according to claim 83, wherein said device is a portable book.

87. A portable electronic device comprising:

a housing;

a microcomputer in said housing;

a first memory in said housing;

a temporary memory capable of temporarily storing data supplied thereto from said first memory;

a liquid crystal display panel operationally connected to said microcomputer; and

a sensor juxtaposed to the liquid crystal display panel,

wherein the liquid crystal display panel is capable of continuing to display an image for at least 45 seconds even without applying a display drive signal for the image after applying the display drive signal;

wherein multiple pages which are stored in said temporary memory can be simultaneously displayed on said liquid crystal display panel,

wherein a highlight which is provided on a portion of a displayed information through the sensor by a user of the portable electronic device can be stored in said temporary memory, and

wherein when said portion is again displayed, said highlight remains provided on said portion.

88. The portable electronic device according to claim 87, wherein said first memory is at least one of a magnetic disc, optical disc and EPROM.

89. The portable electronic device according to claim 87, wherein an amount of data which can be stored in said temporary memory is greater than the amount of data which can be displayed by said liquid crystal display panel.

90. The portable electronic device according to claim 87, wherein said device is a portable book.

91. The portable electronic device according to claim 87 further comprising input keys operationally connected to said microcomputer.

92. The portable electronic device according to claim 87 wherein said portion of the displayed information is highlighted by an underline.

93. The portable electronic device according to claim 87 wherein said portion of the displayed information is highlighted by displaying in characters formed with white dots in a black background.

94. A portable electronic device comprising:

a housing;

a microcomputer in said housing;

a first memory in said housing;

a temporary memory in said housing capable of temporarily storing data supplied thereto from said first memory; and

a display panel operationally connected to said microcomputer, wherein the display panel is capable of continuing to display an image after applying a display drive signal for the image until a next display drive signal is applied when the display drive signal is applied to the display panel less than 30 times per second; and

a sensor operationally connected to the display panel;

wherein multiple pages which are stored in said temporary memory can be simultaneously displayed on said display panel,

wherein a portion of a displayed information which is highlighted through the sensor by a user of the portable electronic device can be stored in said temporary memory, and when said portion is main displayed, said highlight remains provided on said portion.

95. The portable electronic device according to claim 94, wherein said first memory is at least one of a magnetic disc, optical disc and EPROM.

96. The portable electronic device according to claim 94, wherein an amount of data which can be stored in said temporary memory is greater than the amount of data which can be displayed by said display panel.

97. The portable electronic device according to claim 94, wherein said device is a portable book.

98. The portable electronic device according to claim 94 wherein the display panel is capable of continuing to display an image after applying a display drive signal for the image until a next display drive signal for a different image is applied.

99. The portable electronic device according to claim 94 wherein the data is set a uniform standard.

100. The portable electronic device according to claim 94 wherein the display panel is capable of display a data which is set a uniform standard.

151. The portable electronic device according to any one of claims 83-120 and 127 wherein said first memory is a detachable memory.

101. A portable electronic device comprising:

a housing;

a microcomputer in said housing;

a first memory in said housing;

a temporary memory capable of temporarily storing data supplied thereto from said first memory;

a display panel operationally connected to said microcomputer, wherein the display panel is capable of continuing to display an image for at least 45 seconds even without applying a display drive signal for the image after applying the display drive signal; and

a sensor through which a portion of a displayed information to be highlighted can be designated by a user of the portable electronic device,

wherein multiple pages which are stored in said temporary memory can be simultaneously displayed on said display panel,

wherein a highlight which is provided on the portion of the displayed information through the sensor by a user of the portable electronic device can be stored in said temporary memory, and

wherein when said portion is again displayed, said highlight remains provided on said portion.

102. The portable electronic device according to claim 101, wherein said first memory is at least one of a magnetic disc, optical disc and EPROM.

103. The portable electronic device according to claim 101, wherein an amount of data which can be stored in said temporary memory is greater than the amount of data which can be displayed by said display panel.

