JP2004005105A - Information processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing system with improved usability which offers a user a display, using a sub-display unit, independently of the state of operation start and processing status of the controller of a main display unit. <P>SOLUTION: When a password has been set to BIOS prior to starting an OS, BIOS makes the sub-display unit and its controller with a light control (or fewer setting items) as compared with the main display unit and sets its controller to be capable of displaying and exercises control so that a request for inputting the predetermined password can be shown on the sub-display unit. When the password is input, after the receipt of the display of this message, and if the password matchs, BIOS performs initialization of a graphics controller 204 and the main display unit 121, starts the OS of an HDD 206 and proceeds to the next processing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus such as a portable personal computer having a mouse pointing function.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, various notebook-type or laptop-type portable personal computers have been developed. This type of portable personal computer is provided with various functions for improving the operability. One of the functions is, for example, a touch-type pointing device as a built-in pointing device.
[0003]
This touch-type pointing device detects a contact position of a finger or the like on the sensing plate by a flat sensing plate sensing static electricity or pressure due to contact of a finger or a pen-type indicator with the sensing plate. is there. Further, an information processing apparatus using this touch type pointing device as a sub-display device is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 10-254622.
[0004]
In the information processing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-254622, the main display device and the sub-display device are connected to a simultaneous scan graphic controller, and the main display device and the sub-display device are simultaneously and independently provided. The operation is controlled in such a manner that different arbitrary images are simultaneously displayed.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional device, since the operation of the main display device and the sub-display device is controlled by the same controller, there is no need to display anything on the main display device and only the sub-display device displays the screen. In addition, the controller connected to the main display device must be initialized, and very complicated processing has to be performed.
[0006]
Also, when the main display device cannot be displayed for some reason, the sub-display device also uses the same controller. There is a possibility that the display operation control may be affected.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is possible to perform display to a user using a sub-display device independently of the activation state and processing status of a controller of a main display device, thereby improving usability. It is an object of the present invention to provide a designed information processing apparatus.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a first display device, a first display controller for controlling a screen display on the first display device, and a comparison between the first display device and the first display device. The second display device, which has a small number of setting items and can display a screen, and, unlike the first display controller, a second display controller that controls screen display on the second display device, and a power supply A first initialization unit for initializing the second display controller prior to the first display controller before being turned on and before the OS is started; and a second initialization unit configured to initialize the second display controller by the first initialization unit. After the display controller is initialized, the second initialization means for initializing the first display controller, and after the power is turned on, the first display control is performed by the second initialization means. The second display controller, which has already been initialized by the first initialization unit, initializes the second display device until the information is displayed on the first display device after initialization of the first display device. And control means for controlling necessary information to be displayed on a screen.
[0009]
In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a main display, a pointing device integrated with a display, and further includes an information processing apparatus connectable to an external display device. A first display controller for controlling a display, and a screen display for the pointing device integrated with the display, and screen information corresponding to the content currently being processed can be displayed on the first display device or connected to the first display device. A second display controller that controls the second display device to selectably display information on the display device in a screen displayable state while being displayed on the external display device in a normal state. , Is characterized by having.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which “cPad” (registered trademark) provided by “SYNAPTICS” is used as a pointing device. The display-integrated pointing device called “cPad” (hereinafter referred to as “cPad device”) has a touch pad, an LCD, and a backlight.
[0011]
In the present embodiment, by having the controller dedicated to the cPad device, the display is performed on the cPad device independently of the main display such as the OS on the main display without controlling the controller of the complicated main display. Function is realized.
[0012]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a notebook personal computer 1 as an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0013]
The computer 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a computer main body 11 and a display unit 12. The display unit 12 incorporates a display screen (main display) 121 composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The display unit 12 is rotatably attached to the computer main body 11 between an open position and a closed position.
[0014]
The computer main body 11 has a thin box-shaped housing. A keyboard 111 is disposed on the upper surface of the housing, and an armrest is formed on the upper surface of the housing portion in front of the keyboard 111.
[0015]
Near the center of the armrest, the cPad device 112 used as a display-integrated pointing device according to the present invention includes a left (left) button 113a, a right (right) button 113b, and a middle button included in the cPad device. It is arranged together with the (middle) button 113c.
[0016]
Further, on the upper surface of the computer main body 11, a power button 114 for turning on / off the power of the computer main body 11 is provided.
