Abstract:
An information processing apparatus includes a main body having an upper surface, and a display part which opens and closes with respect to the main body. The display part in a closed state is stacked on the upper surface of the main body and forms a generally flat parallelepiped shape together with the main body. The parallelepiped shape has a top surface, a bottom surface, and side surfaces forming an outer periphery of the parallelepiped shape. The main body has a first sloping surface joining the bottom surface and at least one of the side surfaces.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention generally relates to information processing apparatuses, and more particularly to an information processing apparatus having a portable shape.  
           [0002]    Information processing apparatuses typified by lap-top computers and portable word processors have become more affordable and popular in recent years. With respect to such portable information processing apparatuses, there are demands to improve their portability so that the user can easily carry the information processing apparatus in a bag or the like. To meet such demands, various proposals have been made to reduce the overall size, thickness and weight of the portable information processing apparatus.  
           [0003]    As conventional methods of reducing the overall size, thickness and weight of the portable information processing apparatus, there are a method which reduces the thickness and weight by employing a liquid crystal display, a method which reduces the overall size and weight by employing electronic parts having a low power consumption, a method which reduces the overall size and thickness by minimizing clearances between internal units of the portable information processing apparatus, a method which reduces the thickness and weight by employing a resin casing or cover having a reduced basic thickness, and the like.  
           [0004]    However, at the present, a considerable progress in the above described methods cannot be expected for the following reasons.  
           [0005]    First, the overall size and thickness of parts forming the portable information processing apparatus have already been reduced to nearly the technical limit, and a new technique which would enable further reduction in the overall size and thickness of the parts is unlikely to be developed in the near future.  
           [0006]    Second, even if a technique is developed to further reduce the overall size and thickness of the parts forming the portable information processing apparatus, the portable information processing apparatus would only become more difficult for the user to operate if the overall size and thickness of the portable information processing apparatus are further reduced considerably. For example, an excessively reduced keyboard would only make it more difficult for the user to operate keys of the keyboard, and an excessively reduced display would only make it more difficult for the user to see displayed information on the display.  
           [0007]    Third, if the basic thickness of the resin casing or cover is further reduced in order to further reduce the thickness of the portable information processing apparatus, the strength and rigidity of the casing or cover deteriorate. As a result, the casing or cover with the further reduced thickness would easily break, thereby deteriorating the reliability of the portable information processing apparatus. In the case of the portable information processing apparatus, the chances of the portable information processing apparatus receiving an external shock is not small since the portable information processing apparatus is often carried by the user, and for this reason, it is desirable that the casing or cover has certain strength and rigidity so that the portable information processing apparatus will uneasily be damaged by external shock.  
           [0008]    [0008]FIG. 1 is a front view generally showing an example of a conventional information processing apparatus set up on a base. In FIG. 1, an information processing apparatus  41  is set up on a base  42  such as a desk. The information processing apparatus  41  has a generally flat parallelepiped shape. When the user wishes to carry the information processing apparatus  41  in a bag or the like, the user may have difficulty accommodating the information processing apparatus  41  in the bag by one hand particularly when documents or the like are already accommodated within the bag.  
           [0009]    [0009]FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view for explaining accommodation of the information processing apparatus  41  into a bag  44  which already accommodates documents  43 . In the case shown in FIG. 2, the side surface of the information processing apparatus  41  will hit the documents  43  within the bag  44  if an attempt is made to accommodate the information processing apparatus  41  in the bag  44 . More particularly, since a corner portion  45  where the side and bottom surfaces of the information processing apparatus  41  meet and a corner portion  46  where the side and top surfaces of the information processing apparatus  41  meet are sharp, these corner portions  45  and  46  will hit the documents  43  when the user tries to put the information processing apparatus  41  into the bag  44 . For this reason, the user must first move the documents  43  or the like already accommodated within the bag  44  so as to form a space which would enable accommodation of the information processing apparatus  41  within the bag  44 , before actually inserting the information processing apparatus  41  into the bag  44 . However, it is extremely difficult for the user to move the documents  43  or the like within the bag  44  and to then insert the information processing apparatus  41  into the bag  44  using only one hand.  
