JP6055008B2 - Portable information processing apparatus, magnetic disk device protection method, and computer-executable program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable information processing device, a magnetic disk device protection method thereof, and a computer-executable program.

  In portable portable information processing devices such as notebook computers (hereinafter referred to as “notebook PCs”), the portable information processing devices are protected from impacts such as when they are accidentally dropped while being carried or operated. This is an important issue. In particular, since a magnetic disk device generally used as a storage device of this type of portable information processing device is structurally vulnerable to shock and vibration, it is desirable to provide effective protection means.

  Since the magnetic disk device reads and writes data by seeking the magnetic head on the rotating magnetic disk, if the magnetic head collides with the magnetic disk due to impact or vibration, the magnetic disk is damaged and part or all of the data is restored. There is a risk that it will not be possible. For this reason, in a portable information processing apparatus equipped with a magnetic disk device, when a vibration or the like is detected by an acceleration sensor or the like and a serious shock is predicted to occur in the portable information processing device, the magnetic head is mounted on the magnetic disk. Some of them are equipped with an APS (Hard Disk Active Protection System) that improves the impact resistance performance of the magnetic disk device by evacuating the disk.

  In the case of a notebook PC, since it is generally used in a relatively stable place such as on a desk or on a knee, when the occurrence of an impact is predicted by APS, it often leads to the notebook PC falling, and the magnetic head It is effective to evacuate.

  On the other hand, tablet computers (hereinafter referred to as “tablet PCs”) are often used by hand, and in this case, minute vibrations and tilts frequently occur.

  When APS is applied to a tablet PC in the same way as a notebook PC, it is impossible to deny the possibility that the magnetic head is unnecessarily retracted by detecting vibration or tilt of the tablet PC that does not actually drop. In this case, every time vibration or the like occurs in the tablet PC, the magnetic head is retracted from the magnetic disk, which is rather a cause of impairing practical usability.

Japanese Patent No. 3961480

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and is used as a tablet PC in a portable information processing apparatus having a magnetic disk device protection function for retracting a head of a magnetic disk device in anticipation of occurrence of an impact. In this case, an object of the present invention is to provide a portable information processing apparatus capable of preventing a user's usability from being impaired by a magnetic disk device protection function, a magnetic disk device protection method thereof, and a computer-executable program. .

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention is a portable information processing apparatus that can be used as a tablet PC, and the magnetic disk device and the magnetic disk when the occurrence of an impact is predicted. Magnetic disk device protection means for executing a magnetic disk device protection function for retracting the head of the device; and user use grip detection means for detecting whether or not the user is gripping the portable information processing device in use. The magnetic disk device protection means temporarily activates the magnetic disk device protection function when the user use grip detection means detects that the user is gripping the portable information processing device in use. It is characterized by being invalidated.

  According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the user-use grip detection means includes a first detection means for detecting whether or not the user is gripping the portable information processing device, and the user is the portable information. Second detection means for detecting whether or not the processing device is in a non-use state, and the first detection means detects that the user is holding the portable information processing device, and When the second detection means does not detect that the user is not in use of the portable information processing device, it is desirable that the portable information processing device be determined to be held in use.

  According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, when the first detection means detects a user's contact with a contact-type proximity sensor arranged in a housing of the portable information processing device, the first detection means uses a touch screen. It is desirable to detect that the user is holding the portable information processing device in at least one of the cases of detecting contact of the user and detecting input of the keyboard.

  According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, in the second detection means, the area touched by the touch screen includes a boundary with the housing, and the length of the touched boundary is equal to or greater than a threshold value. In this case, it is desirable that the user detects that the portable information processing device is not in use.

  According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the second detection means includes a case where the area touched by the touch screen includes a boundary with the housing and the area of the touched area is equal to or greater than a threshold value. In addition, it is desirable that the user detects that the portable information processing apparatus is not in use.

  According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the second detection means includes a region where the touch screen is touched, including a boundary with the housing, and the touched time is equal to or greater than a threshold value. It is desirable for the user to detect that the portable information processing apparatus is not in use.

  According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the second detecting means detects that the portable information processing apparatus is not in use when the user's face is not detected by the camera. Is desirable.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention is a portable information processing apparatus that can be used as a notebook PC and a tablet PC, and predicts the occurrence of a magnetic disk device and an impact. Magnetic disk device protection means for executing a magnetic disk device protection function for retracting the head of the magnetic disk device, wherein the magnetic disk device protection means is used as the notebook PC and as the tablet PC. Detecting whether or not the user is holding the portable information processing device in use when the tablet PC is used as a condition for executing the magnetic disk device protection function. A user-use grip detection means, and the magnetic disk device protection means is used when used as the notebook PC. When the magnetic disk device protection function is always enabled and used as the tablet PC, when the user use grip detection unit detects that the user is gripping the portable information processing device in use, The magnetic disk device protection function is temporarily disabled.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention is a method for protecting a magnetic disk device of a portable information processing apparatus that includes a magnetic disk device and can be used as a tablet PC, and generates an impact. The magnetic disk device protection process for executing the magnetic disk device protection function for retracting the head of the magnetic disk device, and detecting whether the user is holding the portable information processing device in use And detecting the magnetic disk device when the user detects that the portable information processing device is being held in use in the detecting step. Is temporarily invalidated.

