JP2005321977A - Information processor and its input method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor having a virtual input mechanism using a coordinate input device for operating calibration processing related with a coordinate input device as necessary at the time of inputting information for authentication such as a password. <P>SOLUTION: At the time of operating the input processing of information for authentication such as a password by using a coordinate input device, when a predetermined region 11 on a display picture is operated, the input processing is shifted to a calibration mode for removing the coordinate deviation of an input position related with the coordinate input device. After such a state that a normal operation is guaranteed is set by the calibration processing, the input processing of the information for authentication is restored again. Thus, it is possible for a user to perform the input operation of the information for authentication without any trouble without using any external keyboard or the like by shifting the input processing to the calibration mode related with the coordinate input device as necessary. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention can smoothly input authentication information such as a password in an information processing apparatus configured to allow a user to input an operation while viewing a virtual input display on a screen using a coordinate input device such as a touch panel. It is related with the technique for making it.

  As an operation input means used in an information processing apparatus such as a computer, a configuration using an operation screen (so-called virtual keyboard) realized by a software keyboard instead of a hardware keyboard is known.

  In operation input using a coordinate input device such as a touch panel or a tablet, for example, an application that operates on an operating system (hereinafter referred to as “OS”) installed in the device is mounted and is the same as a hardware keyboard or It is possible to perform operations such as character input using a graphical user interface (GUI) while looking at the characters and symbols on the key top displayed on the screen with the same arrangement.

  When a coordinate input device is used, if there is a deviation between the position coordinates on the display screen recognized via the device and the position coordinates at the time of actual input operation, the user can indicate the correct position. Therefore, calibration work for correcting the coordinate deviation is performed (for example, see Patent Document 1), and a form using a calibration ruler or the like is known (for example, see Patent Document 2).

JP-A-63-126027

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-206919

  However, the conventional apparatus has a problem that it interferes with the user's operation input when the coordinate input apparatus cannot be calibrated at the time of password input at the time of starting the system.

  For example, in a conventional device (such as a computer device equipped with a tablet or a touch panel), when calibration cannot be performed at the time of password input (so-called “Power on Password” or “BIOS Password”) immediately after starting the device, If the coordinate shift on the password input screen is significant, the user cannot designate the correct position with the pen. Therefore, an external keyboard is required to perform the calibration operation, or if an external keyboard is not available, the next stage, for example, BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) setup, is rejected by authentication rejection. Will not be able to start or will not be able to continue the boot process, it will be unable to start. That is, the following inconvenience may occur.

  ・ Calibration cannot be performed immediately when there is a coordinate shift related to the tablet or touch panel, so the user cannot input passwords and the like well.

  -If you cannot enter the correct password for "Power on Password", you will not be able to set up the system or start up the system (that is, if the set password authentication is set to BIOS setup, enter the setting screen). In addition, when the authority by password authentication is set to start the device, it cannot be started.)

  ・ Assuming the above case, it is necessary to prepare an external keyboard at any time.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to enable calibration processing related to a coordinate input device when necessary in an information processing device having a virtual input mechanism using the coordinate input device when inputting authentication information such as a password. And

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention is a calibration for removing the coordinate deviation of the input position related to the coordinate input device when the authentication information is input using the coordinate input device. The authentication information can be entered after passing through a state in which a normal operation (that is, an operation with no coordinate deviation) is guaranteed by the calibration process. .

  In addition, the input method of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention is such that when the authentication information is input, when the operation shifts to the calibration mode for removing the coordinate shift of the input position related to the coordinate input, the normal operation is performed by the calibration process. The authentication information can be input through a state in which the authentication is guaranteed.

  Therefore, in the present invention, in the authentication information input process, the user can move to the calibration mode related to the coordinate input device as necessary, so that the authentication information input operation can be performed without any trouble.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the situation where it becomes difficult for a user to input the information for authentication by the coordinate shift | offset | difference of the input position which concerns on a coordinate input device can be avoided, and also the external keyboard is not required for it.

