JP2010086065A - Information processor and pointing device control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor and a control method of a pointing device for preventing any unintended input from a pointing device in a keyboard, and for more efficiently controlling the pointing device. <P>SOLUTION: The information processor is provided with: a keyboard having a plurality of keys; a pointing device; a timer means for detecting a key input with the keyboard, and for measuring elapsed time between key inputs; and a pointing device control means for turning off the function of the pointing device when the elapsed time is within a predetermined first time limit. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus including a keyboard and a pointing device, and a pointing device control method.

  In an information processing apparatus capable of inputting characters such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer), a keyboard is widely used as an input apparatus. In addition, a mouse, a trackball, and a touch pad type pointing device are used in combination as auxiliary input devices for the keyboard.

  These pointing devices are mainly used for performing an operation of moving a cursor displayed on a display screen of a personal computer in an arbitrary direction. In particular, a touch pad is widely used as a pointing device mounted on a notebook computer. In the notebook type personal computer, the touch pad is arranged in front of the keyboard, so that the user can easily shake his / her hand for keyboard input operation. For this reason, when the key is touched unexpectedly during the key input operation, the cursor may move in an unintended direction, and the operability may be reduced.

  Therefore, conventionally, various techniques for improving operability have been proposed. For example, in Patent Document 1, when any key input of the keyboard is made, the operation of the touch pad is disallowed, and the key A technique for permitting operation of a touch pad when an input is not performed within a predetermined time is disclosed.

JP 2004-295727 A

  By the way, in an operation system such as Windows (registered trademark), in order to simplify key input, in a GUI such as a message box for inquiring “Yes (Y)” or “No (N)”, “Y” “N” is configured to be able to respond by key input for one character. In the case of such a GUI, there is a possibility that the touch pad is operated immediately after the key input for one character is performed. However, in the form of turning off the touch pad function every time a key input for one character is made as in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a possibility that inconvenience occurs in use, and the touch pad function is turned on. This is inefficient because the number of times to turn off increases.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an information processing apparatus and a pointing device capable of preventing an unintended input from a pointing device and operating the pointing device more efficiently when operating a keyboard. An object of the present invention is to provide a device control method.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention detects a key input on a keyboard having a plurality of keys, a pointing device, and the keyboard, and measures an elapsed time between the key inputs. Timing means, and pointing device control means for turning off the function of the pointing device when the elapsed time is within a predetermined first time limit.

  The present invention is also a pointing device control method executed by an information processing apparatus including a keyboard having a plurality of keys and a pointing device, wherein the time measuring means detects a key input on the keyboard, and A timing step for timing the elapsed time between key inputs; and a pointing device control step for turning off the function of the pointing device when the elapsed time is within a predetermined first time limit. including.

  According to the present invention, when a key input is continuously performed within the first time limit, the function of the pointing device is disabled, thereby preventing an unintended input from the pointing device during keyboard operation. Can do. In addition, by controlling the pointing device based on the elapsed time between key inputs when multiple key inputs are performed, the touch pad function is prevented from being turned off each time a key is input for one character. Therefore, the pointing device can be controlled more efficiently.

  Exemplary embodiments of an information processing apparatus, a character input method, and a program according to the present invention are explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, this invention shall not be limited to the following embodiment.

  First, an information processing apparatus suitable for each embodiment described below will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a notebook personal computer suitable for each embodiment described below. As shown in the figure, the personal computer 1 has a main body case 2, a display unit case 3, an LCD panel 4, and a keyboard 5.

  The main body case 2 is provided with a keyboard 5 on its upper surface. The display unit case 3 holds the periphery of the LCD panel 4 so that the display area of the LCD panel 4 is visible. A touch pad 6 as a pointing device is provided at the lower part (front side) of the keyboard 5 provided in the main body case 2.

  The keyboard 5 is composed of a plurality of keys arranged side by side. Here, the keyboard 5 is used to input characters and commands when each key is pressed by the user. The keyboard 5 is mainly pressed simultaneously with the character key for inputting characters and the character key. And a control key such as a “Shift” key, a “Ctrl” key, and an “Alt” key for realizing a special function.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of the personal computer 1 according to the first embodiment. The inside of the personal computer 1 is composed of devices necessary for the personal computer 1 to operate. The CPU 11 that controls the personal computer 1 and the first bridge circuit 12 are connected by a CPU local bus 13 having a 64-bit data bus. The connection between the first bridge circuit 12 and the main memory 14 is as follows. This is done via the memory bus 15. The first bridge circuit 12 is also connected to the LCD panel 4.

