JP3145921B2 - Information processing device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, and more particularly, to an information processing apparatus in which the function setting of each hardware which becomes effective at the time of starting the apparatus is performed by software.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional information processing apparatus, when a hardware function setting is changed, the information processing apparatus is restarted, and the setting is changed each time by a menu program. Next, the change of the hardware function setting of the related art will be referred to as the name and reference numeral of the block diagram of the general information processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied, which has the same configuration and name as the conventional information processing apparatus, and which is shown in FIG. This will be described with reference to a flowchart of a function setting change process of the conventional information processing apparatus shown in FIG.

The general information processing apparatus shown in FIG.
A keyboard 2 as an input device and a CRT 3 as an output device, which are connected to U1 by a system bus 9, respectively.
And a flexible disk (hereinafter referred to as F
DD) 4 and a hard disk (hereinafter referred to as HD)
5, a ROM 6, a RAM 7, and a backup RAM 8 that retains data even when the system is restarted. Here, a case in which a hardware function such as a change in CPU speed or a sound function is enabled / disabled in a conventional information processing apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. First, when the power is turned on and a specific key such as the 'HELP' key is pressed at the start of the operation, in response to this, a menu activation is determined in step (hereinafter referred to as S) 10 and the normal OS
A menu program stored in the ROM 6 different from the activation is activated. Next, the operator uses the keyboard 2 in S11 to interactively change the CPU speed and change the setting of hardware functions of the information processing apparatus, such as enabling / disabling the sound function. Subsequently, in step S12, the backup R which is not erased even if the power is turned off is stored in the setting change information.
It is stored in the AM 8 and it is determined whether or not to end the menu program in S13. If not, the process returns to S11. First, S1
If it is determined at 0 that the specific key such as the 'HELP' key has not been pressed at power-on, the hardware initialization is performed based on the setting values stored in the backup RAM 8 at the time of the last function setting operation at S14. The OS has been activated after the activation setting.

As described above, when the setting is restored or changed, the specific key is pressed again to restart the information processing apparatus, and the menu program is started and reset.

Further, as a device which performs an operation similar to the present invention, there is, for example, a boot priority changing device described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-169929. this is,
Although it is not a hardware function setting, this is an example in which the startup method changes depending on the input of a specific key.
The boot procedure stored in the ROM is changed based on the result of determining whether or not a specific key is input from the keyboard. According to the result of the determination, the boot priority can be changed instantaneously during setup. Things.

[0006]

The above-mentioned conventional information processing apparatus does not perform the operation of the last function setting, and when returning or changing the setting, depresses the specific key again to obtain the information. There is a problem that the processing device must be restarted, and the menu program must be started and reset. In addition, trying to convert the boot priority changing device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-169929 to a function similar to that of the present invention requires a user to set each hardware setting other than the boot designation in several ways. There is a problem that it is very difficult because it is a configuration that is difficult to set and apply to a function that is changed instantaneously.

An object of the present invention is to eliminate the necessity of starting a menu program and setting functions each time, and to easily change the hardware state of an information processing apparatus by a combination of keys, thereby improving operability. It is to provide a possible information processing device.

[0008]

The information processing apparatus of the present invention SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The apparatus Seo full <br/> stored in a different ROM, which is a normal OS start function settings for each hardware to be effective at startup Towea In the information processing apparatus performed by the above, a start instruction input from a keyboard is a menu program start which means the start of a menu program having an interactive menu for setting the function of each hardware, and a predetermined specific key A key combination activation means a function setting and activation for designating a set of hardware function setting values stored in association with a combination, and a normal activation which is an activation by turning on the power without a specific key input. Key input detection means for determining which one is
A hardware function setting unit for setting and changing each hardware function by the menu program if the start instruction input from the keyboard is the menu program start; and a set of hardware functions set by the hardware function setting unit A setting value holding unit that receives a setting value and stores and registers the setting value in the storage unit in correspondence with an arbitrary one of the key combination activation and the normal activation, and the activation instruction input from the keyboard is a key combination activation or a normal activation. If so, a hardware activation setting means for determining a setting state corresponding to the input, reading a setting value of each hardware function setting from the storage unit, and performing a function setting of each hardware based on the setting value. is there.

In the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, the storage unit may hold and register a plurality of sets of hardware function setting values instructing activation of the key combination.

The information processing apparatus according to the present invention has a function for the setting value holding means to select whether the hardware function setting value set by the hardware function setting means is made valid at the next start-up. Is also good.

[Operation] The information processing apparatus according to the present invention has a set value holding means which can store a plurality of key combination information which are set by a menu program and are set values of hardware functions. For this reason, it is possible to hold several kinds of hardware settings according to the purpose of the operator using the information processing apparatus.

