Computers and programs

Abstract

To provide a computer and a coordination program that can easily switch a plurality of coordination functions between the computer and a terminal.SOLUTION: A computer 10 includes: a communication unit that communicates with a terminal 20; a display unit that displays input numerical values or operators; a determination unit that determines a positional relation between the display unit and the terminal; a switching unit that switches a coordination mode with the terminal in accordance with the determined positional relation; and a control unit that coordinates with the terminal using the communication unit in accordance with the coordination mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a computer and Bip a program.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, various electronic devices have come to be able to communicate with terminals such as smartphones. For example, a desktop computer (calculator) that can communicate with a smartphone is known.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the conventional cooperation between a computer and a terminal, for example, a calculator is used as an input device for a computer application being executed on the terminal. Also, the content input on the computer application is transferred from the terminal to the computer. It is required to be able to easily switch between a plurality of cooperation functions between such a computer and a terminal.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a computer and a cooperation program capable of easily switching between a plurality of cooperation functions between a computer and a terminal.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The computer according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a solar cell module that generates electric power from irradiated light, an operation key, a display unit that displays an input numerical value or operator, a communication unit that transmits information to a terminal, and based on the generation status of the electric power generated by the solar cell module, when the operation key is pressed, a numerical value or operator corresponding to the operation key is displayed on the display unit The system then transmits information relating to the pressed operation key to the terminal via the communication unit.The system includes a control unit that selectively executes a first mode and a second mode, which transmits calculation-related information to the terminal via the communication unit based on the timing when the operation key is pressed.

[0007] A program according to a second aspect of the present invention provides a computer for a computer comprising a solar cell module that generates power from irradiated light, an operation key, a display unit that displays an input number or operator, and a communication unit that transmits information to a terminal, and displays a number or operator corresponding to the operation key on the display unit when the operation key is pressed, based on the power generation status from the solar cell module. The system then transmits information relating to the pressed operation key to the terminal via the communication unit. The control means is configured to selectively execute a first mode and a second mode in which information related to calculations is transmitted to the terminal via the communication unit based on the timing when the operation key is pressed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a computer and a cooperation program that can easily switch between multiple cooperation functions between the computer and a terminal. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows the configuration of a computer system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of a computer configuration. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an external front view of the computer. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of a terminal configuration. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the computer. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the processing in real-time input mode. [Figure 7A] Figure 7A shows a first specific example of the real-time input mode. [Figure 7B]Figure 7B shows a second specific example of the real-time input mode. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the processing in the calculation process transmission mode. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows a specific example of the calculation process transmission mode. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a computer system 1 according to an embodiment. The computer system 1 includes a computer 10 and a terminal 20. The computer 10 and the terminal 20 can operate in cooperation by communicating with each other.

[0011] Figure 2 shows an example of the configuration of the computer 10. The computer 10 includes a processor 11, memory 12, operation keys 13, a display 14, communication modules 15 and 16, and a power supply module 17. The computer 10 may be a desktop calculator, or a so-called calculator. The computer 10 may also be various electronic devices other than calculators that have numerical calculation functions. Furthermore, the computer 10 may have a configuration other than that shown in Figure 2.

[0012] Processor 11 is a processor that controls various operations of computer 10. Processor 11 may be a CPU, ASIC, FPGA, etc. Also, processor 11 may be composed of two or more processors. Processor 11 operates as a determination unit that determines the positional relationship between computer 10 and terminal 20. Processor 11 also operates as a switching unit that switches the cooperation mode of computer 10 according to the determination result. Furthermore, processor 11 operates as a control unit that cooperates with terminal 20 using communication module 15 or 16 according to the cooperation mode.

[0013] Memory 12 includes a RAM and a ROM. The RAM is a volatile memory. The RAM is used as a working memory or the like for temporarily storing various data in the processor 11. The ROM is a non-volatile memory. Various programs such as a calculation program for executing various computing functions and a cooperation program for cooperation with the terminal 20 are stored in the ROM.

[0014] The operation keys 13 are various keys for the user to operate the computer 10. When an operation using the operation keys 13 is received, an input signal corresponding to the operation is transmitted to the processor 11.

[0015] The display 14 is a display unit such as a liquid crystal display. The display 14 performs various displays related to the calculator function.

