JP2015087783A - Portable information processing system, portable information processor therefor, and cover therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable information processing system capable of effectively using a capacitance type touch sensor of a portable information processor and a cover for the portable information processor and its portable information processor and its cover.SOLUTION: The portable information processing system includes: a slate-shaped portable information processor having a capacitance type touch sensor on a front surface side; and a cover configured so as to be mountable on the portable information processor, which is capable of opening and closing the front of the portable information processor. Conductive materials are formed in the cover, and the portable information processor is configured to determine that the cover is closed when the conductive materials are detected by the touch sensor.

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable information processing system, a portable information processing apparatus, and a cover thereof.

  Recently, portable information processing devices equipped with a touch panel, such as tablet PCs and smartphones, have become widespread. Examples of the touch panel method include various methods such as a capacitance method, an optical method, a resistive film method, an acoustic wave comparison (APR) method, and an ultrasonic surface acoustic wave (ultrasonic) method.

  There are two types of capacitive touch panels: surface type and projection type. The surface type is generally composed of three layers: a cover, a conductive film, and a glass substrate. The conductive film is disposed on the glass substrate, and electrodes are provided at the four corners of the glass substrate, and a uniform electric field is formed by the conductive film. When the finger touches the screen, a weak current from the drive circuit passes through the corner terminal, conductive film, and cover, and forms a closed circuit between the peripheral environment including the ground and the drive circuit via the finger. The position of the finger can be determined by measuring the ratio of the current amounts at the terminals at the four corners on the drive circuit side.

  On the other hand, the projection type is superior to the surface type in that multipoint detection and surface detection of the fingertip can be performed. The projection type is generally composed of an insulator film and an electrode layer below it. In the electrode layer under the insulator film, a large number of mosaic electrode patterns composed of two layers in length and width are arranged on a substrate such as glass or plastic by a transparent electrode such as ITO. When the finger touches, the position can be accurately determined by knowing the change in the capacitance of the nearby electrode from the two vertical and horizontal electrode rows. Further, multipoint detection and surface detection are possible by a large number of electrode rows running vertically and horizontally.

  On the other hand, for tablet PCs such as ipad, many cases and covers for tablet PCs for protecting the main body are sold. Such a tablet PC dedicated case and cover are only intended to protect the main body of the tablet PC, and are not so much used in other applications.

WO2012 / 070593 JP 2010-39515 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and is a portable type capable of effectively using a capacitive touch sensor of a portable information processing device and a cover for the portable information processing device. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing system, a portable information processing device, and a cover thereof.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention is a slate-shaped portable information processing device having a capacitive touch sensor on the front side, and can be attached to the portable information processing device. And a portable information processing system comprising a cover capable of opening and closing the front surface of the portable information processing device, wherein the cover is formed of a conductive material, The type information processing apparatus determines that the cover is closed when the conductive material is detected by the touch sensor.

  According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, it is desirable that the conductive material is a metal material.

  According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, it is desirable that the portable information processing device shifts the portable information processing device to suspend when the touch sensor detects the conductive material.

  According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the conductive material has a predetermined pattern, and the portable information processing apparatus detects the predetermined pattern with the touch sensor, and detects the detected pattern. It is desirable to perform processing according to the above.

  Moreover, according to a preferable aspect of the present invention, it is desirable that the portable information processing apparatus detects an arrangement position of the conductive material with the touch sensor and performs processing according to the detected arrangement position.

  Moreover, according to a preferable aspect of the present invention, it is desirable that the conductive material is detachably formed on the cover.

  Further, in order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention is a slate-shaped portable information processing apparatus having a capacitive touch sensor on the front side, which can be opened and closed. A cover on which a conductive material is formed can be attached, and when the conductive material is detected by the touch sensor, it is determined that the cover is closed.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides a cover that can open and close a front surface of a portable information processing device, and the cover includes the front surface of the portable information processing device. A conductive material for detection by a capacitive touch sensor formed on the side is formed.

