JP2001101293A - Information processor and control method of information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To manage and automatically notify time event information unitarily on the basis of time event data that are respectively managed by a plurality of application programs. SOLUTION: This processor improves memory saving and power consumption saving without damaging the convenience of a user because the processor also detects the time events of inactive application programs, manages them unitarily and notifies the user of them in such a manner a system side refers to a table of time events. Then, even a system which can not perform multitasking and a system which can not simultaneously start a plurality of application programs from the viewpoint of throughput, it is possible to manage a time event extending over a plurality of application programs unitarily.

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 and a control method of the information processing apparatus, and more particularly to an information processing apparatus for managing a time event occurring at a predetermined time, such as a scheduler function, and its control. About the method.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer system, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), and a portable information device represented by an electronic notebook, an application program for managing a schedule and a deadline are managed. That have built-in application programs for the application. These application programs, when a user inputs time event data such as schedule data in advance, sorts and displays events such as various schedules in the order of occurrence time based on event occurrence time information included in the time event data. Or an event within a predetermined time (or a predetermined period) from the current time can be displayed. As a result, schedule management and time limit management can be performed without any trouble.

[0002]

In the conventional information processing apparatus, the time event data corresponding to each application program is individually managed by each application program, and the management method is unified. Therefore, it could not be referenced from other application programs. For this reason, when it is desired to check an event that occurs within a predetermined time (or a predetermined period) from the current time from time event data in which the user performs schedule management and time limit management using a plurality of applications, after all, It is necessary for the user to extract all the target events by executing all the application programs, and there is a problem that unified management cannot be performed and it takes much time and effort.

[0003] Further, when a user wants to automatically notify an information processing apparatus of an event occurring within a predetermined time (or a predetermined period) from the current time from time event data for which schedule management and time limit management are performed. In
It is necessary to execute all application programs that manage time event data in parallel, but especially in portable information processing devices, there may be cases where multitasking is not supported, and this is not feasible in practice. Also occurs. Further, even in the case of a personal computer system, it is not always preferable to always start all application programs from the viewpoint of processing capacity, and in some cases, actual implementation is difficult.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus capable of executing a plurality of application programs in a centralized manner based on time event data individually managed by the plurality of application programs. An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus and a control method of the information processing apparatus, which can manage information and can also perform automatic notification.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus capable of processing a plurality of application programs independently or in parallel, wherein the plurality of application programs are individually managed. Time event data detection means for detecting time data corresponding to at least the event occurrence time and event data corresponding to the time data, and the event occurrence time and current time corresponding to the time event data And a notifying means for notifying the user when the event occurrence time matches the current time, when the event occurrence time matches the current time.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first aspect, the time event data managed by each application program is stored in a data table preset for each corresponding application program. The data detecting means detects the time event data by referring to the data table for each of the application programs.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first aspect, the time event data managed by each of the application programs is stored in a common table which is set in advance and is commonly used by the plurality of application programs. The time event data detecting means detects the time event data by referring to the common table.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first aspect, the determining means temporarily controls each of the applications when determining whether the event occurrence time coincides with the current time. It is characterized in that each application determines whether or not the event occurrence time matches the current time for each application, and receives the determination result.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first aspect, the notifying means includes an alerting means for alerting the user by sound, light or vibration, and an alerting operation of the alerting means. At the same time, there is provided a bob-up display means for performing a bob-up display for superimposing and displaying the notification content on at least a part of the display screen.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first aspect, the notifying means includes a warning means for calling a user by sound, light, or vibration, and a stop of the operation of the warning means. Operation instructing means for instructing, and a bob-up display for superimposing and displaying a notification content on at least a part of a display screen when the user instructs the operation of the alerting means by the operation stop instructing means. And bob-up display means for performing

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the fifth or sixth aspect, when the bob-up display is performed by the bob-up display means, a predetermined predetermined operation is performed. The present invention is characterized in that an application activating means for transferring control to an application program corresponding to an operation state by performing the operation is provided.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to any one of the fifth to seventh aspects, the bob-up display includes at least an event content of the time event data, an event occurrence time, and the time event data. Is displayed for specifying an application program managed by the application program.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the method for controlling an information processing apparatus capable of processing a plurality of application programs singly or in parallel, at least an event occurrence time individually managed by the plurality of application programs is provided. A time event data detecting step of detecting time data including time data and event data corresponding to the time data; and determining whether or not the event occurrence time corresponding to the time event data coincides with a current time. It is characterized by comprising a discriminating step and a notifying step of notifying the user when the event occurrence time coincides with the current time to the user.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the control method of the information processing apparatus according to the ninth aspect, the time event data managed by each application program is stored in a data table preset for each corresponding application program. The time event data detecting step is characterized in that the time event data is detected by referring to the data table for each of the application programs.

