JP5947771B2 - Portable information processing apparatus, input method thereof, and computer-executable program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable information processing apparatus, an input method thereof, and a program executable by a computer.

  Recently, there is a portable information processing apparatus called a convertible PC that can be used as a notebook PC and a tablet PC. In a convertible PC, in a notebook PC configuration, the display-side housing on which the touch screen is arranged is rotated 180 degrees on the vertical axis by a hinge with respect to the main body-side housing on which the keyboard and touchpad are arranged. Later, there is a type of tablet configuration by folding. In such a type of convertible PC, in the case of a tablet configuration, the surface of the main body side housing on which the keyboard or the like is disposed is opposed to the surface of the display side housing on which the touch screen is not disposed. Never exposed.

  On the other hand, in a convertible PC, in a notebook PC configuration, the display-side housing on which the touch screen is placed is rotated 360 degrees about the horizontal axis by a hinge with respect to the body-side housing on which the keyboard and touchpad are placed. Some types have a tablet configuration. In this type of convertible PC, in the case of a tablet configuration, the surface on which the keyboard and touchpad of the main body side housing are arranged is the back surface, so that the keyboard and touchpad are exposed. In some tablet configurations, the keyboard and touchpad functions are completely disabled to prevent misoperation of the keyboard and touchpad.

  However, the fact that keyboards and touchpads that are installed at corners cannot be used in a tablet configuration is that input devices such as keyboards and touchpads are not fully utilized.

JP2013-155874A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and can be used as a notebook PC and a tablet PC. In a portable information processing apparatus of a type in which a surface on which an input unit including a keyboard is arranged is exposed in a tablet configuration, It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable information processing apparatus that can effectively use an input unit even in the configuration, an input method thereof, and a computer-executable program.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention is a portable information processing that can be used as a notebook PC and a tablet PC and exposes a surface on which an input unit including a keyboard is arranged in a tablet PC configuration. An apparatus comprising: an input unit control unit that assigns different functions to the input unit in a notebook PC mode and a tablet PC mode, and performs different signal processing on an input from the input unit. .

  Further, according to a preferred aspect of the present invention, in the tablet PC mode, the input unit control means assigns a function as a proximity sensor to the keyboard and performs signal processing for the proximity sensor with respect to an input from the keyboard. It is desirable.

  According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the input unit includes a touch pad, and the input unit control means assigns a function as a proximity sensor to the touch pad in the tablet PC mode, and It is desirable to perform signal processing for the proximity sensor on the input.

  Further, according to a preferred aspect of the present invention, in the tablet PC mode, the input unit control means assigns a screen operation function to a part of the key tops of the keyboard, and inputs from the part of the key tops. It is desirable to perform signal processing for screen operation.

  Further, according to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the partial key tops are key tops located at both left and right ends of the keyboard, and the input unit control means is configured to use the partial key tops in the tablet PC mode. It is desirable to assign at least one function of page scrolling, page turning, and page up and down to the top.

  According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the input unit includes a touch pad, and the input unit control means assigns a screen operation function to the touch pad in the tablet PC mode, and It is desirable to perform signal processing for screen operation on the input.

  According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, it is desirable that the input unit control means assigns at least one function of page up / down and page scroll to the touch pad in the tablet PC mode.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention can be used as a notebook PC and a tablet PC, and a portable type in which an input unit including a keyboard is disposed in a tablet PC configuration. An input method of an information processing apparatus, comprising: assigning different functions to the input unit in a notebook PC mode and a tablet PC mode, and performing different signal processing on input from the input unit To do.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention can be used as a notebook PC and a tablet PC, and a portable type in which an input unit including a keyboard is disposed in a tablet PC configuration. A program installed in an information processing apparatus, wherein different functions are assigned to the input unit in a notebook PC mode and a tablet PC mode, and different signal processing is performed on an input from the input unit. It is characterized by making it.