[0017]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of the computer 1 shown in FIG. As shown, the computer 1 includes a CPU 201, a north bridge 202, a main memory 203, a graphics controller 204, a south bridge 205, a hard disk drive (HDD) 206, a multi-drive 207, an I / O controller 208, an FDD 209, a cPad. Controller 210, embedded controller / keyboard controller IC (EC / KBC) 211, power supply controller 213, BIOS-ROM (Basic Input / Output System-Read Only Memory) 215, USB-1 221, USB-2 222, USB-3 223 Etc. are provided.
[0018]
The CPU 201 is connected to the north bridge 202 via the host bus, controls the operation of the entire computer 1, and stores an operating system (OS) and application programs / utility programs loaded from the HDD 206 into the main memory 203. Execute.
[0019]
The north bridge 202 is a bridge device including various controllers that perform bridge processing between the CPU 201 and the south bridge 205, control the main memory 203, control the graphics controller 204, and the like.
[0020]
The main memory 203 is connected to the north bridge 202, holds an OS processed by the CPU 201, various drivers, various applications, and the like, and functions as a work area of the CPU 201.
[0021]
The graphics controller 204 constitutes a first display controller, is connected to the north bridge 202, and controls data display on the main display 121 used as a display monitor of the computer 1. The main display 121 constitutes a first display device, and displays data sent from the graphics controller 204 on a screen.
[0022]
The south bridge 205 is connected to the north bridge 202 via a hub link, and various devices on the LPC bus 102, various devices on the PCI bus 101, disk drives compatible with IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics), USB, and the like. It is a bridge device including various controllers for controlling devices (USB-1 221, USB-2 222, USB-3 223). In addition, various system devices such as a system timer, a DMA controller, and an interrupt controller are incorporated therein.
[0023]
The HDD 206 is connected to the south bridge 205 as a device corresponding to the primary IDE, and drives an internal hard disk that stores an OS, various programs, and the like.
[0024]
The multi-drive 207 is connected to the south bridge 205 as a device corresponding to the secondary IDE, and drives a removable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, and a CD-R / RW.
[0025]
The I / O controller 208 is connected to the LPC bus 102, controls input / output of serial signals and parallel signals with the outside, and also controls input / output with the FDD 209.
[0026]
The FDD 209 is connected to the I / O controller 208 and drives a removable magnetic recording medium (disk). In the present embodiment, a magnetic recording medium on which a program used for BIOS rewriting (BIOS rewriting program) and data to be rewritten (rewriting data) are inserted into the FDD 209, and the BIOS rewriting program and the rewriting data are written. Is loaded onto the main memory 203 and used.
[0027]
Alternatively, the same thing as described above can be realized by inserting a magnetic recording medium on which the above-described BIOS rewriting program or the like is recorded into a USB-compatible FDD connected to the south bridge 205.
[0028]
The cPad controller 210 constitutes a second display controller, is connected to the USB-3 223, and further controls various functions of the connected cPad device 112. The cPad device 112 integrates a touch pad 112a, a sub-display 112b constituting a second display device, and a backlight 112c, and includes a left (left) button 113a, a middle (middle) button 113b, and a right (right) button. ) Button 113c.
[0029]
In particular, in the present embodiment, the cPad controller 210 controls the data to the sub-display 112b with lighter control (that is, fewer setting items) than the graphics controller 204, that is, with fewer setting items than the graphics controller 204. Control the display. The sub-display 112b displays data transmitted from the cPad controller 210 on a screen. Instructions for display can be input from the touch pad 112a and the buttons 113a, 113b, 113c.
[0030]
The embedded controller / keyboard controller IC (EC / KBC) 211 is connected to the LPC bus 102, and integrates an embedded controller (EC) for power management and a keyboard controller (KBC) for controlling the keyboard 111. A one-chip microcomputer.
[0031]
The EC / KBC 211 has a function of turning on / off the power of the computer 1 in response to the operation of the power button 114 by the user in cooperation with the power supply controller 213.
[0032]
The keyboard (KB) 111 is used when a user performs an input operation, and can input, for example, a password. In the present embodiment, by pressing a specific key on the keyboard 111 immediately after pressing the power button 114, it is possible to execute a setup process or a boot device selection process.
[0033]
In the present embodiment, the BIOS rewriting process is performed by pressing the power button 114 while pressing a specific key on the keyboard 111 with the magnetic recording medium on which the BIOS rewriting program or the like is recorded in the FDD 209. Can be executed.
[0034]
The power controller 213 is connected to the EC / KBC 21 and detects a power-on operation of the power button 114 to notify the EC and control a voltage supplied to each unit in the computer 1.