[0015] According to a eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the ninth aspect, the time event data managed by each of the application programs is stored in a common table previously used in common by the plurality of application programs. The time event data detecting step is characterized in that the time event data is detected by referring to the common table.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the ninth aspect, in the determining step, when determining whether the event occurrence time and the current time coincide with each other, the respective applications perform temporary control. An application-side control transfer step to be passed, a match determination step of determining whether or not the event occurrence time and the current time match for each application, a result reception step of receiving a determination result,
It is characterized by having.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the ninth aspect, the notifying means includes an alerting step of alerting the user by sound, light, or vibration, and an alerting operation in the alerting step. At the same time, there is provided a bob-up display step of performing a bob-up display for superimposing and displaying the notification content on at least a part of the display screen.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the ninth aspect, the notifying means performs a warning step of calling a user by sound, light, or vibration, and a stop of the processing in the warning step. A bob-up display step of performing a bob-up display in which a notification content is superimposed and displayed on at least a part of the display screen when instructed by the user.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the twelfth or thirteenth aspect, when the bob-up display is performed by the bob-up display means, a predetermined predetermined operation is performed. The method is characterized by including an application starting step of transferring control to an application program according to the operation state by performing the operation.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to any one of the thirteenth to fifteenth aspects, the bob-up display includes at least an event content of the time event data, an event occurrence time, and the time event data. Is displayed for specifying an application program managed by the application program.

[0021]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, a wristwatch-type information processing device will be described as an example of the information processing device. [1] Configuration of wristwatch-type information processing apparatus FIG. 1 shows a front view of a wristwatch-type information processing apparatus. The wristwatch-type information processing apparatus 10 is roughly divided into an information processing apparatus main body 11
And a band 12 for winding the wristwatch-type information processing device 10 around the wrist of the user. A display panel 15 such as a liquid crystal display for displaying various information, and a selection switch for selecting information (selection item or selection data) displayed on the display panel 15 are provided on a front surface of the information processing apparatus main body 11. 16,17
And a rotation bezel 18 having a rotation direction sensor and a rotation amount sensor (not shown) and functioning as a data input device for inputting character data, numerical data, time data, and the like in cooperation with a determination switch and a cancel switch described later.
And is provided. On the side of the main body of the information processing device, an operation mode changeover switch 20 for switching the operation mode of the wristwatch-type information processing device, a decision switch 21 for confirming the selected item and the selected data, a cancel of the selected item and the selected data, And a cancel switch 22 for performing deletion.

[2] Apparatus Configuration of Wristwatch-Type Information Processing Apparatus FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic apparatus configuration of an information processing apparatus for a wristwatch and the like. The wristwatch-type information processing apparatus 10 includes an MPU (Micro Processor) that controls the entire wristwatch-type information processing apparatus 10.
Unit 25, a ROM 26 storing a control program and control data, a RAM 27 supplied with a backup power supply storing application programs and corresponding data, and the like, and a timekeeping unit 28 for independently measuring the current time and the like. And a communication interface unit 30 for communicating with an external communication device via a communication coil 29, a speaker 31 and a vibrator 32, and a notification control unit for notifying a user by sound or vibration. 33, a switch (SW) interface unit 34 for performing an interface operation between the MPU 25 and the selection switches 16 and 17, the operation mode changeover switch 20, the decision switch 21, and the cancel switch 22.
And a bus 35 for connecting the MPU 25 and each section.

[3] Application Program and Time Event Table FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the storage state of the application program and the time event table in the RAM 27.
In FIG. 3, it is assumed that storage areas AR1 to AR3 having a predetermined capacity are allocated to each application program. FIG. 3A shows the storage state of the storage start address of each of the application programs AP1 to AP3, and such information is stored in a predetermined system area in the RAM 27. That is, as shown in FIG. 3B, the storage start address of the application program AP1 = OSAD1, the storage start address of the application program AP2 = OSAD2,
The storage start address of the application program AP3 = OSAD3. Note that, as described above, OSAD2-OSAD1 = OSAD3-OSAD2. Further, the head area of each of the storage areas AR1 to AR3 includes time event tables TBL1 to TBL3 for storing time events. Here, the storage state of the time event data will be described using the time event table TBL1 as an example. The time event data can be roughly classified into event occurrence time data indicating the time at which the event occurs, and various accompanying information (event title, event content,
And additional information data representing messages and the like.