The hardware activation setting means sets hardware functions based on the key combination information detected by the key input detection means when the information processing apparatus is activated. For this reason, several kinds of hardware functions can be instantaneously switched according to the purpose of the operator using the information processing apparatus, and the operability to change the state is improved.

[0013]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a general information processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

First, an information processing apparatus 10 to which the present invention is applied
Are a keyboard 2 as an input device connected to the CPU 1 via a system bus 9, a CRT 3 as an output device, an FDD 4 as a storage device, and an HD 5
, A ROM 6 and a RAM 7, and a backup RAM 8 that retains data even when the system is restarted.

Next, the operation function of the information processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described. FIG. 2 is a functional diagram functionally expressing the present invention. In addition, in order to explain each function, when it becomes particularly necessary, as a device name and a symbol, FIG.
Will be used.

In the functional configuration of the present invention, a start instruction input by the operator from the keyboard 2 is received, and this is a start of a menu program having an interactive menu for setting the function of each hardware. There is a key combination activation that means a function setting and activation that designates a set of hardware function setting values stored corresponding to a predetermined specific key combination, or a specific key input. A key input detecting means 11 for determining whether the activation is a normal activation which is an activation by power-on without accompanying, and a hardware function setting for performing each hardware function setting and change by the menu program if the activation instruction is a menu program activation Means 12 and a set of hardware set by the hardware function setting means 12. The setting value holding unit 13 receives and stores the hardware function setting value in the backup RAM 8 in correspondence with an arbitrary one of the key combination activation and the normal activation, and the activation instruction input from the keyboard 2 receives the key combination activation and the normal activation. If any of the above, the setting state corresponding to the input is determined and the backup RA
M8 comprises a hardware activation setting means 14 for reading the set value of each hardware function setting and setting the function of each hardware based on the set value.

As for the details of each function added to the above description, the hardware function setting means 12 sets and changes each hardware function such as the CPU speed in a menu format, Then, a key combination corresponding to the current hardware setting value to be saved in the area of the backup RAM 8 is selected and stored. Further, when the operator presses and starts the key combination set by the setting value holding unit 13,
The hardware activation setting unit 14 determines which area of the backup RAM 8 is to be used as the hardware setting value of the information processing apparatus 10 and activates the same.

Next, the operation will be described.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment of the present invention. 1 and 2 in the following description.
Use the names and symbols of

In the information processing apparatus 10, when a hardware function such as a change in CPU speed or a sound function is enabled or disabled, a specific key for starting a menu program is determined. For example, the "HELP" key is used as a specific key for starting the menu, and at the time of starting, the "HELP" key is pressed and the power is turned on.
If N, in S1, the key input detecting means 11 determines whether or not the menu program is activated. If it is determined that the menu program is started, the menu program stored in the ROM 6 different from the normal OS start is started. Then, in step S2, under this menu program, the operator interactively uses the keyboard 2 to set and change hardware functions such as changing the CPU speed and enabling / disabling the sound function.
Perform by 2. Next, in S3, this information is stored in the area 1 of the backup RAM 8 using the set value holding means 13. The area 1 of the backup RAM 8 stores hardware setting values used when the key input detecting means 11 determines that no special key is pressed when the information processing apparatus 10 is started. .

Here, when the information processing apparatus 10 is activated and the state of the hardware function can be switched by a key combination, a menu screen showing the current saved state of the hardware setting in FIG. 4 is prepared. In step S4, the key combination is registered as one of them or as a new key combination. For example, if switching is possible, backup R corresponding to some key combinations
If an area of AM8 is prepared and the key combination of combination 1 is, for example, "CRTL" + "1" and the combination 2 is "CRTL" + "2", the current hardware setting value is used as the combination. In the case of registering as “1”, in S51, it is stored as a key combination in the area 2 of the backup RAM 8 as a hardware setting developed when the “CRTL” + “1” is pressed and activated.
If you want to continue registering as combination 2,
In step S6, it is determined whether or not the menu is to be ended. Since the menu is not ended, the process jumps to step S2, where the hardware function is set and changed again by the hardware function setting means 12 in step S2.
Similarly, in steps S3, S4, and S52, the current hardware setting value is used as combination 2 for the backup R
It is registered in the area 3 of the AM 8 as a hardware setting to be developed when activated by pressing “CRTL” +2.
If it is determined in step 6 that the menu has ended, the process returns to the initial state. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the setting state of the key combination information and the hardware setting information of each area of the registered backup RAM 8.