[0035]
The BIOS-ROM 215 is connected to the LPC bus 102, and stores a BIOS as a control program that mainly performs setting processing for hardware in the device when the power is turned on. When power is normally turned on, the BIOS performs hardware setting processing and the like, and then passes control to the OS.
[0036]
Next, the boot processing operation and the display contents of the cPad 112 at that time will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the boot process. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a screen display of the cPad 112 during the boot process.
[0037]
As shown in FIG. 3, when the user presses the power button 114, the power of the computer 1 is turned on (ST10). At this time, the EC / KBC 211 determines whether a specific key on the keyboard 111 is being pressed at the same time when the power button 114 is pressed (ST11). This determination result is transmitted to the BIOS in the BIOS-ROM 215.
[0038]
When the specific key is pressed in ST11, the BIOS executes a process specified by the pressed specific key. That is, for example, a specific process shown after ST24 in FIG. 5, after ST34 in FIG. 7, or after ST54 in FIG. 9 is executed (ST12).
[0039]
If no specific key is pressed in ST11, the BIOS executes initialization of the cPad controller 210 and the cPad 112 (ST13). Next, the BIOS checks whether a password has been set based on the setting information in the BIOS setting data memory (not shown) (ST14).
[0040]
If it is determined in ST14 that the password is set, the BIOS controls the sub-display 112b of the cPad 112 via the cPad controller 210 to display a message requesting a password input as shown in FIG. (ST15).
[0041]
Upon receiving the message display in ST15, for example, when a password is input from the keyboard 111 (ST16), the BIOS checks the input password against a preset password (ST17).
[0042]
As a result of the comparison in ST17, if it is determined that the passwords match (ST18) or if the password is not set in ST14 (ST14), the BIOS initializes the graphics controller 204 and the main display 121. (ST19), and then starts the OS of the HDD 206 (ST20), and proceeds to the next process.
[0043]
In the present embodiment, the boot processing operation has been described. However, since the same processing is performed in the resume processing operation after ST14, the description of the resume processing operation is omitted.
[0044]
In the present embodiment, when a password is set in the BIOS before the OS is started, the complicated main display and its controller are compared with the main display and its controller without being made displayable. The sub-display of light control (that is, with few setting items) and its controller are set in a displayable state, and control is performed such that a set password input request is displayed on the sub-display.
[0045]
Therefore, even if the information cannot be displayed on the main display or the display is difficult, displaying the information necessary for the user on the sub-display makes it possible to provide the user with necessary information at any time.
[0046]
In particular, before starting the OS or when the OS cannot be started, there is no need to control the display by setting the complicated main display and its controller to a displayable state. In addition, by controlling the display with the controller, the display control of the information to the user becomes light and easy.
[0047]
Next, the operation of selecting a boot device and the display contents of the cPad 112 at that time will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the boot device selection process. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a screen display of the cPad 112 during the boot device selection process.
[0048]
As shown in FIG. 5, when the user presses the power button 114, the power of the computer 1 is turned on (ST21). At this time, the EC / KBC 211 determines whether or not the specific key on the keyboard 111 has been pressed simultaneously with the pressing of the power button 114 (ST22). This determination result is transmitted to the BIOS in the BIOS-ROM 215.
[0049]
If it is determined in ST22 that the specific key has not been pressed, the BIOS performs a normal initialization / setting process (ST23), and proceeds to the next process.
[0050]
If it is determined in ST22 that the specific key has been pressed, the BIOS assumes that a request for a boot device selection process has been made, and executes initialization of the cPad controller 210 and the cPad 112 (ST24).
[0051]
When the cPad controller 210 and the cPad 112 are enabled by this initialization, the BIOS displays a boot device selection screen as shown in FIG. 6 on the sub-display 112b of the cPad 112 via the cPad controller 210, for example. (ST25).
[0052]
That is, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a screen for selecting whether to boot from the FDD, the CD-ROM, or the LAN card is displayed on the sub-display 112b of the cPad 112.
[0053]
In ST25, when an input is instructed from any of the boot device selection areas 21, 22, and 23 on the touch pad 112a, the BIOS executes initialization of the graphics controller 204 and the main display 121 (ST27). Next, the BIOS boots from the boot device specified in ST26 (ST28), and proceeds to the next process.
[0054]
In the present embodiment, when a boot device selection process is instructed at a stage before the OS is started, a complicated main display and its controller are compared with the main display and its controller without being brought into a displayable state. The sub-display and its controller with light control can be displayed, and the boot device selection screen is controlled to be displayed on the sub-display.