[0016] The communication modules 15 and 16 are communication units each including a circuit for performing communication processing between the computer 10 and the terminal 20. The communication module 15 and the communication module 16 respectively correspond to communication methods with different communication distances. The communication module 15 is a communication module corresponding to very short-range communication such as NFC (Near Field Communication) for example, and is arranged near the display 14. The communication module 16 is a communication module corresponding to short-range communication such as BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low energy) for example.

[0017] The power supply module 17 supplies power serving as a power source to each circuit of the computer 10. The power supply module 17 is a solar cell module for example. The solar cell module generates power from the light irradiated through a light receiving window.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a front external view of the computer 10. As shown in FIG. 3, on the front of the housing of the computer 10, the operation keys 13, the display 14, and the light receiving window 171 of the solar cell module are provided.

[0019] The operation key 13 includes numeric keys, arithmetic keys, and function keys. The numeric keys are keys for inputting numbers and include keys corresponding to each number from 0 to 9, for example. The numeric keys may also include a key for inputting "00". The arithmetic keys are keys for performing the four basic arithmetic operations and include keys corresponding to each operator such as + (addition), - (subtraction), × (multiplication), and ÷ (division), as well as an = (operate) key. The function keys are keys for performing various functions of the computer 10 and include keys such as the all clear key (AC key), clear key (C key), and grand total (GT key). Furthermore, in this embodiment, the operation key 13 also includes a wireless key 131, a transmit key 132, a cursor key 133, and a backspace key (BS key) 134. The wireless key 131 is an operation key for triggering a wireless connection between the computer 10 and the terminal 20. The transmit key 132 is an operation key used to instruct the execution of transmission in the real-time input mode, which will be explained later. The cursor keys 133 are keys used to perform various position specification operations on the screen displayed on the terminal 20 in the real-time input mode, which will be explained later. The cursor keys 133 may also be assigned to specific functions used separately by the computer 10. The backspace key 134 is an operation key used to instruct the computer 10 to return the input to the previous state. The backspace key 134 is also an operation key used to instruct the terminal 20 to return the numerical value entered to the previous state in the real-time input mode, which will be explained later.

[0020] The light-receiving window 171, which acts as a light-receiving unit, is located near the display 14. A solar cell is located behind this light-receiving window 171. When light is shone through the light-receiving window 171, the solar cell generates an electromotive force. The power module 17 converts this electromotive force generated by the solar cell into a voltage of the magnitude required for the operation of each element shown in Figure 2 and outputs it to each element.

[0021] Figure 4 shows an example of the configuration of terminal 20. Terminal 20 includes a processor 21, memory 22, storage 23, touch panel 24, display 25, and communication modules 26, 27, and 28. Terminal 20 may be various types of terminals that can communicate with a computer 10, such as a smartphone or tablet. Terminal 20 may have a configuration other than that shown in Figure 4. For example, terminal 20 may have operation buttons.

[0022] Processor 21 is a processor that controls various operations of terminal 20. Processor 21 may be a CPU, ASIC, FPGA, etc. Also, processor 21 may be composed of two or more processors.

[0023] Memory 22 includes RAM and ROM. RAM is volatile memory. RAM is used as working memory for temporarily storing various types of data in the processor 21. ROM is non-volatile memory. Various programs are stored in ROM.

[0024] The storage 23 is, for example, flash memory, and stores various applications (apps) and data that run on the terminal 20. The applications include, for example, a calculator application that performs calculations equivalent to those of the calculator 10. The applications also include, for example, a spreadsheet application and a household budget application.

[0025] The touch panel 24 is a touch sensor integrated with the screen of the display 25. When combined with the display 25, the touch panel 24 enables GUI (Graphical User Interface) functionality.

[0026] The display 25 is a display unit such as an LCD display. The display 25 displays various information on the terminal 20.

[0027] Communication modules 26, 27, and 28 include circuits for processing communication between the computer 10 and the terminal 20. Each of the communication modules 26, 27, and 28 is a communication module corresponding to a different communication method. Communication module 26 is a communication module for very short-range communication, such as NFC (Near Field Communication). Communication module 27 is a communication module for short-range communication, such as BLE (Blockchain Resonance). Communication module 28 is a communication module for mobile phone communication, such as 4G communication.