           [0010]    On the other hand, when the user wishes to lift the information processing apparatus  41  which is set up on the base  42  as shown in FIG. 1, the user must insert his fingers between the base  42  and the information processing apparatus  41 . However, since the side and bottom surfaces-of the information processing apparatus  41  are flat and right angles to each other, there is no space between the information processing apparatus  41  and the base  42  for receiving the user&#39;s finger tips, and it is extremely difficult for the user to lift the information processing apparatus  41  from the base  42 , particularly when using only one hand.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a novel and useful information processing apparatus in which the problems described above are eliminated and the demands described above are satisfied.  
           [0012]    Another and more specific object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus which has a shape that improves portability of the information processing apparatus.  
           [0013]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus comprising a main body having an upper surface, and a display part which opens and closes with respect to the main body, where the display part in a closed state is stacked on the upper surface of the main body and forms a generally flat parallelepiped shape together with the main body, the parallelepiped shape has a top surface, a bottom surface, and side surfaces forming an outer periphery of the parallelepiped shape, and the main body has a first sloping surface joining the bottom surface and at least one of the side surfaces. According to the information processing apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to improve both the portability of the information processing apparatus and the thin appearance of the information processing apparatus such that the apparent thickness of the information processing apparatus will look smaller than the actual thickness of the information processing apparatus.  
           [0014]    A further object of the present invention is to provide the information processing apparatus of the type described above, and wherein a vertical height of the first sloping surface taken from the bottom surface to a position where the first sloping surface and the side surface meet is greater than ¼ a vertical distance between the bottom surface and the top surface and less than a vertical distance between the bottom surface and the upper surface of the main body. According to the information processing apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to improve both the portability of the information processing apparatus and particularly the thin appearance of the information processing apparatus such that the apparent thickness of the information processing apparatus will look smaller than the actual thickness of the information processing apparatus.  
           [0015]    Another object of the present invention is to provide the information processing apparatus of the type described above, wherein the display part has a second sloping surface joining the top surface and at least one of the side surfaces, and a vertical height of the second sloping surface taken from the top surface to a position where the second sloping surface and the side surface meet is greater than ⅛ a vertical distance between the top surface and the bottom surface and less than a vertical distance between the top surface and the upper surface of the main body. According to the information processing apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to further improve both the portability of the information processing apparatus and the thin appearance of the information processing apparatus such that the apparent thickness of the information processing apparatus will look much smaller than the actual thickness of the information processing apparatus.  
           [0016]    Other objects and further features of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 is a front view generally showing an example of a conventional information processing apparatus set up on a base;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view for explaining accommodation of the conventional information processing apparatus into a bag;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3 is a front view generally showing a first embodiment of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the first embodiment of the information processing apparatus set up on a base;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIGS. 5A, 5B,  5 C,  5 D,  5 E and  5 F respectively are a plan view, a left side view, a right side view, a front view, a rear view and a bottom view showing the first embodiment of the information processing apparatus in more detail;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view for explaining accommodation of the first embodiment of the information processing apparatus into a bag;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 7 is a front view generally showing a first modification of the first embodiment of the information processing apparatus;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 8 is a front view generally showing a second modification of the first embodiment of the information processing apparatus;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 9 is a front view generally showing a second embodiment of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention; and  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view for explaining accommodation of the second embodiment of the information processing apparatus into a bag. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0027]    First, a description will be given of a first embodiment of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a front view generally showing the first embodiment of the information processing apparatus. In FIG. 3, only the characterizing external features are shown, and the illustration of the details of the information processing apparatus are omitted. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a portable lap-top computer.  
         [0028]    An information processing apparatus  1  shown in FIG. 3 generally includes a main body  2 , and a display part  3  which can open and close with respect to the main body  2  about a hinge provided at a rear part of the main body  2 . FIG. 3 shows the display part  3  in a closed state, and FIG. 4, which will be described later, shows the display part  4  in an open state.  
         [0029]    Side surfaces  4  of the information processing apparatus  1  have a width W 1  which is smaller than a thickness Dl of the information processing apparatus  1 . The thickness Dl is the distance between a bottom surface  5  and a top surface  7  of the information processing apparatus  1 . The bottom surface  5  of the information processing apparatus  1  has an area smaller than an area which is surrounded by the four side surfaces  4 . A lower end of the side surface  4  and an end of the bottom surface  5  are joined by a sloping surface  6 .  