  The first bridge circuit 12 and the second bridge circuit 16 are connected by a first bus 17 having a 32-bit data bus. An embedded controller (hereinafter referred to as EC) 18 and a BIOS-ROM 19 are connected to the second bridge circuit 16 via a second bus 20 having a 16-bit data bus.

  Hereinafter, each component of the hardware configuration described above will be described.

  The CPU 11 executes operation control and data processing for the entire personal computer 1.

  The first bridge circuit 12 is a bridge LSI that connects the CPU local bus 13 and the first bus 17, and functions as one of the bus master devices of the first bus 17. The first bridge circuit 12 performs a function of converting a bus width including data and an address between the CPU local bus 13 and the first bus 17 and performs access control of the main memory 14 via the memory bus. It has functions. It also has a function as a display controller, and transmits display data to the LCD panel 4 connected to the first bridge circuit 12.

  The main memory 14 is a memory device loaded with software programs such as an operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS) 141, BIOS 142, event utility software 143, keyboard driver 144, touch pad driver 145, and the like, and includes a plurality of DRAMs and the like. Is done. Each loaded software program is executed by the CPU 11.

  The OS 141 is a program that manages and controls operations of an application program executed on a personal computer, BIOS 142, event utility software 143, keyboard driver 144, touch pad driver 145, and the like, and is read from a storage device such as a hard disk device (not shown). And loaded into the main memory 14.

  The BIOS 142 is a systematic function execution routine for accessing various hardware in the personal computer 1, and is read from the BIOS-ROM 19 when the personal computer 1 is activated.

  The event utility software 143 instructs the OS 141 to perform appropriate processing in response to the occurrence of an event (interrupt or the like) from various devices.

  The keyboard driver 144 is a program that executes an input signal transmitted from the EC 18 based on an input operation of the keyboard 5.

  Specifically, when any key of the keyboard 5 is input, the keyboard driver 144 detects the input key based on the input signal transmitted from the EC 18, and a keyboard for character input or the like corresponding to the key. An event is issued to the OS 141.

  The keyboard driver 144 measures the reception interval of the input signal transmitted from the EC 18, that is, the elapsed time between key inputs on the keyboard 5, and controls the function of the touch pad 6 on / off based on the elapsed time. To do. The elapsed time is measured based on time information obtained from a bus clock flowing through the memory bus 15 or an RTC (Real Time Clock) (not shown).

  The touch pad driver 145 is a program for executing an input signal transmitted from the EC 18 based on the touch operation of the touch pad 6. The touch pad driver 145 is an input from the EC 18 in accordance with an instruction from the keyboard driver 144 or an instruction from the OS 141. The function of the touch pad 6 is turned off by invalidating (discarding) the signal.

  The second bridge circuit 16 is a bridge LSI that connects the first bus 17 and the second bus 20, and performs bus conversion between the first bus 17 and the second bus 20. An EC 18 and a BIOS-ROM 19 are connected to the second bus 20 extending from the second bridge circuit 16.

  The EC 18 is a microcomputer incorporating a keyboard controller (hereinafter referred to as KBC) 181 for controlling the keyboard 5 and the touch pad 6.

  Here, the KBC 181 converts a signal input from the keyboard 5 or the touch pad 6 connected to the EC 18 into a predetermined format and transmits the signal to the EC 18. The EC 18 transmits the signal transmitted from the KBC 181 as an input signal to a device driver (keyboard driver 144, touch pad driver 145) corresponding to each input device (keyboard 5, touch pad 6).

  The EC 18 includes a plurality of register groups that are readable / writable by the CPU 11 (not shown). By using these register groups, communication between the CPU 11 and each input device connected to the EC 18 becomes possible.

  The BIOS-ROM 19 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. The BIOS-ROM 19 is stored in a nonvolatile memory (flash ROM) (not shown).

  Hereinafter, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the pointing device control process according to the present embodiment. As a premise of this processing, it is assumed that the BIOS-ROM 19 or the like is set in advance so that the function of the touch pad 6 is automatically turned on when the personal computer 1 is activated.

  When various software programs such as the keyboard driver 144 are loaded into the main memory 14 with the startup of the personal computer 1 (step S11), the keyboard driver 144 starts monitoring input signals transmitted from the EC 18 (step S12). ), A state where key input on the keyboard 5 can be detected (step S13; No).

  Here, when any key of the keyboard 5 is input, the keyboard driver 144 detects this key input based on the input signal transmitted from the EC 18 (step S13; Yes).

