JP2020140228A - Information processing apparatus and input control method and program thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

To more efficiently use an autorepeat function according to a function of a key.SOLUTION: A notebook PC 1 includes a touch pad 6 having a touch pad mode serving as a touch pad and a numeric keypad mode serving as a numeric keypad for inputting numbers, a mode switching unit 31 that switches between the touch pad mode and the numeric keypad mode when operating a predetermined input operation, and a function setting unit 32 that turns off the autorepeat function for receiving as continuous key input when a key is held down at the time of the numeric key mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device, an input control method thereof, and a program.

Conventionally, information processing devices such as notebook PCs and desktop PCs support an auto-repeat function that accepts continuous key input when the same key is continuously pressed. This auto-repeat function is also called, for example, a key repeat function or a typematic input. (1) The time from when a key is pressed until continuous key input is started, and (2) Continuous key input is started. It is set so that the key input speed, in other words, the number of key inputs generated in a unit time can be adjusted.

For example, regarding character input and number input, it is less necessary to input the same character and number consecutively. Therefore, the auto-repeat function does not work very effectively for such key input. On the other hand, for keys such as the delete key, space key, page up, page down, and cursor key, continuous input may be preferable, and the auto-repeat function works effectively.
However, since the conventional auto-repeat function is reflected in the entire key, flexible setting cannot be performed.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides an information processing device capable of more effectively using the auto-repeat function according to a key function, an input control method thereof, and a program. The purpose is.

A first aspect of the present invention is a touchpad having a touchpad mode that functions as a touchpad and a numeric keypad mode that functions as a numeric keypad for inputting numbers, and the touchpad when a predetermined input operation is performed. Information including a mode switching unit that switches between a mode and the numeric keypad mode, and a function setting unit that turns off the auto-repeat function that accepts continuous key input when a key is held down in the numeric keypad mode. It is a processing device.

A second aspect of the present invention is an input control method of an information processing apparatus including a touch pad having a touch pad mode that functions as a touch pad and a ten-key mode for inputting numbers, and a predetermined input operation is performed. In this case, the step of switching between the touchpad mode and the ten-key mode and the step of turning off the auto-repeat function that accepts as continuous key input when the key is held down in the ten-key mode are performed. This is an input control method for an information processing device executed by a computer.

A third aspect of the present invention is an input control program applied to an information processing apparatus including a touch pad having a touch pad mode that functions as a touch pad and a ten-key mode for inputting numbers, and is a predetermined input. Turns off the process of switching between the touchpad mode and the ten-key mode when an operation is performed, and the auto-repeat function that accepts continuous key input when a key is held down in the ten-key mode. It is an input control program for causing a computer to execute processing.

According to the present invention, there is an effect that the auto-repeat function can be used more effectively according to the function of the key.

It is a schematic external view of the notebook PC which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which showed an example of the key composition and the key layout displayed on the touch pad in the ten-key mode or the function key mode in the notebook PC which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which showed the configuration example of the touch pad in the touch pad mode in the notebook PC which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which showed schematic the hardware structure of the notebook PC which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows a part of the input control function provided in the notebook PC which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention typically. It is a figure which showed the state transition diagram of each mode in the touch pad of the notebook PC which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

The information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, its input control method, and the program will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, a notebook PC will be illustrated as an information processing device, but the information processing device of the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the information processing device may be a desktop PC, a mobile phone such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like.

FIG. 1 is a schematic external view of a notebook PC 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the notebook PC 1 is a so-called clam shell type personal computer including a first housing 2 and a second housing 3 which are substantially rectangular parallelepipeds. The first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are connected by a connecting portion 9a at or near their respective ends, for example. The connecting portion 9a is, for example, a hinge and supports the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 so as to be openable and closable.

The first housing 2 is provided with a sub-display 10 along the end side of the second housing 3. The sub-display 10 is connected to the first housing 2 by, for example, the connecting portion 9b. The connecting portion 9b is, for example, a hinge. The sub-display 10 can be accommodated in the accommodating portion 11 provided on the upper surface of the first housing 2 in the closed state, and the accommodating surface of the accommodating portion 11 and the back surface of the sub-display 10 (display screen is provided) in the open state. The angle θ formed with the surface (the side not covered) is configured to be, for example, in the range of 2 ° ≦ θ2 ≦ 40 °.