[0028] Next, the operation of the computer system 1 will be explained. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the computer 10. Figure 5 mainly shows the operation of the computer 10's collaborative processing. In collaborative processing, the computer 10 operates in cooperation with the terminal 20. The computer 10 has two collaborative modes during collaborative processing: 1) real-time input mode and 2) calculation process transmission mode. In real-time input mode, information related to the operation keys entered by the computer 10 is transmitted to the terminal 20 in real time. The terminal 20 can handle this transmitted information related to the operation keys as if it were information entered using the terminal 20's touch panel 24, etc. For example, the terminal 20 can use the numerical values ​​entered by the computer 10 as input for a calculator application, spreadsheet application, household account application, etc. Also, in calculation process transmission mode, each time an operation key is pressed, unsent calculation process data entered by the computer 10 is transmitted to the terminal 20. The processing in Figure 5 is performed by the processor 11 executing a collaborative program stored in the ROM of the memory 12.

[0029] In step S1, the processor 11 determines whether or not the wireless key 131 has been pressed. If the wireless key 131 has been pressed in step S1, the process proceeds to step S2. If the wireless key 131 has not been pressed in step S2, the process proceeds to step S3.

[0030] In step S2, the processor 11 performs communication processing to establish a communication connection using the communication module 16, which supports short-range communication. For example, the processor 11 causes the communication module 16 to send an advertisement. Then, the processor 11 establishes a communication connection using the communication module 16 in response to a communication request from the terminal 20 that received the advertisement. After that, the process moves on to step S3.

[0031] In step S3, the processor 11 determines whether the display 14 is hidden by the terminal 20. For example, if a communication module 15 that supports very short-range communication is placed near the display 14, the computer 10 will be able to communicate with the terminal 20 using the communication module 15 when the terminal 20 is placed on top of the display 14. In other words, the determination of whether the display 14 is hidden can be made by determining whether the communication module 15 can communicate with the terminal 20. In addition, since a light-receiving window 171 is placed near the display 14, the light-receiving window 171 is blocked when the terminal 20 is placed on top of the display 14. In this case, the power generation of the solar cell decreases and the voltage output from the power module 17 becomes smaller. In other words, the determination of whether the display 14 is hidden can also be made by determining whether the voltage from the power module 17 has fallen below a threshold. Furthermore, if an illuminance sensor is placed behind the light-receiving window 171, the determination of whether the display 14 is hidden can also be made by determining whether the output of the illuminance sensor has decreased. Thus, the determination of whether or not the display 14 is hidden can be performed by any method. If it is determined in step S3 that the display 14 is hidden, the process proceeds to step S4. If it is determined in step S3 that the display 14 is not hidden, the process proceeds to step S5.

[0032] In step S4, the processor 11 performs processing in real-time input mode. After processing in real-time input mode, the process moves to step S8. The processing in real-time input mode will be explained in detail later.

[0033] In step S5, the processor 11 determines whether or not it can communicate with the terminal 20. In step S5, it is determined whether or not it can communicate with the terminal 20 using the communication module 16. If it is determined in step S5 that it can communicate with the terminal 20, the process proceeds to step S6. If it is determined in step S5 that it cannot communicate with the terminal 20, the process proceeds to step S7.

[0034] In step S6, the processor 11 performs the calculation process transmission mode processing. After the calculation process transmission mode processing, the process proceeds to step S8. The calculation process transmission mode processing will be explained in detail later.

[0035] In step S7, the processor 11 performs other processing. After the other processing, the process proceeds to step S8. The other processing is not particularly limited. For example, the processor 11 performs calculations in response to input from operation keys and displays the calculation results on the display 14.

[0036] In step S8, the processor 11 determines whether or not to turn off the power to the computer 10. For example, it is determined to turn off the power to the computer 10 when the power off key on operation key 13 is pressed. If it is determined in step S8 to turn off the power to the computer 10, the process in Figure 5 ends. If it is determined in step S8 not to turn off the power to the computer 10, the process returns to step S1.

[0037] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the processing in real-time input mode. In step S11, the processor 11 determines whether a numeric key or arithmetic key has been pressed. If it is determined in step S11 that a numeric key or arithmetic key has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S12. If it is determined in step S11 that a numeric key or arithmetic key has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S19.