[0055]
Therefore, even if the information cannot be displayed on the main display or the display is difficult, displaying the information necessary for the user on the sub-display makes it possible to provide the user with necessary information at any time.
[0056]
In particular, before starting the OS or when the OS cannot be started, there is no need to control the display by setting the complicated main display and its controller to a displayable state. In addition, by controlling the display with the controller, the display control of the information to the user becomes light and easy.
[0057]
Next, the BIOS rewrite operation and the display contents of the cPad 112 at that time will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the BIOS rewriting process. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a screen display of the cPad 112 during the BIOS rewriting process.
[0058]
As shown in FIG. 7, when the user presses the power button 114, the power of the computer 1 is turned on (ST31). At this time, the EC / KBC 211 determines whether or not the specific key on the keyboard 111 is being pressed at the same time when the power button 114 is pressed (ST32). This determination result is transmitted to the BIOS in the BIOS-ROM 215.
[0059]
If it is determined in ST32 that the specific key has not been pressed, the BIOS performs a normal initialization / setting process (ST33), and proceeds to the next process.
[0060]
If it is determined in ST32 that the specific key has been pressed, the BIOS considers that a request for rewriting the BIOS (including rewriting of the EC / KBC 211) has been made, and rewrites the BIOS including the cPad controller 210 and the cPad 112. (ST34). By this initialization, the cPad controller 210 and the cPad 112 can be used.
[0061]
The BIOS determines whether or not a BIOS rewrite program (and rewrite data) required for the BIOS rewrite process is in the FDD or the like (ST35). At this time, if it is determined that the BIOS rewriting program does not exist, the BIOS sends a message indicating “no rewriting program” to the sub-display 112b of the cPad 112 via the cPad controller 210, that is, in the present embodiment, As shown in FIG. 8A, control is performed so as to display a message prompting insertion of a correct disk (ST36).
[0062]
On the other hand, if it is determined in ST35 that the BIOS rewriting program exists, the BIOS sends the final confirmation of the BIOS rewriting to the sub-display 112b of the cPad 112 via the cPad controller 210 as shown in FIG. (ST37).
[0063]
In ST37, when an input instruction is given from the “Cancel” instruction area 33 on the touch pad 112a, the BIOS stops the BIOS rewriting process (ST42) and proceeds to the next process. Also, in ST37, when an input instruction is given from the “Next” instruction area 32 on the touch pad 112a, the BIOS transfers control to the BIOS rewriting program (ST39).
[0064]
The BIOS rewriting program to which the control has been passed executes the BIOS rewriting process when the preparation for the BIOS rewriting process is completed (ST40). At this time, the BIOS rewriting program checks whether an error has occurred during the BIOS rewriting process (ST41). If there is no error, the BIOS rewriting process ends normally, and the system is reset and restarted. (ST43), the process proceeds to the next process.
[0065]
On the other hand, if the occurrence of an error is confirmed in ST41, the BIOS rewriting program ends abnormally (ST42), and proceeds to the next process.
[0066]
In the present embodiment, when the BIOS rewrite process is instructed, the complicated main display and its controller are lightened (that is, the number of setting items is small) compared to the main display and its controller without making the controller and the controller displayable. The control sub-display and its controller are made displayable, and the display required for the BIOS rewriting process is controlled to be displayed on the sub-display.
[0067]
Therefore, even if the information cannot be displayed on the main display or the display is difficult, displaying the information necessary for the user on the sub-display makes it possible to provide the user with necessary information at any time.
[0068]
In particular, when the OS cannot be started, there is no need to control the display by setting the complicated main display and its controller to a displayable state, whereas the display is controlled by the sub-display of light (ie, with few setting items) and its controller. By doing so, the display control of information to the user becomes lighter and easier.
[0069]
Next, a setup processing operation for changing the system configuration setting and display contents of the cPad 112 at that time will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the setup process. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen display of the cPad 112 during the setup process.
[0070]
As shown in FIG. 9, when the user presses the power button 114, the power of the computer 1 is turned on (ST51). At this time, the EC / KBC 211 determines whether or not the specific key on the keyboard 111 has been pressed simultaneously with the pressing of the power button 114 (ST52). This determination result is transmitted to the BIOS in the BIOS-ROM 215.
[0071]
If it is determined in ST52 that the specific key has not been pressed, the BIOS performs a normal initialization / setting process (ST53), and proceeds to the next process.
