JP2008257749A - Apparatus and method for controlling system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic apparatus and a method for controlling a system, which prevents an erroneous input and operation by switching whether to permit execution of a function assigned to a set of buttons prepared on a face of a housing box with a coordinate input device (touch panel). <P>SOLUTION: The method of the apparatus for controlling the system, comprises the steps of: writing a value indicating whether to permit execution of functions into a register 42 in an EC 23, in accordance with an operation for a group of buttons 10 according to an operation for a button icon 41 when a screen region for the button icon 41 on an LCD 6 is pressed with a pen 8; determining by the EC 23 whether a command corresponding to each button for the group of buttons 10 is to be transmitted to a host device by referring to the value in the register 42 when the group of buttons 10 is operated; and sending the command if the value for permission is written in the register 42 while not sending the command if the value for the forbiddance is written in the register 42. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a touch panel capable of directly inputting information on a display screen and an electronic apparatus having an input unit for performing various operations on a casing provided with the touch panel, and more particularly to control of an input operation of the input unit.

  Conventionally, a keyboard has been widely used as an input device of a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer). As an auxiliary input device of this keyboard, for example, a mouse, a trackball, a touch pad stick type pointing device Such pointing input devices (pointing means) are often used together. In recent years, in order to meet various applications, a touch panel is laminated on a display screen, and there is a type in which information displayed on the display screen can be input by touching the touch panel with a dedicated pen or a finger.

In addition, there are some inconveniences due to the operation of the touch panel alone, and there are some which are provided with operation buttons that can execute a predetermined function with one touch near the operation surface of the touch panel.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-187317 (pages 4-5, FIG. 4)

  However, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 is provided separately from the display unit and prohibits input from the keyboard. In such an apparatus, the touch panel can be operated at a position where the hand does not touch depending on the angle between the display unit and the main body unit.

  On the other hand, with respect to execution and prohibition of the function by the operation buttons provided on the surface of the casing having the touch panel, the user himself pays attention to the position of the hand because the function is provided in the same casing as the touch panel. There is a problem that you must avoid touching. Here, if the operation button is touched accidentally, an unnecessary menu screen is displayed or an unintended predetermined function is executed, which causes a problem that the operation efficiency is poor for the user. In contrast to this case, if the function is completely prohibited by the operation button, it may not be possible to use the operation button provided with a simple operation function.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides an electronic device and an operation control method capable of switching execution permission / prohibition of functions assigned to operation buttons provided on a housing surface of a housing having a touch panel. With the goal.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 includes a main body case having a keyboard, a front surface on which a display unit provided with a touch panel is exposed, a rear surface opposite to the front surface, and the main body. A display unit case rotatably connected to the case, wherein the display is connected to the main body case so as to be rotatable between a state where the front side faces the keyboard side and a state where the back side faces the keyboard side. The function button provided on the front of the display unit case, to which a function is assigned, and when the icon displayed on the display unit is operated with a pen, prohibits execution of the function of the function button. And a control means.

In addition, the invention according to claim 5 includes a main body case having a keyboard and a pointing device, a front surface on which a display unit provided with a touch panel is exposed, and a rear surface opposite to the front surface. A display unit case connected to be rotatable, wherein the display unit case is connected to the main body case so as to be rotatable between a state where the front side faces the keyboard side and a state where the back side faces the keyboard side. A function button provided on the front surface of the display unit case, to which a function is assigned, and when the icon displayed on the display unit is operated by the pointing device or the pen, the function button performs a function. In this configuration, the display unit case provided with the touch panel is correctly connected. It becomes possible to switch execution prohibition of the function assigned to the function button on the screen.

  According to the present invention, there is provided an electronic device and a control method capable of preventing erroneous input and erroneous operation by switching prohibition of execution of functions assigned to buttons provided on a surface of a housing having a touch panel. It is possible.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the electronic apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  In the first embodiment, a personal computer will be described as an example of an electronic device.

