JP2000284946A - Device and method for processing information, and medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily switch and use plural user settings by storing operation setting information of an information processor in a storing means in advance and changing the operation setting of the information processor based on operation setting information when the storing means is mounted to the information processor. SOLUTION: A CPU 65 judges whether a memory stick 116 is inserted or not to a memory stick slot 23. Then, when an affirmative result is obtained, the CPU 65 reads data in the stick 116 to write it at a prescribed position in an HDD 68. In addition, the CPU 65 judges whether read data is a user file data or not. Then, when an affirmative result is obtained, the CPU 65 starts a registry editor (application program). By rewriting of a registry and restarting following this, setting of a computer system is changed to user setting stored in the stick 116.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a medium, and is suitably applied to, for example, a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a computer).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a plurality of users (users) may use the same computer device. In order to cope with such sharing of the computer device by a plurality of users, various personal data and settings for each user are set in the computer device. Is registered, and a user is selected and activated at the time of activation of the computer device, thereby providing a use environment of the computer device according to the user's preference.

[0003]

However, in this method, personal data and settings must be manually set.
There is a problem that the setting is difficult for a beginner or a child who is not familiar with the operation of the computer device.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has as its object to propose an information processing apparatus and method, and a medium which can be used by easily switching a plurality of user settings.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention detects a mounted state of a storage means, and when the mounted state of the storage means is detected, reads out data stored in the storage means. When the read data is operation setting information of the information processing apparatus, the operation setting of the information processing apparatus is changed based on the operation setting information.

[0006] The operation setting information of the information processing apparatus is stored in a storage means, and when the storage means is attached to the information processing apparatus, the operation setting of the information processing apparatus is changed based on the operation setting information. This makes it possible to easily change the operation setting of the information processing device.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a computer device according to the present invention as a whole. A keyboard 4 is connected via a keyboard cable 3 to a main body 2 serving as an information processing device for executing various processes. The liquid crystal display 6 is connected via the.
A mouse 8 is connected to the keyboard 4 via a mouse cable 7.

As shown in FIG. 2, the main body 2 has a power switch 11 disposed on the left side of the front of the housing, and a power lamp 11A made of an LED (Light Emitting Diode) at the center of the power switch 11. When the power switch 11 is pressed down and the power is turned on, the power lamp 11A lights up in green, and when the system enters a standby state in which the operation of the entire system is temporarily stopped, the power lamp 11A lights up in orange. ing.

The main body 2 is provided with a 3.5-inch floppy disk insertion slot 12 and an eject button 13 and a CD-ROM insertion slot 14 and an eject button 15 substantially at the center of the front of the housing.

Further, the main body 2 has a FD access lamp 16 for notifying access to a floppy disk at the right front portion of the housing, and a CD-R for notifying access to a CD-ROM.
An OM access lamp 17 and an HD access lamp 18 for notifying access to the hard disk are provided, and a door 2A that can be opened and closed is provided at the lower part of the front surface of the housing.

As shown in FIG. 3, the main body 2 is provided with a microphone connector 19, a headphone connector 20, and a headphone volume knob 21 behind the door 2A.
PC (Personal Computer) card slot 22, Memory Stick (trademark) 116 that can be inserted and removed freely (see FIG. 8)
Memory stick slot 23, IE for inserting
EE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engin
eers) IEEE139 with 1394 interface
4 cable connector 24, USB (UniversalSerial B
us) connector 25 is provided.

The memory stick 116 is a type of flash memory card developed by Sony Corporation, the present applicant. This memory stick 1
Reference numeral 16 denotes an electrically erasable and erasable non-volatile memory, such as an EEPROM (Electricall), in a small and thin plastic case of 21.5 × 50 × 2.8 [mm].
y Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory)
Various data such as images, sounds, and music can be written and read via a 10-pin terminal. In addition, even when the specifications of the built-in flash memory are changed due to an increase in capacity, etc., a unique serial protocol that can ensure compatibility with the device used is adopted, and the maximum writing speed is 1.5 [MB
/ S], a maximum read speed of 2.45 [MB / S], and high reliability.

As shown in FIG. 4, the main body 2 has a ventilation hole 26 for heat radiation and an AC (Alternating cur
nt) A power input plug 27, a telephone line jack 28, a 6-pin compatible IEEE 1394 cable connector 29 and a telephone jack 30 are provided, and a printer connector 31, a serial connector 32, a monitor connector 33, and a USB connector 34 are provided at the lower rear portion of the housing. , Line input connector 35, line output connector 36, LCD (Liquid Cr
(ystal Display) connector 37 and a main body connector 38 are provided.