The sub-display 10 is configured to open with respect to the first housing 2, for example, when the second housing 3 is open with respect to the first housing 2. The sub-display 10 may be configured to manually rotate around the connecting portion 9b. In this case, as the connecting portion 9b, a torque hinge or the like capable of holding the sub-display 10 at a predetermined angle can be preferably used. Further, the sub-display 10 may be put into an upward urging state by using an urging member such as a spring. In this case, when the second housing 3 is closed, the second housing 3 can push the sub-display 10 downward to accommodate the sub-display 10 in the housing portion 11, and when the second housing 3 is opened. , The sub-display 10 can be automatically started up in conjunction with the second housing 3.

The first housing 2 is provided with an input device 4. The input device 4 is a user interface for the user to perform an input operation. FIG. 1 shows, as an example of the input device 4, a keyboard 5 and a touch pad 6 composed of various keys for inputting characters, commands, and the like. Further, the input device 4 may include a mouse, a track point, a touch pen, and the like.

The keyboard 5 is provided on the upper surface of the first housing 2 via the sub-display 10 on the side opposite to the second housing 3. For example, the keyboard 5 is provided at a substantially central portion on the upper surface of the first housing 2. The keyboard 5 may be a software keyboard or may be composed of physical keys.

The touch pad 6 is provided on the side portion on the upper surface of the first housing 2. In FIG. 1, the touch pad 6 is provided on the upper surface of the first housing 2 on the right side of the keyboard 5, but the present invention is not limited to this example, and the touch pad 6 may be provided on the left side of the keyboard 5.

The touch pad 6 is, for example, a touch pad 6 that realizes a 3D touch (three-day touch). For example, the touch pad 6 is provided with a capacitance type, resistance film type, or electromagnetic induction type touch sensor, and is configured to detect an input operation on the operation surface. Further, the touch pad 6 is provided with a pressure sensor (pressure detection unit) on the lower surface of the operation surface, and the contact pressure with respect to the contact surface can be detected by the pressure sensor. The specific configuration for detecting the pressure is not limited to the pressure-sensitive sensor, and the contact pressure of an indicator such as a finger on the contact surface may be detected by another sensor.

The touch pad 6 has a touch pad mode that functions as a touch pad for inputting cursor operations, click operations, and the like, a numeric keypad mode that functions as a numeric keypad for inputting numbers, and a function that functions as a function key different from the numeric keypad. It has a key mode.

A backlight is provided below the touch pad 6. In the numeric keypad mode and the function key mode, the backlight is turned on to visually display the numeric keypad and function keys, and when the user's contact with each key is detected, the input signal corresponding to the key is output. It will be output.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a display example of the touch pad 6 in the numeric keypad mode and the function key mode. The key layout and key configuration in the numeric keypad mode and the function key mode shown in FIG. 2 are examples, and are not limited to this example. As shown in FIG. 2, for some keys, both the numerical key function and the function key function are assigned. In the numeric keypad mode, each key functions as a key displayed in the upper row in FIG.
For example, in the numeric keypad mode, the touchpad 6 functions as a keypad including numeric keys from 0 to 9, various arithmetic symbol keys such as plus and minus, an enter key, and a Numlock key 14.

On the other hand, in the function key mode, each key functions as a key displayed in the lower row. For example, in the function key mode, the touchpad 6 functions as a keypad including a home key, a page up key, a page down key, up / down / left / right cursor keys, an end key, an insert key, a delete key, a Num Lock key 14, and the like.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the touch pad 6 in the touch pad mode.

The switching of each of the above modes is performed, for example, by performing a predetermined input operation instructing the mode switching. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a mode switching button 12 for mode switching is provided in a part of the touch pad 6 where the keys are not displayed. By operating the mode switching button 12, the touch pad mode and the numeric keypad mode or the function key mode can be switched.

Further, for example, the switching between the numeric keypad mode and the function key mode is configured to be switched by, for example, operating a predetermined key displayed on the touch pad 6. For example, as an example, the ten-key mode and the function key mode may be switched by operating the Num Lock key 14.

For example, when the Num Lock key 14 is enabled, the numeric keypad mode is set, and when the Num Lock key 14 is disabled, the function key mode is set. In the present embodiment, the Num Lock key 14 is configured to hold the current state until the Num Lock key 14 is operated again. For example, when the Num Lock key 14 is activated by operating the Num Lock key 14, the activated state is maintained until the Num Lock key 14 is operated again.