[4] Operation of Embodiment Next, the operation of the embodiment will be described. In the initial state, it is assumed that a clock display application program is started among a plurality of applications. FIG. 4 shows a display screen while the clock display application is running. As shown in FIG. 4, the display panel 15 of the wristwatch-type information processing device displays the date (February 3, 2000), the day of the week (Friday; Fri), and the current time (09:59:59). It is assumed that FIG. 5 shows a processing flowchart. First, the MPU 25 sets the bob-up flag BUF
Is initialized (step S1). More specifically, BUF = 0. When the minute data changes based on the current time data from the clock unit 28, the MPU 25
The current time (display time) is updated through the clock display application program (step S2).

Next, the MPU 25 refers to the time event table (initially, the time event table TBL1 corresponding to the application program AP1) (step S3), and determines that the event occurrence time corresponding to the event occurrence time data is equal to the current time. It is determined whether or not exists (step S4). If it is determined in step S4 that there is a time event whose event occurrence time is equal to the current time (step S4; Yes), the bob-up flag BUF is set. That is, BUF = 1 is set (step S5). Then, the time event is registered in the unconfirmed list (step S6), and it is determined whether the time event table has not been referred to yet and there is another application program having the time event data (step S7). ). Here, the unconfirmed list will be described with reference to FIG. In addition,
In the description of the unconfirmed list with reference to FIG.
It is assumed that the current time is 12:30 on June 30, 1999. In this case, as application programs, an application for managing a private schedule (AAA; see FIG. 10A), an application for managing a deadline (To Do; see FIG. 10B), and an application for managing a work schedule (A). Schedule; see FIG. 10C).

Thus, the MPU 25 refers to the time event table of each application, reads out the time events after the current time of 12:30 on June 30, 1999, rearranges them in chronological order, and arranges them in the order of time, as shown in FIG. Create an unconfirmed list as shown in. In this case,
The unconfirmed list handles each time event as one page for display reasons. If it is determined in step S7 that the time event table has not been referred to yet and there is another application program having time event data, step S7 is executed.
3 and refer to a time event table (time event table TBL2 in the above example) corresponding to another application program (for example, application program AP2), and perform the same processing as in steps S3 to S7. Will repeat.

If it is determined in step S7 that the time event table has not been referred to yet and that there is no other application program having the time event data, the process proceeds to step S8.
PU25 determines whether the bob-up flag BUF is set or not.
That is, it is determined whether or not BUF = 1 (step S8). Step S
If it is determined in step 8 that the bob-up flag BPF is not set, that is, if BUF = 0 (step S8; No), the process ends, and the process shifts to a main program (not shown). In the determination in step S8, the bob-up flag B
When the UF is standing, that is, when BUF = 1 (Step S8; Yes), a bob-up display as shown in FIG. 6 is performed (Step S9). In this case, the MPU 25 controls the notification control unit 33 to notify the user that the bob-up display is being performed using at least one of a beep sound and the vibrator 32 via a speaker.

FIG. 6 shows a bob-up display (Bo-up display) in which the contents of the notification are superimposed and displayed on at least a part of the display screen while the clock display application of FIG.
bup display; so-called overlay display), which is a time event corresponding to a scheduler that is an application program.
There is a bob-up display indicating that there will be a customer at 0:00. Next, the MPU 25 issues a page up button (Page
It is determined whether or not the selection switch 16 functioning as an Up Button has been pressed (step S10), and if the page up button has been pressed (step S1).
0; Yes), 1 is added to the page number of the displayed page, and a new displayed page is displayed (step S11). That is, in the case of the above example, the next time event stored in the unconfirmed list is displayed. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the screen before the operation of the selection switch 16 notifies "schedule of a meeting from 10:00 on April 17" managed by a scheduler which is an application program. If it is a time event, the selection switch 16 (= page-up button) is pressed down, and the expiration management (To D
The time event for notifying "create a plan by April 18" managed by o) is read from the unconfirmed list and displayed.

If it is determined in step S10 that the page up button has not been pressed, the MP
U25 determines whether or not the selection switch 17 functioning as a page down button (Page Down Button) is pressed down (step S12). If the page down button is pressed down (step S12; Yes), the display page is displayed. Is subtracted from the page number, and a new display page is displayed (step S13). That is, in the case of the above example, the previous time event stored in the unconfirmed list is displayed. If it is determined in step S12 that the page down button has not been depressed, it is determined whether the confirmation switch 21 functioning as a confirmation button has been depressed (step S14). Step S1
If it is determined in step 4 that the confirm button has been pressed (step S14; Yes), an application program (in this case, a scheduler) corresponding to the time event data displayed in the bob-up display is started, and FIG.
As shown in (5), a detailed display of the event displayed in the bob-up display is performed (step S15). Next, MPU25
Is whether the depression of the confirmation switch 21 functioning as the confirmation button is interrupted, that is, the confirmation switch 21
Is determined (step S1).
6).