         [0030]    An angle dl which is formed between a horizontal extension of the bottom surface  5  and the sloping surface  6  is set within a range of approximately 30° to 60°, so that the shape of the information processing apparatus  1  facilitates carrying of the information processing apparatus  1 . In order to prevent excessive reduction of the internal volume of the main body  2 , it is desirable that the angle dl is set to approximately 45°.  
         [0031]    In addition, in order to facilitate carrying of the information processing apparatus  1 , it is desirable that an upper end of the sloping surface  6 , that is, a vertical height of the sloping surface  6 , is higher than ¼ the thickness D 1  taken from the bottom surface  5 , and is lower than a corner portion where the side surface  4  and an upper surface  8  of the main body  2  meet.  
         [0032]    It is also desirable that the sloping surface  6  is provided along the four side surfaces  4  from the point of view of facilitating carrying of the information processing apparatus  1 . When the sloping surface  6  is provided along the four side surfaces  4 , the sloping surface  6  may exist continuously for the entire outer periphery of the information processing apparatus  1  or, at least one discontinuity such as a cutout may exist along the outer periphery of the information processing apparatus  1 . In other words, the sloping surface  6  is desirably provided generally along the outer periphery of the information processing apparatus  1 .  
         [0033]    If it is difficult to reduce the internal volume of the main body  2  due to units and parts to be accommodated within the main body  2 , it is possible to provide the sloping surface  6  at only a portion along the outer periphery of the information processing apparatus. In this case, it is desirable that the sloping surface  6  is provided at a portion including at least one corner portion of the information processing apparatus  1  joining the bottom surface  5 .  
         [0034]    From the point of view of making the appearance of the information processing apparatus  1  thin so as to emphasize the thin shape of the information processing apparatus  1  to the user, it is desirable to provide the sloping surface  6  at the front surface of the information processing apparatus  1 . By providing the sloping surface  6  at the front surface of the information processing apparatus  1 , the user cannot see an edge of the bottom surface  5  in the perspective view, that is, by a normal viewing angle from above the information processing apparatus T, and the information processing apparatus  1  will appear to the user as if the thickness of the information processing apparatus  1  is only the thickness (width WI) of the side surface  4 . As a result, the thickness of the information processing apparatus I will appear extremely small in this case.  
         [0035]    Next, a more detailed description will be given of the external appearance of the first embodiment of the information processing apparatus, by referring to FIG. 4 and FIGS. 5A through 5F. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the first embodiment of the information processing apparatus set up on a base. FIGS. 5A, 5B,  5 C,  5 D,  5 E and  5 F respectively are a plan view, a left side view, a right side view, a front view, a rear view and a bottom view showing the first embodiment of the information processing apparatus in more detail.  
         [0036]    In FIG. 4, the information processing apparatus  1  is set up on a base  10  such as a desk, in a state where the display part  3  is opened with respect to the main body  2 . The display part  3  is in this open state when the user operates the information processing apparatus  1 . On the other hand, the display part  3  is normally in the closed state shown in FIG. 3 and FIGS. 5A through 5F when the user carries the information processing apparatus  1 .  
         [0037]    As may be seen from FIGS. 5B, 5C and  5 D, it is assumed in FIG. 4 and FIGS. 5A through 5F for the sake of convenience that a sloping surface  6   a  is provided between a left side surface  4   a  and the bottom surface  5 , a sloping surface  6   b  is provided between a right side surface  4   b  and the bottom surface  5 , and a sloping surface  6   c  is provided between a front surface  4   c  and the bottom surface  5 . The sloping surfaces  6   a ,  6   b  and  6   c  are indicated by hatching in FIG. 5F. In other words, the sloping surface  6  is not provided continuously along the entire outer periphery of the information processing apparatus  1 . Hence, a sharp corner portion formed by the side and bottom surfaces of the conventional information processing apparatus  41  shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 described above is eliminated at the portions of the information processing apparatus  1  where the sloping surfaces  6   a ,  6   b  and  6   c  are provided.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view for explaining accommodation of the information processing apparatus  1  into a bag  31  which already accommodates documents  32 .  