  For example, when the mode is shifted to the calibration mode in the middle of the input process of a password or the like by a user operation, the correction value for correcting the coordinate deviation is acquired and the calibration process is performed, and the correction value is stored in a nonvolatile memory. The password input process continues after saving to the device. When the password input process is performed and correct authentication is performed, the system environment setting process or the operating system start-up process by the basic control program installed in the apparatus is performed according to the authority for which the password is set. Done. A configuration in which a calibration function related to the coordinate input device is added so that the password input processing is not hindered when the user activates the device or the system is preferable.

  In addition, when the correction value necessary for the calibration process is acquired, when the correction value is stored in the storage device, a plurality of coordinate data related to the correction value is partially connected and data corresponding to the number of registers is obtained. The registers are set after being rearranged so that a number of coordinate data can be obtained, and the original coordinate data is restored at the time of data transfer by interrupt processing, and then the data can be directly written to the storage device. Thereby, for example, even when the BIOS setup environment or the like is not ready immediately after the power is turned on, the correction value can be reliably stored.

  When inputting a password, etc., when the user operates the operation area so that the operation input area including the virtual key and the operation area for shifting to the calibration mode are included on the display screen. Set to enable calibration processing. At that time, in order to separate the operation input area including the virtual key from the operation area for shifting to the calibration mode, the operation by the coordinate input device is invalidated between them. By interposing the region, it is possible to reliably perform an operation for specifying a position on the screen, and to prevent an erroneous operation caused by the coordinate deviation.

  Even in the case where the above-described coordinate deviation is remarkable, not only the operation related to the operation area on the display screen but also the operation is provided in the apparatus main body in order to shift to the calibration mode and perform the calibration process with certainty. It is configured such that the operation mode can be immediately shifted to the calibration mode by operating the operation key. That is, when an operation key that is not used for inputting authentication information is attached to the apparatus main body, it is preferable to shift to the calibration mode when the operation key is operated during the authentication information input process.

  The present invention, for example, in an information processing apparatus that does not have a built-in keyboard and uses a tablet, a touch panel, or the like, when a situation occurs that hinders a user operation on an input screen such as a password due to a coordinate shift. Immediately, the screen shifts to the calibration screen to correct the coordinate deviation, and after the correction value for calibration is acquired, the input of the password or the like can be continued. Note that the information processing apparatus according to the present invention can be applied to a computer device or a PDA (personal information terminal) equipped with a coordinate input device.

  FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a basic configuration example of an information processing apparatus 1 according to the present invention.

  Operation information by the coordinate input device 2 is processed by the arithmetic processing means 3 using a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a system controller, or the like.

  For the coordinate input device 2, a touch panel, a pen input type device, a digitizer or the like integrated with a display unit described later is used. For example, the user can select a display key (virtual key) on the display screen with a finger, a pen, a stylus, or the like.

  The operation information of the operation unit 4 including operation buttons, switches, and the like is processed by the arithmetic processing unit 3, but a configuration without the operation unit 4 is also possible in the application of the present invention.

  A device such as a liquid crystal display panel is used as the display means 5 and displays virtual input display information (screen information of a key top arrangement, etc.). The user can select characters and symbols using the coordinate input device 2 while viewing the virtual input screen display.

  The virtual input program (so-called “software keyboard”) read from the storage means 6 is interpreted and executed by the CPU. That is, the processing subject in the information processing apparatus 1 is a calculation unit such as a CPU and various programs executed using the calculation unit, for example, an OS, an application, a library, a BIOS, and the like, and notification of virtual input information Various data processing and operation control are performed by executing a program according to the above.

  The calibration function related to the coordinate input device 2 is used in various devices including a touch panel or the like, but is normally executed as an application (utility) in the OS environment.

  Password input such as “Power on Password” (or “BIOS Password”) when starting the device is provided as a security function in the system setting environment (BIOS Setup Engine), and before the OS environment is ready Since it is performed in stages, calibration as an application process cannot be executed.

  “Power on Password” is the first password check performed before starting the OS, and is a very important process in terms of security. It is necessary to add a calibration function (must be implemented so that security is sufficiently guaranteed and password authentication is not adversely affected).

