JP4365845B2 - Portable computer, screen display direction changing method, program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for controlling the transmission of radio waves in a portable computer with an antenna attached, and more particularly to a technique for preventing radio waves from being transmitted from an antenna in the state of being close to a human body.

  Among personal computers (hereinafter referred to as PCs), thin computers that can be operated by pen input on a liquid crystal display (hereinafter simply referred to as a display) are called tablet PCs. The tablet PC can operate functions equivalent to those of a notebook PC (hereinafter referred to as a notebook PC) by pen input without using a keyboard. There are two types of tablet PCs: a convertible type and a pure tablet type. The convertible type has a structure that can be used as a tablet PC by changing the display direction of a notebook PC with a built-in keyboard. The pure tablet type does not have a built-in keyboard and has a structure in which only a pen input operation is performed as standard. FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram showing the posture when a human operates with the tablet PC 501 in hand. The user 503 operates the tablet PC 501 by touching the display 505 with the touch pen 507 with the other hand. In this posture, one side 509 of the outer periphery of the tablet PC 501 is in contact with or close to the chest or abdomen of the user 503 body. There is a display direction rotation button 511 at the edge of the tablet PC 501, and each time this button is pressed, the direction of the screen displayed on the display 505 is rotated by 90 degrees. The tablet PC 501 includes a wireless module (not shown) and an antenna 513, and can be connected to a network via a wireless local area network (LAN) or the like. The antenna 513 is usually arranged on one side of the outer periphery of the display 505 for reasons such as restrictions on the installation location and radio wave transmission / reception sensitivity.

  On the other hand, as wireless communication devices used in a posture close to the human body, such as mobile phones and wireless LANs, have become popular, there is an increasing interest in the influence of radio waves emitted from such communication devices on the human body. . Therefore, in many countries, standards are set for the allowable amount of SAR (Specific Absorption Rate, energy absorbed per unit time in human tissue of unit mass), which is an index of the amount of radio wave power absorbed by the human body. . For example, in Japan, according to Article 14-2 of the Ordinance of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and the Radio Equipment Regulations, land mobile stations that perform mobile radio communications are required to set the local SAR, which is the SAR for a specific part of the human body, to 2.0 W / kg or less. It has been. Similarly, standards for local SAR are established such as 1.6 W / kg in the United States and 0.8 W / kg in Sweden. China, Germany, etc. are also considering introducing similar standards.

  In particular, techniques for reducing local SAR have been actively studied in mobile phone terminals that are often used in contact with the human head, and many such techniques have been disclosed in patent literature. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for operating a parasitic element of a mobile phone antenna as a reflector when arranged on the human body side, and as a waveguide when arranged on the side opposite to the human body. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses a technique of using a sensor that detects a distance between a mobile communication device and a human body to detect the approach to the human body and weaken radio wave emission. Patent Document 3 discloses a technology that includes a sensor for detecting a human body and a plurality of antennas, and switches the antenna to be used according to the distance from the human body.

JP 2003-60417 A JP 2003-209383 A JP 2002-171191 A

  In general, local SAR is a problem when the distance between an electromagnetic radiation source (mainly an antenna) and a human body is within 20 cm at a frequency of 100 to 300 MHz and within 10 cm at 300 MHz to 3 GHz. In Japan as well, radio wave protection guidelines (local management guidelines) have been established based on this. In this case, when the wireless communication device is in a normal use state and the distance between the antenna and the human body is within the distance where the local SAR becomes a problem, the local SAR is inspected and confirmed to be 2.0 W / kg or less. Is required. In the case of a notebook PC, for example, an antenna is often arranged on one side of the outer periphery of the display farther from the user. Therefore, even in a portable use mode in which the user is placed on the knee, the antenna is used. Since the distance between the human body and the human body is larger than the distance at which the local SAR becomes a problem, the local SAR is rarely a problem. The same applies to a desktop PC.

  However, as shown in FIG. 14, the tablet PC 501 is operated in a state where one side 509 of the outer periphery is in contact with or close to the body of the user 503. The user uses the tablet PC 501 so that the vertical direction of the screen displayed on the display in the normal use state is correctly directed to the user's direction. However, since the direction of the screen displayed on the display 505 can be rotated by 90 degrees by operating the display direction rotation button 511, any side of the outer periphery of the tablet PC 501 can be used as long as the user uses it in a normal use state. May also face in the direction of the user 503 on the body side. If one side including the antenna 513 is directed toward the body side of the user 503, the distance between the antenna and the human body may be closer than the distance at which the local SAR becomes a problem. This can be dealt with by changing the structure of the tablet PC casing itself to reduce the influence of the local SAR and inspecting the local SAR in the same manner as a mobile phone terminal or the like. However, in the normal use state of the tablet PC 501, it is more fundamental that the situation where the local SAR becomes a problem is that the distance between the antenna and the human body is larger than the distance where the local SAR becomes a problem. This is preferable because it can be avoided.

  The patent application relating to Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-164280 assigned to the applicant of the present invention discloses a technique for avoiding an adverse effect caused by the antenna approaching the human body. FIG. 15 is a conceptual diagram showing a method for avoiding an adverse effect caused by the antenna approaching the human body in this application. In this application, the tablet PC 601 uses a plurality of antennas 603 and 605 arranged on different sides on the outer periphery of the tablet PC 601 and used in a diversity system. Usually, among these antennas, those having better transmission / reception conditions are used for communication (FIG. 15A). However, if the direction of the screen displayed on the display is switched by the operation of the display direction rotation button 607, one of the antennas 603 and 605 may be arranged in the direction of the user's body. Therefore, for example, when the screen direction is changed so that the antenna 605 is arranged in the direction of the user's body, the use of the antenna 605 is stopped and only the other antennas 603 are used (see FIG. 15 (B)). Conversely, when the screen direction is changed so that the antenna 603 is arranged in the direction of the user's body side, the use of the antenna 603 is stopped and only the other antennas 605 are used.