         [0039]    In the case shown in FIG. 6, the possibility of the side surface  4  of the information processing apparatus  1  hitting the documents  32  within the bag  31  and preventing the accommodation of the information processing apparatus  1  when an attempt is made to accommodate the information processing apparatus  1  in the bag  31  is small, because of the provision of the sloping surface  6  ( 6   a ,  6   b  or  6   c ). More particularly, since a corner portion where the side surface  4   a  or  4   b  or the front surface  4   c  and the bottom surface  5  of the information processing apparatus  1  meet is tapered by the provision of the sloping surface  6  ( 6   a ,  6   b  or  6   c ), the corner portion will unlikely be blocked by the documents  32  when the user tries to put the information processing apparatus  1  into the bag  31 . As a result, the sloping surface  6  and the documents  32  will guide each other, and the information processing apparatus  1  will be guided smoothly into the bag  31  between the documents  32 .  
         [0040]    For this reason, unlike the conventional case described above in conjunction with FIG. 2, there is no need for the user to first move the documents  32  or the like already accommodated within the bag  31  so as to form a space which would enable accommodation of the information processing apparatus  1  within the bag  31  before actually inserting the information processing apparatus  1  into the bag  31 . Therefore, it is possible for the user to easily and smoothly insert the information processing apparatus  1  into the bag  31  using only one hand even if the documents  32  are already accommodated within the bag  31 .  
         [0041]    On the other hand, when the user wishes to lift the information processing apparatus  1  which is set up on the base  10  as shown in FIG. 4, the user can easily insert his fingers within a gap  9  formed between the base  10  and the information processing apparatus  1  and positively get hold of the information processing apparatus  1 . Hence, it is extremely easy for the user to lift the information processing apparatus  1  from the base  10 , even by use of only one hand.  
         [0042]    In addition, as may be seen from FIG. 4, the user cannot see an edge of the bottom surface  5  for a large range of the outer periphery of the information processing apparatus I in the perspective view, that is, by a normal viewing angle from above the information processing apparatus  1 , when the sloping surface  6  is provided. Consequently the information processing apparatus  1  will appear to the user as if the thickness of the information processing apparatus  1  is smaller than the actual thickness, thereby making it possible to emphasize the thin shape of the information processing apparatus  1  to the user.  
         [0043]    Therefore, the provision of the sloping surface  6  improves both the portability of the information processing apparatus  1  and the thin appearance of the information processing apparatus  1 .  
         [0044]    Next, a description will be given of a first modification of the first embodiment, by referring to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a front view generally showing the first modification of the first embodiment of the information processing apparatus. In FIG. 7, those parts which are the same as those corresponding parts in FIG. 3 are designated by the same reference numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted.  
         [0045]    In an information processing apparatus  1 - 1  shown in FIG. 7, a sloping surface  6 - 1  is provided continuously or, with at least one discontinuity, along the entire outer periphery of the information processing apparatus  1 - 1 . This sloping surface  6 - 1  is curved inwards and has a concave shape as opposed to a linear shape of the sloping surface  6  described above. For this reason, it is particularly easy for the user to positively hold and lift the information processing apparatus  1 - 1  from the base  10  by inserting his fingers into the gap  9  between the base  10  and the bottom surface  5  of the information processing apparatus  1 - 1 .  
         [0046]    Next, a description will be given of a second modification of the first embodiment, by referring to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a front view generally showing the second modification of the first embodiment of the information processing apparatus. In FIG. 8, those parts which are the same as those corresponding parts in FIG. 3 are designated by the same reference numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted.  
         [0047]    In an information processing apparatus  1 - 2  shown in FIG. 8, a sloping surface  6 - 2  is provided continuously or, with at least one discontinuity, along the entire outer periphery of the information processing apparatus  1 - 2 . This sloping surface  6 - 2  is curved outwards and has a convex shape. For this reason, it is particularly easy for the user to insert the information processing apparatus  1 - 2  into the bag  31  since the convex shape of the sloping surface  6 - 2  will realize an extremely small contact area between the sloping surface and the documents  32  within the bag  31 . Furthermore, the convex shape of the sloping surface  6 - 2  minimizes the reduction in the internal volume of the main body  2 , thereby securing a sufficient space within the main body  2  for mounting units and parts of the information processing apparatus  1 - 2 .  
         [0048]    Of course, the first embodiment and the first and second modifications thereof may be similarly applied to information processing apparatuses other than the lap-top computer, such as a portable word processor.  
         [0049]    Next, a description will be given of a second embodiment of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, by referring to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a front view generally showing the second embodiment of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 9, only the characterizing external features are shown, and the illustration of the details of the information processing apparatus are omitted. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a portable word processor.  