  Therefore, in the addition of the calibration function, an implementation form that is a sub-function (Sub Function) of the password input screen related to “Power on Password” and independent of other functions (particularly security functions) is preferable.

  FIG. 2 shows a display example 7 having an operation area for shifting to a calibration mode (a mode for removing coordinate deviation of the input position related to the coordinate input device) on the password input screen. In the example, it is displayed when the user enters the password in the BIOS setup after starting the device.

  At the top of the screen (see “Enter Password []”), a password input area 8 is provided, and below that, a virtual keyboard area 9 having a QWERTY layout is arranged. A password instructed in accordance with the tap operation such as is input to the non-display range of the area 8 (inside the brackets in the area 8).

  Below the area 9, an area 10 where pen input is disabled is located, and further below that, a tap receiving area 11 for shifting to a calibration screen described later is prepared. That is, when a user tap operation is performed, the coordinate value of the tapped position is determined, and if it is within the range of this area 11, it is immediately shown in FIG. 3 by a function call (BIOS Function Call) or the like. Moving to the calibration screen 13, calibration processing is performed.

  In FIG. 3, a mark indicated by a “+” sign is presented on the display screen, and the user can tap the mark position with a pen, stylus, or the like, so that a deviation between the instructed position coordinate and the mark position coordinate is caused. To be acquired. That is, a correction value for correcting the coordinate deviation between the two to be zero is acquired, and after performing calibration processing based on the correction value, the screen returns to the screen of FIG.

  As for the area 11 in FIG. 2, it is possible to accept a tap even when the coordinates are shifted before calibration, that is, to secure a wide area in order to allow a certain error. It is preferable (in this example, it is an area having a sufficient occupied area below the virtual keyboard). Further, in order to prevent a tap operation or the like in the area 9 from being erroneously performed during the tap operation of the area 11, it is desirable to define the setting position of the area 11 at a position sufficiently away from the area 9, In this example, an area 10 in which a tap operation cannot be performed is provided between the area 9 and the area 11.

  In the conventional apparatus, the password entry screen does not have an area for accepting taps for shifting to the calibration screen. Therefore, when inputting a password with a pen or the like, coordinates (two-dimensional coordinates of X and Y) If there is a deviation in the designation, there are cases where the user cannot input well when selecting a key on the virtual keyboard. For example, if the calibration process is not performed, the password may not be correctly authenticated in some cases, and depending on the password authority set, it will not be possible to enter the BIOS setup screen, or the device will not be able to start (external) This problem cannot be avoided unless the keyboard is connected to the main unit and input operations are continued.)

  On the other hand, in the example of FIG. 2, the password input screen is provided with a tap reception area 11 for shifting to the calibration screen. The screen shifts to a calibration screen, and a normal operation is guaranteed by the processing in the calibration mode. Then, after returning to the password input screen through this state, the user can perform the authentication information input process, so that it is possible to avoid a problem in the input operation due to the coordinate shift.

  If the coordinate shift is significant, it may be difficult for the user to tap the area 11 with a pen or the like. In that case, a configuration in which calibration can be performed using operation keys (hardware keys constituting the operation unit 4) attached to the apparatus main body is preferable. That is, the user can move to a calibration screen as shown in FIG. 3 by operating an operation key that is not used for inputting a password. In the example shown in FIG. 2, as shown in the lowermost message display area 12, when the cursor key provided on the apparatus main body is pressed, the screen is moved to the calibration screen (“ (See Cursor Key Calibration). Also, the acceptance of the password is confirmed, for example, by operating the enter key in the area 9 (see “Press Enter Accepts”).

  As described above, examples for realizing the calibration function at the time of user authentication include the following examples.

(I) On the input screen including the operation input area including the virtual key of the software keyboard and the operation area for shifting to the calibration mode, the calibration process is performed when the user specifies the operation area. Configuration Forms Performed (II) In addition to (I), calibration is also performed when a user operates a specific hardware key in the apparatus main body, preferably an operation key that is not used for inputting authentication information. A configuration in which processing is performed.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the password input process, in which the process surrounded by a broken-line frame shows a part different from the conventional one and is functionally expanded.