The mode switching method described above is an example, and is not limited to the above example. Further, the switching of enabling / disabling the Num Lock key 14 is not limited to the above example. For example, when the mode is switched to the touch pad mode or the notebook PC 1 is shut down, it may be reset to either the disabled state or the enabled state. Further, in this case, the configuration may be such that the user can set the default state.

The second housing 3 is provided with a main display 8 for displaying an image. The main display 8 is arranged on a surface facing the sub-display 10 with the second housing 3 closed to the first housing 2.

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the hardware configuration of the notebook PC 1 according to the present embodiment. The notebook PC 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 20, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 21, a memory 22, a flash memory 23, a graphics adapter 24, a main display 8, a sub-display 10, a communication device 25, a power supply circuit 26, and an input device 4. It has. Each of these parts is connected via a bus 28.

The CPU 20 controls the entire notebook PC 1 by an OS (Operating System) stored in the flash memory 23 connected via the bus 28, and executes processing based on various programs stored in the flash memory 23. ..

The ROM 21 stores a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System), various data, and the like.
The memory 22 is composed of a cache memory and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The memory 22 is a writable memory used as a work area for reading the execution program of the CPU 20 and writing the processing data by the execution program.

The flash memory 23 stores a multi-window OS for controlling the entire notebook PC 1, various drivers for operating peripheral devices in hardware, utility programs, various application programs, and the like. The notebook PC 1 may be provided with another storage means such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) as a storage means instead of the flash memory 23.

The graphics adapter 24 converts the display information into a video signal under the control of the CPU 20, and outputs the converted video signal to the main display 8 and the sub-display 10.

The main display 8 is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL display, and displays a video signal from the graphics adapter 24 as an image under the control of the CPU 20. Further, the main display 8 may be configured as a touch panel having an input detection function such as a touch sensor.

The sub-display 10 is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL display, and displays a video signal from the graphics adapter 24 as an image under the control of the CPU 20. Further, the sub-display 10 may be configured as a touch panel having an input detection function such as a touch sensor. Further, the sub-display 10 may be configured to be able to accept input by the touch pen.

The communication device 25 communicates with another device.
The power supply circuit 26 includes an AC adapter, a battery, a charger for charging the battery, a DC / DC converter, and the like, and supplies electric power to each configuration according to the control of the CPU 20.
The input signal corresponding to the user's input operation on the keyboard 5 and the touch pad 6 constituting the input device 4 is output to the CPU 20 via the bus 28.
The configuration and connection example of the notebook PC 1 shown in FIG. 4 is an example, and is not limited to this example.

FIG. 5 is a functional configuration diagram schematically showing an input control function included in the notebook PC 1 according to the present embodiment. The processes for realizing the various functions described below are stored in a computer-readable recording medium in the form of a program, and the various functions are realized by the CPU 20 or the like reading the program into the RAM and executing the program. To. The program is distributed in a form of being pre-installed in a storage medium such as a ROM or a flash memory 23, a form of being provided in a state of being stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or via a wired or wireless communication means. The form and the like may be applied. Computer-readable storage media include magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, semiconductor memories, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 5, the notebook PC 1 according to the present embodiment includes a mode switching unit 31, a function setting unit 32, and a backlight control unit 33. Further, in the notebook PC 1, the touch pad 6 includes a mode switching button 12, a Namlock key 14, a pressure sensitive sensor 16, and a backlight 18.

The mode switching unit 31 switches the mode according to the input signals from the mode switching button 12 and the num lock key 14. Specifically, when the input operation of the mode switching button 12 is accepted, the mode switching unit 31 switches between the touch pad mode and the numeric keypad mode. Further, the mode switching unit 31 sets the numeric keypad mode when the Num Lock key 14 is enabled, and sets the function key mode when the Num Lock key 14 is disabled.

The function setting unit 32 sets the auto-repeat function to off when the numeric keypad mode is set by the mode switching unit 31. Here, the auto-repeat function is a function that accepts as continuous key input when a key is held down. By setting this auto-repeat function to off, for example, in the numeric keypad mode, even if each key is held down, the input by operating the key is limited to one time.