[0038] In step S12, the processor 11 displays a numerical value or operator corresponding to the pressed operation key on the display 14.

[0039] In step S13, the processor 11 transmits information related to the pressed operation key to the terminal 20. The information related to the operation key is information indicating the name of the pressed operation key, such as "the '0' key was pressed" or "the '+' key was pressed". In the example shown in Figure 5, communication via the communication module 15 is possible at the time of switching to real-time input mode. In this embodiment, if the wireless key 131 was pressed before switching to real-time input mode, communication via the communication module 16 may also be possible at the time of switching to real-time input mode. If communication is possible with both the communication module 15 and the communication module 16, the processor 11 communicates with the terminal 20 using, for example, the communication module 15. Of course, the processor 11 may also communicate with the terminal 20 using the communication module 16.

[0040] In step S14, the processor 11 determines whether the pressed operation key is an operation execution key (= key). If it is determined in step S14 that the pressed operation key is an operation execution key, the process proceeds to step S15. If it is determined in step S14 that the pressed operation key is not an operation execution key, the process proceeds to step S18.

[0041] In step S15, the processor 11 performs numerical calculations according to the input numbers and operators. The processor 11 then displays the calculation results on the display 14.

[0042] In step S16, the processor 11 determines whether or not the transmit key 132 has been pressed. If it is determined in step S16 that the transmit key 132 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S17. If it is determined in step S16 that the transmit key 132 has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S18.

[0043] In step S17, the processor 11 sends the calculation result information to the terminal 20. Then, the process proceeds to step S18. In this way, calculations are performed on the computer 10 even in real-time input mode. On the other hand, the transmission of the calculation result to the terminal 20 occurs when the transmit key 132 is pressed.

[0044] In step S18, the processor 11 determines whether or not to terminate the real-time input mode processing. For example, it is determined to terminate the real-time input mode processing when it is determined that communication between the computer 10 and the terminal 20 has been disconnected, or when it is determined that the display 14 is not hidden. If it is determined in step S18 to terminate the real-time input mode processing, the processing in Figure 6 ends. If it is determined in step S18 not to terminate the real-time input mode processing, the process returns to step S11.

[0045] In step S19, the processor 11 determines whether the cursor key 133 or the BS key 134 has been pressed. If it is determined in step S19 that the cursor key 133 or the BS key 134 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S20. If it is determined in step S19 that the cursor key 133 or the BS key 134 has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S18.

[0046] In step S20, the processor 11 transmits information related to the pressed operation key to the terminal 20. The process then proceeds to step S18. The information related to the operation key includes information such as the name of the pressed operation key, for example, that the cursor key 133 was pressed or the BS key 134 was pressed.

[0047] Figure 7A shows a first specific example of the real-time input mode. In this first example, the calculator application is running on terminal 20 in real-time input mode. As mentioned above, in real-time input mode, when a numeric key or arithmetic key is pressed, information about the numeric value or operator corresponding to the pressed operation key is transmitted to terminal 20 in real time.

[0048] For example, suppose a user inputs "123456789.012" using the numeric keys on calculator 10. In this case, although it is hidden by terminal 20 in Figure 7A, "123456789.012" is displayed on the display 14 of calculator 10. Furthermore, information about the numeric keys pressed by the user is transmitted to terminal 20 in real time. In this case, the calculator application on terminal 20 considers that an input operation similar to the transmitted numeric key information has occurred. As a result, "123456789.012" is displayed on the display 25 of terminal 20. Subsequently, suppose a user inputs "1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9+10=" using the numeric keys and arithmetic keys on calculator 10. In this case as well, although it is hidden by terminal 20 in Figure 7A, "1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9+10=" is displayed on the display 14 of calculator 10. Furthermore, information about the numeric and arithmetic keys pressed by the user is transmitted to terminal 20 in real time. As a result, "1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9+10=" is displayed on the display 25 of terminal 20. The calculator 10 also receives the input "1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9+10=" and performs the calculation. As a result, the calculation result "55" is displayed on display 14. However, only "1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9+10=" is displayed on the display 25 of terminal 20. Therefore, the user presses the send key 132. This sends the calculation result "55" to terminal 20, and "1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9+10=55" is displayed on the display 25 of terminal 20. The same applies when displaying "123 × 456 = 56,088" on the calculator app of terminal 20. The user enters "123 × 456 =" using calculator 10 and then presses the send key 132. As a result, "123 × 456 = 56,088" is displayed on the display 25 of terminal 20. Thus, in the first specific example, calculator 10 can function similarly to the external numeric keypad of terminal 20. On the other hand, terminal 20 can function similarly to the external display of calculator 10.