  First, in step S1, a user's password is input using the coordinate input device, and after receiving input data, the process proceeds to next step S2 to determine the necessity of calibration. That is, if a tap operation on the area 11 in FIG. 2 or a specific key operation attached to the apparatus main body is performed, the process proceeds to step S3. If these operations are not performed, the process proceeds to step S6. .

  In step S3 shown in the broken line frame, the calibration process is started, and the calibration screen shown in FIG. 3 is displayed. In the next step S4, a user's operation input (tap operation indicated by “+” in FIG. 3) is performed a predetermined number of times to obtain a correction value for correcting the coordinate deviation. In the next step S5, the correction value is stored in a nonvolatile manner. After storing the data in the storage device, the process returns to step S1.

  In step S6, it is determined whether or not the password input by the user has been completed, and the process proceeds to step S7 when completed, but returns to step S1 if not completed. Note that the password input is terminated by operating the confirmation key.

  In step S7, password authentication is performed. If the entered password is correctly authenticated, the process proceeds to the next stage (BIOS setup or boot continuation). If not, the process proceeds to step S8, where the number of authentications is a predetermined number of times (for example, 3 times). It is determined whether or not the value has been exceeded. In other words, if the number of authentications is less than the set number, the process returns to step S1, but if the number of authentications is greater than the set number, the process cannot proceed to the next stage due to the rejection of authentication, or the process proceeds to reboot (restart). Transition.

  If there is no processing part within the broken line frame, a situation may occur in which the password input operation by the user is not performed well due to the above-described coordinate deviation and the authentication cannot be passed. When it is possible to shift to the calibration mode in the middle of the password input process by operation, the correction value for correcting the coordinate deviation is acquired, and the calibration process is performed using the correction value. After the correction value is stored in the non-volatile storage device, the process returns to step S1 to continue the password input process. Therefore, when the password is entered and the correct authentication is performed in the normal operation state related to coordinate input, the process proceeds to the system environment setting process by the basic control program installed in the apparatus or the operation system Startup processing is performed.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a password input process related to the above-described form (II), in which password input and authentication are performed by the process on the left side enclosed by a broken-line frame, and enclosed by a broken-line frame. The coordinate input device is calibrated by the processing on the right side shown in FIG.

  First, in step S11, a user input using the coordinate input device is performed, and after receiving the input coordinate data, the process proceeds to the next step S12 to check the coordinate value of the position tapped with a pen or the like. For example, if the coordinate value is within a range corresponding to alphabet keys, numeric keys, backspace keys, etc. on the virtual keyboard, the process returns to step S1, and the coordinate value corresponds to an enter key on the virtual keyboard. If it is within the range, the process proceeds to step S13 to perform a password authentication process (this process is the same as that described in steps S7, S8, etc. in FIG. 4).

  When the coordinate value of the tap position is within the range of the operation area (see area 11 in FIG. 2) for shifting to the calibration process, the process proceeds to step S16, and the calibration screen as shown in FIG. Is displayed and the calibration process is started. Then, a correction value for correcting the coordinate deviation of the input position is acquired, a calibration process is performed using the correction value, the correction value is stored in a nonvolatile storage device, and the process returns to step S11. . An existing module (BIOS Calibration Module) is used for these processes.

  When returning to the password input screen, erase the calibration screen displayed by the function call for starting the calibration function, return to the password input screen, and accept the input of "Power on Password" from the beginning. .

  In addition, when returning to the original password input screen, a password input operation may be performed in a state before the calibration is performed. Therefore, if a password is input, the coordinates of the password are shifted. This is likely to be incorrect. Therefore, it is preferable to have the user input a new password again after wiping out the password input before that (erasing the old input password).

  In step S14, after receiving the input information by the operation key (hardware key) of the apparatus main body, it is determined whether or not the key operation for shifting to the calibration process is performed in step S15. In this example, the configuration is such that calibration processing is performed when the user operates a cursor key that is not used for inputting authentication information. Therefore, when the cursor key is operated, the process proceeds to step S16. If not, the process returns to step S14.