  The personal computer 1 includes a main body case 2 and a display unit case 3. The main body case 2 is provided with a keyboard 4 and a touch pad 5 serving as a pointing device on the upper surface. In addition, a circuit board on which a CPU and the like are mounted, a storage medium, and the like are incorporated.

  The display unit case 3 is provided with a liquid crystal display (hereinafter referred to as LCD) 6 and a touch panel 7. The LCD 6 is an example of a display unit that displays information, and is electrically connected to a circuit board in the main body case 2. The display unit case 3 is provided with a storage unit 9 that can store a pen 8 that can input information to the touch panel 7. When inputting information to the touch panel 7, various inputs can be made by touching a cursor or a menu screen displayed on the LCD 6 using the pen 8.

  Further, below the display unit case 3, a button group 10 to which a function of scrolling the screen display is assigned is provided. When the button group 10 is pressed, the function assigned to each button is executed.

  The main body case 2 and the display unit case 3 are connected by a hinge portion 11. The hinge portion 11 includes a pivot shaft 12 and a pivot shaft 13, and the pivot case 12 is in a state in which the main body case 2 and the display unit case 3 are overlapped so that the touch panel 7 and the keyboard 4 are overlapped (first portion). The display unit case 3 can be rotated between the state) and the state in which the display unit case 3 is raised with respect to the main body case 2 (second state). Among the second states, a state in which the display unit case 3 stands upright with the touch panel 7 facing the keyboard 4 with respect to the main body case 2 is a third state. The turning shaft 13 rotates the display unit case 3 around the turning shaft 13 from the third state. In particular, the state in which the display unit case 3 rotates from the third state around the turning shaft 13 is referred to as a fourth state. A state in which the back surface opposite to the surface on which the touch panel 7 is exposed faces the keyboard 4 side is defined as a fifth state. A state in which the back surface of the display unit case 3 is superimposed on the main body case 2 from the fifth state is referred to as a sixth state. In the sixth state, the touch panel 7 is exposed to the outside, and the personal computer can operate in this state. In the sixth state, the pen 8 performs an input operation on the touch panel.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the personal computer in the sixth state.

  In the sixth state, the keyboard 4 is covered with the display unit case 3, and the touch panel 7 can be tapped with the pen 8, or the application window displayed on the LCD 6 and the position of the cursor can be operated by drawing a trajectory. It becomes.

  Next, FIG. 3 shows a hardware configuration diagram of the personal computer according to the first embodiment.

  The inside of the personal computer 1 is composed of devices necessary for the normal personal computer 1 to operate. The CPU 15 that controls the personal computer 1 and the first bridge circuit 16 are connected by a CPU local bus having a 64-bit data bus, and the first bridge circuit 16 and the main memory 17 are connected via a memory bus. Connected. Further, the LCD 6 is also connected to the first bridge circuit 16. The first bridge circuit 16 and the second bridge circuit 18 are connected by a first bus 19 having a 32-bit data bus. HDD 20, BIOS-ROM 21 and touch panel 7 are connected to second bridge circuit 18, and through second bus 22 having a 16-bit width data bus connected to second bridge circuit 18, An embedded controller (hereinafter referred to as EC) 23 is connected.

  The CPU 15 executes operation control and data processing for the entire personal computer 1.

  The main memory 17 is a memory device that stores an operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS) 24, a BIOS 25, utility software 26, various device drivers 27, processing data, and the like, and includes a plurality of DRAMs and the like.

  The OS 24 is for comprehensively managing and controlling the operation of the hardware and software of the personal computer 1. It also manages whether to give the CPU 15 the right to execute processing (usage right of the CPU 21) for procedures such as interruption of the application.

  The BIOS 25 is a systematic function execution routine for accessing various hardware in the personal computer 1, and is read from the BIOS-ROM 21 when the personal computer 1 is activated.

  The utility software 26 is software that executes appropriate processing in response to the occurrence of an event (interrupt or the like) from various devices. In the present embodiment, for example, when the button group 10 is pressed, the processing is validated. This can be software that can be switched.