  However, this technique is based on the premise that a plurality of antennas are arranged on different sides on the outer periphery of the tablet PC 601 by the diversity method. FIG. 16 is a conceptual diagram showing a tablet PC equipped with only a single antenna. For connecting to a wireless network such as a wireless WAN (Wireless Wide Area Network) or a wireless MAN (Wireless Metropolitan Area Network) represented by WiMAX (registered trademark), which was launched in Japan in December 2005 In many cases, the wireless module is not a diversity system and is equipped with only a single antenna 613. When such a wireless module is applied to the tablet PC 611, when the display direction of the screen is rotated, the antenna 613 may be arranged in the direction of the user's body when used in a normal use state. At this time, if the transmission of the radio wave from the antenna is stopped at the moment when the direction of the screen is changed in order to solve the problem of the local SAR, the connection to the wireless network that has been used until then is disconnected, which is not convenient. It will be. Further, by making it impossible to switch the screen direction in the tablet use mode, if it is attempted to eliminate the possibility that the antenna 613 is arranged in the direction of the user's body, the workability of the tablet PC 611 is impaired. .

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a portable computer that prevents radio waves from being transmitted in a state where an antenna is close to a human body in a normal use state. A further object of the present invention is to provide a portable computer that can maintain the continuity of wireless communication and can change the display direction of the screen while avoiding the problem of local SAR. A further object of the present invention is to provide a user with information related to the state of transmission from the antenna and the display direction of the screen, and to allow the user to easily perform operations that do not transmit radio waves when the antenna is close to the human body. To provide a computer. A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for changing the display direction of a screen in such a portable computer, a computer program for realizing the method, and a storage medium storing the program.

  The principle of the present invention is that the portable computer is used in a state where the mounting position of the antenna is close to the user on the premise that the user is used toward the lower side of the screen in a normal usage method. Is detected in the display direction of the screen with respect to the antenna to prevent radio waves from being transmitted while the antenna is close to the user. Furthermore, it is to detect whether the mobile mode or the installation mode, and to control the transmission of radio waves from the antenna. A user who operates a portable computer that can change the display direction of the screen is looking directly at the screen directed at him / her so that the vertical direction is correct in a normal use state. Therefore, if the user tries to maintain the normal use state according to the change in the display direction of the screen, various parts of the portable computer casing located in the lower direction of the screen are positioned closest to the user. Can be.

  A portable computer according to the present invention includes a display unit having an antenna attached to the periphery, a wireless control unit that transmits radio waves from the antenna, a change instruction unit that instructs to change the screen direction displayed on the display unit, and a screen change Means. In many cases, a user uses a portable computer in contact with a human body. Since an antenna is attached to the periphery of the display means, the antenna approaches and leaves depending on the direction in which the portable computer faces the user. The screen changing means executes the change instruction while the antenna stops transmitting radio waves when the change instruction means gives an instruction to change the screen direction in which the antenna is positioned in the lower direction of the screen. However, the change instruction is ignored while the antenna is transmitting radio waves. As a result, while the antenna is transmitting radio waves, the screen is not changed so that the antenna is positioned in the lower direction of the screen, which is the direction close to the user in the normal use state. The direction of the screen before the change instruction means issues the change instruction may be any direction other than the screen direction in which the antenna is positioned in the lower direction of the screen.

  Further, there may be information providing means for providing the user with information related to ignoring the change instruction when the screen changing means ignores the change instruction. Information can be displayed by displaying a message such as “The antenna is close to the body and cannot be used in this direction” on the display screen, flashing the lamp, or making a beep, etc. Can be considered. The provision of information related to ignoring the screen direction change instruction to the user is performed so as to give priority to the continuation of wireless communication, which is an operation already performed. When the user knows that the screen change instruction has been ignored, the user can select whether to give priority to wireless communication to give up changing the screen direction or give priority to changing the screen direction to give up wireless communication. be able to. Then, after providing the user with information related to ignoring the change instruction, the change instruction means executes a change instruction for changing the screen direction so that the antenna is positioned in a direction other than the lower side of the screen. By doing so, the portable computer can be used in a mode of use in the screen direction that is more desirable than the initial screen direction and in which the influence of the local SAR is not a problem.

  If this portable computer is used in an installed mode where it is placed and operated in a stable place such as a desk, not in the portable mode that the user is carrying and operating, It can be said that the distance between the antenna and the human body is farther than the distance at which the local SAR becomes a problem. Therefore, in the installation mode, it is not necessary to ignore the change instruction even in the screen direction in which the antenna is located in the lower direction of the screen. Therefore, this portable computer is provided with a use state judging means for judging whether its own use state is the installation mode or the portable mode. When it is judged that the current use state is the installation mode, the antenna transmits radio waves. The instruction to change the screen direction can be executed while the user is in the office.

  In this portable computer, since the local SAR does not become a problem while the transmission of radio waves from the antenna is stopped, the screen direction may be changed in any way. However, when there is an antenna in the lower direction of the screen and no radio wave is transmitted from the antenna, when trying to start transmission of the radio wave from the antenna from this state, the local SAR becomes a problem The radio wave will be transmitted. Therefore, the radio control means is configured to start transmission of radio waves from the antenna in response to the transmission start signal, and when radio wave transmission is stopped, the radio control means displays the display means on the lower side of the screen. The transmission start signal received while displaying the screen in the direction in which the antenna is located is ignored. This prevents radio waves from being transmitted in a state where local SAR is a problem. Furthermore, in this case, information related to ignoring the transmission start signal can be provided to the user. Provision of information related to ignoring the transmission start signal to the user is performed so as to give priority to continuation of screen display in a predetermined direction, which is an already performed operation. When the user knows that the instruction of the transmission start signal has been ignored, he chooses whether to give up giving priority to maintaining the screen display direction and abandoning wireless communication or giving priority to wireless communication and giving up maintaining the screen direction. Can be operated. At this time, after the screen changing means provides the user with information related to ignoring the change instruction, the change instruction means receives the change instruction to change the screen direction to the direction in which the antenna is positioned in a direction other than the lower side of the screen. Can be executed.