         [0050]    An information processing apparatus  11  shown in FIG. 9 generally includes a main body  12 , and a display part  13  which can open and close with respect to the main body  12  about a hinge provided at a rear part of the main body  12 . FIG. 9 shows the display part  13  in a closed state, but the display part  13  is opened similarly to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4 described above.  
         [0051]    Side surfaces  14  of the information processing apparatus  11  have a width W 2  which is smaller than a thickness D 2  of the information processing apparatus  11 . The thickness D 2  is the distance between a bottom surface  15  and a top surface  17  of the information processing apparatus  11 . The bottom surface  15  of the information processing apparatus  11  has an area smaller than an area which is surrounded by the four side surfaces  14 . A lower end of the side surface  14  and an end of the bottom surface  15  are joined by a sloping surface  16 .  
         [0052]    An angle d 2  which is formed between a horizontal extension of the bottom surface  15  and the sloping surface  16  is set within a range of approximately 30° to 60°, so that the shape of the information processing apparatus  11  facilitates carrying of the information processing apparatus  11 . In order to prevent excessive reduction of the internal volume of the main body  12 , it is desirable that the angle d 2  is set to approximately 45°.  
         [0053]    In addition, in order to facilitate carrying of the information processing apparatus  11 , it is desirable that an upper end of the sloping surface  16 , that is, a vertical height of the sloping surface  16 , is higher than ¼ the thickness D 2  taken from the bottom surface  15 , and is lower than a corner portion where the side surface  14  and an upper surface  20  of the main body  12  meet.  
         [0054]    It is also desirable that the sloping surface  16  is provided along the four side surfaces  14  from the point of view of facilitating carrying of the information processing apparatus  11 . When the sloping surface  16  is provided along the four side surfaces  14 , the sloping surface  16  may exist continuously for the entire outer periphery of the information processing apparatus  11  or, at least one discontinuity such as a cutout may exist along the outer periphery of the information processing apparatus  11 . In other words, the sloping surface  16  is desirably provided generally along the outer periphery of the information processing apparatus  11 .  
         [0055]    If it is difficult to reduce the internal volume of the main body  12  due to units and parts to be accommodated within the main body  12 , it is possible to provide the sloping surface  16  at only a portion along the outer periphery of the information processing apparatus. In this case, it is desirable that the sloping surface  16  is provided at a portion including at least one corner portion of the information processing apparatus iI joining the bottom surface  15 .  
         [0056]    From the point of view of making the appearance of the information processing apparatus  11  thin so as to emphasize the thin shape of the information processing apparatus  11  to the user, it is desirable to provide the sloping surface  16  at the front surface of the information processing apparatus  11 . By providing the sloping surface  16  at the front surface of the information processing apparatus  11 , the user cannot see an edge of the bottom surface  15  in the perspective view, that is, by a normal viewing angle from above the information processing apparatus  11 , and the information processing apparatus  11  will appear to the user as if the thickness of the information processing apparatus  11  is only the thickness (width W 2 ) of the side surface  14 . As a result, the thickness of the information processing apparatus  11  will appear extremely small in this case.  
         [0057]    In addition, the top surface  1  of the information processing apparatus  11  has an area smaller than the area which is surrounded by the four side surfaces  14 . An upper end of the side surface  14  and an end of the top surface  17  are joined by a sloping surface  18 .  
         [0058]    An angle d 3  which is formed between a horizontal extension of the top surface  17  and the sloping surface  18  is set within a range of approximately 30° to 60°, so that the shape of the information processing apparatus  11  facilitates carrying of the information processing apparatus  11 . In order to prevent excessive reduction of the internal volume of the display part  13 , it is desirable that the angle d 3  is set to approximately 45°.  
         [0059]    In addition, in order to facilitate carrying of the information processing apparatus  11 , it is desirable that a distance between the top surface  17  and a lower end of the sloping surface  18 , that is, a vertical height of the sloping surface  18 , is greater than ⅛ the thickness D 2  taken from the top surface  17 , and is lower than a corner portion where the side surface  14  and a lower surface  21  of the display part  13  (or the upper surface of the main body  12 ) meet.  
         [0060]    It is also desirable that the sloping surface  18  is provided along the four side surfaces  14  from the point of view of facilitating carrying of the information processing apparatus  11 . When the sloping surface  18  is provided along the four side surfaces  14 , the sloping surface  18  may exist continuously for the entire outer periphery of the information processing apparatus  11  or, at least one discontinuity such as a cutout may exist along the outer periphery of the information processing apparatus  11 . In other words, the sloping surface  18  is desirably provided generally along the outer periphery of the information processing apparatus  11 .  