  At this time, the keyboard driver 144 measures the reception interval of the input signal transmitted from the EC 18, that is, the elapsed time between key inputs (step S 14), and a predetermined time (hereinafter referred to as the first time) from the timing when the previous key input is detected. It is determined whether or not the next key input has been detected within one time limit (step S15). It should be noted that an arbitrary time can be set as the “first time limit”, but it is preferably determined based on an actual time interval when key input is continuously performed, for example, 1 second. .

  If it is determined in step S15 that the next key input is not detected within the first time limit from the previous key input (step S15; No), the process returns to step S13 again. In step S15, when the next key input is detected within the first time limit from the previous key input (step S15; Yes), the keyboard driver 144 invalidates the operation on the touch pad 6. The function of the touch pad 6 is turned off (step S16).

  Specifically, the keyboard driver 144 instructs the touch pad driver 145 to discard the input signal, thereby turning off the function of the touch pad 6 and invalidating the touch operation on the touch pad 6. Note that the method of turning off the function of the touch pad 6 is not limited to this. For example, the operation of the keyboard driver 144 is indirectly controlled to discard the input signal via the OS 41 or the event utility software 143. The pad 6 function may be turned off.

  Next, the keyboard driver 144 determines whether or not the next key input is detected within a predetermined time (hereinafter referred to as a second time limit) from the timing at which the previous key input is detected (step S17). It should be noted that an arbitrary time can be set as the “second time limit”, but it is preferable that the “second time limit” is set based on an actual time interval when key input is continuously performed. Further, the first time limit and the second time limit may be the same value.

  In step S17, when the next key input is detected within the second time limit (step S17; Yes), the process returns to step S16 again, and the function of the touch pad 6 is kept off.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S17 that the next key input is not detected within the second time limit (step S17; No), the keyboard driver 144 uses the touchpad 6 to validate the operation on the touchpad 6. After the function is turned on (step S18), the process returns to step S13 again.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, when the key input is continuously performed within the first time limit, the operation on the touch pad 6 is invalidated so that the keyboard 5 is operated. Unintended input from the touch pad 6 can be prevented. Further, by controlling the touch pad 6 based on the elapsed time between key inputs when a plurality of key inputs are performed, the touch pad function is turned off every time a key input for one character is made. Since this can be prevented, the touch pad 6 can be controlled more efficiently.

  In the present embodiment, the time interval of key input is measured for all the keys constituting the keyboard 5, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the “Shift” key, the “Ctrl” key, and the “Alt” key are used. A control key such as a key may be excluded from a target for counting elapsed time.

  In the present embodiment, the function of the touch pad 6 is switched on / off based on the input time for two characters of the immediately preceding key input and the next key input. It is good also as a form which switches on / off of the function of the touchpad 6 based on the input time of 3 or more characters. In this case, for example, it may be determined whether or not a key input of the third character or more counted from the immediately preceding key input is detected within the first time limit (or the second time limit).

  Further, when the keyboard driver 144 is configured as a host driver for the keyboard driver 144, the keyboard filter driver may be used to monitor key input and execute the pointing device control process described above.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment described above, the keyboard driver 144 measures the elapsed time between key inputs, and the keyboard driver 144 controls the function of the touch pad 6 on / off. In the second embodiment, an embodiment will be described in which the embedded controller to which the keyboard 5 and the touch pad 6 are connected performs time measurement between key inputs and performs on / off control of the function of the touch pad 6. In addition, about the component similar to 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is provided and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of the personal computer 1 according to the second embodiment. As shown in the figure, the configuration of the second embodiment includes an EC 21 instead of the EC 18 of the first embodiment described above.

  Here, the EC 21 has the same function as the EC 18 described above, detects a key input on the keyboard 5 from a signal transmitted from the KBC 181, and measures an elapsed time between the key inputs. Further, the EC 21 performs on / off control of the function of the touch pad 6 based on the elapsed time measured. It is assumed that the time interval is measured based on time information obtained from a bus clock flowing through the second bus 20 or an RTC (not shown).

  Hereinafter, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the pointing device control process according to the present embodiment. As a premise of this processing, it is assumed that the BIOS-ROM 19 or the like is set in advance so that the function of the touch pad 6 is automatically turned on when the personal computer 1 is activated.

  When the personal computer 1 is activated (step S21), the EC 21 starts monitoring the signal transmitted from the KBC 181 (step S22), and makes it possible to detect key input on the keyboard 5 (step S23; No). .