  Also in this case, if the use state determination means for determining whether the use state of the user is the installation mode or the portable mode determines that the current use state is the installation mode, the wireless control means displays the display means in the lower direction of the screen. It is possible to transmit a radio wave from the antenna by executing the transmission start signal received while displaying the screen in the direction in which the antenna is located. The antenna according to the present invention is not limited to a single antenna, and the present invention can be applied to a plurality of antennas of a single system that is not a diversity system.

  When the present invention is applied to a tablet computer that can change the display direction of the screen, the “display means” corresponds to a display, and this display can be set to a PC use mode and a tablet use mode. An antenna is attached around. Note that the tablet use mode is a use mode in which the user operates by performing pen input on the display as in the operation mode shown in FIG. The PC use mode is a use mode in which the display is opened so as to face the keyboard as in a normal notebook PC, and the user operates with the keyboard and the pointing device. The “wireless control means” corresponds to a wireless module that transmits radio waves from an antenna. The “change instruction unit” corresponds to a change instruction unit that gives an instruction to change the screen direction displayed on the display. “Screen changing means” corresponds to the control unit, and when the change instructing unit instructs to change the screen direction in which the antenna is positioned in the lower direction of the screen, the antenna stops transmitting radio waves. Executes the change instruction and ignores the change instruction while the antenna is transmitting radio waves.

  The change instruction unit described above may be, for example, an operation button for the user to instruct a change in the screen direction. In addition, the direction of the user who enters the normal use state using a sensor that detects the state in which the display is set in the tablet use mode or a sensor that detects a change in the posture of the tablet computer set in the tablet mode. May be predicted and automatically changed. Further, the position of the user holding the portable computer may be detected by a piezoelectric element or the like to recognize the direction toward the user and automatically change the display direction of the screen. When the change instruction is ignored, it is more desirable to provide information related to the user to the user. At this time, in response to providing the user with information related to ignoring the change instruction, an instruction to change the screen direction in a direction in which the antenna is not positioned in the lower direction of the screen can be received.

  In addition, this antenna is attached to the upper part or side part of the display in PC use mode from a viewpoint of attachment space and the transmission / reception sensitivity of an antenna. Therefore, when this tablet computer is used in the PC usage mode, the local SAR does not become a problem with the distance between the antenna and the human body, regardless of the direction in which the antenna faces in a normal usage state. Therefore, when used in the PC use mode, it is not necessary to ignore the change instruction even if the screen direction is such that the antenna is located in the lower direction of the screen. Therefore, the tablet computer includes a use state determination unit that determines whether the use state of the tablet computer is the PC use mode or the tablet use mode, and the control unit determines that the current use state is the PC use mode. It is possible to execute an instruction to change the screen direction while transmitting radio waves. In the same manner as described above, the use state determination unit determines whether the user is in the installation mode or the portable mode, and if it is in the installation mode, an instruction to change the screen direction is executed even while the antenna is transmitting radio waves. It can also be done. In the tablet computer, various combinations are possible among the tablet use mode, the PC use mode, the installation mode, and the portable mode. However, the problem of local SAR occurs only in the mobile mode and the tablet use mode. When the use state of either the PC use mode or the installation mode is included, the change in the display direction of the screen is restricted. There is no need to restrict the transmission of radio waves from the antenna.

  The use state determination unit referred to here can include, for example, a connection determination unit that determines whether or not a docking station is connected. In addition, the usage state determination unit includes an acceleration sensor that detects a circuit that determines the connection state of an external peripheral device such as an external keyboard, an external mouse, and an external hard disk drive, and a vibration of the tablet computer. You can also

  In this case as well, the wireless module is configured to start transmitting radio waves from the antenna in response to the transmission start signal, and the radio wave transmission is stopped and the display is in the direction in which the antenna is located on the lower side of the screen. The wireless module can ignore the transmission start signal received during the display. This prevents radio waves from being transmitted in a usage state where local SAR is a problem. Further, in this case as well, it is desirable to display information related to ignoring the transmission start signal. Also in this case, in response to providing the user with information related to ignoring the change instruction, an instruction to change the screen direction in a direction in which the antenna is not positioned in the lower direction of the screen can be received.

  The present invention can also be regarded as a method for changing the display direction of a screen in a portable computer having a display with an antenna attached to the periphery and changing the display direction of the screen on the display. In that case, the portable computer transmits the radio wave from the antenna, displays the screen so that the antenna is positioned in a direction other than the lower side of the screen on the display, and whether the radio wave is transmitted from the antenna. In response to the step of determining the screen direction, instructing the display to change the screen direction so that the antenna is positioned in the lower direction of the screen on the display, and in response to the step of giving the instruction, no radio wave is transmitted from the antenna. Sometimes the screen direction is changed, and when the radio wave is transmitted from the antenna, a step of ignoring the change instruction is executed. Furthermore, the present invention can also provide a computer program for executing each step described herein and a storage medium storing the program.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a portable computer that prevents radio waves from being transmitted in a state where an antenna is close to a human body in a normal use state. Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a portable computer that can maintain the continuity of wireless communication and can change the display direction of the screen while avoiding the problem of local SAR. Furthermore, according to the present invention, a portable computer that provides information related to the transmission state from the antenna and the display direction of the screen to the user and allows the user to easily perform an operation not to transmit radio waves when the antenna is close to the human body. Could be provided. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a method for changing the display direction of the screen in such a portable computer, a computer program for realizing the method, and a storage medium storing the program.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external view of a tablet PC 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The tablet PC 1 is a convertible type, and includes a main body side case 14 and a display side case 15 that are both substantially rectangular parallelepipeds. The main body side casing 14 includes an input unit 10 including a keyboard and a pointing device, and the display side casing 15 includes a display 11 on which a touch pen input unit 16 is superimposed on a liquid crystal and input by a touch pen is possible. Furthermore, the main body side case 14 and the display side case 15 are connected to each other by a connecting portion 13 at the center of each end, and the connecting portion 13 can rotate these cases in a direction to open and close each other. ing. Further, the display-side housing 15 can be rotated at least 180 degrees with the display-side housing 15 being opened with respect to the main body-side housing 14. In the PC use mode shown in FIG. 1A, the tablet PC 1 can be used as an ordinary notebook PC by an operation by the input unit 10. Further, the connecting portion 13 is rotated as shown in FIG. 1B, and the display side housing 15 is folded over the main body side housing 14 as shown in FIG. When facing the table, the tablet use mode shown in FIG. In the tablet use mode, the tablet PC 1 can be used by an operation by the touch panel input unit 16.