[0072]
If it is determined in ST52 that the specific key has been pressed, the BIOS regards that a setup request for determining the system configuration has been made, and executes initialization of the cPad controller 210 and the cPad 112 (ST54). . By this initialization, the cPad controller 210 and the cPad 112 can be used.
[0073]
Then, the BIOS controls the sub-display 112b of the cPad 112 via the cPad controller 210 to display, for example, a "setup screen for determining a system configuration" as shown in FIG. 10 (ST55).
[0074]
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, an area “FDD” 41 for selecting an FDD, an area “CD-ROM” 42 for selecting a CD-ROM, In addition, an area “LAN” 43 for selecting a LAN card is displayed on the screen, and the display is controlled so as to be selectable with one touch.
[0075]
When the setup content is instructed from the touch pad 112a (ST56), the BIOS stores the newly set up content in a BIOS setting data memory (not shown) (ST57), and initializes based on the new setup content. Execute the setting process (ST58) and proceed to the next process.
[0076]
In the present embodiment, when the setup process is instructed at a stage before the OS is started, a complicated main display and its controller are not lighted as compared with the main display and its controller without being made displayable. The control sub-display (ie, with a small number of setting items) and its controller are displayed, and the setup screen is controlled to be displayed on the sub-display.
[0077]
Therefore, even if the information cannot be displayed on the main display or the display is difficult, displaying the information necessary for the user on the sub-display makes it possible to provide the user with necessary information at any time.
[0078]
In particular, in processing such as system configuration setting performed at a stage before the OS is started, it is not necessary to perform display control by setting a complicated main display and its controller in a displayable state, and the display is light (that is, the number of setting items is small). ) By controlling the display with the control sub-display and its controller, the display control of the information to the user becomes light and easy.
[0079]
Next, the display device selection process and the display contents of the cPad 112 at that time will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the display device selection process using the cPad 112. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a screen display of the cPad 112 at the time of display device selection processing.
[0080]
As shown in FIG. 11, when the user presses the power button 114, the power of the computer 1 is turned on (ST61). At this time, the EC / KBC 211 determines whether a specific key on the keyboard 111 has been pressed at the same time as pressing the power button 114 (ST62). This determination result is transmitted to the BIOS in the BIOS-ROM 215.
[0081]
If it is determined in ST62 that the specific key has been pressed, the BIOS executes a process specified by the pressed specific key. That is, for example, the process proceeds to a specific process shown after ST24 in FIG. 5, after ST34 in FIG. 7, or after ST54 in FIG. 9 (ST63).
[0082]
If it is determined in ST62 that the specific key has not been pressed, the BIOS executes a normal initialization / setting process and starts the OS of HDD 206 (ST64). When the OS is started, the user performs desired processing while displaying information corresponding to the processing to be executed on the main display 121 under the control of the graphics controller 204.
[0083]
During this process, under the control of the cPad controller 210, the OS displays, on the sub-display 112b of the cPad 112, a list of connectable / displayable display devices that are completely unrelated to the display contents of the main display 121. (ST65).
[0084]
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12A, as a connectable / displayable display device, there is an LCD as the main display 121, a CRT as an external display device (not shown), and a TV. . In this case, the sub-display 112b includes an area “LCD” 51 where an LCD can be selected, an area “CRT” 52 where a CRT can be selected, an area “TV” 53 where a TV can be selected, and both the LCD and the CRT. An area “LCD / CRT” 54 where the user can select is displayed.
[0085]
For example, in FIG. 12A, the area “LCD” 51 for selecting the LCD is displayed in reverse video to indicate that the screen display related to the current process, that is, the process currently being executed, is displayed on the LCD 121. I have.
[0086]
Here, as a result of the detection of the touch pad 112a of the cPad 112, when switching of the display device is instructed (ST66), the output switching process of the graphics controller 204 is executed so as to display a screen on the instructed display device (ST67). ).
[0087]
That is, in the present embodiment, when it is determined that the area “CRT” 52 for selecting the CRT is selected by the user as a result of the detection of the touch pad 112 a of the cPad 112, the OS and the display driver (not shown) The output controller switches the output of the controller for graphics (graphics controller 204), and controls to display a screen on a CRT (not shown) (ST67).
[0088]
In accordance with the switched information, the cPad controller 210 performs display control to change the display screen of the sub-display 112b of the cPad 112 (ST68). That is, in the present embodiment, since the display device for displaying the screen is switched from “LCD” to “CRT”, the area “CRT” 52 for selecting the CRT as shown in FIG. The screen is changed to a display screen (ST68).