  According to the portable information processing apparatus of the present invention, in a portable information processing apparatus of a type that can be used as a notebook PC and a tablet PC and exposes a surface on which an input unit including a keyboard is arranged in a tablet configuration. Even in the configuration, there is an effect that the input unit can be used effectively.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a position where the portable information processing device according to the embodiment is closed. FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the portable information processing apparatus according to the configuration of the embodiment of FIG. 1A in a closed position. FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the portable information processing apparatus according to the configuration of the embodiment of FIG. FIG. 1-D is a perspective view of the portable information processing apparatus according to another configuration of the embodiment of FIG. 1-A with the keyboard facing upward. FIG. 1-E is a perspective view of the portable information processing apparatus according to another configuration of the embodiment of FIG. FIG. 1-F is a diagram for describing a usage state of the portable information processing device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1-G is a diagram for describing a usage state of the portable information processing device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the portable information processing apparatus. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation example 1 of the input controller. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart for explaining an operation example 2 of the input controller. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the input unit.

    Hereinafter, a portable information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, an input method thereof, and a program executable by a computer will be described. Although the components of the present invention are generally illustrated in the drawings herein, it can be readily understood that they may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of configurations with various configurations. Accordingly, the following more detailed description of the apparatus, method and program embodiments of the present invention is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims, but merely to implement selected embodiments of the invention. It is intended as an example only, and is merely illustrative of selected embodiments of an apparatus, system and method consistent with the present invention as set forth in the claims herein. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details or with other methods, components, or materials.

  With reference to FIGS. 1-A to 1-G, an external configuration of a portable information processing device according to the present embodiment will be described. The portable information processing apparatus of this embodiment is a so-called convertible PC, and can be used as a notebook PC and a tablet PC.

  FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a position where the portable information processing device according to the embodiment is closed. FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the portable information processing apparatus according to the configuration of the embodiment of FIG. 1A in a closed position. FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the portable information processing apparatus according to the configuration of the embodiment of FIG. FIG. 1-D is a perspective view of the portable information processing apparatus according to another configuration of the embodiment of FIG. 1-A with the keyboard facing upward. FIG. 1-E is a perspective view of the portable information processing apparatus according to another configuration of the embodiment of FIG. 1-F and FIG. 1-G are diagrams for explaining the usage state of the portable information processing device according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A to 1E, the portable information processing apparatus 1 includes a touch screen 16 including an LCD 13 (see FIG. 2) and a touch sensor 14 (see FIG. 2) disposed on the LCD 13. And a main body side housing 12 on which an input unit 19 including a keyboard 17 and a touch pad 18 is disposed. The display side housing 11 and the main body side housing 12 are paired with each other. Are connected via a hinge 20. The portable information processing device 1 includes a circuit board including a CPU in the main body side housing 12.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the touch screen 16 faces the main body side housing 12 when the portable information processing device 1 is in a closed position. The touch screen 16 is connected so as to be controllable by the CPU, and presents data to the user of the portable information processing apparatus 1.

  The pair of hinges 20 are connected by the end 11 a of the display-side casing 11 and the end 12 b of the main body-side casing 12. The display-side casing 11 can rotate around the pair of hinges 20 with respect to the main body-side casing 12. The display-side casing 11 can be rotated substantially 360 degrees (around the X axis) with respect to the main body-side casing 12.

  1-B to 1-D show an operation example of the display-side casing 11 that can be opened at different angles with respect to the main body-side casing 12. FIG. 1-E further shows the touch screen 16 facing upward. The user can light or tap the touch screen 16 using an indicator such as a finger, for example.

  The portable information processing apparatus 1 configured as described above has a notebook PC configuration in the state illustrated in FIG. 1B, and can be used as an ordinary notebook PC by an operation using the input unit 19. 1-D and 1-E, the display-side casing 11 is rotated 360 degrees with respect to the main-body-side casing 12, and the display-side casing 15 is placed on the main-body-side casing 14. If it folds so that it may overlap and it makes the display 11 face the front, it will become a tablet PC structure.