  Further, in order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention is a program that is followed by a portable information processing apparatus that includes a magnetic disk device and can be used as a tablet PC, and that generates an impact. When predicted, a magnetic disk device protection step for executing a magnetic disk device protection function for retracting the head of the magnetic disk device and detecting whether the user is holding the portable information processing device in use And detecting the magnetic disk device when the user detects that the portable information processing device is being held in use in the magnetic disk device protection step. The protection function is temporarily disabled.

  According to the portable information processing apparatus of the present invention, when used as a tablet PC, there is an effect that it is possible to prevent the user's usability from being impaired by the magnetic disk device protection function.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a position where the portable information processing device according to the embodiment is closed. FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the portable information processing apparatus according to the configuration of the embodiment of FIG. 1A in a closed position. FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the portable information processing apparatus according to the configuration of the embodiment of FIG. FIG. 1-D is a perspective view of the portable information processing apparatus according to another configuration of the embodiment of FIG. 1-A with the keyboard facing upward. FIG. 1-E is a perspective view of the portable information processing apparatus according to another configuration of the embodiment of FIG. FIG. 1-F is a diagram for explaining a touch area when the user holds the portable information processing apparatus in a non-use state. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the portable information processing apparatus. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a general device configuration of the HDD. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic functional configuration related to the APS of the HDD. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a timing chart for explaining the APS control in the notebook PC mode. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a timing chart for explaining the APS control in the tablet PC mode. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a timing chart for explaining the APS control in the tablet PC mode. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a timing chart for explaining the APS control in the tablet PC mode. FIG. 9A is a diagram for explaining an external configuration of the portable information processing device according to the first modification. FIG. 9B is a diagram for explaining an external configuration of the portable information processing apparatus according to the first modification. FIG. 9C is a diagram for explaining an external configuration of the portable information processing device according to the first modification. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an external configuration of a portable information processing device according to the second modification. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which the user grips the portable information processing device in the usage state. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which the user grips the portable information processing device in the usage state.

  Hereinafter, a portable information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, a method for protecting the magnetic disk apparatus, and a program executable by the computer 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 claims, but merely to the selected implementation 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 implemented without one or more of the specific details or with other methods, components, and materials.

  In the portable information processing apparatus having a magnetic disk device protection function for predicting the occurrence of an impact and retracting the head of the magnetic disk device in Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-202523 (not disclosed at the time of application), When used as a PC, in order not to impair the user's usability by the magnetic disk device protection function, if the user detects that the portable information processing device is gripped, the magnetic disk device protection function is Proposed device, method and program to temporarily disable.

  In addition, this time, the applicant of the present application, even when the user is holding the portable information processing apparatus, when holding for use, when holding for movement, etc., that is, non-use state We paid attention to the case of holding with FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example when the portable information processing device (tablet) is gripped in use, and FIG. 12 is a diagram of when the portable information processing device (tablet) is gripped in a non-use state. It is a figure which shows an example.

  If the magnetic disk device protection function is temporarily disabled when gripping in a non-use state, for example, if the portable information processing device is bumped into something while being gripped and moved by hand In some cases, the magnetic disk device cannot be protected. Therefore, in this application, when the user is holding the portable information processing device, the magnetic disk device protection function is temporarily disabled so as not to impair the user's usability when holding the user for use. On the other hand, in the case of gripping in a non-use state, the magnetic disk device protection function is not invalidated in order to prevent a failure of the magnetic disk device.

  Note that when the user is holding the portable information processing device in a non-use state, even if the magnetic disk device protection function is enabled, the user is not in the use state, so that the user's usability is not impaired at all.

  With reference to FIG. 1-A to FIG. 1-E, an external configuration of the portable information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. The portable information processing apparatus is a so-called convertible type, and can be used as a notebook PC and a tablet PC.

  FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a position where the portable information processing device according to the embodiment is closed. FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the portable information processing apparatus according to the configuration of the embodiment of FIG. 1A in a closed position. FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the portable information processing apparatus according to the configuration of the embodiment of FIG. FIG. 1-D is a perspective view of the portable information processing apparatus according to another configuration of the embodiment of FIG. 1-A with the keyboard facing upward. FIG. 1-E is a perspective view of the portable information processing apparatus according to another configuration of the embodiment of FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A to 1E, the portable information processing apparatus 1 includes a touch screen 16 that includes an LCD (see FIG. 2) and a touch sensor (see FIG. 2) arranged on the LCD. A display-side housing 11 and a main body-side housing 12 in which an input unit 19 including a keyboard 17 and a touch pad 18 is disposed. The display-side housing 11 and the main body-side housing 12 are paired with each other. It is connected via a hinge 20. The portable information processing device 1 includes a circuit board including a CPU in the main body side housing 12.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the touch screen 16 faces the main body side housing 12 when the portable information processing device 1 is in a closed position. The touch screen 16 is connected so as to be controllable by the CPU, and presents data to the user of the portable information processing apparatus 1.