Next, at the end of the menu, the menu is reset and restarted. At the time of this restart or power ON, depending on the presence or absence of pressing of the specific key 'HELP' key of menu start,
In S1, the key input detecting means 11 determines whether or not the menu program is activated. If it is determined that the button has not been pressed, the information processing apparatus 10 is set up to start the OS instead of the menu program. Then, S
At 7, it is determined whether or not a specific key combination has been pressed. Here, the area 2 of the backup RAM 8
"CTRL" + "1" means start up with the settings stored in
If the key has been pressed, the backup RA
The setting contents of the area 2 of the M8 are selected, and the information processing apparatus 10 is started by the hardware start setting unit 14 according to the selected contents of the area 2 of the backup RAM 8 in S9.

First, if it is determined in S7 that the specific key combination has not been pressed, then in S8
In step 4, the setting contents of the area 1 of the backup RAM 8 are selected, and the information processing apparatus 10 is activated by the hardware activation setting means 14 based on the set value of the area 1 of the backup RAM 8 selected in S9.

The setting value holding means 13 allows the user to select whether or not to overwrite the set value corresponding to the key combination in the area 1 of the backup RAM 8, thereby changing the hardware function set value for the next and subsequent times. It can also be used without change. In this way, by starting the combination, for example, in the information processing apparatus used by many people, the hardware environment generally used is changed to the backup RAM 8.
In the area 1 of the backup RAM 8 and the hardware environment used by a specific person.
3. By storing in X, when the user is replaced, without restarting the menu and changing the hardware settings, simply restart the information processing apparatus 10,
The operation function of the information processing apparatus 10 can be easily changed by the combination of the keys.

[0026]

As described above, according to the present invention, the activation instruction input from the keyboard is the activation of the menu program having the interactive menu for performing the function setting of each hardware. A key combination activation means a function setting and activation for designating a set of hardware function setting values stored corresponding to a predetermined specific key combination, and a power-on without a specific key input. Key input detection means for determining which of the activation and the normal activation,
If the start instruction input from the keyboard is a menu program start, the hardware function setting means for setting and changing each hardware function by the menu program and a set of hardware function setting values set by the hardware function setting means are received. A setting value holding unit to be held and registered in the unit, and setting of each hardware function setting from the storage unit by judging a setting state corresponding to the input if a start instruction input from the keyboard is one of a key combination start and a normal start Hardware start setting means for reading the value and setting the function of each hardware based on the set value makes it unnecessary to start the menu program every time to set the function, and the hardware of the information processing apparatus is realized by a combination of keys. Wear state can be easily changed to improve operability Effect that it is possible to be there.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a general information processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a functional diagram functionally expressing the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a process for explaining an operation of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a menu screen showing a current save state of hardware settings.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a setting state of key combination information and hardware setting information of each area of a registered backup RAM.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a function setting change process of a conventional information processing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 CPU 2 Keyboard 3 CRT 4 Flexible disk (FDD) 5 Hard disk (HD) 6 ROM 7 RAM 8 Backup RAM 9 System bus 10 Information processing device 11 Key input detecting means 12 Hardware function setting means 13 Setting value holding means 14 Hardware Start setting means

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-6-309157 (JP, A) JP-A-1-251118 (JP, A) JP-A-8-63252 (JP, A) JP-A-6-309 12139 (JP, A) "NEC PC-9821 Ap2 / As2 Guide Book", NEC Corporation, 1993, p. 75-86 (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 9/00-9/54 G06F 1/00 G06F 3/00-3/14

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A function setting of each hardware which becomes effective at the time of device startup is stored in a ROM different from a normal OS startup.
Information processing device performed by the software
A start instruction input from the keyboard is stored in correspondence with a combination of a menu program start, which means the start of a menu program having an interactive menu for performing the function setting of each hardware, and a predetermined specific key. It determines whether the combination is a key combination activation that indicates a function setting and activation that designates a set of hardware function setting values, or a normal activation that is an activation by power-on without a specific key input. Key input detection means, hardware function setting means for setting and changing each hardware function by the menu program if the start instruction input from the keyboard is the menu program start, and setting by the hardware function setting means The key combination receives a set of hardware function setting values. Setting value holding means for holding and registering in the storage unit in correspondence with an arbitrary one of the key activation and the normal activation, and the input when the activation instruction input from the keyboard is either the key combination activation or the normal activation. An information processing apparatus comprising: a hardware activation setting unit configured to determine a corresponding setting state, read a setting value of each hardware function setting from the storage unit, and perform a function setting of each hardware based on the setting value. . 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit holds and registers a plurality of sets of hardware function setting values instructing activation of the key combination. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting value holding means has a function of selecting whether or not the hardware function setting value set by the hardware function setting means is made effective at the next activation. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1.