  In the tablet PC configuration, the surface of the main body side housing 12 on which the key input unit 19 is disposed is the back surface and is exposed. As shown in FIGS. 1-F and 1-G showing the usage state, in the tablet PC configuration, the user places the portable information processing apparatus 1 vertically or horizontally, and the key input unit of the main body side housing 12. The surface (back surface) on which 19 is arranged is gripped by hand and used. In the present embodiment, different functions are assigned to the input unit 19 in the notebook PC mode and the tablet PC mode, and the input unit 19 is effectively used even in the tablet PC mode.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a hardware configuration of the portable information processing apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the portable information processing apparatus 1 includes a CPU 101, a ROM 102, a memory 103, an LCD 13, a graphics adapter 105, an HDD 30, a touch sensor 14, an input unit 19, an input controller 109, and a USB port. 106, a communication device 107, and a power supply circuit 108, and each unit is directly or indirectly connected via a bus.

  The CPU 101 controls the entire portable information processing apparatus 1 by the OS 31 stored in the HDD 30 connected via the bus, and controls functions based on various programs stored in the HDD 30. Further, the CPU 101 switches the notebook PC mode and the tablet PC mode by detecting a rotation angle of the display side casing 11 with respect to the main body side casing 12 by a sensor (not shown). For example, the CPU 101 sets the notebook PC mode when the rotation angle θ of the display-side casing 11 with respect to the main body-side casing 12 is 0 degree ≦ θ ≦ 180 degrees, and the tablet PC mode when 180 <θ ≦ 360 degrees. Can do.

The ROM 102 stores a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System: basic input / output system) 102a, data, and the like.

  The memory 103 is composed of a cache memory and a RAM, and is a writable memory used as a work area for writing processing data of the execution program as a read area for the execution program of the CPU 101.

  The HDD 30 includes, for example, an OS 31 for controlling the entire portable information processing apparatus 1 such as Windows (registered trademark), iOS (registered trademark), and Android (registered trademark), and various types of hardware for operating peripheral devices. The driver 32, an application 33 directed to a specific job, and a function of storing various data and files.

  The graphics adapter 105 converts display information into a video signal under the control of the CPU 101 and outputs the converted video signal to the LCD 13. The LCD 13 has a function of displaying various information according to the control of the CPU 101.

  The communication device 107 controls communication with other devices via the network. The power supply circuit 108 includes an AC adapter, an intelligent battery, a charger for charging the intelligent battery, a DC / DC converter, and the like, and supplies power to each device under the control of the CPU 101.

  The touch sensor 14 is, for example, a capacitive touch sensor, detects the user's touch position, and outputs it to the input controller 109. The touch sensor 14 selects screen objects such as various menus, icons, buttons, and keyboards displayed on the screen of the LCD 13 and performs input operations, and performs text input operations and screen operations such as scrolling and swiping. Is for.

  The input unit 19 is a user interface for a user to perform an input operation. The input unit 19 includes a keyboard 17 including various key tops for inputting characters, commands, and the like, and a touch pad 18 that is a pointing device for moving a cursor on the screen. It has. The keyboard 17 is a keyboard of a predetermined standard, and outputs information on the operated key top to the input controller 19. The touch pad 18 outputs the operated coordinate information to the input controller 109.

The input controller 109 performs various processes by a processor executing a program stored in a ROM or the like, and controls operations of the touch sensor 14 and the input unit 19.
The input controller 109 performs normal signal processing on the input unit 19 in the notebook PC mode, and assigns functions different from those in the notebook PC mode to the input unit 19 in the tablet PC mode, and performs special signal processing. I do.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the outline of the operation example 1 of the input controller 109. In FIG. 3, the input controller 109 determines whether the notebook PC mode or the tablet PC mode is selected (step S1). In the notebook PC mode, the input controller 109 assigns normal functions to the keyboard 17 and the touch pad 18 and performs normal processing (step S2). That is, in the notebook PC mode, the input controller 109 outputs the characters and commands assigned to the key tops of a predetermined standard keyboard to the CPU 101 in response to pressing of the key tops of the keyboard 17. Further, the input controller 109 outputs an operation instruction for moving the cursor to the CPU 101 in accordance with the operation of the touch pad 18.