  The pair of hinges 20 are connected by the end 11 a of the display-side casing 11 and the end 12 b of the main body-side casing 12. The display-side casing 11 can rotate around the pair of hinges 20 with respect to the main body-side casing 12. The display-side casing 11 can be rotated substantially 360 degrees (around the X axis) with respect to the main body-side casing 12.

  FIGS. 1B to 1D show an operation example of the display-side casing 11 that can be opened at different angles with respect to the main body-side casing 12. FIG. 1-E further shows the touch screen 16 facing upward. The user can light or tap the touch screen 16 using an indicator such as a finger, for example.

  In the state shown in FIG. 1-B, the portable information processing apparatus 1 having the above configuration is in the notebook PC mode, and can be used as an ordinary notebook PC by an operation by the input unit 19. 1-D and 1-E, the display-side casing 11 is rotated 360 degrees with respect to the main-body-side casing 12, and the display-side casing 15 is placed on the main-body-side casing 14. If it folds so that it may overlap and it makes the display 11 face the front, it will be in tablet PC mode. In the tablet PC mode, the user can use the portable information processing apparatus 1 by hand, and can use it by operating the touch screen 16. For example, the CPU can switch between a notebook PC mode and a tablet PC mode by detecting a rotation angle of the display side casing 11 with respect to the main body side casing 12 by a sensor (not shown).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1-B, an HDD (magnetic disk device) 30 is arranged inside the main body side housing 12. Further, an acceleration sensor is disposed inside or outside the HDD 30 in the main body side housing 12. Further, a pair of proximity sensors 40 are arranged at a position below the touch pad 18 on the surface on which the input unit 19 of the outer casing 12 is arranged and at a substantially central position below the touch screen 16 of the display-side casing 12. Yes. The proximity sensor 40 detects that the user touches by, for example, a capacitive contact detection method. The proximity sensor 40 is disposed at a position where the user is highly likely to hold the portable information processing apparatus 1 in the tablet PC mode.

  As will be described in detail later, the portable information processing device 1 includes an APS (magnetic disk device protection function) in order to protect the HDD 30 from impact. The APS retracts the head when the occurrence of an impact on the HDD 30 is predicted, and prevents the head from colliding with the disk.

  When a user uses a tablet PC, the user often uses the tablet PC in his / her hand. Therefore, it is easier to give vibration and tilt to the main body than when using a notebook PC. Although this vibration and inclination may be accompanied by dropping of the main body, in general, there are many vibrations and inclinations in the normal use range of the user. For this reason, if the APS is executed on the tablet PC using the same algorithm as that of the notebook PC, the head is retracted despite the vibration and inclination not accompanied by a drop, and the operability of the user may be impaired.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the APS algorithm is different between the notebook PC mode and the tablet PC mode. More specifically, APS is always enabled in the notebook PC mode. On the other hand, in the tablet PC mode, when the gripping state of the main body by the user is detected, it is determined that the user is gripping and using the portable information processing device 1 and the APS is temporarily disabled. The user operability in the tablet PC mode is not impaired.

  Further, in the present embodiment, in the tablet PC mode, when the gripping state of the main body by the user is detected, the APS is temporarily disabled only when the user is gripping the main body in the usage state, The APS is not invalidated when the main body is held in a non-use state. That is, in the tablet PC mode, the APS is temporarily disabled only when the user is holding the main body in the use state. Thereby, when the user is using, the user operability in the tablet PC mode can be prevented from being impaired, and when the user is not using, the HDD 30 may be damaged due to collision or dropping. It becomes possible to prevent.

  Here, the gripping state of the main body is detected based on contact detection by the proximity sensor 40, touch detection by the touch screen 16, and input detection of the keyboard 17 and the touch pad 18 of the input unit 19.

  In the tablet PC mode, as shown in FIG. 1-E, the touch screen 16 of the display side housing 11 is located on the front side, and the input unit 19 of the main body side housing 12 is located on the back side. For this reason, when the user holds the portable information processing apparatus 1, the input unit 19 is often held in a state of being supported by a hand. Therefore, when the proximity sensor 40 detects the user's contact, the touch screen 16 When the touch of the user is detected or when the keyboard 17 or the touch pad 18 of the input unit 19 is pressed, it is determined that the user is holding the portable information processing device 1.

  FIG. 1-F is a diagram for describing a touch area when the user holds the portable information processing device in a non-use state. In the tablet PC mode, when the user holds the portable information processing apparatus 1 in a non-use state, for example, as shown in FIG. 1-F, the boundary between the display-side casing 11 and the touch screen 16 (Edge) In many cases, gripping across the edge B. In FIG. 1-F, the shaded area indicates the touch area touched, BL indicates the length of the boundary area of the touch area, and S1 indicates the area of the touch area.

