JP6797226B2 - Information processing device and its control method and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device, a control method thereof, and a program.

Some information processing devices such as notebook PCs are provided with a touch pad on the front side (user side) of the keyboard. In an information processing device having such a configuration, when key input is performed using a keyboard, a part of the palm may accidentally touch the touch pad, causing an erroneous operation.
Therefore, when the palm is detected on the touch pad, an erroneous operation prevention function for treating the input operation on the touch pad as an erroneous operation is incorporated (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2018-10512

By the way, the erroneous operation in the touch pad as described above generally occurs when the touch pad is arranged on the user side of the keyboard, and for example, when the relative positional relationship between the keyboard and the touch pad is different. , It is possible to increase the variety of touchpad functions and provide a more convenient information processing device.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device, a control method thereof, and a program capable of improving convenience.

A first aspect of the present invention is an information processing device including a first housing and a second housing, in which the second housing is openably and closably connected to the first housing. A main display provided in the two housings, a sub-display provided along the end side of the second housing in the first housing, and a side display provided on the upper surface of the first housing. The touchpad, an application execution unit that starts a predetermined application when a contact area equal to or larger than a predetermined area threshold value is detected on the operation surface of the touchpad, and the touchpad in the display area of the sub-display. in the region of the vicinity is an indication as to the predetermined application is activated information processing apparatus comprising a row intends display control unit.
A second aspect of the present invention is an information processing device including a first housing and a second housing, in which the second housing is openably and closably connected to the first housing. A main display provided in the two housings, a sub-display provided along the end side of the second housing in the first housing, and a side display provided on the upper surface of the first housing. The sub-display displays an application execution unit that activates a predetermined application when a contact area equal to or larger than a predetermined area threshold is detected on the touch pad and the operation surface of the touch pad, and a display relating to the activated application. The sub-display is capable of accepting pen input, and the application execution unit is provided with a display control unit for determining whether or not the pen is in the pen mode in which the pen is used. It is an information processing device that activates the predetermined application that accepts pen input when it is in the pen mode, and activates a launcher application when it is not in the pen mode.

A third aspect of the present invention includes a first housing, a second housing that is openably and closably connected to the first housing, a main display provided in the second housing, and the first. A control method for an information processing device including a sub-display provided along the end side of the second housing in the housing and a touch pad provided on the side of the upper surface of the first housing. When a contact area equal to or larger than a predetermined area threshold is detected on the operation surface of the touch pad, a step of invoking a predetermined application and a region in the vicinity of the touch pad in the display area of the sub-display are used. an indication as to start said predetermined application was a control method for an information processing apparatus and a row cormorants process computer executes.

A fourth aspect of the present invention includes a first housing, a second housing that is openably and closably connected to the first housing, a main display provided in the second housing, and the first. Information processing including a sub-display provided along the end side of the second housing in the housing and capable of receiving pen input, and a touch pad provided on the side of the upper surface of the first housing. In the device control method, a step of determining whether or not the pen is in the pen mode in which the pen is used and a contact area equal to or larger than a predetermined area threshold are detected on the operation surface of the touch pad, and the pen mode is used. In a certain case, a step of activating the predetermined application that accepts pen input, detecting a contact area equal to or larger than a predetermined area threshold on the operation surface of the touch pad, and activating the launcher application when the pen mode is not set . the display relating to the started predetermined application was and performing the sub-display is a method of controlling an information processing apparatus that the computer executes.

According to the present invention, there is an effect that convenience can be improved.