  In the display-side casing 15 of the tablet PC 1, a display direction rotation button 17 is provided on the periphery of the display 11. Each time the user presses the display direction rotation button 17 once, the direction of the screen displayed on the display 11 is rotated by 90 degrees in a predetermined direction. The direction of rotation may be set to be set clockwise, counterclockwise, or any selected direction. Furthermore, when rotating 180 degree | times, you may make it rotate 180 degree | times at once, without rotating 90 degree | times at a time. One antenna 18 for connecting to a wireless network (wireless WAN, wireless MAN, etc.) is provided on the outer edge of the display-side casing 15. In the PC use mode, the antenna 18 is disposed on the outer edge of the display-side casing 15 on the upper edge farther from the user. Or you may arrange | position the antenna 18 in the outer edge used as the side surface of the display side housing | casing 15 in PC use mode.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of hardware built in the main body side casing 14 and the display side casing 15 of the tablet PC 1. The CPU 21 is an arithmetic processing unit having a central function of the tablet PC, and executes an OS, a BIOS, a device driver, an application program, or the like. The CPU 21 includes an FS bus (Front Side Bus) 23 as a system bus, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus 25 for performing communication between the CPU 21 and peripheral devices, and an LPC (Low Pin) which is an interface replacing the ISA bus. Count) bus 27 is connected to each device via a three-stage bus to send and receive signals. The FS bus 23 and the PCI bus 25 are connected by a CPU bridge 29. The CPU bridge 29 has a memory controller function for controlling an access operation to the main memory 31, a data buffer function for absorbing a difference in data transfer speed between the FS bus 23 and the PCI bus 25, and the like. It has a configuration that includes.

  The main memory 31 is a writable memory used as an area for reading a program executed by the CPU 21 and a work area for writing processing data. The video controller 33 includes a video chip and a VRAM (both not shown), receives a drawing command from the CPU 21, generates an image to be drawn, writes the image to the VRAM, and draws the image read from the VRAM. The data is sent to the display 11 as data. At the same time, the video controller 33 can execute a function of rotating the screen direction displayed on the display 11 counterclockwise by 90 degrees in response to the operation of the display direction rotation button 17.

  Connected to the PCI bus 25 are an I / O bridge 35, a wireless module 37, a docking interface 39, and various controllers (not shown) for connecting a wired LAN, a PC card, and the like. The wireless module 37 performs data communication with a wireless network via the antenna 18. The docking interface 39 is used for connection with a docking station described later. The I / O bridge 35 has a function as a bridge between the PCI bus 25 and the LPC bus 27. The I / O bridge 35 can be connected to an external device (not shown) such as an external keyboard, an external mouse, and an external hard disk drive via the USB interface 41. Further, the I / O bridge 35 has a function as an IDE (Integrated Device Electronics) interface, and is connected to a hard disk drive (HDD) 43 and the like.

  Connected to the LPC bus 27 are an I / O controller 45, a button controller 47, a power supply device and their controllers, and a BIOS used for system startup (all not shown). The I / O controller 45 is connected to the input unit 10 used in the PC usage mode and the touch panel input unit 16 used in the tablet usage mode. The button controller 47 detects an input from the display direction rotation button 17.

  Note that FIGS. 1 and 2 merely describe the main hardware configuration and connection relations related to the present embodiment in a simplified manner in order to describe the present embodiment. In addition to those mentioned above, many devices are used to configure the tablet PC 1. However, they are well known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail here. A person skilled in the art also arbitrarily selects a plurality of blocks described in the figure as one integrated circuit or device, or conversely, a block is divided into a plurality of integrated circuits or devices. Is included in the scope of the present invention.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of software and main hardware according to the present embodiment. On the OS (operating system) 103 executed by the CPU 21, various user applications 101 such as a word processor, a spreadsheet, an e-mail client, and a web browser can be run. The OS 103 drives various hardware through the built-in button driver 105, the video driver 107, the wireless driver 109, and the like, and provides various functions provided in the tablet PC 1. The built-in button driver 105 controls the built-in buttons such as the display direction rotation button 17 in cooperation with the button controller 47. The video driver 107 controls the display 11 in cooperation with the video controller 33. The wireless driver 109 controls the antenna 18 and the wireless module 37. The control unit 111 includes a CPU 21, a main memory 31, and a management program 113 for executing the present invention, and performs the central function of the present invention. The management program 113 for executing the present invention is stored in the HDD 43, and is read and executed by the main memory 31 when the OS starts to operate, and then stays resident in the system until the OS ends the operation.

  In this embodiment, when the user presses the display direction rotation button 17 of the tablet PC 1, the button controller 47 detects this press and notifies the OS 103 and further the control unit 111 through the built-in button driver 105. When the control unit 111 senses that the display direction rotation button 17 has been pressed through the OS 103 or the like, the control unit 111 confirms the display direction of the display 11 with respect to the OS 103. More specifically, the OS 103 acquires information regarding the display direction from the video controller 33 through the video driver 107. When the control unit 111 permits the rotation in the display direction, the OS 103 transmits a screen rotation command of a preset rotation angle (for example, 90 degrees) to the video controller 33 through the video driver 107. When the video controller 33 receives this command, the video controller 33 rotates the display direction of the display 11.

  4 to 5 are conceptual diagrams for explaining an example of the operation in the portable mode of the tablet PC 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4A, the tablet PC 1 operates in the tablet use mode. With the antenna 18 facing the upper side of the display 11, the tablet PC 1 is connected to a wireless network for data communication. In this state, since the antenna 18 is away from the user's body, the wireless network can be used without causing the influence of the local SAR on the user. In this state, it is assumed that the user presses the display direction rotation button 17 once to rotate the display direction of the screen with respect to the display 11 by 90 degrees. Then, the user rotates the casing of the tablet PC 1 to the state shown in FIG. 4B in order to enter the normal use state in which the upper and lower display directions of the screen rotated 90 degrees are correct with respect to the user. Even in this state, the distance between the antenna 18 and the user's body is still farther than the distance where local SAR is a problem.