  In the present embodiment, for example, when the touch area of the touch screen 16 includes the boundary B and the length BL of the touched boundary B is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the portable information processing device 1 is not used. You may decide that it is. Further, when the touch area of the touch screen 16 includes the boundary B and the area of the touched area is equal to or larger than the threshold value, it may be determined that the portable information processing device 1 is not in use. Further, when the touch area of the touch screen 16 includes the boundary B and the touched time is equal to or greater than the threshold, it may be determined that the portable information processing device 1 is determined to be in a non-use state.

  On the other hand, even when the user grips the portable information processing apparatus 1 in a non-use state, the boundary B of the touch screen 16 may not be touched, so that the area S1 of the touch area of the touch screen 16 is equal to or larger than the threshold value. You may judge that it is a non-use state.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a hardware configuration of the portable information processing apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the portable information processing apparatus 1 includes a CPU 101, a ROM 102, a memory 103, an LCD 13, a graphics adapter 105, an HDD 30, a proximity sensor 40, an acceleration sensor 41, a touch sensor 14, and an input unit. 19, an embedded controller 109, a USB port 106, 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 portable information processing apparatus 1 by the OS stored in the HDD 30 connected via the bus, and manages the function of executing processing based on various programs stored in the HDD 30. 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.

  The HDD 30 includes, for example, an OS for controlling the entire portable information processing apparatus 1 such as Windows (registered trademark), iOS (registered trademark), and Android (registered trademark), and various types of hardware for operating peripheral devices. It has a function to store a driver, an application directed to a specific job, and various data and files.

  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 controls communication with other devices via the 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 proximity sensor 40 is, for example, for detecting a touch by a user using a capacitance-type contact detection method, and outputs a detection signal to the embedded controller 109. The acceleration sensor 41 detects three-axis (X / Y / Z-axis) acceleration and outputs acceleration information to the embedded controller 109.

  The input unit 19 includes a keyboard 17 composed of various keys for inputting characters, commands, and the like, and a touch pad 18 that is a pointing device for moving a cursor on the screen. The keyboard 17 is a keyboard of a predetermined standard, and outputs information on the operated keys to the embedded controller 109. The touch pad 18 outputs the operated coordinate information to the embedded controller 109.

The touch sensor module 70 includes a touch sensor 14, a controller IC 71, and the like. The touch sensor 14 is, for example, a capacitive touch sensor, and can perform multipoint detection and surface detection. The touch sensor 14 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 control IC 71 is for controlling the drive and detection of the touch sensor 14 and includes a driver circuit, a processor, firmware, and the like. The control IC 71 detects the touch position of the user with respect to the touch sensor 14 and outputs the detected position to the embedded controller 109. In addition, the control IC 71 detects a user's touch on the touch sensor 14, performs various calculations, and outputs the result to the embedded controller 109.

  The embedded controller 109 performs various processes when the processor executes a program stored in a ROM or the like, and controls operations of the proximity sensor 40, the acceleration sensor 41, the input unit 19, and the touch sensor module 70.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a general device configuration of the HDD 30. The HDD 30 has a structure in which the magnetic head 31 is separated from the magnetic disk 12 for a predetermined evacuation rather than when the magnetic head 31 is on the magnetic disk 32 for reading and writing data (when loading: position (a)). When it is in the position (when unloading: position (b)), it has higher resistance to impact and vibration. Therefore, when the portable information processing apparatus 1 receives a large impact, the impact resistance performance of the HDD 30 can be improved by retracting the magnetic head 31 from the magnetic disk 32 to a ramp mechanism (not shown) in advance. . The most frequent example in the case where the portable information processing device 1 receives a large impact is a case where the portable information processing device 1 is dropped from a position where the portable information processing device 1 is used by being held on a desk, on a knee, or by hand. Therefore, the portable information processing device 1 detects the sign that the portable information processing device 1 will fall, and the magnetic head 31 is retracted from the magnetic disk 32 before the impact caused by the fall, thereby protecting the HDD 30.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a schematic functional configuration related to the APS of the HDD 30. In FIG. 4, an application 61, an OS 62, an APS driver 50, and an HDD device driver 63 are read from the HDD 30 into the memory 103 and executed by the CPU 101.

  When the application 61 accesses (records and reads) data in the HDD 30, it is performed via the OS 62. The OS 62 manages data recorded in the HDD 30. The OS 62 creates a FAT (File Allocation Table) and a directory, and manages recording, reading, deleting, moving, and the like of data related to the HDD 30.

  The embedded controller 109 outputs acceleration information input from the acceleration sensor 41 to the shock prediction unit 52 of the APS driver 50. Further, in the tablet PC mode, the embedded controller 109 has user-use main body grip information indicating a grip state of the main body when the user is in use (for example, “1” when the main body is gripped in the use state, When the main body is not gripped in use, “0”) is output to the HDD filter driver 51 of the APS driver 50.