  An advantage of configuring so that calibration can be performed by operating a cursor key or the like is as follows, for example.

  -When the coordinate shift related to the coordinate input device is quite large, even if the tap operation in the area 11 in FIG. 2 is impossible, calibration can be performed by operating the hardware key as a remedy.

  ・ If the calibration correction value stored in the storage device (CMOS memory, etc.) is destroyed, it may happen that the input by the tap operation is not completely accepted. Calibration must be possible by operation.

  In this way, after preparing an operation area for shifting to the calibration process, by providing a dedicated hardware key, it is possible to take sufficient countermeasures against the assumed situation, and to use an external keyboard. No need to use.

  It should be noted that the operation keys for calibration are implemented so that they can be customized or changed in the BIOS. For example, any key can be used for calibration except for a password input key (alphabetic key, numeric key, Backspace key, Enter key, etc.). If you customize the key in the successor model, etc. and want to change to another key (for example, F1 to F12 function keys, etc.), you can easily cope with the BIOS, so you can save the effort of late development .

  Next, storage of correction values required for calibration processing will be described.

  The calibration correction value as shown in FIG. 3 is presented to the user and the calibration operation is performed by the user performing the calibration operation. This correction value is immediately reflected in the pen operation on the password input screen.

  In addition, when saving the calibration correction value in a predetermined storage means (CMOS memory, etc.), the input environment for “Power on Password” is different from the BIOS setup environment. You cannot use the save method (thus you need to use a different save method).

  In the existing calibration module, when the correction value is acquired, the correction value is temporarily stored in a buffer (CMOS buffer) of BIOS setup. For example, when the user wants to finish the BIOS setup operation or when the user wants to save changes by selecting “Exit (Save Changes)” or “Save Changes Function” on the Exit tab displayed on the menu. The correction value is saved together with other BIOS setup setting information in the buffer (CMOS Buffer). On the other hand, when the user selects “Exit (Discard Changes)” or “Discard Changes” displayed on the menu, the contents in the buffer (CMOS Buffer) are cleared without being saved. The correction value disappears at the same time.

  Input processing in “Power on Password” is performed by a module that is executed during POST (Power On System Test). At this point, the BIOS setup environment has not yet been constructed. Cannot be used. Therefore, a method of directly writing the correction value to the storage device (CMOS NVRAM) is adopted, but in this method, data transfer of the correction value is necessary. For example, since the “Power on Password” module and calibration module are part of the “BIOS Setup Engine” and are C language modules, the correction values are written to the nonvolatile storage device (CMOS NVRAM). Needs to transfer data using modules developed in assembly language.

  FIG. 6 illustrates the calibration correction value storing process, and shows the C language module 14 in the upper part, the code 15 of the inline assembler (inner assembler) in the middle part, and the assembler module 16 in the lower part.

  Data transfer between the C language module 14 and the assembler module 16 is realized by processing by an inline assembler and customization of software interrupts. “X1, Y1, X2, Y2” shown in the figure indicate calibration correction values, and these are 10-bit integers each consisting of (X1, Y1) and (X2, Y2). . Then, four word registers shown in “AX, BX, CX, DX” are used for transfer of correction values. However, in order to issue a software interrupt, a function number (Function Number) is set in a predetermined register, for example, the “AX” register, and is used to determine what interrupt occurs. Only 3 registers can be used.

  That is, it is necessary to assign four coordinate data to three word registers. Therefore, the data is partially connected and rearranged so that coordinate data having the number of data corresponding to the number of registers can be obtained, and then register setting is performed.

  Specifically, the transfer is performed as follows.

(I) Acquire data (X1, Y1), (X2, Y2) (II) Divide 10 bits of Y1 into upper 5 bits (see “Y1H”) and lower 5 bits (see “Y1L”). III) Arrange the lower 5 bits of Y1 at the upper position of X1 and combine them into 1 word (because 1 word = 16 bits, 1 bit “0” is added to the most significant bit). Save in the “BX” register (IV) Place the upper 5 bits of Y1 in the lower order of X2 and combine them into one word (supplement the 1 bit “0” at the top). Save in the “CX” register (V) For Y2, make up the missing 6-bit “000000” at the top and save it in the “DX” register. (VI) Function number in the “AX” register. Set as “n”) and set a software interrupt.

