WO2007065975A1

WO2007065975A1 - Computer

Info

Publication number: WO2007065975A1
Application number: PCT/FI2006/050541
Authority: WO
Inventors: Heikki Rusanen; Juha Huttunen; Akke Virtanen
Original assignee: Kitworks.Fi Oy Ltd
Priority date: 2005-12-07
Filing date: 2006-12-07
Publication date: 2007-06-14
Also published as: FI20051260A0; FI20051260L

Abstract

The invention relates to a handheld computer that can be used for receiving, reading, processing, saving and sending information. The computer comprises of a sufficiently large touch screen (4) that is sufficient for presenting and handling visual and graphical information. The picture area is large, since the device does not include a bulky keyboard. The device is equipped with means (11) for connecting to wireless information networks. The device also includes required bar code readers (10) and is RFID-ready. The body (1) is designed ergonomically so, that it can be used either with one hand or with two hands. The device includes finger supports (8) that help in getting a firm grip that is at the same time easy to maintain. The device can be hung on a band that guides it into correct position. Alternatively the device can be placed in a housing on the waist, in the armpit or some other suitable place. The housing is realized so, that the bar code can be read as the device is inside the housing.

Description

Computer

The invention relates to a computer. The invention relates especially to a handheld device, which can be used for receiving, reading, saving, handling and send- ing information.

Palm computers equipped with identification equipment are generally referred to as data collection terminals. Data collection terminals are generally used in wholesale- and retailstores, transport companies, warehouses, and the like. In a warehouse the data collection terminals are used for collecting articles and for transferring the information for instance into an invoicing program, that forms an order, covering letter or invoice to the client of the material. Data collection terminals can also be used for updating the warehouse balances by reading for instance from a bar code the product information, after what the product quantity is entered, and the information is saved into the warehouse system.

In known data collection terminals the keyboards and displays are small, because the aim is to keep the weight and the outer dimensions of the devices small. Usually the keyboard and the display are placed in different parts of the device, which leads into compromises in their placing and sizes. When larger keys are wanted, the display size must be reduced and vice versa. One example of a solution of this kind presenting the prior art is shown in figure 1.

Publication WO 99/61973 discloses a portable device equipped with touch screen, in which device the functions are selected with fixed icon-like keys that are positional and small.

Publication EP 0740244 discloses an electronic device, menus on the display of which device are located on the sides of the display and are operated with two hands. The device includes mechanical locators, with which the user identifies the data entry area. The locators however limit the number and position of keys on the touch screen.

From publication US 5731801 A a table top digitizing table is known , in which the menus are located on either side. The device can however only be used with an electric pen.

GOWFI A palm computer equipped with a touch screen is known from publication US 5825675. The computer includes finger supports and the body casing and navigating keys of the computer are arranged symmetrically. The operating handedness is arranged to be changed programmatically, but in order to change the handedness, the user must turn the device 180° and change the operating grip.

In prior art the problem is in undefective ergonomy, which is due to the design of the devices, small size of the display, heavy weight and way of operating. For instance

- if you want plenty of different funtions, you need to have a physical alphanu- merical keyboard and even several functions in a same key, which leads to small and hard to use keys and the instructional texts on the keys are small and hard to interpret

- adding of functions by adding physical keys has lead to increase in the device weight and more difficult handling

- if the number of keys is kept small, the number of device functions has needed to be compromised

- if the devices include a physical alphanumerical keyboard and a touch screen, the user interface solution has become disordered.

In practise this leads into that the mentioned keyboards cannot be used for effective text production. A device introduced in publication WO 99/61973 must be placed on a platform, in order to use the menu keys effectively. Unlike the mentioned publication presents, small keys are hard to manage with thumbs. In known devices the resolution and picture area of displays are relatively small, which hampers their use in interactive information networks.

The palm computer according to the invention has a large enough touch screen, which has a resolution corresponding to the display of a conventional tabletop computer. The display is large, since the device does not include a bulky keyboard. The device is equipped with means for connecting it to wireless information networks. The computer weights less than 400 g, because it contains only the essential functions. For instance with a network connection devices, like the Bluetooth-local area network, the device can be connected into a keyboard, printers, GPRS- and GPS-networks or other information networks. The device also includes required bar code readers and is RFID-ready. The device according to the invention is designed ergonomically so, that it can be used either with one hand or with two hands. The device includes finger supports, which help in getting a firm grip that is easy to maintain. As the device is operated, the middle fingers, ring fingers and little fingers of both hands form a support for the device. The identifier can be read with both hands, due to the symmetrical form of the device, by utilizing either the index finger of either the left or the right hand and the middle finger, ring finger and the little finger of the same hand support the device. Data processing is done on the touch screen with thumbs of both hands and the other fingers of hands function as device support. Then the middle fingers, ring fingers and the little fingers are under the device and the index fingers are above the device. The mentioned operating method of the device forms an entity, generally called "Success in Fingertips".