  More specifically, the proximity sensor 40 outputs a detection signal indicating a user's touch (“1” when a user touch is detected, “0” when a user touch is not detected) to the embedded controller 109. To do. When there is at least one of keyboard input and touch pad input, the input unit 19 detects a user touch detection signal (“1” when a user touch is detected, “0” when a user touch is not detected. ]) To the embedded controller 109. In addition, the control IC 71 of the touch sensor module 50 generates a detection signal indicating the user's touch on the touch sensor 14 (“1” when the user touch is detected, “0” when the user touch is not detected), Output to the embedded controller 109. The embedded controller 109 uses the OR gate 109a to calculate the logical sum of these detection signals as user body grip information (for example, “1” when the user is gripping the body, “0” when the user is not gripping the body). ).

  That is, the embedded controller 109 holds the main body when there is at least one of a user touch on the proximity sensor 40, a user touch on the touch sensor 14, and a keyboard input and touch pad input of the input unit 19. Judge that you are doing. Here, the gripping state of the user's main body is determined by detecting the user's touch on the proximity sensor 40, the user's touch on the touch sensor 14, and the keyboard input and touch pad input of the input unit 19. At least one may be detected.

  Further, the control IC 71 of the touch sensor module 70 is non-use state information indicating whether or not the portable information processing device 1 is in a non-use state (“1” in the non-use state, “0” in the use state). Is output to the embedded controller 109. More specifically, as described above with reference to FIG. 1-F, for example, the control IC 71 includes: (1) the area touched by the touch sensor 14 includes the boundary B with the display-side housing 11 and touch When the length BL of the touched boundary B is equal to or greater than the threshold value, (2) the area touched by the touch sensor 14 includes the boundary B with the display-side housing 11 and the area S1 of the touched area is When the threshold is equal to or greater than the threshold, (3) When the area touched by the touch sensor 14 includes the boundary B with the display-side casing 11 and the touched time is equal to or greater than the threshold, (4) the touch sensor 14 When the area S1 of the touched area is equal to or larger than the threshold value, a non-use state signal indicating the non-use state may be output when one or more of the areas are met.

  In the AND gate 109b, the embedded controller 109 calculates the logical product of the user main body grip information and the inversion information of the non-use state information as the user use main body grip information (for example, “1” when the main body is gripped in the use state, When the main body is not gripped in use, “0” is output to the HDD filter driver 51 of the APS driver 50. That is, the non-use state information functions as a signal that prohibits disabling the APS, and disabling the APS is prohibited when the user is in the non-use state even when holding the main body. The

  The embedded controller 109, the touch sensor module 70, the proximity sensor 40, and the input unit 19 function as a user use grip detection unit 100 that detects whether or not the user is gripping the main body in a use state.

  Note that the method of detecting whether or not the user is in a non-use state of the user is not limited to the method of detecting using the touch sensor 14 as described above, and other methods may be used. Good. For example, a camera may be mounted on the display-side casing 11, the surroundings may be monitored with the camera, and it may be detected whether the user is not using the main body based on the detection result. More specifically, non-use state information (“1” when no human face is detected, “0” when a human face is detected) based on the detection result of the human face in the image monitored by the camera. It may be output to the embedded controller 109.

  The APS driver 50 includes a shock prediction unit 52 and an HDD filter driver 51. The shock prediction unit 52 analyzes the acceleration information obtained by the acceleration sensor 41, analyzes the vibration and tilt of the main body, determines the state of the HDD 30, predicts the occurrence of shock (falling, etc.), and predicts the impact. Information (for example, “1” when the occurrence of an impact is predicted and “0” when the occurrence of an impact is not predicted) is output to the HDD filter driver 51.

  The HDD filter driver 51 controls the operation of the HDD 30 via the HDD disk driver 63 in accordance with an instruction from the OS 62. The HDD filter driver 51 loads / unloads the head 31 of the HDD 30. The HDD filter driver 51 performs different APS control on the HDD 30 in the notebook PC mode and the tablet PC mode. In the notebook PC mode, the HDD filter driver 51 retracts the head 31 based on the shock prediction information input from the shock prediction unit 52. More specifically, in the notebook PC mode, the HDD filter driver 51 outputs a save command when the shock prediction information input from the shock prediction unit 52 is “1”.

  On the other hand, in the tablet PC mode, the HDD filter driver 51 retracts the head 31 based on the shock prediction information input from the shock prediction unit 52 and the user-use main body grip information input from the embedded controller 109. Let That is, in the tablet PC mode, when the user-use main body grip information is “1”, the APS is temporarily invalidated, and then the APS is validated. More specifically, in the tablet PC mode, when the impact prediction information is “1” and the user-use main body grip information is “1”, the APS is invalidated for a predetermined period T, and the predetermined period After T elapses, APS is validated and a save command is output. As will be described later, an arbitrary value can be set for the predetermined period T.