[0089]
In the present embodiment, after the OS is started, another process is already displayed on the main display, and control is performed so that a display device selection screen is displayed on the sub-display. Therefore, it is possible to display the selection screen of the display device without impairing the screen display of the main display.
[0090]
Further, since the selection screen of the display device and the display device currently displayed (selected) are displayed on the sub-display, when the selected display screen is not displayed normally due to a connection failure or the like. Even if there is, the current state is displayed on the sub-display, and it can be recognized accurately.
[0091]
In addition, since the display device that can be selected on the sub-display is displayed on the screen so as to be switchable with one touch, it is possible to easily and quickly instruct the switching of the display device.
[0092]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to perform display to a user using a sub-display device independently of the activation state and processing status of a controller of a main display device, thereby improving usability. Can be.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a notebook personal computer 1 according to an information processing apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of the computer 1;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a boot process.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a screen display of the cPad 112 at the time of booting.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a boot device selection process.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a screen display of the cPad 112 during a boot device selection process.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the BIOS rewriting process.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a screen display of the cPad 112 during a BIOS rewriting process.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the setup process.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen display of the cPad 112 during a setup process.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a display device selection process using cPad112.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a screen display of the cPad 112 at the time of display device selection processing.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 computer
101 PCI bus
102 LPC bus
111 Keyboard (KB)
112 cPad
112a touch pad
112b sub display
114 Power Button
121 Main Display
201 CPU
202 Northbridge
203 Main memory
204 Graphics Controller
205 South Bridge
206 HDD
207 Multi Drive
208 I / O controller
209 FDD
210 cPad controller
211 EC / KBC
213 Power supply controller
215 BIOS-ROM

Claims (10)

A first display device;
A first display controller that controls screen display on the first display device;
A second display device having fewer setting items than the first display device and capable of displaying a screen;
Different from the first display controller, a second display controller that controls screen display on the second display device;
First initialization means for initializing the second display controller prior to the first display controller before the power is turned on and the OS is started;
After the second display controller is initialized by the first initialization means, a second initialization means for initializing the first display controller;
After the power is turned on, the first initializing unit can initialize the first display controller by the second initializing unit and display information on the first display device. Control means for controlling the second display controller, which has already been initialized, to display information necessary for the second display device on a screen;
An information processing apparatus comprising: The control means includes:
When a specific process is instructed before the power is turned on and the OS is started and before the first and second initialization units initialize, the second initialization by the first initialization unit is performed. Of the display controller, and controlling the initialized second display controller to display screen information related to the specified specific process on the second display device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The control means includes:
When a process related to selection of a boot device is instructed before the power is turned on, the OS is started, and before the initialization by the first and second initialization means, the first initialization means Performing initialization of the second display controller and controlling the initialized second display controller to display boot device selection screen information on the second display device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The control means includes:
When a process for rewriting the control program is instructed before the power is turned on and the OS is started, and before the first and second initialization units initialize, the first initialization unit The second display controller is initialized, and the initialized second display controller controls the second display device to display information on rewriting of a control program on the second display device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The control means includes:
When a process for changing a system configuration setting is instructed before the power is turned on and the OS is started and before the first and second initialization units initialize, the first initialization is performed. Means for initializing the second display controller by means, and controlling the initialized second display controller to display information on a screen for changing a system configuration setting on the second display device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The control means includes:
If a password is set before the power is turned on and the OS is started and before the first and second initialization units initialize, the second display controller by the first initialization unit And performing control so that the initialized second display controller displays screen information for requesting input of a password to the second display device. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1. When a password is input in accordance with screen information requesting input of a password displayed on the second display device, the input device has a matching unit that checks the input password against a preset password,
7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control unit executes the initialization of the first display controller by the second initialization unit when the passwords match as a result of the collation by the collation unit. . The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second display device is a pointing device integrated with a display. In an information processing apparatus having a main display and a pointing device integrated with a display, and which can be further connected to an external display device,
A first display controller that controls screen display on the main display;
While controlling screen display for the display-integrated pointing device, screen information according to the content currently being processed is displayed on the first display device or the external display device in a connected and screen-displayable state. A second display controller that controls the second display device to selectively display information on the display device in a screen displayable state,
An information processing apparatus comprising: When a display device different from the display device on which the screen information corresponding to the content currently being processed is selected via the display-integrated pointing device, the current processing is performed on the selected display device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a switching unit configured to switch an output of the first display controller so as to display screen information according to the content of the information.

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