Alternatively the device can be held with one hand with a lever-like grip so, that a part of the weight rests on the fingers and a part on the juncture of the palm and the thumb (counterweight).

Energy equipment as well as the other components of the device are arranged such, that the device is balanced both in vertical and in horizontal direction.

The device can be hung on a band, that guides it into correct position. Alternatively the device can be placed in a housing on the waist, in the armpit or some other suitable place. The housing is realized so, that the bar code can be read as the device is inside the housing. The housing is also designed so, that the user can hear the voices produced by the device.

The device includes only a few keys, with which basic functions like tabulating, mouse as well as activating the reading of a bar code or other identification (e.g. RFID) can be realized.

The right-hand key function of the mouse is achieved by pressing a navigating key programmed as mouse essentially longer than normal.

However, the device is mainly controlled through the touch screen. Menu struc- ture created programmatically on the touch screen follows the WYSIWYG- principal, where the activating of the function is done in the location, where also the instruction is located. The main menu and the submenus are located on the sides of the display. The appearance of the key of the selected function changes to indicate the made selection. The handedness of menus can be changed as needed. A second level submenu can be opened on the center line side of the submenu display. Reading of an identifier is advantageously done with the index finger of left or right hand. The device can also be programmed so, that the bar code reader is activated with one finger and the RFID-reader with the other, or both at the same time with which ever index finger. The navigating keys and the touch screen are used with thumbs. A resting place (not shown) is also provided for thumbs next to the navigating keys, without the user needing to be afraid of error functions. Other fingers of both hands or one hand lean on the ergonomically formed finger supports on the bottom of the device, which makes the device into a stable and steady tool.

Login into the device and into the file system can be done by reading a user identi- fier and a password with the reader of the device.

A computer according to the invention is an interactive device, that can function independently and connected into an information system. The invention enables interactive connection into different information systems, like order applications, warehouse management and logistics systems. Office applications like e-mail, calendar, notebook, audio tape recorder and www-browser can also be used with the device.

The present invention is used for solving problems mentioned in the foregoing and for removing defects of prior art and for achieving a light and effective palm computer. The mentioned advantages are achieved with a device according to the invention, characterized in what is presented in claim 1.

Some advantageous embodiments of the invention are presented in the depend- ent claims.

Next the invention is explained in detail in connection with some advantageous embodiments and by referring to accompanying figures. Figure 1 shows a data collecting device representing a prior art technique, figure 2 shows a device according to the invention as wieved from the user's point of wiev, figure 3 shows a menu structure of a device according to the invention, figure 4 shows the device of figure 2 as wieved from the side, figure 5 shows a device according to the invention as wieved axonometrically from below, figure 6 shows a device according to the invention as wieved axonometrically from above and figure 7 shows a submenu structure of the device as an example.

Figure 1 is depicted in connection with the description of prior art.

Figures 2-7 present a computer according to the invention, which computer comprises a body housing 1 , navigating keys 2 and 3, display 4, menu structures 5 and 6, hanging equipment 7 and 9, bar code readers 10 and network connection equipment 11.

The body housing 1 is formed ergonomically in order to enable easy and firm grip. Finger supports 8 are arranged in the body, into which supports fingers can be positioned as the thumb remains above the device. The body is symmetrical and the navigating keys 2 and 3 on the sides of the body are arranged symmetrically so, that the handedness of the device can be changed programmatically without changing the operating grip. The energy equipment of the device (not shown), like batteries, are located symmetrically on the left and right side of the housing to reach a sufficient balance of the device. The display 4 is advantageously 5 " WVGA-touch screen, with resolution of e.g. 800 x 480 pixels and picture area on the range of 10.9 cm x 6.6 cm. The display is located horizontally substantially in the middle of the body housing.