  In the tablet PC mode, the input controller 109 assigns a function as a proximity sensor (proximity sensor) to the keyboard 17 and the touch pad 18, and performs signal processing for the proximity sensor (step S2). That is, the input controller 109 outputs a human detection signal indicating that the user is holding the main body to the CPU 101 when any key top of the keyboard 17 is pressed. Further, when the touch pad 18 is touched, the input controller 109 outputs a human detection signal indicating that the user is holding the main body to the CPU 101.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an outline of the operation example 2 of the input controller 109. In FIG. 4, steps that perform the same processing as in FIG. 3 are given the same step numbers. The input controller 109 determines whether it is the notebook PC mode or the tablet PC mode (step S1). In the notebook PC mode, the input controller 109 assigns normal functions to the keyboard 17 and the touch pad 18 and performs normal processing (step S2).

  In the tablet PC mode, the input controller 109 assigns screen operation functions to a part of the key top of the keyboard 17 and the touch pad 18, and performs signal processing for screen operation (step S10).

  FIG. 5 is an example of a plan view of the input unit 19 for explaining a case where a screen operation function is assigned to a part of the key top of the keyboard 17 and the touch pad 18. The input controller 109 assigns screen operation functions to the key tops located at the left and right ends of the keyboard 17. For example, the right top “|”, the left end “Tab” key top, the right end “Enter”, the left end “Caps” key top, the page down to the right end “shift” key top ( Page turning), page turning (page turning) is assigned to the key top of “Shift” at the left end. Further, the input controller 109 assigns page up / down and page scroll functions to the touch pad 19.

  When the key tops located at the left and right ends of the keyboard 17 are pressed, the input controller 109 outputs a screen operation instruction for the assigned function to the CPU 101. Also, the input controller 109 is invalid when a key top other than the left and right ends is pressed. Further, the input controller 109 outputs screen operation instructions for page up / down and page scroll to the CPU 101 in accordance with the operation of the touch pad 18.

  In the tablet PC mode, a selection (setting) screen for selecting whether the input unit 19 is used as a proximity sensor (Operation Example 1) or screen operation (Operation Example 2) is displayed. It is good also as a structure which a user can select. In this case, the input controller 19 assigns the function selected on the selection screen to the input unit 19.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the input controller 109 assigns different functions to the input unit 19 in the notebook PC mode and the tablet PC mode, and performs different signal processing on the input from the input unit 19. As a result, it is possible to effectively use the input unit located on the back side in the tablet PC configuration.

  The input controller 109 assigns a function as a proximity sensor to the keyboard 17 and the touch pad 18 of the input unit 19 in the tablet PC mode, and performs signal processing for the proximity sensor on the input from the keyboard 17 and the touch pad 18. Thus, the keyboard 17 and the touch pad 18 can be used as proximity sensors.

  The input controller 109 assigns screen operation functions to the keyboard 17 and touch pad 18 of the input unit 19 in the tablet PC mode, and performs signal processing for screen operation on inputs from the keyboard 17 and touch pad 18. Therefore, screen operation from the back is possible in the tablet configuration.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case has been described in which the display-side housing 12 is rotated 360 degrees by the hinge 20 with respect to the main body-side housing 12 in which the input unit 19 is arranged to form a tablet PC configuration. The present invention is not limited to this, and in a tablet PC configuration, the present invention can be applied to all convertible PCs in which a surface on which an input unit such as a keyboard is arranged is exposed, and uses a rotation mechanism different from the present embodiment. It can also be applied to