  The above processing is completed with a C language program and an inline assembler.

  In the assembler module shown in the lowermost layer, the original coordinate data is restored to the correction value when data is transferred by interrupt processing, and then the data is saved.

  The software interrupt processing routine provides a branch whether or not “AX = n”, and when the contents of the “AX” register is “n”, the data stored in the BX, CX, and DX registers Perform the restoration process.

  Specifically, the following processing is performed.

(1) Obtain the value of the “BX” register and use the lower 10 bits as the value of X1, and the 5 bits excluding the most significant bit “0” as the value of Y1L. (2) Obtain the value of the “CX” register. The lower 5 bits are the Y1H value, and the 10 bits excluding the lower 5 bits and the most significant bit “0” are the X2 values. (3) Y1L in (1) is the lower 5 bits, and Y1H in (2) is Combine both as the upper 5 bits and restore the value of Y1. (4) Remove the upper 6 bits of “000000” from the “DX” register value to 10 bits, and restore the value of Y2.
(5) Write the restored X1, Y1, X2, and Y2 correction values to “cmosX1, cmosY1, cmosX2, and cmosY2” (storage device storage area corresponding to each correction value) (end of saving correction values) .

  The context between (1) and (2) and the context between (3) and (4) may be reversed.

  The above process ensures that the correction values obtained by the calibration operation are saved even when the BIOS setup environment is not in place.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a portable computer device will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the housing 18 of the information processing apparatus 17 is formed in a horizontally long flat rectangular shape, and a display device (liquid crystal display or the like) 20 constituting image display means is provided on the front surface 19 thereof. ing.

  A touch panel is provided on the display surface 21 of the display device 20, and a user selects or inputs a desired position on the display screen with a finger or a dedicated input pen (such as a stylus) (not shown). Operations can be performed.

  A plurality of operation buttons 22, 22,... Are provided at predetermined positions of the casing 18, and are as follows.

Middle button 22a, left button 22b, right button 22c (see upper left side of display surface 21)
Zoom button 22d, rotation button 22e (refer to the lower left side of display surface 21)
Enter button 22f, cursor key 22g, pointing device operation unit (operation stick) 22h (see upper right side of display screen 21)
Function selection button 22i, start button 22j, brightness change button 22k (refer to the lower right side of the display surface 21)
A hold switch 23 and a power switch 24 (see the left side of the housing 18).

  The middle button 22a, left button 22b, and right button 22c are buttons corresponding to mouse buttons, respectively, and the zoom button 22d is a button for enlarging or reducing the display screen.

  The rotation button 22e is a button for rotating the image display by 90 °.

  The enter button 22f corresponds to a confirmation key (enter key) on the keyboard. The cursor key 22g is used when the cursor is moved up, down, left, and right (as described above, it is used for shifting to calibration).

  The operation unit 22h of the pointing device is used when the pointer on the screen is moved, and the function selection button 22i is a button for changing the volume, switching the output to an external display device, or the like. The start button 22j is a button for starting a specific application, and the brightness change button 22k is a button for changing the brightness of the display device 20.

  The hold switch 23 is used to disable or enable the operation of other operation buttons, and the power switch 24 is used to turn on and off the power.

  In this example, a configuration example in which operation buttons and the like are attached to the apparatus main body is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a configuration in which a wired remote control device connected to the apparatus main body is used together. Etc. can be applied.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 17, and shows a device main body 100 and a device (interface device) 200 for connection with an external device.

  First, the configuration in the apparatus main body 100 will be described.

  A CPU 101 that is a control center is connected to a control device 102 via a bus (FSB: Front Side Bus), and constitutes the arithmetic processing means 3 together with the control device and a control device and device described later. The control device 102 is in charge of control of the main memory 103 and control related to the graphic function, and mainly has a role of processing a large amount of data at high speed. The AT compatible machine is called “North Bridge”, and the control device 102 shown in this example includes a CPU 101, a main memory 103, a graphic display device 105 such as a liquid crystal display device (which constitutes the display means 5), and a control device. 104 is connected.