Next, as shown in FIG.
Has a panel portion 43 attached via an arm 42 rotatably attached to a stand 41,
Thus, the panel section 43 can be adjusted to a desired angle according to the user's preference.

The panel unit 43 has a display panel 44 composed of an LCD, a left speaker 45 and a right speaker 46, and a power lamp 47 composed of an LED and an information lamp 48 for notifying of an incoming mail at the upper right end of the panel unit 43.
And a brightness adjustment dial 49 for adjusting the brightness of the display panel 44 and a volume adjustment dial 50 for adjusting the volume of the left speaker 45 and the right speaker 46.

The power lamp 47 lights green when the power is turned on and orange when the power is turned on.
The information lamp 48 lights red when an e-mail is received.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG.
PS2 (Personal System / 2) interface (trademark)
A key arrangement section 53 in which a plurality of operation keys 51 and function keys 52 are arranged;
Cables and mouse connectors 59 provided at the left and right side edges for connection with the keyboard cable 3 (FIG. 1) or the mouse cable 7 (FIG. 1) of the mouse 8, and 2 provided at the front end in the arrow A direction. It is composed of a step-foldable keyboard cover 60 and a hot key arrangement section 58 provided at the rear end of the key arrangement section 53.

The hot key arrangement section 58 includes a power key 54 for turning on the power, a standby key 55 for temporarily stopping the operation of the entire system (standby state), and a state in which capital letters of the alphabet can be input. A noticeable cap lock lamp 56 and a plurality of programmable power keys (PPK) 57 are provided.

Here, when the standby key 55 is pressed while the main unit 2 is running, the operation of the entire system is temporarily set to a standby state, and when the standby key 55 is pressed in the standby state, the entire system is immediately restarted. It has been made to start.

The PPK key 57 is used to operate a desired application (for example, e-mail software,
Web browser, etc.), and also has the function of a power switch, so if the main unit 2 is depressed while the power is off, the power is turned on and the desired application is started. Up to a series of operations are automatically performed.

The PPK key 57 can be set to automatically start a desired application by a user, and by using a timer function built in the main body 2, the power is turned on at a preset start time. Then, a desired application can be automatically started, and the application can be set to be terminated and automatically shut down at the end time.

That is, if the computer device 1 is set to automatically confirm receipt of an e-mail by using the timer function, the power is turned on at the start time even when the power is off. Then, the electronic mail software is started up, and when there is an incoming mail, the information lamp 48 is automatically turned on in red, so that the user can easily recognize the presence of the incoming mail.

The keyboard 4 exposes the operation keys 51 and the function keys 52 of the key arrangement section 53 in a state where the keyboard cover 60 is folded in two steps as shown in the figure, and the keyboard cover 60 in the folded state. Is set so that the operation keys 51 and the function keys 52 can be more easily operated by functioning as a palm rest.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, when the keyboard 4 is not in use, the keyboard cover 60 is expanded to cover all the operation keys 51 and the function keys 52 of the key array section 53, thereby erroneously operating the keys. And dust can be prevented from entering.

Here, the keyboard 4 is configured so that only the key arrangement section 53 is covered by the keyboard cover 60, so that even when the key arrangement section 53 is covered, the power key 54 of the hot key arrangement section 58 Can be operated.

Incidentally, the various keys provided in the hot key arrangement section 58 are formed in a flat circular shape having almost no height and without a gap, instead of a cubic shape having a height like the operation keys 51 and the function keys 52. By having
Even when not covered by the keyboard cover 60, dust can be prevented from entering.

Thus, the user can enter the keyboard cover 6
Even when the key arrangement section 53 is covered by 0, the power key 54 and the PPK key 57 of the hot key arrangement section 58 can be pressed, and thus the operation keys 51 and the function keys 52 having a complicated arrangement can be recognized. Instead, simply pressing the PPK key 57 as a specific key can easily launch frequently used applications.

Next, the circuit configuration of the main unit 2 in the computer 1 will be described with reference to FIG. Main unit 2
Has a PCI (Peripheral Compon
entInterconnect) CPU (Central Processi
ng Unit) 65 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 66 are connected.

The CPU 65 as a control means includes the main body 2
Is a controller that controls and processes various functions in a general manner, and various functions can be realized by executing various programs loaded in the RAM 66.

A PC (Personal) is connected to the PCI bus 64.
Computer) A PC card interface 101 for exchanging data via a card (not shown), and an IEEE 1394 interface 10 for connecting to another computer or an external device and taking in digital data.
2. A graphics processing circuit 93 for generating an image to be displayed on the liquid crystal display 6, an audio processing circuit 96 for generating audio output from the left speaker 45 and the right speaker 46 of the liquid crystal display 6, and a modem 107 are connected.