  Here, it is assumed that the user presses the display direction rotation button 17 again to further rotate the screen by 90 degrees. Similar to the transition from FIG. 4 (A) to FIG. 4 (B), the display direction of the screen with respect to the display 11 is further rotated by 90 degrees, and the casing of the tablet PC 1 is rotated accordingly in order to enter the normal use state. Then, the state shown in FIG. In this state, since the position of the antenna 18 attached to the outer periphery of the tablet PC 1 coincides with the lower direction of the screen, the antenna 18 faces the user's body side. Therefore, if the tablet PC 1 continues to be connected to the wireless network (transmitting radio waves from the antenna 18) in this state, the distance between the antenna 18 and the user's body is as long as the tablet PC 1 is used in the portable mode. There is a possibility that the local SAR will be closer than the distance in question. That is, it is not appropriate to use the wireless network with the tablet PC 1 facing in this direction.

  Therefore, the control unit 111 that has detected that the display direction rotation button 17 has been pressed confirms the display direction of the display 11, and the lower direction of the display direction of the commanded display 11 is the direction of the mounting position of the antenna 18. Is detected. In the transition from the state of FIG. 4A to the state of FIG. 4B, the lower direction of the screen commanded by the display direction rotation button 17 does not coincide with the direction of the mounting position of the antenna 18, so that Allow 90 degree rotation of the display direction. However, when the state of FIG. 4B is shifted to the state of FIG. 4C, the lower side direction of the screen in which the display direction is commanded coincides with the direction of the mounting position of the antenna 18. In this case, the control unit 111 detects whether or not the wireless module 37 is in operation. If the wireless module 37 is in operation, the control unit 111 does not allow 90 ° rotation in the display direction, and as shown in FIG. Since it approaches the body, it cannot be used in this direction. Press the display direction rotation button again to switch to another direction. Alternatively, the control unit can also display a message such as “please press the display direction rotation button after stopping wireless use” on the display 11. If the wireless module 37 is not operating, the display direction rotation of 90 degrees is permitted as it is.

  When the display direction rotation button 17 is pressed again within a predetermined time from the state of FIG. 5D, the display direction is rotated by 180 ° from the state of FIG. 4B, as shown in FIG. 5E. . In this case, since the lower direction of the screen for which the display direction is commanded does not coincide with the direction of the mounting position of the antenna 18, the control unit 111 permits rotation in this direction. Even in this state, the distance between the antenna 18 and the user's body is farther than the distance where the local SAR becomes a problem. If the display direction rotation button 17 is not pressed in the state of FIG. 5D, the display direction does not rotate, the message 151 disappears from the display 11, and the state returns to the state of FIG. When the display direction rotation button 17 is pressed again from the state shown in FIG. 5E, the state returns to the state shown in FIG. In this way, the tablet PC 1 of the present embodiment detects that the distance between the antenna 18 and the user's body approaches in the display direction of the screen as long as the user uses in the normal use state. To prevent problems.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart describing the operation in response to the input of the display direction rotation button 17 described in FIGS. When the operation of the tablet PC 1 is started (block 201), the control unit 111 waits for an input event of the display direction rotation button 17 through the OS 103 (block 203). When an input event of the display direction rotation button 17 is detected, the control unit 111 confirms the display direction of the display 11 with respect to the OS 103 (block 205). The control unit 111 determines whether or not the lower direction of the screen matches the direction of the mounting position of the antenna 18 (block 207), and if not, allows the OS 103 to rotate the display direction by 90 degrees. The OS 103 directly instructs the video controller 33 to rotate the display direction through the video driver 107 (block 209). If the lower direction of the screen matches the direction of the mounting position of the antenna 18 in block 207, then the control unit 111 inquires of the OS 103 whether or not the wireless module 37 is operating through the wireless driver 109. (Block 211). The control unit 111 determines whether or not the wireless module 37 is operating based on the information obtained from the OS 103 (block 213). If the wireless module 37 is not operating, the control unit 111 permits rotation of the display direction by 90 degrees, and proceeds to block 209. Rotate the display direction.

  If it is determined in blocks 207 and 213 that the lower direction of the screen matches the direction of the mounting position of the antenna 18 and that the radio module 37 is operating and radio waves are transmitted from the antenna 18, The wireless network may be used with the distance between 18 and the user's body closer than the distance where local SAR is a problem. Therefore, the control unit 111 does not permit the rotation of the display direction by 90 degrees, and displays a message 151 as shown in FIG. 5D on the display 11 (block 215). From there, it is determined whether or not the display direction rotation button 17 has been pressed within a certain time (block 217). If the button is pressed, the OS 103 is instructed to rotate the display direction by 180 degrees, and the OS 103 directly rotates the display direction. To the video controller 33 through the video driver 107 (block 219). If the display direction rotation button 17 is not pressed for a certain time, the display direction is not rotated. When the above processing is completed, the process returns to the state waiting for the event in block 203.

  FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating another operation in the portable mode of the tablet PC 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7A, the tablet PC 1 operates in the tablet use mode. The antenna 18 is directed to the lower side of the display 11, but the tablet PC 1 is not connected to the wireless network. As shown in block 213 of FIG. 6, if the wireless network is not being used, it is allowed to rotate the display direction so that the antenna 18 is directed to the underside of the display 11. In this state, the control unit determines that the user has started the user application 101 that is used by connecting to a network such as an e-mail client or a web browser, thereby requesting the wireless module 37 to start operating. It is assumed that 111 has detected. In this state, there is a possibility that the distance between the antenna 18 and the user's body may be closer than the distance at which the local SAR becomes a problem. Therefore, the wireless module 37 starts operating as it is, and radio waves are transmitted from the antenna 18. It is not appropriate to be done.