  The control device 104 mainly controls a control device for a user interface and performs a bus link of the device. It is called “South Bridge” in AT compatible machines, and “PCI to ISA bridge” has a role of bridging a bus (PCI: Peripheral Component Interconnect bus) to a low speed bus (ISA: Industry Standard Architecture bus, etc.). It has functions such as a controller and an IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) controller.

  The bus (PCI bus) is connected to a wireless (wireless) LAN (W-LAN) as the wireless communication device 106 and a device 107 for performing connection and control with an external memory or an external device. As an external memory, a semiconductor memory device that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 100, for example, a control device 108 for reading and writing data in a stick-shaped memory medium, a compact flash (registered trademark) card, and the like. A device 109 is provided. In addition, the device 107 has a function of an interface for connection with an external device (for example, “IEEE 1394” that defines hardware specifications for adding a serial device to a computer).

  A LAN (Local Area Network) connection device 110 such as Ethernet (registered trademark) is connected to the control device 104, and an input device 111 (which constitutes the coordinate input device 2) using a touch panel. It is connected to a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port.

  For example, a drive device using a magnetic disk or an optical disk is used as the auxiliary storage device 112. In this example, a drive device using a large-capacity storage medium such as a hard disk is used. IDE controller).

  Also, an audio signal processing unit (Audio Codec) 113 connected to the control device 104 sends an audio signal that has been subjected to digital-analog conversion to, for example, a speaker 114 or a headphone 115 to output sound. Alternatively, in a device having a microphone, processing for digitizing voice input data is performed. Since the audio signal output process can be performed independently of the video signal process related to the screen display, for example, in a configuration in which the remote control device is used together, the power supply to the graphic display device 105 and the like is cut off. The user can perform operations such as music playback using operation buttons provided on the remote control device.

  The storage device 116 stores a control program for operating the computer, and is connected to the control devices 104 and 117 using an LPC (Low Pin Count: serial bus) or the like.

  The control device 117 is a general-purpose device that controls various signals. For example, an “EC” (Embedded Controller) is used to control a keyboard controller function, a system power supply control, a system additional function, and the like. (A portable device or the like is equipped with a microcomputer.) Note that the computer control method can be changed by changing the control program in the storage device 116.

  An operation device 118 that constitutes a stick-type pointing device (such as a track point) is connected to a port (such as a PS / 2 (Personal System / 2) port) of the control device 117. In addition, a signal from an operation unit 119 (corresponding to the operation unit 4 described above) including switches, operation buttons, and the like provided in the apparatus main body unit 100 is transmitted to the control device 117.

  A USB connector is provided as a connection unit 120 for directly connecting an external device to the apparatus main body 100, and the connector is connected to the control device 104.

  A power supply unit (not shown) is supplied with a commercial power supply voltage from an AC adapter or a DC power supply from a battery pack using a secondary battery or a fuel cell. For example, the EC detects various connection information such as the connection state and attachment state of an AC adapter, a battery pack, and the like, and stores various types of management information including the remaining battery level.

  Next, the configuration of the connection device 200 will be described.

  The apparatus main body 100 is connected to an apparatus 200 for connection with an external device through connection means such as a connector, thereby transmitting a signal with an external device (not shown).

  A connector unit 201 for connecting an external display device with a VGA (Video Graphics Array) connector or the like is connected to the control device 102 in the device main body unit 100, whereby an image signal or the like is output to the external display device. .

  A connector unit 202 for connecting an external device or the like conforming to the “IEEE 1394” standard is connected to the device 107 in the apparatus main body unit 100, and a connector unit for connecting an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable or the like. 203 is connected to the device 110 in the apparatus main body 100.

  A USB hub is used as the concentrating device 204 connected to the control device 104 in the apparatus main body 100. In this example, four USB connectors 205, 205,... Is connected to a USB hub.