If it is determined in step S16 that the confirmation switch 21 has not been released (step S16).
16; No), a standby state is maintained while the detailed display of the event is maintained. If it is determined in step S16 that the confirmation switch 21 has been released (step S1).
6; Yes), the time event for which the detailed display is being performed is deleted from the unconfirmed list (step S17), the process proceeds to step S9, and the same process is performed thereafter. If it is determined in step S14 that the confirm button has not been pressed, it is determined whether the cancel switch 22 functioning as a cancel button has been pressed (step S18). In the determination in step S18,
If the cancel button is pressed down (step S18; Yes), the bob-up display ends (step S19), the process ends, and the process shifts to a main program (not shown). If it is determined in step S18 that the cancel button has not been pressed (step S18; No), the process proceeds to step S9, and the same process is performed.

[5] Effects of the Embodiment According to the embodiment, a time event of a non-operating application can be detected, and memory and power consumption can be reduced. Therefore, even in a system in which multitasking is not possible or a system in which a plurality of application programs cannot be started simultaneously from the viewpoint of processing capability, it is possible to centrally manage time events that span a plurality of application programs. Also, when performing the bob-up display, the name of the application program that manages the time event of the bob-up display is also displayed, so the message of a plurality of application programs corresponds to the time event corresponding to which application program. Can be easily grasped by the user. Further, it is possible to easily call the application corresponding to the time event to check the detailed information. Furthermore, the time event that is the target of the bob-up display is recorded as an unconfirmed event, so if the user does not notice the bob-up display, or if he / she ignores the bob-up display Is held as an unconfirmed event, since it has not been confirmed, and can be easily confirmed later.

[6] Modification of Embodiment [6.1] First Modification In the above description, a time event table is provided for each application program. However, a time event table common to a plurality of applications is provided. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the MPU refers to a common time event table.

[6.2] Second Modification In the above description, a time event table is provided, and a time event having an event occurrence time equal to the current time is detected on the operation system side. Without providing a table, control may be temporarily shifted to application programs, and control may be returned after each application program detects a time event having an event occurrence time equal to the current time. is there.

[6.3] Third Modification In the above description, the user is notified by at least one of the buzzer using a speaker and the vibration using a vibrator, and a bob-up display is performed. When the processing device is not mounted, it is meaningless to perform the bob-up display. Therefore, in order to perform the bob-up display only when the user is wearing the information processing device, the buzzer using the speaker or the vibration using the vibrator is used. May be configured to perform the bob-up display only when a stop button (equivalent to the cancel button 22) for stopping the operation is operated. Further, in addition to the alert by sound (buzzer) and vibration (vibrator), it is also possible to configure to alert by light such as blinking of LED.

[0035]

According to the present invention, a time event of a non-operating application program can also be detected and centrally managed to notify the user, so that memory and power consumption can be saved and the user can be saved. Convenience can be maintained. Therefore, even in a system in which multitasking is not possible or in a system in which a plurality of application programs cannot be started simultaneously from the viewpoint of processing capacity,
It is possible to centrally manage time events that span a plurality of application programs. Also, when performing the bob-up display, the name of the application program that manages the time event of the bob-up display is also displayed, so the message of a plurality of application programs corresponds to the time event corresponding to which application program. Can be easily grasped by the user. Further, by performing a predetermined operation, it is possible to easily start an application corresponding to the displayed time event and check detailed information.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external front view of a wristwatch-type information processing apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a wristwatch-type information processing apparatus.

FIG. 3 shows an application program and a time event in a RAM.

FIG. 4 shows a display screen during activation of a clock display application.