  The HDD device driver 63 controls the operation and data transfer of the HDD 30 according to the control of the HDD filter driver 51. When the HDD 30 receives a retract command from the HDD filter driver 51 via the HDD device driver 63, the HDD 30 protects the data and the magnetic disk 32 from the impact by retracting the head 31 to the ramp mechanism and preparing for the impact. While the head 31 is retracted to the ramp mechanism, a command from the CPU 101 that accesses the HDD 30 is not executed.

  The HDD filter driver 51 expands the queue in the memory 103, queues the command sent to access the HDD 30 after the save command is generated, and sends the command queued after the save command is released. The data is sent to the HDD device driver 63.

  FIG. 5 is an example of a timing chart for explaining the APS control in the notebook PC mode, and FIGS. 6 to 9 are timing charts for explaining an example of the APS control in the tablet PC mode.

  An example of APS control in the notebook PC mode will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 5, impact prediction information (for example, “Shocked Detected” with impact occurrence prediction, “Stable” without impact occurrence prediction), HDD access status (for example, “Accessible” when accessible, “Inaccessible” when not accessible) Is shown.

  In FIG. 5, the HDD 30 can be accessed when there is no predicted impact occurrence. When the APS driver 50 predicts the occurrence of an impact (t1), the APS driver 50 retracts the head 31 of the HDD 30. As a result, the HDD 30 cannot be accessed. The APS driver 50 releases the retreat of the head 30 when no impact is predicted (t2). As a result, the HDD 30 can be accessed.

  An example of APS control in the tablet PC mode will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8, impact prediction information (for example, “Shocked Detected” with impact occurrence prediction, “Stable” without impact occurrence prediction), HDD access state (for example, “Accessible” when accessible, “No access” Inaccessible ”) and user-used main body holding information (for example,“ Detected ”when the user is holding the main body in the used state,“ Not Detected ”when the user is not holding the main body in the used state).

  In FIG. 6, the HDD 30 can be accessed when there is no predicted impact occurrence. When the APS driver 50 predicts the occurrence of an impact (t3), the APS driver 50 retracts the head 31 of the HDD 30. As a result, the HDD 30 cannot be accessed. When the APS driver 50 detects that the main body is gripped in the usage state by the user during the period in which the head 31 is retracted (t4), the APS driver 50 is invalidated only during the period T1 in which the main body gripping in the usage state by the user is detected. The retraction of the head 31 of the HDD 30 is released. As a result, the HDD 30 can be accessed. When the APS driver 50 does not detect the gripping of the main body in the usage state by the user (t5), the APS is enabled and the head 31 of the HDD 30 is retracted.

  For example, when the upper limit time Tuper that disables the APS is set and the period during which the user is holding the main body in the use state is equal to or less than the upper limit time Tuper, the APS is performed only during the period when the user is holding the main body in the use state. May be invalidated. In addition, when the period in which the user is holding the main body in the use state is longer than the upper limit time Tuper, the APS may be invalidated only during the upper limit time Tuper.

  In FIG. 7, the HDD 30 can be accessed when there is no predicted impact occurrence. When the occurrence of an impact is predicted (t6), the APS driver 50 retracts the head 31 of the HDD 30. As a result, the HDD 30 cannot be accessed. When the APS driver 50 detects gripping of the main body in the use state by the user (t7), the APS driver 50 invalidates the APS only during the period T2 and releases the retraction of the head 31 of the HDD 30. When the period T2 has elapsed (t8), the APS driver 50 enables the APS and retracts the head 31 of the HDD 30.

  In FIG. 8, the HDD 30 can be accessed when there is no predicted impact occurrence. The APS driver 50 disables the APS only during the period T3 when the prediction of the occurrence of the impact and the detection of the gripping of the main body in the use state by the user are substantially simultaneous (t10). , APS is enabled and the head 31 of the HDD 30 is retracted. As a result, the HDD 30 cannot be accessed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the APS driver 50 causes the HDD filter driver 51 to perform different APS control on the HDD 30 in the notebook PC mode and the tablet PC mode, and the notebook PC mode. In this case, when the APS is always enabled and used as a tablet PC, the APS is temporarily disabled when the gripping state in the use state of the portable information processing device 1 by the user is detected. Therefore, when used as a tablet PC, the time during which the HDD 30 can be accessed is longer than in the case of a notebook PC, and the user-friendliness can be prevented from being impaired by APS.

  In other words, even when the user is holding the portable information processing device 1 in the tablet PC mode, it is not desirable to uniformly disable the APS for the protection of the HDD 30, and thus the user can use the portable information processing device 1. Even when the user is gripping the user, the APS is temporarily disabled only when the user is gripping in the use state, and when the user is gripping in the non-use state, the APS is not disabled, thereby protecting the user convenience and the HDD 30. It is possible to achieve both.