  Therefore, the control unit 111 that has detected that the operation start of the wireless module 37 has been requested confirms the current display direction of the display 11, the current lower direction of the screen, and the direction of the mounting position of the antenna 18. Is detected. If they do not match, the operation start of the wireless module 37 is permitted as it is. However, if they match, the control unit 111 does not allow the operation of the wireless module 37 to start, and as shown in FIG. 7B, “The antenna is close to the body. Cannot do this. Press the display direction rotation button to switch the screen to another direction. If the user presses the display direction rotation button 17 within a predetermined time, the display direction is rotated by 90 ° from the state shown in FIG. 7B as shown in FIG. 7C. In this case, since the lower direction of the screen does not coincide with the direction of the mounting position of the antenna 18, the control unit 111 rotates the display direction in this direction and permits the wireless module 37 to start operation. If the display direction rotation button 17 is not pressed in the state of FIG. 7B, the operation of the wireless module 37 does not start, the message 161 disappears from the display 11, and the state returns to the state of FIG. In this way, the tablet PC 1 of the present embodiment prevents the wireless module 37 from operating in a state where the distance between the antenna 18 and the user's body is close.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart describing the operation in response to a request to start the operation of the wireless module 37 described in FIG. When the operation of the tablet PC 1 is started (block 301), the control unit 111 waits for an operation start event of the wireless module 37 through the OS 103 (block 303). When the operation start event of the wireless module 37 is detected, the control unit 111 111 confirms the current display direction of the display 11 to the OS 103 (block 305). The control unit 111 determines whether or not the display direction of the display 11 matches the direction in which the antenna 18 faces (block 307), and if not, permits the OS 103 to start the operation of the wireless module 37 and the OS 103 Command the start of the operation of the wireless module 37 through the wireless driver 109 (block 309). If the lower direction of the screen matches the direction of the mounting position of the antenna 18 in block 307, the control unit 111 does not permit the start of the operation of the wireless module 37, as shown in FIG. 7B. Message 161 is displayed on the display 11 (block 311). Then, it is determined whether or not the display direction rotation button 17 has been pressed within a certain time (block 313). If the button is pressed, the OS 103 is instructed to rotate the display direction by 90 °, and the OS 103 directly rotates the display direction. The video controller 33 is instructed through the video driver 107 (block 315). Thereafter, the start of the operation of the wireless module 37 is permitted, and the process proceeds to block 309 to start the operation of the wireless module 37. If the display direction rotation button 17 is not pressed for a certain time, the display direction is not rotated and the operation of the wireless module 37 is not started. When the above processing is completed, the process returns to the state waiting for the event in block 303.

  FIG. 9 is an external view showing a state where the tablet PC 401 according to another embodiment of the present invention is used in the installation mode. The installation mode refers to a state where the tablet PC 401 is placed and operated in a stable place such as a desk. When the tablet PC 401 is used in the installation mode, it is set to either the PC use mode or the tablet use mode. FIG. 9A shows a state where the tablet PC 401 is set to the PC use mode so that it can be used as a normal notebook PC. When the tablet PC 401 is used in the fixed mode, the tablet PC 401 is connected to the docking station 403 as shown in FIG. 9B, or the tablet PC 401 has an external keyboard 405, as shown in FIG. External devices such as an external mouse 407 and an external HDD 409 are connected. Further, as shown in FIG. 9D, there is a case where the tablet is used in the installation mode by being placed on the desk even in the tablet use mode. In these installation modes, the distance between the antenna and the user's body will not be closer than the distance where local SAR is a problem, even if the antenna is facing the user. It is done. Therefore, the operation of judging whether or not the lower direction of the screen matches the antenna installation direction and prohibiting the rotation of the display direction or the operation of the wireless module is performed when the tablet PC 401 corresponds to the installation mode. It is not necessary in some cases.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the tablet PC 401 having a function of determining the mobile mode or the installation mode. FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram showing the software and main hardware configuration of the tablet PC 401. The hardware of the tablet PC 401 includes an acceleration sensor 51 on the LPC bus 27 as compared with the tablet PC 1 shown in FIG. The acceleration sensor 51 can detect the direction and magnitude of acceleration from the outside with respect to the tablet PC 401 using a piezoelectric ceramic element or the like. In the software, a device driver 121 is added as compared with the tablet PC 1 shown in FIG. The device driver 121 can detect the output of the acceleration sensor 51, and can detect whether or not an external device is connected to the docking interface 39 and the USB interface 41, and the type of the connected external device. Although not shown in FIG. 10, the presence / absence and type of connection can be detected in the same manner for devices connected to terminals other than the docking interface 39 and the USB interface 41. Since other devices and software are the same as those of the tablet PC 1 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the reference numerals are also the same and description thereof is omitted.

  As a condition for determining whether or not the tablet PC 401 is in the installation mode, for example, if the variation in acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 51 continues at a low value below a certain value for a certain time or more, the tablet PC 401 is a desk or the like It can be considered that it is placed and operated in a stable place, that is, in the installation mode. Further, the docking station 403 shown in FIG. 9B is connected to the docking interface 39, and a specific type of external device shown in FIG. 9C is connected to the USB interface 41 or the like. This is a condition that allows the tablet PC 401 to be considered in the installation mode. However, depending on the type of external device connected, there may be situations where the user is using the tablet PC 401 even in the portable mode, such as a USB flash memory. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the type of connected external device and determine that the tablet PC 401 is in the installation mode only when a specific type of external device is connected. Alternatively, a person skilled in the art can determine whether the tablet PC 401 is in the installation mode or the portable mode by combining a plurality of conditions from the conditions listed here or other conditions. It can be done easily.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the tablet PC 401 in response to the input of the display direction rotation button 17. The usage status of the tablet PC 401 at this time is the same as that shown in FIGS. In the flowchart of FIG. 12, as compared with the flowchart of the tablet PC 1 shown in FIG. 6, when the input event of the display direction rotation button 17 is detected in the block 203, the control unit 111 determines whether the tablet PC 401 is in the installation mode. A process (block 221) for determining whether or not is added. If it is determined that it is in the installation mode, the control unit 111 allows the display direction to rotate by 90 degrees without confirming the operation state of the wireless module, and proceeds to block 209 and subsequent steps. If it is determined not to be in the installation mode, the process proceeds to block 205 and subsequent steps. Except for the block 221, it is the same as the case of the tablet PC 1 shown in FIG. Therefore, when the control unit 111 determines that the current use state is the installation mode, the display direction of the screen can be freely changed by repeating the block 209 and the block 203.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the tablet PC 401 in response to a request for starting the operation of the wireless module 37. The usage status of the tablet PC 401 at this time is the same as that shown in FIG. In the flowchart of FIG. 13, when it is detected in block 303 that the operation start of the wireless module 37 is requested in comparison with the flowchart of the tablet PC 1 shown in FIG. A process (block 321) for determining whether or not the mode is set is added. If it is determined that it is in the installation mode, the control unit 111 allows the wireless module 37 to start operating, and proceeds to block 309 and subsequent steps. If it is determined that the installation mode is not selected, the process proceeds to block 305 and subsequent steps. Other than the block 321 is the same as the case of the tablet PC 1 shown in FIG. Therefore, as long as the tablet PC 401 is used in the installation mode, the tablet PC 401 operates the wireless module without being restricted by the display direction of the screen and transmits radio waves from the antenna, or the display direction of the screen is restricted by the operation of the wireless module. You can avoid receiving it.