The PCI bus 64 is connected to an ISA (Industrial Standard Architecture) bus 69 which is an external bus via a PCI-ISA bridge 67.
The PCI-ISA bridge 67 has a hard disk drive (HDD) 68 and a CD-ROM drive 106
Is connected. The HDD 68 has an e-mail program 69, a memory stick automatic processing program 7
0, OS (Operatimg System) 7 consisting of Windows98 (trademark)
1 and a registry 71R, which is a setting information database of the OS 71, are stored.

An ISA bus 69 is connected to an I / O (In / Out) controller 72 called Super I / O (trademark) and a memory stick interface 103. The I / O controller 72 has a microcontroller 85, RTC (Real-Ti
me Clock) 84, a floppy disk drive 104, and a backup battery 83 are connected, and the memory stick interface 103 is connected to the memory stick slot 23.

The I / O controller 72 includes an I / O interface 74, a CPU 79, and an RO comprising an EEPROM.
An M (Read Only Memory) 75 and a RAM 80 are connected to each other, and a ROM (Basic
Input / Output System) 76, a wakeup program 77 and a key input monitoring program 78 are stored, and a key input status register 8 is stored in the RAM 80.
1, a set time register 82 and a key corresponding application register 83 are stored.

Here, since the I / O controller 72 is provided with the backup battery 83, the key input status register 81 is set even when the power switch 11 of the main body 2 is turned off and the power is turned off. Each value of the time register 82 and the key corresponding application register 83 is held.

When data is exchanged between the I / O controller 72 and the microcontroller 85,
After converting the parallel data into serial data by the I / O interface 74, the microcontroller 85
The serial data is converted to parallel data by the I / O interface 86 and then sent to the I / O controller 72.

The memory stick interface 103 serving as a reading means writes data supplied via the ISA bus 69 to a memory stick 116 serving as a storage means inserted into the memory stick slot 23 and is stored in the memory stick 116. The read data is read and supplied to the ISA bus 69.

The key input status register 81 stored in the RAM 80 includes a PPK key 57 for one-touch operation provided in the hot key array section 58 of the keyboard 4.
When (FIG. 6) is pressed, the PPK key flag is stored, and when the memory stick 116 is inserted into the memory stick slot 23, the memory stick flag is stored.

The set time register 82 is used when the CPU 79 executes a predetermined sequence control when a desired start time set in advance by the user is reached.

Further, the key corresponding application register 83 stores a combination of operation keys 51 set in advance,
The correspondence with the application or script to be started is stored. When the stored combination of the operation keys 51 is input by the user, the application or script corresponding to the combination of the operation keys 51 is started by the CPU 79.

The BIOS stored in the ROM 75
Reference numeral 76 denotes an OS and various applications and connected devices (for example, the liquid crystal display 6, the keyboard 4, and the HDD 68).
The key input monitoring program 78 is a program that constantly monitors pressing of the PPK key 57 and insertion of the memory stick 116.

The wake-up program 77 uses the RTC
This is a program for detecting whether or not the current time supplied from 84 has reached the start time stored in advance in the set time register 82, and executing a predetermined process (or program) when the start time has come.

On the other hand, the microcontroller 85
Is the I / O interface 86, CPU 89, EEP
A ROM 87 constituted by a ROM and a RAM 90 are connected to each other. An LED control program 88 is stored in the ROM 87, and an LED control register 91 is stored in the RAM 90.

The LED control register 91 is a register used to control the lighting of the power lamp 47 provided on the liquid crystal display 6 and the information lamp 48 (FIG. 5) for notifying the arrival of mail.
Controls the lighting of the power lamp 47 and the information lamp 48 of the liquid crystal display 6 by supplying a predetermined LED drive voltage via the display interface 95 based on the LED control program 88.

In practice, the main body 2 is provided with an AC power source (not shown).
When the power switch 11 (FIG. 2) is turned on with the microcontroller 85 connected to the
The power supply circuit 92 is controlled via the O controller 72, and the supply of the power supply voltage of +12 [V] from the power supply circuit 92 to each circuit is started. Then, the CPU 65 reads the OS 71 of the HDD 68 based on the BIOS 76 stored in the ROM 75 of the I / O controller 72, and starts the OS 71 by loading the OS 71 into the RAM 66. At this time, the CPU 65 reads the registry 71R stored in the HDD 68, and sets the OS 71 and the entire computer device 1 based on the setting information of the registry 71R.