(Modification 1)
In the portable information processing apparatus 1 according to the above-described embodiment, a configuration in which the display-side casing 11 can be rotated 360 ° around the X axis with respect to the main body-side casing 12 is shown. For example, the display-side casing 11 is a convertible type that can be rotated at least 180 ° around the Z-axis and at least 180-degree around the X-axis with respect to the main body-side casing 12. The present invention can also be applied to a portable information processing apparatus.

  9A to 9C are schematic external views of the portable information processing device 150 according to the first modification. As shown in FIG. 9-A, the portable information processing device 150 is a convertible type, and includes a display-side casing 151 on which a touch screen 153 is arranged, and a main body-side casing 152 on which a keyboard and the like are arranged. The main body side case 152 and the display side case 151 are connected by a connecting part 154 at the center of each end part, and the connecting part 154 makes these cases rotatable in a direction to open and close each other. . Further, the display-side casing 151 can be rotated at least 180 degrees with the display-side casing 151 opened with respect to the main body-side casing 152.

  The portable information processing apparatus 100 can be used as a normal notebook PC in the notebook PC use mode shown in FIG. 9-A. Further, as shown in FIG. 9B, the connecting portion 154 is rotated so that the display-side housing 151 is folded on the main body-side housing 152 so that the touch screen 151 faces the front. It becomes the tablet use mode shown in 9-B. In the case of the portable information processing apparatus 150, in the tablet use mode, the keyboard side surface of the main body side casing 152 is hidden under the display side casing 151, so that the keyboard cannot be used. For this reason, keyboard input cannot be used for grip detection detection of the user's main body, but otherwise, APS control similar to that of the portable information processing apparatus 1 of the above-described embodiment can be performed.

(Modification 2)
In the portable information processing apparatus 1 of the above-described embodiment, the convertible portable information processing apparatus has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to a normal tablet PC.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic external view of a portable information processing device 200 according to the second modification. As shown in FIG. 10, the portable information processing device 200 is a normal tablet PC and includes a touch screen 201. The portable information processing device 200 cannot use keyboard input to detect gripping of the user's main body, but otherwise, the APS is the same as the tablet PC mode of the portable information processing device 1 of the above embodiment. Control can be performed.

  As described above, the portable information processing device, the magnetic disk device protection method, and the computer-executable program according to the present invention protect the magnetic disk device from an impact in a tablet PC equipped with the magnetic disk device. Useful for.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Portable information processing apparatus 11 Display side housing | casing 12 Main body side housing | casing 13 LCD
14 Touch Sensor 16 Touch Screen 17 Keyboard 18 Touch Pad 19 Input Unit 20 Hinge 30 HDD (Magnetic Disk Device)
40 Proximity Sensor 41 Acceleration Sensor 50 APS Driver 51 HDD Filter Driver 52 Shock Prediction Unit 61 Application 62 OS
63 HDD device driver 70 Touch sensor module 71 Control IC
101 CPU
102 ROM
103 Memory 105 Graphics Adapter 106 USB Port 107 Communication Device 108 Power Supply Circuit 109 Embedded Controller

Claims (7)