  10 to 13, the tablet PC 401 that detects the fixed mode and controls the display direction of the screen and the operation of the wireless module has been described. When the tablet PC 1 is used in the PC use mode, the antenna 18 is away from the user. Therefore, it is not necessary to limit the display direction of the screen by detecting the operation of the wireless module 37 or to limit the operation of the wireless module 37 by detecting the display direction of the screen. The setting of the tablet PC 1 in the PC use mode can be performed by providing a mode detection switch linked to the connecting unit 13 or detecting an operation on the touch panel operation unit 16. When the control unit 111 detects that the tablet PC 1 is set to the PC use mode by a signal from the mode detection switch, the lower direction of the screen is the antenna direction while the wireless module 37 is operating. Even if there is an instruction to change the screen that matches the direction of the attachment position, it can be permitted. Further, when the wireless module is stopped and the display 11 is displaying so that the lower direction of the screen is the direction of the antenna mounting position, the control unit 111 that has received the operation start command of the wireless module 37 permits it. Can be.

  Such a tablet PC can be realized by providing a mode detection switch instead of the acceleration sensor 51 of FIG. 10 and adding a module for processing the signal of the mode detection switch to the device driver 121 of FIG. The operation can be explained by providing a block for detecting whether or not the PC use mode is used in place of the block 221 in FIG. 12 and the block 321 in FIG.

  Although the tablet PC to which the present invention is applied has been described as a convertible type in the above-described embodiments, the present invention can be similarly applied to a pure tablet type tablet PC. In addition to the tablet PC, the present invention is applied to a portable SAR that can be used with a wireless module at a position in contact with or close to the human body, such as a PDA or a game machine. Can not be a problem. Furthermore, although the embodiments have been described for a tablet PC having only one antenna, the present invention can be applied to a portable computer having a plurality of antennas as long as it is a single method that is not a diversity method. . Further, in a portable computer having a plurality of wireless modules and a plurality of antennas corresponding to each of them, such as a wireless WAN and a wireless LAN, the type of the wireless module in use is recognized, and the present invention is applied thereto The present invention may be applied to what is possible.

  Although the present invention has been described with the specific embodiments shown in the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings, and so far as long as the effects of the present invention are exhibited. It goes without saying that any known configuration can be employed.

1 is an external view of a tablet PC according to one embodiment of the present invention. It is the schematic which shows the hardware constitutions of the tablet PC by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram shown about the structure of the software of the tablet PC by one Embodiment of this invention, and main hardware. It is a conceptual diagram explaining operation | movement in one use condition of tablet PC by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a continuation of FIG. It is the flowchart which described the operation | movement with respect to the input of a display direction rotation button of tablet PC by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram explaining operation | movement in another use condition of tablet PC by one Embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a tablet PC according to an embodiment of the present invention when an operation start of a wireless module is requested. It is an external view which shows the state currently used by installation mode of tablet PC by another embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the hardware of the tablet PC by another embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram shown about the structure of the software of the tablet PC by another embodiment of this invention, and main hardware. It is the flowchart which described operation | movement with respect to the input of the display direction rotation button of tablet PC by another embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a tablet PC according to another embodiment of the present invention in response to a request to start an operation of a wireless module. It is a conceptual diagram shown about the posture when a human operates tablet PC. In Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-164280, it is a conceptual diagram which shows the method of avoiding the bad influence by an antenna approaching a human body. It is a conceptual diagram shown about the tablet PC equipped with only a single antenna.

Explanation of symbols

1,401 Tablet PC
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Input part 11 Display 13 Connection part 14 Main body side housing | casing 15 Display side housing | casing 16 Touch panel input part 17 Display direction rotation button 18 Antenna 10 Input part 21 CPU
33 Video controller 37 Wireless module 39 Docking interface 41 USB interface 47 Button controller 51 Acceleration sensor

101 User application 103 OS
105 Built-in Button Driver 107 Video Driver 109 Wireless Driver 111 Control Unit 113 Management Program 121 Device Driver 151, 161 Message 403 Docking Station 405 External Keyboard 407 External Mouse 409 External HDD

Claims (25)