It is a schematic external view of the notebook PC which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which showed schematic the hardware structure of the notebook PC which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows a part of the function which the notebook PC which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention has. It is a figure which showed the display example of the sub-display at the time of starting a handwriting memo application in the notebook PC which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which showed an example of the use state of the handwriting memo application in the notebook PC which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which showed the display example of the sub-display when the history information of the handwritten memo application is displayed in the notebook PC which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which showed an example of the procedure of the process executed by the notebook PC which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows a part of the function which the notebook PC which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention has. It is a figure which showed the display example of the sub-display at the time of starting a launcher application in the notebook PC which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which showed an example of the procedure of the process executed by the notebook PC which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows a part of the function which the notebook PC which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention has. FIG. 5 is an enlarged schematic view showing an enlarged storage portion provided in a first housing in a notebook PC according to a third embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which showed an example of the procedure of the process executed by the notebook PC which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, its control method, and each embodiment of the program will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, a notebook PC will be illustrated as an example of the information processing device, but the present invention is not limited to this example.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a schematic external view of the notebook PC 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the notebook PC 1 is a so-called clamshell type personal computer including a first housing 2 and a second housing 3 which are substantially rectangular parallelepipeds. The first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are connected by a connecting portion 9a at or near their respective ends, for example. The connecting portion 9a is, for example, a hinge and supports the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 so as to be openable and closable.

The first housing 2 is provided with a sub-display 10 along the end side of the second housing 3. The sub-display 10 is connected to the first housing 2 by, for example, the connecting portion 9b. The connecting portion 9b is, for example, a hinge. The sub-display 10 can be accommodated in the accommodating portion 11 provided on the upper surface of the first housing 2 in the closed state, and the accommodating surface of the accommodating portion 11 and the back surface of the sub-display 10 (display screen is provided) in the open state. The angle θ formed with the surface (the side not covered) is configured to be, for example, in the range of 2 ° ≦ θ2 ≦ 40 °.

The sub-display 10 is configured to open with respect to the first housing 2, for example, when the second housing 3 is open with respect to the first housing 2. The sub-display 10 may be configured to manually rotate around the connecting portion 9b. In this case, as the connecting portion 9b, a torque hinge or the like capable of holding the sub-display 10 at a predetermined angle can be preferably used. Further, the sub-display 10 may be put into an upward urging state by using an urging member such as a spring. In this case, when the second housing 3 is closed, the second housing 3 can push the sub-display 10 downward to accommodate the sub-display 10 in the housing portion 11, and when the second housing 3 is opened. , The sub-display 10 can be automatically started up in conjunction with the second housing 3.

The first housing 2 is provided with an input device 4. The input device 4 is a user interface for the user to perform an input operation. FIG. 1 shows, as an example of the input device 4, a keyboard 5 and a touch pad 6 composed of various keys for inputting characters, commands, and the like. Further, the input device 4 may include a mouse, a track point, and the like.

The keyboard 5 is provided on the upper surface of the first housing 2 via the sub-display 10 on the side opposite to the second housing 3. For example, the keyboard 5 is provided at a substantially central portion on the upper surface of the first housing 2. The keyboard 5 may be a software keyboard or may be composed of physical keys.

The touch pad 6 is provided on the side portion on the upper surface of the first housing 2. In FIG. 1, the touch pad 6 is provided on the upper surface of the first housing 2 on the right side of the keyboard 5, but the present invention is not limited to this example, and the touch pad 6 may be provided on the left side of the keyboard 5.

The touch pad 6 is provided with, for example, a capacitance type, a resistive film type, or an electromagnetic induction type touch sensor, and is configured to detect an input operation on the operation surface.

The second housing 3 is provided with a main display 8 for displaying an image. The main display 8 is arranged on a surface facing the sub-display 10 with the second housing 3 closed to the first housing 2.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the hardware configuration of the notebook PC 1 according to the present embodiment. The notebook PC 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 20, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 21, a memory 22, a flash memory 23, a graphics adapter 24, a main display 8, a sub-display 10, a communication device 25, a power supply circuit 26, and an input device 4. It has. Each of these parts is connected via a bus 28.

The CPU 20 controls the entire notebook PC 1 by an OS (Operating System) stored in the flash memory 23 connected via the bus 28, and executes processing based on various programs stored in the flash memory 23. ..