A portable information processing apparatus that can be used as a tablet PC,
A magnetic disk unit;
A magnetic disk device protection means for executing a magnetic disk device protection function for retracting the head of the magnetic disk device when the occurrence of an impact is predicted;
User use grip detection means for detecting whether or not the user is gripping the portable information processing device in use;
With
The magnetic disk device protection means temporarily disables the magnetic disk device protection function when the user use grip detection means detects that the user is gripping the portable information processing device in use. and,
The user use grip detection means includes:
First detection means for detecting whether or not a user is holding the portable information processing apparatus, and second detection means for detecting whether or not the user is not using the portable information processing apparatus When,
Including
The first detection means detects that the user is holding the portable information processing device, and the second detection means detects that the user is not using the portable information processing device. If not, the user determines that the portable information processing device is being held in use,
The second detection unit is configured so that when the area touched by the touch screen includes a boundary with the housing and the length of the touched boundary is equal to or greater than a threshold value, the user performs the portable information processing apparatus. Is detected as being in a non-use state . A portable information processing apparatus that can be used as a tablet PC,
A magnetic disk unit;
A magnetic disk device protection means for executing a magnetic disk device protection function for retracting the head of the magnetic disk device when the occurrence of an impact is predicted;
User use grip detection means for detecting whether or not the user is gripping the portable information processing device in use;
With
The magnetic disk device protection means temporarily disables the magnetic disk device protection function when the user use grip detection means detects that the user is gripping the portable information processing device in use. and,
The user use grip detection means includes:
First detection means for detecting whether or not a user is holding the portable information processing apparatus, and second detection means for detecting whether or not the user is not using the portable information processing apparatus When,
Including
The first detection means detects that the user is holding the portable information processing device, and the second detection means detects that the user is not using the portable information processing device. If not, the user determines that the portable information processing device is being held in use,
The second detection means may be configured so that when the area touched by the touch screen includes a boundary with the housing and the area of the touched area is equal to or greater than a threshold value, the user operates the portable information processing apparatus. A portable information processing apparatus, characterized in that it is detected as being in a non-use state . A portable information processing apparatus that can be used as a tablet PC,
A magnetic disk unit;
A magnetic disk device protection means for executing a magnetic disk device protection function for retracting the head of the magnetic disk device when the occurrence of an impact is predicted;
User use grip detection means for detecting whether or not the user is gripping the portable information processing device in use;
With
The magnetic disk device protection means temporarily disables the magnetic disk device protection function when the user use grip detection means detects that the user is gripping the portable information processing device in use. and,
The user use grip detection means includes:
First detection means for detecting whether or not a user is holding the portable information processing apparatus, and second detection means for detecting whether or not the user is not using the portable information processing apparatus When,
Including
The first detection means detects that the user is holding the portable information processing device, and the second detection means detects that the user is not using the portable information processing device. If not, the user determines that the portable information processing device is being held in use,
The second detection means is configured such that the user does not use the portable information processing apparatus when the area touched by the touch screen includes a boundary with the housing and the touched time is equal to or greater than a threshold value. A portable information processing apparatus that detects a state . A portable information processing apparatus that can be used as a tablet PC,
A magnetic disk unit;
A magnetic disk device protection means for executing a magnetic disk device protection function for retracting the head of the magnetic disk device when the occurrence of an impact is predicted;
User use grip detection means for detecting whether or not the user is gripping the portable information processing device in use;
With
The magnetic disk device protection means temporarily disables the magnetic disk device protection function when the user use grip detection means detects that the user is gripping the portable information processing device in use. and,
The user use grip detection means includes:
First detection means for detecting whether or not a user is holding the portable information processing apparatus, and second detection means for detecting whether or not the user is not using the portable information processing apparatus When,
Including
The first detection means detects that the user is holding the portable information processing device, and the second detection means detects that the user is not using the portable information processing device. If not, the user determines that the portable information processing device is being held in use,
The portable information processing apparatus, wherein the second detection means detects that the portable information processing apparatus is in a non-use state when a human face is not detected by the camera . A portable information processing apparatus that can be used as a notebook PC and a tablet PC,
A magnetic disk unit;
A magnetic disk device protection means for executing a magnetic disk device protection function for retracting the head of the magnetic disk device when the occurrence of an impact is predicted;
With
The magnetic disk device protection means varies the conditions for executing the magnetic disk device protection function when used as the notebook PC and when used as the tablet PC,
Furthermore, when using as the tablet PC, the user use grip detection means for detecting whether or not the user is gripping the portable information processing device in use,
The magnetic disk device protection means includes:
When used as the notebook PC, the magnetic disk device protection function is always valid,
When used as the tablet PC, when the user use grip detection means detects that the user is gripping the portable information processing device in use, the magnetic disk device protection function is temporarily activated. A portable information processing apparatus which is invalidated. A method of protecting a magnetic disk device of a portable information processing apparatus that includes a magnetic disk device and can be used as a tablet PC,
A magnetic disk device protection step for executing a magnetic disk device protection function for retracting the head of the magnetic disk device when an impact is predicted; and
A detection step of detecting whether or not the user is holding the portable information processing device in use;
Including
In the magnetic disk device protection step, if it is detected in the detection step that the user is holding the portable information processing device in use, the magnetic disk device protection function is temporarily disabled ,
The detection step includes
A first detection step for detecting whether or not the user is holding the portable information processing device, and a second detection step for detecting whether or not the user is not using the portable information processing device When,
Including
In the first detection step, it is detected that the user is holding the portable information processing device, and in the second detection step, it is detected that the user is not using the portable information processing device. If not, the user determines that the portable information processing device is being held in use,
In the second detection step, when the area touched by the touch screen includes a boundary with the housing and the length of the touched boundary is equal to or greater than a threshold value, the user performs the portable information processing apparatus. Is detected as being in a non-use state, and a method for protecting a magnetic disk device of a portable information processing device. A program to be investigated by a portable information processing device that includes a magnetic disk device and can be used as a tablet PC,
A magnetic disk device protection step for executing a magnetic disk device protection function for retracting the head of the magnetic disk device when an impact is predicted; and
A detection step of detecting whether or not the user is holding the portable information processing device in use;
To the computer,
In the magnetic disk device protection step, if it is detected in the detection step that the user is holding the portable information processing device in use, the magnetic disk device protection function is temporarily disabled ,
The detection step includes
A first detection step for detecting whether or not the user is holding the portable information processing device, and a second detection step for detecting whether or not the user is not using the portable information processing device When,
Including
In the first detection step, it is detected that the user is holding the portable information processing device, and in the second detection step, it is detected that the user is not using the portable information processing device. If not, the user determines that the portable information processing device is being held in use,
In the second detection step, when the area touched by the touch screen includes a boundary with the housing and the length of the touched boundary is equal to or greater than a threshold value, the user performs the portable information processing apparatus. A computer-executable program that detects that the computer is in a non-use state .

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