  According to the present invention, a portable information processing system capable of effectively using a capacitive touch sensor of a portable information processing device and a cover for the portable information processing device, and the portable information processing The apparatus and the cover thereof can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a tablet PC. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state where a tablet PC dedicated cover is attached to the tablet PC. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the detection principle of a touch sensor using a projected capacitive method (part 1). FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the detection principle of the touch sensor using the projected capacitive method (part 2). FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a schematic hardware configuration example of the tablet PC. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an operation in which the touch sensor controller detects the closed state of the cover of the tablet PC dedicated case. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining another operation example in which the touch sensor controller detects the closed state of the cover of the tablet PC dedicated case. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an example of a material having a predetermined pattern. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram when processing according to the arrangement position of the material arranged on the back surface of the cover is performed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a portable information processing system according to the present embodiment, a portable information processing apparatus thereof, and a computer system to which the case is applied will be described. Although the components of the present invention are generally illustrated in the drawings herein, it can be readily understood that they may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of configurations with various configurations. Accordingly, the following more detailed description of the apparatus, method and program embodiments of the present invention is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims, but merely to implement selected embodiments of the invention. It is intended as an example only, and is merely illustrative of selected embodiments of an apparatus, system and method consistent with the present invention as set forth in the claims herein. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details or with other methods, components, or materials.

  With reference to FIGS. 1-3, the schematic structure of tablet PC10 to which the portable information processing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment is applied, and the tablet PC case 40 are demonstrated. 1 is a front view of the tablet PC 10, and FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the tablet PC case 40 is attached to the tablet PC 10.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tablet PC 10 has an LCD 13 disposed on the front side, and a touch sensor 12 disposed on the LCD 13. Various information is displayed on the LCD 13. In the tablet PC 10, a circuit board 14, an LCD 13, and a touch sensor 12 are housed in a casing 11 that is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. The housing 11 can be made of, for example, a synthetic resin. The touch sensor 12 is disposed on substantially the same plane as the frame of the housing 11. In addition, a camera 18 is provided on a substantially central position surface of the housing 11 above the LCD 13.

  The touch sensor 12 is a projected capacitive touch sensor, and can detect multiple points and a surface of an indicator such as a finger. The touch sensor 12 includes a plurality of Y electrodes extending in the Y-axis direction, an insulating layer formed on the plurality of Y electrodes, and a plurality of Y electrodes extending in the X-axis direction formed on the insulating layer. And a protective glass 12b formed on the transparent electrode substrate 12. The X electrode and the Y electrode are configured in a matrix shape.

  In the present specification, a member covering the front side of the tablet PC 10 is referred to as a cover, and a configuration having a cover and covering the back side when mounted on the tablet PC 10 is referred to as a “case”. A configuration having a cover and not covering the back side when mounted on the tablet PC 10 (for example, a configuration mounted on one side of the tablet PC 10) is referred to as a “cover” (http: // www. apple.com/jp/ipad/accessories/). That is, it is applicable to “cover” and “case”, and is configured to be attachable to at least a slate-shaped portable information processing device having a capacitive touch sensor on the front side, and the portable type The present invention can be applied to a cover that can open and close the front surface of the information processing apparatus. With reference to FIG. 3, the case 40 for tablet PCs is demonstrated. The tablet PC case 40 includes a main body 42 for fixing the tablet PC 10 and a cover 41 configured to be rotatable with respect to the main body 42 and opening and closing the front surface of the tablet PC 10. The main body portion 42 is formed with four fixing protrusions 43 made of a hard material for fixing the edge portion of the tablet PC 10. The user fits the fixing projection 43 with the front surface of the tablet PC 10 facing up, and fixes the tablet PC 10.

  The cover 41 is configured to be able to open and close the front surface of the tablet PC 10. A metal material 50, which is a conductive material for detecting the opening / closing of the cover 41 using the touch sensor 12, is provided at the approximate center of the back surface (the surface side facing the tablet PC 10) 41 a of the cover 41. . The metal material 50 is, for example, an aluminum foil. As will be described later, the tablet PC 10 can detect the opening / closing of the cover 41 with respect to the front surface of the tablet PC 10 based on the detection result of the touch sensor 12. Although the metal material 50 is formed on the back surface 41a, the whole or part of the back surface 41a may be energized.

  The detection principle of the touch sensor 12 using the projected capacitive method will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the relationship of capacitance when the finger 30 is detected by each X electrode 22 and each Y electrode 21 formed on the transparent electrode substrate 12 a of the touch sensor 12. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for simplifying the description. The number of X electrodes 22 and Y electrodes 21 that are actually arranged is larger than this, and the number corresponds to the resolution of the touch sensor.

  The touch sensor controller 23 sends drive signals to the X electrode 22 and the Y electrode 21, detects the voltage of the X electrode 22 and the Y electrode 21, and detects the change in capacitance, thereby detecting the X electrode of the indicator. 22 and the touch position of the Y electrode 21 can be specified. The touch sensor 12 is configured to detect a finger in conformity with the dielectric constant of the finger.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the finger 30 approaches the X electrode 22 and the Y electrode 21, the capacitance between the electrodes increases, and the capacitance of the X electrode 22 and the Y electrode 21 reaches a maximum value near the finger 30 contact. It becomes. The touch sensor controller 23 can detect the touch position of the finger by detecting the X electrode 22 and the Y electrode 21 whose capacitance is equal to or greater than the first threshold N1. In addition, the touch sensor controller 23 detects a plurality of X electrodes 22 and Y electrodes 21 whose capacitance is equal to or greater than the first threshold value N1, so that a pattern (shape) of an indicator having a dielectric constant comparable to that of a finger. ) Can be detected.