  In the information processing apparatus 17, on the password input screen of “Power on Password” after the power switch 24 is turned on, a virtual keyboard area and an operation area for calibration are displayed. The touch panel coordinate deviation can be calibrated by performing a region tap operation. In addition, when it is difficult to perform a tap operation on the operation area due to a large coordinate deviation of the touch panel, it is possible to shift to a calibration process by pressing the cursor key 22g.

  In this example, the EC (including a programmable I / O controller) comprehensively manages the operation information by each operation button, and the operation signal is transmitted to a device located in a higher hierarchy of the EC. , The device driver, and the application via the OS layer. Since the function assignment relating to the operation button can be freely changed by the function of the firmware using EC, not only the cursor key 22g but also the operation button not used for password input is shifted to the calibration process. It is possible to provide a function (the device, the device driver, the OS, and the application need not be changed in accordance with the assignment change).

  According to the configuration described above, the following advantages can be obtained.

-In an information processing device that does not have a built-in keyboard and uses a tablet, touch panel, etc., if the user cannot easily enter a password or the like due to a shift in coordinates, the screen immediately shifts to the calibration screen. Can be calibrated (In the middle of the password input process, the coordinate deviation can be corrected through the calibration process, so you can return to the input screen and continue the input process.)
・ Prevents problems such as being unable to enter the BIOS setup screen or failing to start the device when the “Power on Password” cannot be entered. ・ Calibration using the operation keys attached to the main unit. The need to prepare an external keyboard is eliminated and the correction values obtained by calibration can be reliably stored in the non-volatile memory.

It is a conceptual diagram which shows the basic structural example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a password input screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen for calibration. It is the flowchart figure which illustrated the password input process and the calibration process. It is the flowchart figure which showed another example of the password input process and the calibration process. It is a figure for demonstrating the preservation | save process based on the correction value of calibration. It is a figure for demonstrating the Example based on this invention with FIG. 8, This figure is a perspective view which shows the external appearance example of an apparatus. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of an apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information processing apparatus, 5 ... Display means, 9 ... Operation input area including virtual key, 10 ... Operation invalid area, 11 ... Operation area for shifting to calibration mode, 17 ... Information processing apparatus

Claims (8)

By implementing display means having a coordinate input device and a virtual input program for performing operation input using the display information, a user interface is realized, and authentication information is obtained using the coordinate input device. In an information processing apparatus configured to input,
In the authentication information input process, the authentication information can be shifted to a calibration mode for removing the coordinate shift of the input position related to the coordinate input device, and the authentication information passes through a state in which a normal operation is guaranteed by the calibration process. An information processing apparatus characterized in that input processing is performed. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
When shifting to the calibration mode during the authentication information input process by the user operation, the correction value for correcting the coordinate deviation is acquired and the calibration process is performed, and the correction value is stored in a non-volatile manner. An information processing apparatus, wherein the authentication information input process is continued after being stored in the storage device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2,
Information processing characterized in that when the authentication information is input and correct authentication is performed, system environment setting processing or operating system startup processing is performed by a basic control program installed in the device. apparatus. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3,
A plurality of coordinate data related to the above correction values are partially connected and recombined so that coordinate data of the number of data corresponding to the number of registers is obtained, and then register settings are made. An information processing apparatus, wherein data is restored and then written to the storage device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The information processing apparatus characterized in that the display screen by the display means includes an operation input area including a virtual key and an operation area for shifting to the calibration mode. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5,
A region where operation by the coordinate input device is invalid is interposed between the operation input region including the virtual key and the operation region for shifting to the calibration mode. Information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
An operation key that is not used for inputting the authentication information is attached to the apparatus main body, and the operation mode is shifted to the calibration mode when the operation key is operated during the authentication information input process. Information processing device. By implementing display means having a coordinate input device and a virtual input program for performing operation input using the display information, a user interface is realized, and authentication information is obtained using the coordinate input device. In an input method of an information processing apparatus configured to input,
When the authentication information is input, the authentication information is input after passing through a state in which the normal operation is guaranteed by the calibration processing when the mode is shifted to the calibration mode for removing the coordinate shift of the input position related to the coordinate input. An input method for an information processing apparatus, characterized by:

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