On the other hand, the function setting unit 32 sets the auto-repeat function to on when the function key mode is set by the mode switching unit 31. As a result, when each key is kept pressed in the function key mode, the input of the key is continuously accepted. Further, when the auto-repeat function is on, the function setting unit 32 changes the key input speed based on the contact pressure input from the pressure-sensitive sensor 16. For example, the function setting unit 32 sets the key input speed faster as the value of the contact pressure input from the pressure sensor 16 increases, in other words, sets a larger number of key inputs per unit time. As a result, the harder the user presses the key, the faster the key input speed.

The key input speed may be changed functionally according to the contact pressure, or may be changed stepwise. For example, a table in which the contact pressure and the key input speed are associated is registered, and the key input speed with respect to the contact pressure may be determined using this table. Further, for example, a function for obtaining the key input speed with the contact pressure as a variable may be registered in advance, and the key input speed may be obtained by inputting the contact pressure to this function.

The backlight control unit 33 turns on the backlight when the ten-key mode or the function key mode is set by the mode switching unit 31. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2, the touch pad 6 visually displays the arrangement of each key and the function assigned to each key.

Next, the input control process executed by the notebook PC 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. In the following description, the case where the touchpad mode is set as the initial mode will be described, but the present invention is not limited to this example, and other modes may be set as the initial mode. Further, the initial mode may be configured so that the user can select it.

Hereinafter, the input control process executed by the notebook PC 1 will be described.
When the mode switching button 12 is operated in the touch pad mode, the mode switching unit 31 switches to the numeric keypad mode or the function key mode according to the state of the Num Lock key 14. Specifically, when the Num Lock key 14 is enabled, the mode is switched to the numeric keypad mode, and when the Num Lock key 14 is disabled, the mode is switched to the function key mode. When the mode is switched in this way, the mode information after switching is output from the mode switching unit 31 to the function setting unit 32 and the backlight control unit 33.

When the mode switching unit 31 notifies the mode after the mode is switched, the function setting unit 32 sets on / off of the auto repeat function according to the mode. Specifically, when the input indicating that the numeric keypad mode has been switched is accepted, the auto-repeat function is set to off. As a result, even if each key displayed on the touch pad 6 is kept pressed, the input by the input operation is limited to one time.

On the other hand, when the input to the effect that the function key mode has been switched is accepted, the auto repeat function is set to on. As a result, when each key is held down, the input of that key is continuously accepted. Further, when the auto-repeat function is on, the function setting unit 32 changes the key input speed based on the contact pressure input from the pressure-sensitive sensor 16. As a result, when each key is continuously operated, the key input is continuously received at a speed corresponding to the operating pressure.

The backlight control unit 33 turns on the backlight 18 when it receives an input indicating that the mode has been switched to the numeric keypad mode or the function key mode. As a result, the touch pad 6 displays each key and the function of each key in the ten-key mode and the function key mode as shown in FIG.

Further, when the Num Lock key 14 is operated in the numeric keypad mode or the function key mode, the mode switching unit 31 changes from the numeric keypad mode to the function key mode or the function key mode according to the activation / invalidation thereof. Switch to numeric keypad mode. The processing performed by the function setting unit 32 and the backlight control unit 33 when each switching is performed is as described above.

Further, the mode switching unit 31 switches the current mode to the touch pad mode when the mode switching button 12 is operated in the numeric keypad mode or the function key mode. Then, the mode switching unit 31 outputs the mode information after switching to the function setting unit 32 and the backlight control unit 33.

When the function setting unit 32 receives an input indicating that the mode switching unit 31 has switched to the touch pad mode, the function setting unit 32 sets the auto-repeat function to off.
Further, when the backlight control unit 33 receives an input from the mode switching unit 31 to the effect that the touch pad mode has been switched, the backlight 18 is turned off.

FIG. 6 shows a state transition diagram of each mode in the touch pad 6. As shown in FIG. 6, in the touchpad mode, the auto-repeat function is set to off and the backlight 18 is controlled to be off. In the numeric keypad mode, the auto-repeat function is set to off and the backlight 18 is controlled to be on. In the function key mode, the auto-repeat function is set to on and the backlight is controlled to be on.

Further, switching between the touchpad mode and the numeric keypad mode is performed by, for example, operating the mode switching button 12, and similarly, switching between the touchpad mode and the function key mode is also performed by operating, for example, the mode switching button 12. Will be. Further, the switching between the numeric keypad mode and the function key mode is switched by, for example, the operation of the Num Lock key 14, and when the Num Lock key 14 is enabled, the numeric keypad mode is set and the Num Lock key 14 is invalidated. If so, the function key mode is set.

