Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device – Touch panel
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-14
2004-08-31
Wu, Xiao (Department: 2674)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
Touch panel
C345S172000, C345S169000, C345S002300
Reexamination Certificate
active
06784874
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a member for a push-button switch having key-top portions for switches through which functions of the push-button switches are displayed by electrical display means, a portable information terminal provided with such push-button switch member and a payment system utilizing such portable information terminal.
In the known art, a push-button switch member or like is utilized for a remote controller for a domestic electrical or electronic equipment such as television set, radio, video system, audio system or like and also utilized, as input means, for electrical or electronic equipment or other equipment in various technical fields such as a control board of machine tool, control panel for automobile or construction machine, portable phone, personal computer and the like.
With the push-button switch member for such input means, the respective key-top portions of the push-button switches of the push-button switch member are designed so that the functions of the key-top portions can be easily recognized by directly printing letters, numerals, symbols, pictures or like representing the respective functions on the key-top portions or by forming cutouts showing letters, numerals, symbols, pictures or like through which lights or like generated inside the switch member pass outside the switch member so as to easily recognize the functions of the push-button switches.
However, in recent years, for the various electrical and electronic equipment and other devices or like provided with the push-button switches, the numbers of the push-buttons has been increased for requirements of increasing functions, modes and the like to be inputted and taking countermeasure to complicated functions or like, and therefore, it has been required to make compact the push-buttons themselves.
In order to satisfy such requirements, it is obliged for the push-button switch member to be made small in size or shape of the key-top portions thereof, and for such reasons, it becomes difficult to clearly display the functions of the key-top portions and exactly perform the functions, which are resulted from worse visibility of the displayed functions of the push-button switch member. It is hence difficult to perform good and easy maneuverability thereof. It is particularly difficult for beginners, children and old persons to use or operate such push-button switch member.
Furthermore, in these days, portable alternate voice (communication) means such as PHS, portable telephone or like having a communication function has been remarkably developed, and it has been tried to design such communication means so as to realize or achieve a number of complicated functions with fewer push-buttons in comparison with note-type personal computers or like. However, on the other hand, such design becomes difficult for the beginners to operate the push-button switches.
In order to obviate such a defect, there has been propose a method of improving the input operability of the portable communication means by connecting a separately independent input device such as pocket-size key board to the portable communication means body.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to substantially eliminate defects encountered in the prior art mentioned above and to provide a push-button switch member capable of easily visually observing and confirming many complicated functions of the push-button switches and achieving an improved maneuverability and also to provide a portable information terminal provided with such push-button switch member.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a payment system using such portable information terminal which can be easily operated even by children and old persons.
These and other objects can be achieved according to the present invention by providing, in one aspect, a push-button switch member comprising a touch panel, at least one push-button switch provided for the touch panel, an electronic display means disposed in operative association with the push-button switch, and at least one key top portion disposed in operative association with the push-button switch, wherein the key top portion being provided with function display of the push-button switch.
In this aspect, the function display is illustrated by text or image selected from either one of letter, reference numeral, symbol, picture, graphic design, photograph and like. The text or image is changed by operating at least one of the push-button switches. The electronic display means is embedded in the key top portion, and the electronic display means comprises a liquid crystal display element.
According to this aspect, the functions of the respective push-button switches can be surely observed in spite of the various complicated functions, and an adequate push-button pushing feeling can be obtained.
Further, since the electronic display means is formed integrally with the key top portions, texts or images can be displayed on the key top portions without being hindered, and a good clicking feeling thereof can be obtained.
Furthermore, a number of functions can be realized by relatively small number of the key top portions, so that the push-button switch member is itself made compact in size and degree of freedom in use can be also widened.
In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable information terminal comprising a push-button switch member comprising a touch panel, at least one push-button switch provided for the touch panel, an electronic display means disposed in operative association with the push-button switch, and at least one key top portion disposed in operative association with the push-button switch. The key top portion is provided with a function display of the push-button switch. The portable information terminal further comprises a communication means operatively connected to the push-button switch member for communicating with other equipment having a communication function through endless interactive (two-way) communication. When the portable information terminal approaches the other equipment having the function communicating with the portable information terminal, function display information stored in the other equipment is inputted into the portable information terminal through the interactive communication.
In this aspect, the portable information terminal is a portable communication machine. The other equipment is an electrical or electronic equipment. The electronic display means displays a text or image in accordance with a function display information obtained from information stored in a server of a seller or provider which is connected to the base station.
According to this aspect, when the portable information terminal approaches the electrical or electronic equipment having the function communicating with the portable information terminal, the function information of the equipment is obtainable and usable functions can be displayed on the key top portion of the portable information terminal, and accordingly, any pre-operation of the electric or electronic equipment will be eliminated.
In a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable information terminal comprising a push-button switch member comprising a touch panel, at least one push-button switch provided for the touch panel, an electronic display means disposed in operative association with the push-button switch, and at least one key top portion disposed in operative association with the push-button switch, the key top portion being provided with function display of the push-button switch. The portable information terminal further comprises a communication means operatively connected to the push-button switch member for communicating with other equipment having a communication function through endless interactive communication. In this aspect the electronic display means is displayed with text or image based on a function display information from information stored in the other equipment. When an optional push-button swit
Shin-Etsu Polymer Co. Ltd.
Wenderoth , Lind & Ponack, L.L.P.
Wu Xiao
LandOfFree
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