FIG. 5 is a processing flowchart of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram (part 1) of the embodiment;

FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory diagram (part 2) of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an operation explanatory view (3) of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory diagram (part 4) of the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an unconfirmed list.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Wristwatch type information processing apparatus 11 Information processing apparatus main body 12 Band 15 Display panel 16 and 17 Selection switch 18 Rotating bezel 20 Operation mode changeover switch 21 Confirmation switch 22 Cancel switch 25 MPU (26 ROM 27 RAM 28 Clock unit 29 Communication coil 30 Communication Interface unit 31 Speaker 32 Vibrator 33 Notification control unit 34 Switch (SW) interface unit 35 Bus AP1 to AP3 Application program

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5B019 HE15 JA02 KA04 5B049 CC32 DD01 EE05 FF04 5B089 GA21 GB03 JB10 KA01 KB11 KC15 KC47 LB13 LB14 LB24 MC06 5E501 AA04 AA11 AC12 AC32 BA03 BA05 FA25 FA32 FA35

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus capable of processing a plurality of application programs singly or in parallel, wherein the plurality of application programs individually manages time data corresponding to at least an event occurrence time and corresponding to the time data. Time event data detecting means for detecting time event data including event data; determining means for determining whether the event time corresponding to the time event data and the current time match; and Notification means for notifying the user of the coincidence with the current time, the information processing apparatus comprising: 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the time event data managed by each application program is stored in a data table set in advance for each corresponding application program. An information processing apparatus for detecting the time event data by referring to the data table for each of the application programs. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the time event data managed by each of the application programs is stored in a common table that is set and used in common by the plurality of application programs. An information processing apparatus, wherein the data detecting means detects the time event data by referring to the common table. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit passes temporary control to each of the applications when determining whether the event occurrence time matches the current time. An information processing apparatus characterized in that it is determined whether or not the event occurrence time and the current time match each other, and a determination result is received. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notifying unit is a warning unit for calling a user's attention by sound, light, or vibration, and a display screen is displayed simultaneously with the warning operation of the warning unit. An information processing apparatus comprising: a bob-up display unit configured to perform a bob-up display that superimposes and displays a notification content on at least a part of the information processing device. 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notifying unit is a unit that alerts the user by sound, light, or vibration, and the user instructs to stop the operation of the alerting unit. And a bob-up display for performing a bob-up display for superimposing and displaying a notification content on at least a part of a display screen when the user instructs the operation of the alerting unit to be stopped by the operation stop instructing unit. An information processing apparatus comprising: a display unit. 7. The information processing device according to claim 5, wherein when the bob-up display is performed by the bob-up display, a predetermined operation is performed. An information processing apparatus, comprising: an application starting unit configured to shift control to an application program according to an operation state. 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the bob-up display manages at least an event content of the time event data, an event occurrence time, and the time event data. An information processing apparatus, wherein a display for specifying an application program is displayed. 9. A method for controlling an information processing apparatus capable of processing a plurality of application programs singly or in parallel, wherein the time data corresponding to at least an event occurrence time and the time data managed by the plurality of application programs individually. A time event data detection step of detecting time event data including event data corresponding to the event data; a determination step of determining whether the event occurrence time corresponding to the time event data matches a current time; And a notifying step of notifying the user when the occurrence time and the current time match with each other, and a control method for the information processing apparatus. 10. The method for controlling an information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the time event data managed by each application program is stored in a data table set in advance for each corresponding application program. The control method of an information processing device, wherein the detecting step detects the time event data by referring to the data table for each of the application programs. 11. The method for controlling an information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the time event data managed by each of the application programs is stored in a common table that is used in common by the plurality of application programs set in advance. The control method for an information processing device, wherein the time event data detecting step detects the time event data by referring to the common table. 12. The control method for an information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the determining step includes passing temporary control to each of the applications when determining whether the event occurrence time matches a current time. An application-side control transfer step, a match determination step of determining whether or not the event occurrence time and the current time match for each application, and a result reception step of receiving a determination result. Control method for an information processing device to perform. 13. The method for controlling an information processing device according to claim 9, wherein the notifying unit is configured to perform an alerting step of alerting a user by sound, light, or vibration, and an alerting operation in the alerting step. A bob-up display step of performing a bob-up display for superimposing and displaying the notification content on at least a part of the display screen. 14. The information processing apparatus control method according to claim 9, wherein the notifying unit is configured to notify the user by sound, light, or vibration, and to stop the process in the warning step. A bob-up display step of performing a bob-up display in which the notification content is superimposed and displayed on at least a part of the display screen when is instructed. 15. The control method for an information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein a predetermined predetermined operation is performed when the bob-up display is performed by the bob-up display means. A control method for an information processing apparatus, comprising: an application starting step of performing control to shift control to an application program according to an operation state. 16. The information processing apparatus control method according to claim 13, wherein the bob-up display includes at least an event content of the time event data, an event occurrence time, and the time event data. A method for controlling an information processing apparatus, wherein a display for specifying a managed application program is performed.