  The first bridge circuit 16 is a bridge LSI that connects the CPU local bus and the first bus 19, and functions as one of the bus master devices of the first bus 19. The first bridge circuit 16 has a function of converting a bus width including data and an address between the CPU 15 and the first bus 19, and a function of controlling access to the main memory 17 via the memory bus. Have. It also has a function as a display controller, and transmits display data to the LCD 6 connected to the first bridge circuit 16.

  The first bus 19 is a clock-synchronized input / output bus, and all the cycles on the first bus 19 are performed in synchronization with the first bus clock. The first bus 19 has an address / data bus used in a time division manner.

  The second bridge circuit 18 is a bridge LSI that connects the first bus 19 and the second bus 22, and performs bus conversion between the first bus 19 and the second bus 22. Further, an HDD 20 and a BIOS-ROM 21 used as a data storage / reproduction device are connected, and an IDE controller for performing data input / output control with the HDD 20 is incorporated. An EC 23 is connected to the second bus 22 extending from the second bridge circuit 18.

  The HDD 20 is a large-capacity storage medium provided in the personal computer 1 and is a nonvolatile storage medium that can store data even when the personal computer 1 is powered off.

  The BIOS-ROM 21 is a program that systematizes a function execution routine for accessing various hardware in the personal computer, and is read when the personal computer is activated. Generally, the BIOS is stored in a non-volatile memory (flash ROM) in a personal computer.

  The touch panel 7 detects a position touched on the surface of the touch panel 7 with a pen 8 or a finger through a device driver, and performs various processes according to the input position.

  The EC 23 incorporates a plurality of register groups that can be read / written by the CPU 15. By using these register groups, communication between the CPU 15 and a device connected to the EC 23 becomes possible. A function as a keyboard controller (hereinafter referred to as KBC) 27 is also incorporated. The EC 23 is connected to the keyboard 4, the touch pad 5, and the button group 10 provided on the display unit case 3, which are input interfaces, via the I2C bus. Signals input from the keyboard 5 and the touch pad 6 are converted by the KBC 27 and the signals are transmitted to a higher-level device. Input from the button group 10 is also converted into a key code by the KBC and notified to a higher-level device, and processing corresponding to each button is performed. Further, a power supply controller 29 is connected to the EC 23 via an I2C bus 28.

  The power controller 29 is connected to an AC adapter 30 and a battery 31 for connecting a commercial power source to the personal computer 1 main body. Thereby, the personal computer 1 main body can be driven by the commercial power supply via the AC adapter 30. The power supply controller 29 is a controller that controls the operation power supply such as turning on / off the power supply of the personal computer 1 and also performs charge control of a secondary battery such as the battery pack 31. The battery pack 31 is also used as a backup power source when power is not supplied from the AC adapter 30.

  Next, FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the vicinity of a button provided on the display unit case 3.

  A button group 10 is provided on the lower right surface of the display unit case 3.

  The button group 10 can execute a predetermined function assigned to each button when the button is pressed.

  The button 35 is a button for executing a function called SAS (Secure Attention Sequence). This is the same function as when the “CTRL + ALT + DEL” button on the keyboard is pressed, and is a function for maintenance of system applications and the like. When the keyboard cannot be used in the sixth state shown in FIG. 2, when the application stops responding, the menu can be opened by pressing this button 35, and the application that has stopped responding can be forcibly terminated. .

  Buttons 36 to 39 are used to display a scroll of an application window displayed on the LCD 6 and a menu. The button 36 scrolls information displayed in the application window upward. The button 37 displays an application menu. The button 38 scrolls information displayed in the application window downward. The button 39 is a key (programmable key) to which a user can assign a favorite function. For example, an e-mail application program start or a web browser application start can be assigned to this button.

  As described above, the button group 10 executes the assigned function when each button is pressed.

  FIG. 5 shows a screen example of utility software that can execute the button operation prohibition permission.

  FIG. 5 is an example of a utility icon displayed on the LCD 6, and displays a speaker icon 40 that switches whether audio output is possible and a button icon 41 related to operation control of the button group 10.