[0049] In this embodiment, for real-time input mode, the calculation result is sent to the terminal 20 when the transmit key 132 is pressed. In contrast, for example, instead of the information of the "=" operator being sent to the terminal immediately when the calculation execution key (= key) is pressed, both the calculation result and the information of the "=" operator may be sent to the terminal 20 after the calculation result has been calculated. This eliminates the need to press the transmit key 132 to send the calculation result.

[0050] Figure 7B shows a second specific example of the real-time input mode. In this second example, the spreadsheet application is running in real-time input mode on terminal 20.

[0051] In this case as well, when the user presses the operation key 13 on the calculator 10, information related to the pressed operation key is transmitted to the terminal 20 in real time. The spreadsheet application on the terminal 20 considers that an input operation similar to the transmitted operation key information has occurred. Thus, in this second specific example, when entering dates or numbers in the spreadsheet application on the terminal 20, the numeric keys of the calculator 10 may be used instead of the software keyboard of the terminal 20. In addition, the cursor keys 133 of the calculator 10 may be used to select cells in the spreadsheet application.

[0052] Here, the processing performed on terminal 20 based on the information related to the operation keys transmitted from computer 10 may be determined as appropriate for each application on terminal 20 that is in contact with computer 10.

[0053] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the processing in the calculation process transmission mode. In step S21, the processor 11 determines whether or not a numeric key has been pressed. If it is determined in step S21 that a numeric key has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S22. If it is determined in step S21 that a numeric key has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S23.

[0054] In step S22, the processor 11 displays the numerical value corresponding to the pressed numeric key on the display 14.

[0055] In step S23, the processor 11 determines whether or not an arithmetic key has been pressed. If it is determined in step S23 that an arithmetic key has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S24. If it is determined in step S23 that an arithmetic key has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S26.

[0056] In step S24, the processor 11 displays the operator corresponding to the pressed arithmetic key on the display 14. Furthermore, if the pressed arithmetic key is an arithmetic execution key, the processor 11 also performs the calculation of the input expression and displays the calculation result on the display 14.

[0057] In step S25, the processor 11 transmits unsent calculation process information to the terminal 20. The calculation process information consists of a combination of numbers and operators. In the example shown in Figure 5, when the system switches to calculation process transmission mode, communication via the communication module 16 is enabled, but communication via the communication module 15 is disabled. Therefore, the processor 11 uses the communication module 16 to transmit the calculation process information to the terminal 20.

[0058] In step S26, the processor 11 determines whether or not to terminate the processing of the calculation process transmission mode. For example, it is determined to terminate the processing of the calculation process transmission mode when it is determined that communication between the computer 10 and the terminal 20 has been disconnected, or when it is determined that the display 14 has been hidden. If it is determined in step S26 to terminate the processing of the calculation process transmission mode, the processing in Figure 8 ends. If it is determined in step S26 not to terminate the processing of the calculation process transmission mode, the process returns to step S21.

[0059] Figure 9 shows a specific example of the calculation process transmission mode. In this example, the calculator application is running on terminal 20 in calculation process transmission mode. As mentioned above, in calculation process transmission mode, when an operation key is pressed, the information of the calculation process that has not been transmitted up to that point is sent to terminal 20.