When the capacitance C is expressed by a parallel plate conductor model, an object in which a dielectric having a dielectric constant ε is uniformly filled between two parallel conductors having an area S [m ² ] and a distance d [m]. The capacitance C is expressed by C = ε × (S / d). Here, ε = ε _r × ε ₀ , ε ₀ is the dielectric constant of vacuum, and ε _r is the relative dielectric constant of the object. Accordingly, when an object having a dielectric constant larger than that of the finger is brought close to the electrode, the detected capacitance becomes larger than that of the finger.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the relationship of capacitance when the above-described metal material 50 having a dielectric constant larger than that of the finger 30 is detected by the X electrode 22 and the Y electrode 21. When the metal material 50 approaches the X electrode 22 and the Y electrode 21, the capacitance between the electrodes increases as compared with the case of the finger 30, and becomes a value exceeding the maximum value of the capacitance in the case of the finger 30. In the present embodiment, the touch sensor controller 23 has an X electrode whose electrostatic capacitance detected by the X electrode and the Y electrode is equal to or greater than a second threshold N2 (where the second threshold N2> the first threshold N1). When the Y electrode is detected, it is determined that the cover 41 of the tablet PC dedicated case 40 is closed.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a schematic hardware configuration example of the tablet PC 10. As shown in the figure, the tablet PC 10 includes a CPU 101, ROM 102, memory 103, HDD (hard disk) 104, LCD 13, graphics adapter 105, touch sensor 12, camera 18, touch sensor controller 23, and USB port 106. And a communication device 107 and a power supply circuit 108, and each unit is connected directly or indirectly via a bus.

  The CPU 101 controls the entire PC 10 by the OS 111 stored in the HDD 104 connected via the bus, and manages a function of executing processing based on various programs stored in the HDD 104. The ROM 102 stores a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System: basic input / output system) 102a, data, and the like.

  The memory 103 is composed of a cache memory and a RAM, and is a writable memory used as a work area for writing processing data of the execution program as a read area for the execution program of the CPU 101.

  An HDD (hard disk) 104 includes an OS 111 for controlling the entire tablet PC 10, various drivers 112 for hardware operations of peripheral devices, and a browser application, an e-mail application, and a video directed to a specific task It has a function of storing various applications 113 such as a reproduction application, a spreadsheet application, and a word processing application.

  The OS 111 controls basic operations of the tablet PC 10, manages various resources, and transmits, for example, commands generated by application programs to the driver 112, the BIOS 102a, and the like. The OS 111 also has a multitasking function, and manages software resources such as application execution contexts (register sets, main memory images, file handles, etc. used by a certain application) and GUI components.

  The OS 111 controls the power supply circuit 108 and the like to control the transition of the system state (power state). The system state is, for example, six states S0 to S5 defined by the ACPI state, S0 is a full operation state, S1 is a low power consumption state (however, both the processor and the chipset are powered on), and S2 is a low power consumption state State (however, the processor and the cache are powered off, the chipset is powered on), S3 is in the suspended state, S4 is in the hibernation state, and S5 is powered off by software. As the OS 111, for example, Windows (registered trademark), Android (registered trademark), iOS (registered trademark), or the like can be used.

  The various drivers 112 are, for example, a touch sensor driver for operating the touch sensor 12, a display driver for displaying an image on the LCD 13, a camera driver for operating the camera 18, and the like.

  The graphics adapter 105 converts display information into a video signal under the control of the CPU 101 and outputs the converted video signal to the LCD 13. The LCD 13 has a function of displaying various information according to the control of the CPU 101. The communication device 107 is for transmitting and receiving data via a network.

  The power supply circuit 108 includes an AC adapter, an intelligent battery, a charger for charging the intelligent battery, a DC / DC converter, and the like, and supplies power to each device under the control of the CPU 101. The camera 18 images a subject and outputs the image data to the CPU 101.