  The button icon 41 is a utility that can switch between a state in which the operation function of the button group 10 can be executed and a state in which the button group 10 is not executed when the area on the icon is pressed by the pointing device cursor or the pen 8. Icon. If the function of the button group 10 is executable, the user can execute the function assigned to each button by pressing the button of the button group 10. However, if the function of the button group 10 is in a non-executed state, the function is controlled so that the function is not executed even if the button group 10 is pressed.

  The button icon 41 is displayed in gray (single color display) when execution of a function associated with the operation of the button group 10 is prohibited, and execution of the function associated with the operation of the button group 10 is permitted. In such a case, the display may be made in a plurality of colors, and the execution permission / prohibition of the function by the button may be clearly shown to the user.

  FIG. 6 shows a hardware configuration diagram around the EC.

  A register 42 is provided in the EC 23. According to the value stored in the register 42, the EC 23 ignores the scan code from the button group 10 and the execution of notification to the upper level and the prohibition of notification are controlled. . Information of “1” and “0” is written into this register. When “1”, the button function can be executed, and when “0”, the button function cannot be executed. Each time the button icon 41 is pressed, the values “1” and “0” are alternately written. This writing to the register is written in response to pressing the button icon 41 shown in FIG. 4, and this control will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 shows a flowchart regarding the control of the button group 10.

  When the screen area of the button icon 41 on the LCD 6 is pressed by the pen 8 or by the cursor of the pointing device (step S101), the input from the user is detected and the utility software generates an event (step S102). .

  When the BIOS 25 detects an event from the utility software, it determines which utility software the interrupt is from, and issues an interrupt and an event code to the CPU 15 (step S103). Here, an event code when the button icon 41 is pressed is issued.

  When the CPU 15 receives an interrupt from the BIOS 25, the CPU 15 determines what processing is to be performed based on the event code. Here, it is determined whether or not the interrupt generation factor is due to the selection instruction of the button icon 41 (step S104).

  If it is determined that the interrupt factor is from the button icon 41 (YES in S104), the value of the register 42 of the EC 23 is read (step S105).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the value written in the register 42 is a value (for example, “1” in the present embodiment) indicating permission (enable) of the function operation accompanying the operation of the button group 10 ( Step S106).

  Here, when the value indicates permission to execute the function associated with the operation of the button group 10 (YES in step S106), the register 42 that prohibits (disables) the execution of the function associated with the operation of the button group 10 is stored. A value (for example, “0” in this embodiment) is written (step S107).

  Further, in step S106, when a value prohibiting execution of a function associated with the operation of the button group 10 (for example, “0” in the present embodiment) is recorded in the register 42 (NO in step S106), the button group A value (for example, “1” in the present embodiment) indicating execution permission (enable) of the function accompanying the operation of 10 is written in the register 42 (step S108).

  When the interrupt to the CPU 15 is not due to the operation of the button icon 41 (NO in step S104), the CPU 15 appropriately executes a process corresponding to the interrupt.

  As described above, in accordance with the operation on the button icon 41, the value in the register 42 in the EC 23 is written with a value indicating whether function execution is permitted or prohibited in accordance with the operation of the button group 10, thereby controlling the EC 23.

  Next, FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of button control in EC.

  The EC 23 receives a key scan code when the button group 10 is operated. It is determined whether or not there is an input from the button group 10 by receiving this key code (step S201).

  When there is an input from the button group 10 (YES in step S201), the EC 23 refers to the value written in the register 42 (step S202).

  When the value of the register 42 is a value (for example, “1” in the present embodiment) indicating permission to execute a function associated with the operation of the button group 10, a command corresponding to the scan code is notified to a higher-level device (CPU or the like). Then, SAS functions and functions such as scrolling of application windows are executed.

  Further, when the value of the register 42 is a value indicating the prohibition of the execution of the function associated with the operation of the button group 10 (for example, “0” in the present embodiment), the EC 23 ignores the scan code, and the EC 23 transmits to the upper device. Do not issue commands.

  Thereby, even when the operation of the button group 10 is performed, the function corresponding to each button is not executed.