[0060] For example, suppose a user inputs "1+2+3+4+5=" using the numeric and arithmetic keys on calculator 10. At this time, information about the calculation process is transmitted to terminal 20 in the order of "1+", "2+", "3+", "4+", and "5=". In other words, in calculation process transmission mode, when an arithmetic key is pressed, information about the combination of the pressed arithmetic key and the numeric keys pressed up to that point is transmitted to terminal 20 as a single calculation step. The calculator application on terminal 20 stores the transmitted calculation process information, for example, in the RAM of memory 22. Thus, in calculation process transmission mode, the calculation process entered on calculator 10 is stored on terminal 20. The calculation process information stored on terminal 20 can be transmitted to other devices by the communication function of terminal 20. This allows, for example, terminal 20 to transmit the calculation process information to another calculator that can store calculation processes, such as a verification calculator, through operation. In this case, the verification calculator can display the received calculation process on its display. Furthermore, the terminal 20 can also transmit information about the calculation process to the printer 30 through its operation. In this case, the printer 30 can print the information about the calculation process onto paper. In the calculation process transmission mode, the calculation process is transmitted in units of calculation steps. This eliminates the need to send information such as input corrections to other terminals, allowing the calculation process to be transmitted in a more accurate and easily reusable format.

[0061] As described above, according to this embodiment, multiple cooperation modes between the computer and the terminal are switched according to the positional relationship between the computer's display and the terminal. In this way, it is possible to easily switch between multiple cooperation modes in this embodiment.

[0062] Furthermore, in Real-Time Input Mode, one of the linked modes, the calculator's operation keys can be used as the terminal's operation keys. This improves the usability of the application compared to when the terminal is used alone. Also, in Real-Time Input Mode, information entered using the calculator is reflected in the display on the terminal's application. This improves visibility compared to when the calculator is used alone. Moreover, switching to Real-Time Input Mode is done by hiding the calculator's display. Since the terminal's display is used instead of the calculator's display in Real-Time Input Mode, it is intuitively easy for the user to understand that switching to Real-Time Input Mode is done by hiding the calculator's display.

[0063] Furthermore, in the calculation process transmission mode, one of the collaboration modes, the calculation process input by the computer is stored on the terminal. This allows the terminal to be used as storage for the computer. The calculation process information stored on the terminal can be used by various devices.

[0064] [Differentiation] A modified example of the embodiment will now be described. In the embodiment, a real-time input mode and a calculation process transmission mode are given as examples of multiple cooperation modes. However, the invention is not limited to these. For example, processing of a cooperation mode other than the real-time input mode may be performed when the display 14 of the computer 10 is hidden, and processing of a cooperation mode other than the calculation process transmission mode may be performed when the display 14 is not hidden.

[0065] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the wireless key 131 is pressed, communication processing is performed to establish a communication connection using a short-range communication module 16, for example, BLE. However, it is not limited to this. For example, when the proximity of the computer 10 and the terminal 20 is detected, for example, by enabling communication via the communication module 15, communication processing to establish a communication connection using the communication module 16 may be performed. In this case, the wireless key 131 may be omitted.

[0066] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cooperation mode switches to real-time input mode when the display 14 of the computer 10 is hidden, and switches to calculation process transmission mode when it is not hidden. However, it is not limited to this. When the orientation of the terminal 20 can be detected by an acceleration sensor or the like, the cooperation mode may also switch depending on how the terminal 20 is brought close to the computer 10. For example, if the user intends to hide the display 14 of the computer 10, that is, intends to enter real-time input mode, it is expected that the terminal 20 will be brought close to the display 14 with its orientation turned sideways. For this reason, the cooperation mode may switch to real-time input mode when the terminal 20 is notified, for example by communication via the communication module 15, that the terminal 20 has been brought close to the computer 10 with its orientation turned sideways, and the cooperation mode may switch to calculation process transmission mode when the terminal 20 is notified, for example by communication via the communication module 15, that the terminal 20 has been brought close to the computer 10 with its orientation turned vertically. In this case, the communication module 16 may be omitted.

[0067] Although the present invention has been described based on the embodiments described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and applications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0068] Furthermore, each process according to the above-described embodiment can be stored as a program that can be executed by the processor 11, which is a computer. In addition, it can be stored and distributed on a storage medium such as a magnetic disk, optical disk, or semiconductor memory. The processor 11 can then read the program stored on the storage medium of the external storage device and execute the above-described processes by controlling its operation with the read program.

[0069] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified in various ways during implementation without departing from its essence. Furthermore, each embodiment may be combined as appropriate, and in that case, the combined effects can be obtained. Moreover, the above embodiments include various inventions, and various inventions can be extracted by selecting combinations from the multiple constituent elements disclosed. For example, if the problem can be solved and effects obtained even if some constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiment, then the configuration with these deleted constituent elements can be extracted as an invention.