  As described above, the portable information processing apparatus, the input method thereof, and the computer-executable program according to the present invention can be used as a notebook PC and a tablet PC, and an input unit including a keyboard is arranged in the tablet PC configuration. This is useful for a convertible portable information processing apparatus having a configuration in which the exposed surface is exposed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Portable information processing apparatus 11 Display side housing | casing 12 Main body side housing | casing 13 LCD
16 Touch Screen 17 Keyboard 18 Touch Pad 19 Input Unit 20 Hinge 30 HDD
31 OS
32 Driver 33 Application 101 CPU
102 ROM
103 Memory 105 Graphics Adapter 106 USB Port 107 Communication Device 108 Power Supply Circuit 109 Input Controller

Claims (8)

A portable information processing apparatus that can be used as a notebook PC and a tablet PC and exposes a surface on which an input unit including a keyboard is arranged in a tablet PC configuration,
In the notebook PC mode and the tablet PC mode, the input unit is assigned with different functions, and includes input unit control means for performing different signal processing on the input from the input unit ,
In the tablet PC mode, the input unit control unit assigns a function as a proximity sensor to the keyboard, and performs signal processing for the proximity sensor with respect to an input from the keyboard . A portable information processing apparatus that can be used as a notebook PC and a tablet PC and exposes a surface on which an input unit including a keyboard is arranged in a tablet PC configuration,
In the notebook PC mode and the tablet PC mode, the input unit is assigned with different functions, and includes input unit control means for performing different signal processing on the input from the input unit ,
The input unit comprises a touchpad;
In the tablet PC mode, the input unit control unit assigns a function as a proximity sensor to the touch pad, and performs signal processing for the proximity sensor with respect to an input from the touch pad. Processing equipment. In the tablet PC mode, the input unit control means assigns a function as a proximity sensor to the touch pad according to a user's selection, and performs signal processing for the proximity sensor with respect to an input from the touch pad; A function for screen operation is assigned to a part of the key tops of the keyboard, and the signal processing for the screen operation can be switched between input from the part of the key tops. Item 2. A portable information processing device according to Item 1. The partial key tops are key tops located at both left and right ends of the keyboard;
When the input unit control means assigns a screen operation function to a part of the key tops of the keyboard, the part of the key tops includes at least one function of page scroll, page turning, and page up and down. The portable information processing apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the portable information processing apparatus is assigned. A portable information processing apparatus that can be used as a notebook PC and a tablet PC and exposes a surface on which an input unit including a keyboard is arranged in a tablet PC configuration,
In the notebook PC mode and the tablet PC mode, the input unit is assigned with different functions, and includes input unit control means for performing different signal processing on the input from the input unit ,
The input unit comprises a touchpad;
In the tablet PC mode, the input unit control means assigns a screen operation function to the touch pad, and performs signal processing for the screen operation on an input from the touch pad. Processing equipment. 6. The portable information processing apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the input unit control means assigns at least one of page up and down and page scroll functions to the touch pad in the tablet PC mode. An input method of a portable information processing apparatus that can be used as a notebook PC and a tablet PC and exposes a surface on which an input unit including a keyboard is arranged in a tablet PC configuration,
In the notebook PC mode and the tablet PC mode, assign a different function to the input unit, it viewed including the steps of performing different signal processing on an input from said input unit,
In the tablet PC mode, the step assigns a function as a proximity sensor to the keyboard and performs signal processing for the proximity sensor with respect to an input from the keyboard . A program mounted on a portable information processing apparatus that can be used as a notebook PC and a tablet PC and exposes a surface on which an input unit including a keyboard is arranged in a tablet PC configuration,
In the notebook PC mode and the tablet PC mode, different functions are assigned to the input unit, and the computer performs a process of performing different signal processing on the input from the input unit ,
In the tablet PC mode, the process assigns a function as a proximity sensor to the keyboard and performs signal processing for the proximity sensor on an input from the keyboard .

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