104. The portable electronic device according to claim 101, wherein said device is a portable book.

105. The portable electronic device according to claim 101 wherein the display panel is capable of continuing to display an image after applying a display drive signal for the image until a next display drive signal for a different image is applied.

106. The portable electronic device according to claim 101 wherein the data is set a uniform standard.

107. The portable electronic device according to claim 101 wherein the display panel is capable of display a data which is set a uniform standard.

108. A portable electronic device comprising:

a housing;

a microcomputer in said housing;

a first memory in said housing;

a temporary memory in said housing capable of temporarily storing data supplied thereto from said first memory;

input keys operationally connected to the microcomputer;

a display panel operationally connected to said microcomputer; and

a sensor juxtaposed to the display panel,

wherein the display panel is capable of continuing to display an image after applying a display drive signal for the image until a next display drive signal is applied when the display drive signal is applied to the display panel less than 30 times per second;

wherein a portion of a displayed information which is highlighted by a user of the portable electronic device can be stored in said temporary memory, and wherein when said portion is again displayed, said highlight remains provided on said portion.

109. The portable electronic device according to claim 108, wherein said first memory is at least one of a magnetic disc, optical disc and EPROM.

110. The portable electronic device according to claim 108, wherein an amount of data which can be stored in said temporary memory is greater than the amount of data which can be displayed by said display panel.

111. The portable electronic device according to claim 108, wherein said device is a portable book.

112. A portable electronic device comprising:

a housing;

a microcomputer in said housing;

a first memory in said housing;

a temporary memory capable of temporarily storing data supplied thereto from said first memory;

a display panel operationally connected to said microcomputer; and

a sensor operationally connected to the display panel,

wherein the display panel is capable of continuing to display an image for at least 45 seconds even without applying a display drive signal for the image after applying the display drive signal;

wherein multiple image displays of said data which are stored in said temporary memory can be simultaneously displayed on said display panel,

wherein a highlight which is provided on a portion of a displayed information through the sensor by a user of the portable electronic device can be stored in said temporary memory, and

wherein when said portion is again displayed, said highlight remains provided on said portion.

113. The portable electronic device according to claim 112, wherein said first memory is at least one of a magnetic disc, optical disc and EPROM.

114. The portable electronic device according to claim 112, wherein an amount of data which can be stored in said temporary memory is greater than the amount of data which can be displayed by said display panel.

115. The portable electronic device according to claim 112, wherein said device is a portable book.

116. A portable electronic device comprising:

a housing;

a microcomputer in said housing;

a read-out device in said housing for reading out an information stored in a first memory in said housing;

a temporary memory capable of temporarily storing data supplied thereto from said first memory in said housing;

a liquid crystal display panel operationally connected to said microcomputer; and

a sensor juxtaposed to the display panel,

wherein the liquid crystal display panel is capable of continuing to display an image after applying a display drive signal for the image until a next display drive signal is applied when the display drive signal is applied to the liquid crystal display panel less than 30 times per second;

wherein a highlight which is provided on a portion of a displayed information through the sensor by a user of the portable electronic device can be stored in said temporary memory, and

wherein when said portion is again displayed, said highlight remains provided on said portion.

117. The portable electronic device according to claim 116, wherein said first memory is at least one of a magnetic disc, optical disc and EPROM.

118. The portable electronic device according to claim 116, wherein an amount of data which can be stored in said temporary memory is greater than the amount of data which can be displayed by said liquid crystal display panel.