[0070] The following are examples of inventions that can be extracted from embodiments of the present invention. [1] A communication unit that communicates with the terminal, A display unit that displays the entered number or operator, A determination unit for determining the positional relationship between the display unit and the terminal, A switching unit that switches the communication mode with the terminal according to the determined positional relationship, A control unit that communicates with the terminal using the communication unit according to the aforementioned cooperation mode, A computer equipped with the following features. [2] The determination unit determines whether the display unit is in a positional relationship where it is hidden by the terminal, The switching unit switches the communication mode depending on whether the display unit is positioned such that it is hidden by the terminal. [1] The calculator described above. [3] The aforementioned cooperation mode includes a first mode and a second mode, The switching unit switches the communication mode to the first mode when the display unit is positioned such that it is hidden by the terminal, and switches the communication mode to the second mode when the display unit is not positioned such that it is hidden by the terminal. In the first mode, the control unit transmits calculation-related information to the terminal based on the timing when each of the numeric key and arithmetic key is pressed, while in the second mode, it transmits calculation-related information to the terminal based only on the timing when the arithmetic key is pressed. [2] The calculator described above. [4] The display unit further displays the calculation result calculated based on the input numerical value and operator, In the first mode, the control unit transmits the calculation result to the terminal using the communication unit when an instruction to perform transmission is given. [3] The calculator described above. [5] The communication unit includes a first communication module and a second communication module located near the display unit and having a shorter communication range than the first communication module. The determination unit determines that the display unit is positioned such that it is hidden by the terminal when it can communicate with the terminal using the second communication module. A calculator as described in any one of [2]-[4]. [6] Further comprising a light receiving unit located near the display unit for receiving light, The determination unit determines that the display unit is hidden by the terminal when the light receiving unit is shielded from light. A calculator as described in any one of [2]-[4]. [7] A cooperation program for a computer that communicates with a terminal, To determine the positional relationship between the display unit of the computer and the terminal, The mode of communication with the terminal is switched according to the determined positional relationship, To communicate with the terminal using the communication unit in accordance with the aforementioned communication mode, A collaborative program to cause the processor of the aforementioned computer to execute it. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1 Computer system, 10 Computer, 11 Processor, 12 Memory, 13 Operation keys, 14 Display, 15 Communication module, 16 Communication module, 17 Power module, 20 Terminal, 21 Processor, 22 Memory, 23 Storage, 24 Touch panel, 25 Display, 26 Communication module, 27 Communication module, 28 Communication module, 30 Printer, 131 Wireless key, 132 Transmit key, 133 Cursor keys, 134 Backspace key (BS key), 171 Light receiving window.

Claims

1. A solar cell module that generates electricity from the light it is exposed to, Operation keys and, A display unit that displays the entered number or operator, A communication unit that transmits information to the terminal, A control unit selectively executes: a first mode in which, based on the power generation status from the solar cell module, when the operation key is pressed, a numerical value or operator corresponding to the operation key is displayed on the display unit and information related to the pressed operation key is transmitted to the terminal via the communication unit; and a second mode in which information related to calculations is transmitted to the terminal via the communication unit based on the timing of when the operation key is pressed. A computer characterized by having the following features.

2. The control unit executes the first mode when it determines that the voltage value output in response to the power generated from the solar cell module falls below a predetermined threshold. The calculator according to feature 1.

3. The aforementioned operation keys include numeric keys and arithmetic keys. In the second mode, the control unit transmits information related to the calculation to the terminal via the communication unit based only on the timing at which the calculation key is pressed. The calculator according to feature 1 or 2.

4. A computer comprising a solar cell module that generates power from irradiated light, operation keys, a display unit that displays input numbers or operators, and a communication unit that transmits information to a terminal, Based on the power generation status from the solar cell module, the control means selectively executes a first mode in which a numerical value or operator corresponding to the operation key is displayed on the display unit when the operation key is pressed, and information related to the pressed operation key is transmitted to the terminal via the communication unit; and a second mode in which information related to calculations is transmitted to the terminal via the communication unit based on the timing of the operation key being pressed. A program characterized by the following features.

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