  The touch sensor 12 is a user interface for a user to perform an input operation. The user selects a screen object such as various menus, icons, buttons, and a keyboard displayed on the screen of the LCD 13 and performs an input operation. This is for performing text input operations and screen operations such as scrolling and swiping. The touch sensor controller 23 includes a drive circuit for driving the touch sensor 12 and a detection circuit for detecting a touch position, and controls the operation of the touch sensor 12. The touch sensor controller 23 sends a drive signal to the X electrode 22 and the Y electrode 21 of the touch sensor 12, detects the voltage of the X electrode 22 and the Y electrode 21, and detects a change in capacitance, thereby The touch position (X, Y) of the X electrode 22 and the Y electrode 21 of the body is specified, and the touch position (X, Y) is output to the CPU 101.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an operation in which the touch sensor controller 23 detects the closed state of the cover 41 of the tablet PC dedicated case 40. In FIG. 7, when the user closes the cover 41 of the tablet PC dedicated case 40, the touch sensor controller 23 detects the electrostatic capacitance of the second threshold value N2 or more (step S <b> 1), and the cover 41 of the tablet PC dedicated case 40 is detected. It is determined that the cover is closed (step S2), and notifies the OS 111 that the cover 41 of the tablet PC dedicated case 40 is closed. In response to this, the OS 111 shifts the power state of the tablet PC 10 to suspend (step S3).

  Another embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the above embodiment, the case has been described in which the metal material 50 is disposed on the cover 41 of the tablet PC dedicated case 40 and the closed state of the cover 41 is detected by detecting the metal material 50 with the touch sensor 12. The present invention is not limited to this. For example, when a material having a predetermined pattern (shape) that is a conductive material having a dielectric constant similar to that of a finger is arranged on the cover 41 and the cover 41 is closed, the touch sensor controller 23 displays a specific pattern. If detected, processing corresponding to the pattern may be performed.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining another operation example when the touch sensor controller 23 detects the closed state of the cover 41 of the tablet PC dedicated case 40. In FIG. 8, when the user closes the cover 41 of the tablet PC dedicated case 40, the touch sensor controller 23 detects a predetermined pattern (step S10), determines that the cover 41 of the tablet PC dedicated case 40 is closed, The OS 111 is notified that a predetermined pattern has been detected. In response to this, the OS 111 performs processing according to the detected pattern (step S11).

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an example of a material having a predetermined pattern. In FIG. 9, the same components as those in FIG. In the example illustrated in FIG. 9, as an example of the predetermined pattern, a W pattern material 51 is disposed on the back surface 41 a of the cover 41 of the tablet PC dedicated case 40. This material 51 desirably has a dielectric constant comparable to that of a finger.

  In FIG. 9, when the user closes the cover 41 of the tablet PC dedicated case 40, the touch sensor controller 23 detects the W pattern and determines that the cover 41 of the tablet PC dedicated case 40 is closed. Notify that a pattern has been detected. In response to this, the OS 111 activates the browser application as processing corresponding to the W pattern. The example of the pattern is not limited to this, and various processes corresponding to the pattern can be considered. As an example, if the material 51 is an S pattern, a process of shifting to suspend is performed. If the material 51 is an M pattern, an e-mail application is started. In the case of the pattern, the tablet PC 10 is initialized.

  The material 51 disposed on the back surface 41a of the cover 41 may be formed fixed to the back surface 41a, or may be formed so as to be detachable (attachable and removable) from the back surface 41a. By configuring the material 51 so as to be detachable, it is possible to prepare a plurality of different patterns of the material 51 and change the pattern attached by the user so that various processes can be performed when the cover 41 is closed. Become. In addition, when forming the material 51 so that attachment or detachment is possible, for example, by forming the back surface 41a with a raised material and forming the attachment surface of the material 51 with a fastener, the material 51 can be easily attached to and detached from the back surface 41a. Can be formed.

  Moreover, you may decide to perform the process according to the arrangement position of the material arrange | positioned on the back surface 41a of the cover 41. FIG. The touch sensor controller 23 may detect the arrangement position of the material arranged on the back surface 41a, and perform processing according to the arrangement position detected by the OS 111. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram when processing according to the arrangement position of the material arranged on the back surface 41 a of the cover 41 is performed. 10, parts that are the same as those in FIG. 3 are given the same reference numerals.

  In FIG. 10, the world map 300 is drawn on the back surface 41 a of the cover 41. On the world map 300, a material 310 having a circle pattern is arranged. The material 310 is preferably a conductive material having a dielectric constant comparable to that of a finger. The touch sensor controller 23 stores map data corresponding to the world map 300. When the user closes the cover 41 of the tablet PC dedicated case 40, the touch sensor controller 23 detects the position of the circle pattern (step S10), determines that the cover 41 is closed, and corresponds to the detected position of the circle pattern. The country to do is determined with reference to the stored map data. The touch sensor controller 23 notifies the OS 111 of the determined country. In response to this, the OS 111 performs initialization processing (for example, setting of time and carrier) corresponding to the determined country.