  In the above-described embodiment, it is possible to switch permission / prohibition of function execution using buttons provided on the surface of the housing having the touch panel by utility software. With such a configuration, it is possible to provide an electronic device that allows the user to easily switch permission / prohibition of function execution using buttons while the touch panel is operated with a pen.

  In this embodiment, an example of switching execution permission / prohibition of a function by a button provided on the surface of the housing having the touch panel by utility software has been shown. However, in addition to this, a hardware switch is provided, and the hardware switch It is also possible to switch. In this case, the BIOS detects the interruption in accordance with the operation of the hardware switch, and notifies the CPU so that the switching operation similar to the above example is performed.

  As described above, it is also possible to reduce the load on the CPU by determining whether the execution of the function by the buttons provided on the surface of the casing having the button touch panel is permitted or prohibited by the microcomputer independent of the CPU. Is possible.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent erroneous input and erroneous operation by switching prohibition of execution of functions assigned to buttons provided on the surface of the housing having the coordinate input device (touch panel). It is.

The perspective view of the electronic device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The perspective view of the personal computer of the 6th state which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The hardware block diagram of the personal computer which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The perspective view of the button vicinity provided in the display part case which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The figure of the example of a screen of the utility software which can perform operation prohibition permission of a button in 1st Embodiment. FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram around an EC according to the first embodiment. The flowchart of control of the button group which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The flowchart of button control in EC which concerns on 1st Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Personal computer, 2 ... Main body case, 3 ... Display part case, 4 ... Keyboard, 5 ... Touch pad, 6 ... LCD, 7 ... Touch panel, 8 ... Pen, 10 ... Button group, 11 ... Hinge part, 15 ... CPU, 17 ... main memory, 23 ... embedded controller, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 ... button, 41 ... button icon, 42 ... register.

Claims (9)

A main body case having a keyboard;
A display unit case having a front surface on which a display unit provided with a touch panel is exposed and a back surface opposite to the front surface, and is rotatably connected to the main body case, the front surface facing the keyboard side A display unit case connected to the main body case so as to be rotatable between a state facing and a state where the back surface faces the keyboard side;
A function button provided on the front surface of the display unit case and assigned with a function;
Control means for prohibiting execution of the function of the function button when an icon displayed on the display unit is operated by a pen;
An electronic apparatus comprising:   When the icon displayed on the display unit is operated with a pen in a state in which execution of the function of the function button is prohibited, the control unit switches to a state in which execution of the function of the function button is permitted. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that:   When execution of a function associated with the operation of the function button is prohibited, the icon is displayed in the first color, and when execution of a function associated with the operation of the function button is permitted, The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the icon is displayed in a second color.   The function button function is prohibited from being executed when an icon displayed on the display unit is operated with a pen in a state where the back surface of the display unit case faces the keyboard side. The electronic device described. A body case having a keyboard and a pointing device;
A display unit case having a front surface on which a display unit provided with a touch panel is exposed and a back surface opposite to the front surface, and is rotatably connected to the main body case, the front surface facing the keyboard side A display unit case connected to the main body case so as to be rotatable between a state facing and a state where the back surface faces the keyboard side;
A function button provided on the front surface of the display unit case and assigned with a function;
Control means for prohibiting execution of the function button function when an icon displayed on the display unit is operated by the pointing device or pen;
An electronic apparatus comprising:   When the icon displayed on the display unit is operated by the pointing device or the pen in a state in which execution of the function of the function button is prohibited, the control unit permits execution of the function of the function button. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein the electronic device is switched to   When execution of a function associated with the operation of the function button is prohibited, the icon is displayed in the first color, and when execution of a function associated with the operation of the function button is permitted, The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the icon is displayed in a second color.   The keyboard and the pointing device are provided on an upper surface portion of the main body case, and the keyboard and the pointing device are covered with a back surface of the display portion case in a state where the back surface of the display portion case faces the keyboard side. 6. The electronic apparatus according to claim 5, wherein   In a state where the keyboard and the pointing device are covered by the back of the display unit case, execution of the function button function is prohibited when an icon displayed on the display unit is operated with a pen. The electronic device according to claim 5.

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