Menu structures 5 and 6 with submenus 51 and 61 are realized programmatically and are characteristic for each application. In advantageous embodiments the al- phanumerical information is entered with a virtual touch keyboard realized programmatically and the keys of the keyboard are realized programmatically. Hanging equipment are advantagaously formed of a substantially wide band 9, that is attached onto the body 1 with a fastening member 7. The wide band enables for the device to be guided into correct operating position and the device can be partially supported agains the band 9 also during use. The device can also be positioned in a housing on the waist, in armpit or to other suitable location. The housing is realized so, that the bar code can be read as the device in within the housing.

The bar code readers 10 and the network connection equipment 11 are advanta- geously located on the sides or on the bottom of the body housing 1.

The figures and the description related to them are merely meant for illustrating the present invention. The details of a device according to the invention may vary within the scope of the appended claims and the inventional idea presented in the description of the invention. For a person skilled in the art is obvious, that the technical solutions of the device can vary according to the purpose of usage. The embodiment of the invention can vary according to operating conditions and customer needs as well as within manufacturing solutions implemented in connection with production.

Claims

1. A palm computer that comprises a body housing (1 ), a display (4) in the middle of the body housing, navigating keys (2, 3) on the upper side of the display in the body housing as well as function keys, programmatically realized menu structures (5, 6), hanging equipment (7, 9) bar code readers (10) and network connection equipment (11), characterised in that

- finger supports (8) for middle finger, ring finger and little finger are arranged on a lower surface of the body housing (1 )

- the body housing (1) and navigating keys (2, 3) are arranged symmetrically in relation to the longitudinal axis of the device

- batteries are arranged symmetrically on the left and right side of the body housing (1)

- a main menu (5, 6) and submenus (51 , 61 ) are on the sides of the display and can be arranged programmatically, their handedness can be changed and they can be operated with thumbs while working with two hands and that

- the handedness of the device can be arranged programmatically without changing an operating grip.

2. The device according to claim 1 , characterised in that the hanging equipment consist of a substantially wide band (9), that is attached onto the body (1 ) with a fastening member (7), which band is arranged to guide the device into correct operating position and onto which band the device is arranged to partially lean on during operation.

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that an identification code is arranged to be read with the index finger of either the left hand or the right hand or the device is programmed so, that the bar code reader is arranged to be activated with one index finger and the RFID-reader with the other index finger, or both at the same time with either one of the index fingers.

4. The device according to one of claims 1-3, characterised in that:

- the navigating keys (2, 3) and a touch screen (4) are arranged to be operated with thumbs

- A resting place is provided for thumbs next to the navigating keys (2, 3), to prevent error functions - other fingers of both hands or of one hand are arranged to lean on ergonomi- cally formed finger supports (8) located on the bottom of the device, which makes the device a stable and balanced tool.

5. The device according to one of claims 1-4, characterised in that the device is in one hand toggle hold so, that a part of the weight rests on the fingers and a part on the joint of palm and thumb (counter weight).

6. The device according to one of claims 1-5, characterised in that it is sym- metrical and due to the symmetricalness of the grip is completely accessible for both left- and righthanded persons.

7. The device according to one of claims 1-6, characterised in that the display (4) is a widescreen touch screen and that the device is arranged to be controlled by touching the menu structures (5, 6, 51 , 61) arranged on the touch screen mainly with thumbs.

8. The device according to one of claims 1-7, characterised in that the display (4) size is about 5 " and the display resolution is about 800 x 480 pixels and the picture area is about 10.9 cm x 6.6 cm.

9. The device according to one of claims 1-8, characterised in that:

- the display is arranged in a housing on the waist, in the armpit or some other suitable place

- the housing is realized so, that the bar code can be read as the device is inside the housing and that

- the housing is designed so, that the user can hear voices produced by the device.

10. The device according to one of claims 1-9, characterised in that the display (4) and menu structures (5, 6, 51 , 61) are realized with the WYSIWYG-principle.

11. The device according to one of claims 1-10, characterised in that the device is equipped with means (11) for connecting to wireless information networks.

12. The device according to one of claims 1-11 , characterised in that the right- hand key function of the mouse is arranged to be achieved by pressing a navigating key (2, 3) programmed as mouse substantially long.

13. The device according to one of claims 1-12, characterised in that the energy means and other components of the device are arranged so, that the device is balanced in both vertical and horizontal direction.

14. The device according to one of claims 1-13, characterised in that login into the device and the file system in it is arranged to be performed by reading a user identifier and password with a reader of the device.

15. The device according to one of claims 1-14, characterised in that alphanumerical information is arranged to be fed by using programmatical keys of the virtual touch keyboard.