The main unit 2 always supplies a power supply voltage of +5 [V] to the microcontroller 85 and the memory stick slot 23 even when the power switch 11 is turned off. The microcontroller 85 as the memory stick 1 supplied from the memory stick slot 23
The CPU 89 detects a code signal S5 indicating the insertion of the sixteen. In response to the detection of the code signal S5, the microcontroller 85 controls the power supply circuit 92 in the same manner as when the power switch 11 is pressed, and starts supplying the power supply voltage of +12 [V] from the power supply circuit 92 to each circuit. I do.

As described above, when the power switch 11 is in the off state, the computer device 1
Is inserted into the memory stick slot 23, the supply of the power supply voltage of +12 [V] is started from the power supply circuit 92 of the main body 2 to each circuit in the same manner as when the power switch 11 of the main body 2 is pressed. The OS 71 is started.

After the OS 71 is started, the CPU 65 executes a memory stick automatic processing program 70 (FIG. 9) described later.
Is read from the HDD 68 and transferred to the RAM 66, and the memory stick automatic processing program 70 is executed as a resident program using the RAM 66 as a work area.

The CPU 65 reads various applications (for example, an electronic mail program 69) from the HDD 68 in accordance with the operation of the user, and reads them from the RAM 66.
Transfer to and execute.

The CPU 65 converts the image data of the processing result based on, for example, the OS 71 into the graphics processing circuit 9.
3 The graphics processing circuit 93 stores the image data in the VRAM 94, reads out the image data as appropriate, and sends the image data to the LCD controller 98 of the liquid crystal display 6 via the display interface 95 and the display cable 5. The LCD controller 98 controls the backlight 100 to illuminate the display panel 44 from behind, and displays a predetermined image by driving each pixel of the display panel 44 based on image data.

The CPU 65 sends out audio data as a processing result based on the OS 71 to the audio processing circuit 96. The audio processing circuit 96 performs predetermined data processing on the audio data, converts the audio data into an analog audio signal via the audio codec 97, and converts this into an analog audio signal via the display cable 5.
To the LCD controller 98.

The LCD controller 98 outputs sound corresponding to the sound signal from the left speaker 45 and the right speaker 46 provided on both sides of the display panel 44. Note that the audio codec 97 externally inputs (IN) an audio signal collected by a sound collection unit such as a microphone,
This can be converted into a digital signal and taken in.

The CPU 65 controls a modem 107 to connect to the Internet 110 and a mail server 111 via a public line network 108 and an Internet service provider (hereinafter, simply referred to as a provider) 109, and to connect the mail server 111 to the Internet. Mailbox 1 through
Communication control is performed, such as receiving an e-mail addressed to the user himself / herself and receiving a desired home page via the Internet 110.

In addition to the above configuration, the computer 1
Executes a process according to the data content of the inserted memory stick 116.

The memory stick 116 used here
There are two types: a data memory stick 116D storing application program data and a user profile memory stick 116P storing user profile data User.dat.

The user profile data User.dat is
This is setting information data for each user in the registry 71R, which is a setting database for various operations in S71. The user sets in advance the icon arrangement on the desktop of the computer device 1 and the application to be used according to his / her preference, and writes the user profile data User.dat at this time on the memory stick 116 to create the user profile memory stick 116P. Keep it.

The computer device 1 then inserts the inserted memory stick 116 (data memory stick 11).
6D or user profile memory stick 116
According to P), the memory stick automatic processing program shown in FIG. 9 is executed.

That is, the CPU 65 starts processing at RT1, and at step SP1, the CPU 65 determines whether or not the memory stick 116 has been inserted into the memory stick slot 23. If a negative result is obtained in step SP1, this means that the memory stick 116 is not inserted into the memory stick slot 23, and the CPU 65 proceeds to step SP8 and ends the process.

On the other hand, if an affirmative result is obtained in step SP1, this means that the memory stick 116 has been inserted into the memory stick slot 23, and the CPU 65 as the reading means returns to step S1.
Proceeding to P2, the data in the memory stick 116 is read and written to a predetermined position in the HDD 68.

In the following step SP3, the CPU 65
Indicates that the read data is user profile data Use
Determine if it is r.dat.

If a negative result is obtained in step SP3, this means that the read data is not the user profile data User.dat,
In step SP7, the application software (for example, spreadsheet software, word processing software, image editing software, etc.) corresponding to the extension of the read data is stored in the HDD 65.
After reading and executing from step 68, the process proceeds to step SP8 and ends.

On the other hand, if an affirmative result is obtained in step SP3, this means that the read data is the user profile data User.dat, and the CPU 65 proceeds to step SP4 to execute one function of the OS 71. Start the registry editor (application program).