119. The portable electronic device according to claim 116, wherein said device is a portable book.

120. A portable electronic device comprising;

a housing;

a microcomputer in said housing;

a read-out device in said housing for reading out an information;

a temporary memory capable of temporarily storing data supplied thereto from a first memory;

a liquid crystal display panel provided operationally connected to said microcomputer; and

a sensor through which a portion of a displayed information to be highlighted can be designated by a user of the portable electronic device,

wherein the display panel is capable of continuing to display an image for at least 45 seconds even without applying a display drive signal for the image after applying the display drive signal;

wherein multiple pages which are stored in said temporary memory can be simultaneously displayed on said liquid crystal display panel, and

wherein a highlight which is provided on the portion of the displayed information through the sensor by the user of the portable electronic device can be stored in said temporary memory, and

wherein when said portion is again displayed, said highlight remains provided on said portion.

121. The portable electronic device according to claim 120, wherein said first memory is at least one of a magnetic disc, optical disc and EPROM.

122. The portable electronic device according to claim 120, wherein an amount of data which can be stored in said temporary memory is greater than the amount of data which can be displayed by said liquid crystal display panel.

123. The portable electronic device according to claim 120, wherein said device is a portable book.

124. A portable electronic device comprising:

a housing;

a microcomputer in said housing;

a temporary memory in said housing capable of storing information;

a liquid crystal display panel operationally connected to said microcomputer; and

a sensor through which a portion of a displayed information to be highlighted can be designated by a user of the portable electronic device,

wherein the display panel is capable of continuing to display an image for at least 45 seconds even without applying a display drive signal for the image after applying the display drive signal;

wherein multiple pages which are stored in said temporary memory can be simultaneously displayed on said liquid crystal display panel,

wherein the portion of the displayed information which is highlighted through the sensor by the user of the portable electronic device can be stored in said temporary memory, and

wherein when said portion is again displayed, said highlight remains provided on said portion.

125. The portable electronic device according to claim 124, wherein an amount of data which can be stored in said temporary memory is greater than the amount of data which can be displayed by said liquid crystal display panel.

126. The portable electronic device according to claim 124, wherein said device is a portable book.

127. A portable electronic device comprising:

a housing;

a microcomputer in said housing;

a read-out device in said housing for reading out an information stored in a first memory installed in said housing;

a temporary memory capable of temporarily storing data supplied thereto from said first memory;

a display panel operationally connected to said microcomputer; and

a sensor operationally connected to the display panel,

wherein the display panel is capable of continuing to display an image after applying a display drive signal for the image until a next display drive signal is applied when the display drive signal is applied to the display panel less than 30 times per second;

wherein a portion of a displayed information which is highlighted through the sensor by a user of the portable electronic device can be stored in said temporary memory, and when said portion is again displayed, said highlight remains provided on said portion.

128. The portable electronic device according to claim 127, wherein said first memory is at least one of a magnetic disc, optical disc and EPROM.

129. The portable electronic device according to claim 127, wherein an amount of data which can be stored in said temporary memory is greater than the amount of data which can be displayed by said display panel.

130. The portable electronic device according to claim 127, wherein said device is a portable book.

131. A portable electronic device comprising;

a housing;

a microcomputer in said housing;

a read-out device in said housing for reading out an information;

a temporary memory capable of temporarily storing data supplied thereto from said read-out device;

input keys operationally connected to the microcomputer;

a display panel operationally connected to said microcomputer; and

a sensor operationally connected to the display panel,

wherein the display panel is capable of continuing to display an image for at least 45 seconds even without applying a display drive signal for the image after applying the display drive signal,

wherein multiple pages which are stored in said temporary memory can be simultaneously displayed on said display panel, and

wherein a highlight which is provided on a portion of a displayed information by a user of the portable electronic device can be stored in said temporary memory, and

wherein when said portion is again displayed, said highlight remains provided on said portion.

132. The portable electronic device according to claim 131, wherein an amount of data which can be stored in said temporary memory is greater than the amount of data which can be displayed by said display panel.