As described above, according to the notebook PC 1 and the input control method and the program according to the present embodiment, the auto-repeat function is set to off in the ten-key mode, so that the keys are continuously pressed even if they are held down. It is possible to limit the input corresponding to the key to one time without performing the key input. As a result, it is possible to suppress an input error in which the same number is repeatedly input.

Further, when the function key mode is switched, the auto-repeat function is set to on, so that the key input is continuously accepted by pressing and holding each key. For example, since the function key mode includes many keys for which continuous input operation is preferable, the auto-repeat function can be effectively used by turning on the auto-repeat function.
In this way, since the auto-repeat function can be switched on and off according to the mode, it is possible to make the auto-repeat function act more effectively according to the function of the key provided in each mode.

Further, since the function setting unit 32 changes the key input speed in the auto repeat function according to the contact pressure of the key, the user can easily adjust the key input speed by adjusting the force of pressing the key. Is possible. As a result, convenience can be further enhanced.

In the present embodiment, the case where two displays, the main display 8 and the sub display 10, is provided has been illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this example, and the number of displays may be one. That is, it is not always necessary to have two or more displays.

Further, the functions and arrangements of the keyboard 5 and the touch pad 6 in the present embodiment are also examples, and may be other modes.

Although each aspect of the present invention has been described above, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope of the above aspects. Various combinations, changes, or improvements can be made without departing from the gist of the invention, and the technical scope of the present invention also includes the combined, modified, or improved forms.

1: Notebook PC
2: 1st housing 3: 2nd housing 4: Input device 5: Keyboard 6: Touch pad 8: Main display 9a: Connecting part 9b: Connecting part 10: Sub display 11: Accommodating part 12: Mode switching button 14: Num Lock key 16: Pressure sensor 18: Backlight 20: CPU
21: ROM
22: Memory 23: Flash memory 24: Graphics adapter 25: Communication device 26: Power supply circuit 28: Bus 31: Mode switching unit 32: Function setting unit 33: Backlight control unit

Claims (8)

A touchpad having a touchpad mode that functions as a touchpad and a numeric keypad mode that functions as a numeric keypad for inputting numbers.
A mode switching unit that switches between the touchpad mode and the numeric keypad mode when a predetermined input operation is performed, and
An information processing device including a function setting unit that turns off an auto-repeat function that accepts continuous key input when a key is held down in the ten-key mode. The touchpad further has a function key mode that functions as a function key different from the numeric keypad.
The mode switching unit switches between the numeric keypad mode and the function key mode when a predetermined input operation is performed on the touch pad.
The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the function setting unit turns on the auto-repeat function in the function key mode. A backlight provided below the touchpad and
In the case of the numeric keypad mode and the function key mode, a backlight control unit for turning on the backlight is provided.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the backlight is turned on, each key in the numeric keypad mode and the function key mode and the function of each key are visually displayed. The touch pad is provided with a predetermined key for switching between the numeric keypad mode and the function key mode.
The information processing device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the mode switching unit sets either the numeric keypad mode or the function key mode according to the operation state of the key. The touch pad includes a pressure detection unit that detects the contact pressure on the operation surface.
The information processing device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the function setting unit changes the key input speed of the auto-repeat function according to the pressure detected by the pressure detection unit. The information processing device according to claim 5, wherein the function setting unit increases the key input speed as the pressure detected by the pressure detection unit increases. It is an input control method of an information processing device including a touch pad having a touch pad mode that functions as a touch pad and a numeric keypad mode for inputting numbers.
A process of switching between the touch pad mode and the numeric keypad mode when a predetermined input operation is performed, and
An input control method for an information processing device in which a computer executes a step of turning off an auto-repeat function that accepts continuous key input when a key is held down in the ten-key mode. A program applied to an information processing device including a touchpad having a touchpad mode that functions as a touchpad and a numeric keypad mode for inputting numbers.
A process of switching between the touchpad mode and the numeric keypad mode when a predetermined input operation is performed, and
A program for causing a computer to execute a process of turning off the auto-repeat function that accepts continuous key input when a key is held down in the ten-key mode.

Images