A portable computer capable of changing a display direction of a screen,
Display means with an antenna attached around,
Wireless control means for transmitting radio waves from the antenna;
Change instruction means for giving an instruction to change the screen direction displayed on the display means;
When the change instruction means instructs to change the screen direction in which the antenna is located in the lower direction of the screen, the change instruction is executed while the antenna stops transmitting the radio wave, and the antenna transmits the radio wave. A portable computer having screen changing means for ignoring the change instruction while   2. The portable computer according to claim 1, further comprising information providing means for providing the user with information related to ignoring the change instruction in response to the screen changing means ignoring the change instruction.   The screen changing means changes the screen direction to a direction in which the antenna is located in a direction other than the lower side of the screen received after the information providing means has provided the user with information related to ignoring the change instruction. The portable computer according to claim 2, wherein the instruction is executed. Use state judging means for judging whether the use state of the portable computer is an installation mode or a portable mode;
2. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein when the use state determination unit determines that the current use state is an installation mode, the screen change unit executes the change instruction while the antenna is transmitting radio waves. Computer. The radio control means is configured to start transmission of radio waves from the antenna in response to a transmission start signal,
The wireless control unit ignores the transmission start signal received while the antenna stops transmitting radio waves and the display unit displays a screen in a direction in which the antenna is positioned in a lower direction of the screen. The portable computer according to 1.   6. The portable computer according to claim 5, wherein the information providing means provides the user with information related to ignoring the transmission start signal in response to the wireless control means ignoring the transmission start signal.   The screen changing means changes the screen direction to a direction in which the antenna is located in a direction other than the lower side of the screen received after the information providing means provides the user with information related to ignoring the transmission start signal. The portable computer according to claim 6, wherein the change instruction is executed. Use state judging means for judging whether the use state of the portable computer is an installation mode or a portable mode;
When the use state determination unit determines that the current use state is the installation mode, the wireless control unit stops the transmission of the radio wave by the antenna, and the display unit has a direction in which the antenna is positioned in the lower direction of the screen. 6. The portable computer according to claim 5, wherein a radio wave is transmitted from the antenna in response to the transmission start signal received while the screen is displayed.   The portable computer according to claim 1, wherein the antenna is a plurality of single antennas. A tablet computer capable of changing the display direction of the screen,
A display that can be set to PC use mode and tablet use mode and has an antenna attached to the periphery,
A wireless module for transmitting radio waves from the antenna;
A change instructing unit for instructing to change the screen direction displayed on the display;
When the change instruction unit instructs to change the screen direction in which the antenna is located in the lower direction of the screen, the change instruction is executed while the antenna stops transmitting radio waves, and the antenna transmits the radio waves. A tablet computer having a control unit for ignoring the change instruction while performing the operation.   The tablet computer according to claim 10, wherein the antenna is attached to an upper part or a side part of the display in the PC use mode.   The tablet computer according to claim 10, wherein the change instruction unit includes an operation button.   The tablet computer according to claim 10, wherein the change instruction unit includes a sensor that detects a state in which the display is set to the tablet use mode.   The tablet computer according to claim 10, wherein the change instruction unit includes a sensor that detects a change in posture of the tablet computer.   The tablet computer according to claim 10, wherein the control unit displays information related to ignoring the change instruction on the display in response to ignoring the change instruction.   The control unit executes a change instruction for changing the screen direction in a direction other than the lower side of the screen received after displaying information related to ignoring the change instruction on the display. Item 15. A tablet computer according to Item 15. A use state determination unit for determining whether the use state of the tablet computer is a PC use mode or a tablet use mode;
The tablet type according to claim 10, wherein when the use state determination unit determines that the current use state is a PC use mode, the control unit executes the change instruction while the antenna transmits radio waves. Computer. A use state determination unit for determining whether the use state of the tablet computer is an installation mode or a portable mode;
The tablet computer according to claim 10, wherein when the use state determination unit determines that the current use state is an installation mode, the control unit executes the change instruction while the antenna is transmitting radio waves. .   The use state determination unit includes any one element selected from the group consisting of a connection determination unit of a docking station, a circuit for determining a connection state of an external peripheral device, and an acceleration sensor, or a combination of two or more elements The tablet computer according to claim 18. The wireless module is configured to start transmission of radio waves from the antenna in response to a transmission start signal,
The wireless module stops transmitting radio waves from the antenna and ignores the transmission start signal received while the display is displaying a screen in a direction in which the antenna is positioned in a lower direction of the screen. 10. The tablet computer according to 10.   21. The tablet computer according to claim 20, wherein in response to the wireless module ignoring the transmission start signal, the control unit displays information related to ignoring the transmission start signal on the display.   The control unit executes a change instruction for changing the screen direction in a direction other than the lower side of the screen received after displaying information related to ignoring the change instruction on the display. Item 22. A tablet computer according to Item 21. A method for changing the display direction of a screen in a portable computer having a display with an antenna attached to the periphery and changing the display direction of the screen on the display,
Transmitting radio waves from the antenna;
Displaying the screen so that the antenna is positioned in a direction other than the lower side of the screen on the display;
Determining whether radio waves are transmitted from the antenna; and
Instructing to change the screen direction so that the antenna is positioned in the lower direction of the screen of the display;
In response to the instruction, the method includes a step of changing a screen direction when radio waves are not transmitted from the antenna and ignoring the change instruction when radio waves are transmitted from the antenna. A computer program for changing the display direction of a screen in a portable computer having a display with an antenna attached to the periphery and changing the display direction of the screen on the display, the portable computer comprising:
A function of transmitting radio waves from the antenna;
A function of displaying the screen so that the antenna is positioned in a direction other than the lower side of the screen on the display;
A function of determining whether or not radio waves are transmitted from the antenna;
A function of instructing to change the screen direction so that the antenna is positioned in the lower direction of the display screen;
In response to the change instruction of the screen direction, a computer program for realizing a function of changing the screen direction when radio waves are not transmitted from the antenna and ignoring the change instruction when radio waves are transmitted from the antenna . A computer-readable recording medium storing a computer program for changing the display direction of a screen in a portable computer having a display with an antenna attached to the periphery and changing the display direction of the screen on the display. The computer program is transferred to the portable computer.
A function of transmitting radio waves from the antenna;
A function of displaying the screen so that the antenna is positioned in a direction other than the lower side of the screen on the display;
A function of determining whether or not radio waves are transmitted from the antenna;
A function of instructing to change the screen direction so that the antenna is positioned in the lower direction of the display screen;
A recording medium that realizes a function of changing a screen direction when radio waves are not transmitted from the antenna and ignoring the change instructions when radio waves are transmitted from the antenna in response to the screen direction change instruction.

Images