133. The portable electronic device according to claim 131, wherein said device is a portable book.

134. A portable electronic device comprising:

a housing;

a microcomputer in said housing;

a non-volatile semiconductor memory in said housing;

a temporary memory in said housing capable of storing information;

a display panel operationally connected to said microcomputer; and

a sensor through which a portion of a displayed information to be highlighted can be designated by a user of the portable electronic device,

wherein the display panel is capable of continuing to display an image after applying a display drive signal for the image until a next display drive signal is applied when the display drive signal is applied to the display panel less than 30 times per second;

wherein a highlight which is provided on the portion of the displayed information through the sensor by the user of the portable electronic device can be stored in said temporary memory, and

wherein when said portion is again displayed, said highlight remains provided on said portion.

135. The portable electronic device according to claim 134, wherein said non-volatile semiconductor memory is EPROM.

136. The portable electronic device according to claim 134, wherein an amount of data which can be stored in said temporary memory is greater than the amount of data which can be displayed by said display panel.

137. The portable electronic device according to claim 134, wherein said device is a portable book.

150. The portable electronic device according to any one of claims 59-79 and 134 wherein the non-volatile semiconductor memory is a detachable memory.

138. A portable electronic device comprising:

a housing;

a microcomputer in said housing;

a temporary memory in said housing capable of storing information;

input keys operationally connected to the microcomputer;

a liquid crystal display panel operationally connected to said microcomputer, wherein the liquid crystal display panel is such that an image display on the liquid crystal display panel remains unchanged during a period when a display drive signal is not applied to the liquid crystal display panel; and

a sensor through which a portion of a displayed information to be highlighted can be designated by a user of the portable electronic device,

wherein the portion of the displayed information which is highlighted through the sensor by the user of the portable electronic device can be stored in said temporary memory, and when said portion is again displayed, said highlight remains provided on said portion.

139. The portable electronic device according to claim 138, wherein an amount of data which can be stored in said temporary memory is greater than the amount of data which can be displayed by said liquid crystal display panel.

140. The portable electronic device according to claim 138, wherein said device is a portable book.

141. A portable electronic device comprising:

a housing;

a microcomputer in said housing;

a non-volatile semiconductor memory in said housing;

a temporary memory in said housing capable of storing information;

a display panel operationally connected to said microcomputer, wherein the display panel is such that an image display on the display panel remains unchanged during a period when a display drive signal is not applied to the display panel; and

a sensor through which a portion of a displayed information to be highlighted can be designated by a user of the portable electronic device,

wherein multiple pages of said information which are stored in said temporary memory can be simultaneously displayed on said display panel, and

wherein a highlight which is provided on the portion of the displayed information through the sensor by the user of the portable electronic device can be stored in said temporary memory,

wherein the portable electronic device is provided with an amorphous semiconductor film, and

wherein when said portion is again displayed, said highlight remains provided on said portion.

142. The portable electronic device according to claim 141, wherein said non-volatile semiconductor memory is EPROM.

143. The portable electronic device according to claim 141, wherein an amount of data which can be stored in said temporary memory is greater than the amount of data which can be displayed by said display panel.

144. The portable electronic device according to claim 141, wherein said device is a portable book.

145. The portable electronic device according to claim 141 further comprising a solar cell wherein the solar cell comprises the amorphous semiconductor film.

146. The portable electronic device according to claim 141 wherein the amorphous semiconductor film includes an NI junction.

147. The portable electronic device according to claim 141 wherein the amorphous semiconductor film comprises silicon.

148. A method for operating a portable electronic device comprising the steps of:

reading data from a first memory;

temporarily storing said data in a temporary memory;

applying a display drive signal to a display panel to display an image stored in said temporary memory on the display panel;

maintaining the image on the display panel in a static condition for at least 45 seconds even without applying the display drive signal for the image after applying the display drive signal;

designating a particular portion of the displayed image;

emphasizing said particular portion for modifying an appearance of said particular portion to visually highlight said portion on the display;

storing the visually highlighted particular portion in the temporary memory; and

displaying again said portion wherein said highlight remains provided on said portion.

149. The method according to claim 148 wherein the data is set a uniform standard.