Information processing apparatus having switch for inputting key data

Abstract

An information processing apparatus includes a housing with a top surface and a rear surface, a CPU (central processing unit) provided in the housing, a keyboard placed on the top surface of the housing and including a plurality of keys which input key data to the CPU, a display unit attached to the housing rotatably between a closed position in which the display unit covers the keyboard and an open position in which the keyboard is exposed, and at least one switch provided on the rear surface of the housing and configured to input key data to the CPU.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . An information processing apparatus comprising:
 a housing comprising a first surface and, a side surface, the side surface standing from a side of the first surface, the first surface including a first portion, a second portion and a third portion, the third portion being arranged between the first portion and the second portion, the side surface including a plurality of fourth portions;   a display in the housing, the display including a screen disposed on the third portion of the first surface of the housing, the display being configured to change an orientation of a screen image displayed on the screen between a first orientation in which a top-end portion and a bottom-end portion of the screen image are extended in a longitudinal direction of the first surface of the housing and a second orientation in which the screen image rotates 90 degrees relative to the first orientation;   an enter key switch section disposed on the first portion of the first surface of the housing;   an arrow key switch section disposed on the second portion of the first surface of the housing; and   a plurality of operation switch sections disposed on, the plurality of fourth portions of the side surface of the housing, respectively.   
     
     
         3 . The information processing apparatus of  claim 2 ,
 wherein the plurality of operation switch sections includes a first operation switch section and a second operation switch section, the first operation switch section and the second operation switch being arranged symmetrically across a virtual center line of the first surface, the virtual center line being extended in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the first surface, and   wherein the enter key switch section and the arrow key switch section are arranged symmetrically across the virtual center line of the first surface.   
     
     
         4 . The information processing apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of operation switch sections includes a first operation switch section and a second operation switch section, the first operation switch section and the second operation switch being arranged at right-end and left-end side portions of, the side surface. 
     
     
         5 . The information processing apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the housing is rectangular. 
     
     
         6 . The information processing apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the display is further configured to change the orientation of the screen image to a third orientation in which the screen image rotates 180 degrees relative to the first orientation. 
     
     
         7 . The information processing apparatus of  claim 2 ,
 wherein the housing includes a first rectangular-shaped unit and a second rectangular-shaped unit, a back end portion of the first rectangular-shaped unit and a back end the second rectangular-shaped unit being joined together,   wherein the display is disposed on a surface of the first rectangular-shaped unit, and   wherein the plurality of operation switch sections includes a first operation switch section and a second operation switch section, the first operation switch section, and the second operation switch being arranged at right-end and left-end side portions of a back surface of the housing.   
     
     
         8 . The information processing apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a keyboard disposed on a surface of the second rectangular-shaped unit. 
     
     
         9 . The information processing apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the arrow key switch section includes four arrow keys indicating four directions of up, down, right and left. 
     
     
         10 . An information processing apparatus comprising:
 a housing comprising a first surface and a side surface,   a display in the housing, the display including a screen disposed on the first surface of the housing, the display being configured to change an orientation of a screen image displayed on the screen between a first orientation and a second orientation in which the screen image rotates 90 degrees relative to the first orientation;   a first operation key switch section disposed on the first surface, the first operation key switch section being arranged on one side of the screen; and   a second operation key switch section disposed on the side surface.   
     
     
         11 . An information processing apparatus comprising:
 a housing comprising a first surface and a side surface,   a display in the housing, the display including a screen disposed on the first surface of the housing;   a first operation key switch section disposed on the first surface; and   a second operation key switch section disposed on the side surface.