         [0061]    If it is difficult to reduce the internal volume of the display part  13  due to units and parts to be accommodated within the display part  13 , it is possible to provide the sloping surface  18  at only a portion along the outer periphery of the information processing apparatus. In this case, it is desirable that the sloping surface  18  is provided at a portion including at least one corner portion of the information processing apparatus  11  joining the top surface  17 .  
         [0062]    From the point of view of making the appearance of the information processing apparatus  11  thin so as to emphasize the thin shape of the information processing apparatus  11  to the user, it is desirable to provide the sloping surface  18  at the front surface of the information processing apparatus  11 . By providing the sloping surface  18  at the front surface of the information processing apparatus  11 , the apparent thickness of the information processing apparatus  11  will appear as if it is only the thickness (width W 2 ) of the side surface  14 . As a result, the thickness of the information processing apparatus  11  will appear extremely small in this case.  
         [0063]    [0063]FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view for explaining accommodation of the information processing apparatus  11  into a bag  31  which already accommodates documents  32 . In FIG. 10, those parts which are the same as those corresponding parts in FIGS. 6 and 9 are designated by the same reference numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted.  
         [0064]    In the case shown in FIG. 10, the possibility of the side surface  14  of the information processing apparatus  11  hitting the documents  32  within the bag  31  and preventing the accommodation of the information processing apparatus  11  when an attempt is made to accommodate the information processing apparatus  11  in the bag  31  is small, because of the provision of the sloping surfaces  16  and  18 . More particularly, since a corner portion where the side surface  14  and the bottom surface  15  meet and a corner portion where the side surface  14  and the top surface  17  meet are tapered by the provision of the sloping surfaces  16  and  18 , the corner portions will very unlikely be blocked by the documents  32  when the user tries to put the information processing apparatus  11  into the bag  31 . As a result, the sloping surfaces  16  and  18  and the documents  32  will guide each other, and the information processing apparatus  11  will be guided very smoothly into the bag  31  between the documents  32 .  
         [0065]    For this reason, unlike the conventional case described above in conjunction with FIG. 2, there is no need for the user to first move the documents  32  or the like already accommodated within the bag  31  so as to form a space which would enable accommodation of the information processing apparatus  11  within the bag  31  before actually inserting the information processing apparatus  11  into the bag  31 . Therefore, it is possible for the user to very easily and smoothly insert the information processing apparatus  11  into the bag  31  using only one hand even if the documents  32  are already accommodated within the bag  31 .  
         [0066]    On the other hand, when the user wishes to lift the information processing apparatus  11  which is set up on a base similarly as in the case shown in FIG. 4, the user can easily insert his fingers within a gap formed between the base.and the information processing apparatus  11  and positively get hold of the information processing apparatus  11  due to the provision of the sloping surface  16 . Hence, it is extremely easy for the user to lift the information processing apparatus  11  from the base, even by use of only one hand.  
         [0067]    In addition, the user cannot see an edge of the bottom surface  15  for a large range of the outer periphery of the information processing apparatus  11  in the perspective view, that is, by a normal viewing angle from above the information processing apparatus  11 , when the sloping surface  16  is provided. Further, the thickness of the information processing apparatus  11  appears smaller than the actual thickness when the sloping surface  18  is provided. Consequently, the information processing apparatus  11  will appear to the user as if the thickness of the information processing apparatus  11  is much smaller than the actual thickness, thereby making it possible to emphasize the thin shape of the information processing apparatus  11  to the user.  
         [0068]    Therefore, the provision of the sloping surfaces  16  and  18  improves both the portability of the information processing apparatus  11  and the thin appearance of the information processing apparatus  11 .  
         [0069]    In addition, at least one of the sloping surfaces  16  and  18  may be curved inwards or outwards, similarly to the first and second modifications of the first embodiment described above. Moreover, the shape of the sloping surface  16  may be the same as or may be different from the shape of the sloping surface  18 .  
         [0070]    Of course, the second embodiment may be similarly applied to information processing apparatuses other than the portable word processor, such as a lap-top computer.  
         [0071]    Further, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but various variations and modifications may be made without departing a from the scope of the present invention.