In step SP5, the CPU 65 rewrites the registry 71R by storing the user profile data User.dat read out by using the registry editor in the registry 71R.
, The entire system of the computer device 1 is reset and restarted.

By rewriting the registry and subsequent rebooting, the settings of the computer device 1 are changed to the user settings stored in the user profile memory stick 116P. In step SP8, the CPU 65 ends the processing. The CPU 65 always repeats such processing.

As a medium used for installing the above-mentioned memory stick automatic processing program in a computer device and making it executable by the computer device, for example, a floppy disk, CD-
Not only package media such as ROM and DVD but also a semiconductor memory or a magnetic disk in which a program is temporarily or permanently stored may be realized, and furthermore, a wired network such as a local area network, the Internet, and digital satellite broadcasting may be used. Alternatively, the present invention may be implemented by various communication interfaces such as a wireless communication medium, and a router or a modem for transferring or receiving a program provided through the communication medium.

In the above configuration, the computer 1
Reads the user profile data User.dat from the data memory stick 116D in response to the insertion of the user profile memory stick 116P into the memory stick slot 23. Then, the computer device 1 reads the read user profile data Us.
The settings of the computer device 1 are changed by rewriting the registry 71R with er.dat.

Thus, the computer apparatus 1 can easily change the user settings only by replacing the user profile memory stick 116P.

For example, in the case of the computer device 1 installed at home, the parent user profile memory stick 116P is set so that all software can be used, and the child user profile memory stick 116P is used for child education. By setting so that only the software can be used and giving the child a user profile memory stick 116P for the child, the child can use only the educational software while sharing the same computer device between the parent and the child. You can do it.

When the user carries the user profile memory stick 116P in which personal settings are stored, and inserts the user profile memory stick 116P into the computer 1 away from home, the computer 1
Can be changed to personal settings and used.

According to the above configuration, the user profile data is stored in the user profile memory stick 116P.
By writing User.dat and reading the user profile data User.dat in response to the insertion of the user profile memory stick 116P and rewriting the registry 71R of the computer device 1, setting of the computer device 1 is facilitated. Can be changed to

In the above-described embodiment, the user profile data is stored in the memory stick. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The user profile data is stored in various other storage means such as a PC card. You may do it.

In the above-described embodiment, the user profile data is stored in the memory stick. However, the present invention is not limited to this. May be changed.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the setting of the computer device is changed according to the insertion of the memory stick. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a PDA (Personal Data Assistant: portable information terminal) For example, the settings of various information processing apparatuses may be changed.

[0074]

As described above, according to the present invention, the operation setting information of the information processing apparatus is stored in the storage means, and when the storage means is attached to the information processing apparatus, the operation setting information is stored based on the operation setting information. By changing the operation setting of the information processing apparatus, the operation setting of the information processing apparatus can be easily changed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of a computer device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a front configuration (1) of a main body.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a front configuration (2) of a main body.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a rear configuration of a main body.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a liquid crystal display.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a keyboard.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the keyboard with the keyboard cover expanded.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main body.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a memory stick automatic processing program.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Computer apparatus, 2 ... Body part, 4 ... Keyboard, 6 ... Liquid crystal display, 8 ... Mouse, 11 ...
... power switch, 23 ... memory stick slot,
65: CPU, 66: RAM, 68: HDD, 7
2 ... I / O controller, 85 ... Microcontroller, 92 ... Power circuit, 103 ... Memory stick interface, 116 ... Memory stick.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus to which a predetermined storage means is attached and used, a detection means for detecting an attachment state of the storage means, and when the attachment state is detected by the detection means,
Reading means for reading data stored in the storage means; and control means for changing operation settings of the information processing device based on the operation setting information when the read data is operation setting information of the information processing device. An information processing apparatus comprising: 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation setting information is setting information of an operating system of the information processing apparatus. 3. An information processing method for an information processing apparatus in which a predetermined storage means is mounted and used, wherein: a detecting step of detecting a mounting state of the storage means; A reading step of reading stored data; and a setting changing step of changing an operation setting of the information processing device based on the operation setting information when the read data is operation setting information of the information processing device. An information processing method comprising: 4. The information processing method according to claim 3, wherein the operation setting information is setting information of an operating system of the information processing apparatus. 5. A detecting step of detecting a mounting state of a predetermined storage means, a reading step of reading data stored in the storage means when the mounting state is detected, and reading the read data by predetermined information. A medium for causing the information processing apparatus to execute a program, comprising: when the information is operation setting information of the processing apparatus, a setting change step of changing an operation setting of the information processing apparatus based on the operation setting information.