  Here, when any key of the keyboard 5 is input, the EC 21 detects this key input from the signal transmitted from the KBC 181 (step S23; Yes).

  At this time, the EC 21 measures the signal interval of the signal transmitted from the KBC 181, that is, the elapsed time between key inputs (step S 24), and within the first time limit from the timing when the previous key input is detected. It is determined whether or not a key input is detected (step S25). If it is determined that the next key input is not detected within the first time limit from the previous key input (step S25; No), the process returns to step S23 again.

  On the other hand, in step S25, when the next key input is detected within the first time limit from the previous key input (step S25; Yes), the EC 21 invalidates the operation on the touch pad 6, so The function 6 is turned off (step S26).

  Specifically, the EC 21 discards the signal from the touch pad 6 transmitted from the KBC 181 to turn off the function of the touch pad 6 and invalidate the operation on the touch pad 6. Note that the method of turning off the function of the touch pad 6 is not limited to this. For example, the connection line with the touch pad 6 may be disabled so that the input from the touch pad 6 is not accepted. Good. Also, by sending an event instructing the OS 141 and event utility software 143 to discard the input signal from the touchpad driver 145 via the second bridge circuit 16 and the first bridge circuit 12, the driver The function of the touch pad 6 may be turned off by level.

  Next, the EC 21 determines whether or not the next key input is detected within the second time limit from the timing when the previous key input is detected (step S27). Here, when the next key input is detected within the second time limit (step S27; Yes), the process returns to the process of step S26 and the function of the touch pad 6 is kept off.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S27 that the next key input is not detected within the second time limit (step S27; No), the EC 21 activates the operation on the touch pad 6 to enable the function of the touch pad 6. After turning on (step S28), the process returns to step S23 again.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, when the key input is continuously performed within the first time limit, the operation on the touch pad 6 is invalidated, and the keyboard 5 is operated. Unintended input from the touch pad 6 can be prevented. Further, by controlling the touch pad 6 based on the elapsed time between key inputs when a plurality of key inputs are performed, the touch pad function is turned off every time a key input for one character is made. Since this can be prevented, the touch pad 6 can be controlled more efficiently.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications, substitutions, additions, and the like can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention is a notebook personal computer, but it is not limited thereto. In the above embodiment, the pointing device is a touch pad. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, another pointing device such as a pointing stick may be used.

It is the perspective view which showed schematic structure of the notebook-type personal computer suitable for each embodiment. It is the figure which showed typically the internal structure of the personal computer which concerns on 1st Embodiment. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a pointing device control process according to the first embodiment. It is the figure which showed typically the internal structure of the personal computer which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a pointing device control process according to the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 PC 2 Body Case 3 Display Case 4 LCD Panel 5 Keyboard 6 Touchpad 11 CPU
12 First Bridge Circuit 13 CPU Local Bus 14 Main Memory 141 OS (Operating System)
142 BIOS
143 Event Utility Software 144 Keyboard Driver 145 Touchpad Driver 15 Memory Bus 16 Second Bridge Circuit 17 First Bus 18 EC (Embedded Controller)
181 KBC (keyboard controller)
19 BIOS-ROM
20 Second bus 21 EC (Embedded controller)

Claims (8)

A keyboard having a plurality of keys;
A pointing device,
A timing means for detecting a key input on the keyboard and measuring an elapsed time between the key inputs;
Pointing device control means for turning off the function of the pointing device when the elapsed time is within a predetermined first time limit;
An information processing apparatus comprising:   The pointing device control means turns on the function of the pointing device when the function of the pointing device is off and the elapsed time exceeds a predetermined second time limit. Item 4. The information processing apparatus according to Item 1.   The pointing device control means turns off the function of the pointing device when an elapsed time when at least two or more key inputs are detected is within the first time limit. 2. The information processing apparatus according to 2.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pointing device control unit is a device driver that controls the keyboard.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pointing device control unit is an embedded controller that controls the keyboard.   6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the time measuring unit excludes a key input of a specific key among the plurality of keys from a target for counting the elapsed time. .   The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the specific key is a control key that realizes a predetermined function by being pressed simultaneously with a character key for inputting characters. A pointing device control method executed by an information processing apparatus including a keyboard having a plurality of keys and a pointing device,
The time measuring means detects a key input on the keyboard and measures a time elapsed between the key inputs,
A pointing device control step of turning off the function of the pointing device when the elapsed time is within a predetermined first time limit;
A pointing device control method.

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