  In the example shown in FIG. 10, since the material 310 is arranged in the United States, initialization processing corresponding to the United States is performed. Similarly to the above, the material 310 may be fixed to the back surface 41a or may be detachable. By configuring the material 310 to be detachable, the user can change the arrangement position of the material 310 and perform an initialization process according to the country. For example, it is convenient when traveling abroad or traveling abroad. In addition, for example, a manufacturer that manufactures the tablet PC case 40 may sell the tablet PC case 40 in which the material 310 is formed at a position corresponding to the sales country for each sales country. Thus, various processes can be easily performed by changing the pattern and arrangement position of the material arranged on the cover 41 of the tablet PC dedicated case 40.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the tablet PC 10 having the capacitive touch sensor 12 on the front surface side and the tablet PC 10 can be attached to the tablet PC 10 and the front surface of the tablet PC 10 can be opened and closed. A tablet PC dedicated case 40 having a cover 41, and the tablet PC dedicated case 40 is formed with a metal material 50 on the cover. In the tablet PC 10, the touch sensor 12 detects the metal material 50. Since it is determined that the cover 41 is closed, the capacitance type touch sensor and the tablet PC case can be used effectively. In addition, it is not necessary to provide a special sensor for detecting the opening / closing of the cover in the tablet PC, and an existing touch sensor can be used for detecting the opening / closing of the cover, thereby achieving a low-cost and simple configuration. It becomes possible.

  In the tablet PC 10, when the metal material 50 is detected, the tablet PC 10 shifts to the suspend mode, so that power saving can be achieved.

  In addition, when the material 51 having a predetermined pattern is formed on the cover 41 and the predetermined pattern is detected by the touch sensor 12, the processing corresponding to the detected pattern is performed. Can be done.

  Moreover, since the arrangement position of the material 310 is detected by the touch sensor 12 and the process according to the detected arrangement position is performed, the process according to the arrangement position of the material 310 can be performed.

In addition, since the materials 50 and 310 are detachably formed on the cover 41,
Various processes can be performed by changing the pattern of the material 50 or changing the arrangement position of the material 310.

  In the above embodiment, the tablet PC has been described as the portable information processing apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to other portable information processing apparatuses such as smartphones and PDAs. is there. In the above embodiment, the “case” type has been described. However, as described above, it is needless to say that the “case” type is also applicable.

  As described above, the portable information processing system, the portable information processing device, and the cover thereof according to the present invention are useful when the cover for the portable information processing device is used.

10 Tablet PC
12 Touch sensor 12a Transparent electrode substrate 12b Protective glass 13 LCD
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 Circuit board 23 Touch sensor controller 30 Finger 18 Camera 40 Tablet PC case 41 Cover 41a Back surface 42 Main-body part 43 Fixing protrusion 50 Metal material 51,310 Material 101 CPU
102 ROM
103 Memory 104 HDD (Hard Disk)
105 Graphics adapter 106 USB port 107 Communication device 108 Power supply circuit 111 OS
112 Driver 113 Various application programs

Claims (8)

A slate-shaped portable information processing device equipped with a capacitive touch sensor on the front side;
A portable information processing system configured to be attachable to the portable information processing apparatus, and comprising a cover that can open and close the front surface of the portable information processing apparatus,
The cover is formed of a conductive material,
The portable information processing apparatus determines that the cover is closed when the conductive material is detected by the touch sensor. The portable information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the conductive material is a metal material.   The portable information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the portable information processing apparatus shifts the portable information processing apparatus to suspend when the conductive material is detected by the touch sensor. system. The conductive material has a predetermined pattern,
The portable information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the portable information processing apparatus detects the predetermined pattern with the touch sensor and performs processing according to the detected pattern.   The portable information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the portable information processing device detects an arrangement position of the conductive material by the touch sensor and performs processing according to the detected arrangement position. .   The portable information processing system according to claim 4, wherein the conductive material is detachable from the cover. A slate-shaped portable information processing device having a capacitive touch sensor on the front side,
The front can be opened and closed and a cover formed with a conductive material can be attached.
A portable information processing apparatus that determines that the cover is closed when the conductive material is detected by the touch sensor. A cover capable of opening and closing the front surface of the portable information processing device,
A cover, wherein a conductive material for detection by a capacitive touch sensor formed on the front side of the portable information processing device is formed.

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