The ROM 21 stores a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System), various data, and the like.
The memory 22 is composed of a cache memory and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The memory 22 is a writable memory used as a work area for reading the execution program of the CPU 20 and writing processing data by the execution program.

The flash memory 23 stores a multi-window OS for controlling the entire notebook PC 1, various drivers for operating peripheral devices in hardware, utility programs, various application programs, and the like. The notebook PC 1 may be provided with another storage means such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) as a storage means instead of the flash memory 23.

The graphics adapter 24 converts the display information into a video signal under the control of the CPU 20, and outputs the converted video signal to the main display 8 and the sub-display 10.

The main display 8 is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL display, and displays a video signal from the graphics adapter 24 as an image under the control of the CPU 20. Further, the main display 8 may be configured as a touch panel having an input detection function such as a touch sensor.

The sub-display 10 is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL display, and displays a video signal from the graphics adapter 24 as an image under the control of the CPU 20. Further, the sub-display 10 has a configuration capable of accepting input by the touch pen 7 described later.

The communication device 25 communicates with another device.
The power supply circuit 26 includes an AC adapter, a battery, a charger for charging the battery, a DC / DC converter, and the like, and supplies electric power to each configuration according to the control of the CPU 20.
The input signal corresponding to the user's input operation on the keyboard 5 and the touch pad 6 constituting the input device 4 is output to the CPU 20 via the bus 28.
The configuration and connection example of the notebook PC 1 shown in FIG. 2 is an example, and is not limited to this example.

FIG. 3 is a functional configuration diagram schematically showing a part of the functions included in the notebook PC 1 according to the present embodiment. The processes for realizing the various functions described below are stored in a computer-readable recording medium in the form of a program, and the various functions are realized by the CPU 20 or the like reading the program into the RAM and executing the program. To. The program is distributed in a form of being pre-installed in a storage medium such as a ROM or a flash memory 23, a form of being provided in a state of being stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or via a wired or wireless communication means. The form and the like may be applied. Computer-readable storage media include magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, semiconductor memories, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 3, the notebook PC 1 according to the present embodiment includes a contact area detection unit 31, a determination unit 32, an application execution unit 33, a display control unit 34, and a storage unit 35.

The contact area detection unit 31 detects the contact area of the touch pad 6 on the operation surface. Specifically, the contact area is detected based on the output signal from the sensor included in the touch pad 6. Further, for example, when a plurality of points are in contact with each other at the same time or almost at the same time, the total value of the contact areas thereof is output as the contact area. Further, the contact area may be an instantaneous value, or may be a value obtained by statistically processing the pressure value output from the pressure-sensitive sensor at a predetermined time in terms of time and space. The contact area detection method for the touch pad 6 is known by a technique such as palm rejection, and a suitable method may be appropriately selected and adopted.

The determination unit 32 determines whether or not the contact area detected by the contact area detection unit 31 is equal to or greater than a preset area threshold value.
Here, the area threshold value is set to, for example, a predetermined area equal to or larger than the area of the fingertips of a general human hand. Generally, when a cursor operation or a click operation is performed from the touch pad 6, the user performs an input operation using a fingertip. On the other hand, when a wider range than the fingertip touches the operation surface, it can be determined that the input is other than the cursor operation or the click operation.
Since the area of the fingertip differs depending on the user, the area threshold value may be customized.

When the determination unit 32 determines that the contact area is equal to or larger than the area threshold, the application execution unit 33 determines that a start instruction for an application that performs pen input has been input, and determines that a predetermined application that accepts pen input, for example, The handwritten memo application stored in the storage unit 35 is started.

The display control unit 34 displays the application on the sub-display 10 based on a command from the application execution unit 33. For example, the display control unit 34 displays the window of the handwritten memo application on the sub-display 10 when the handwritten memo application is started by the application execution unit 33.

For example, the display control unit 34 causes the window of the handwritten memo application to be displayed in the area near the touch pad 6 in the display area of the sub-display 10. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the handwritten memo application window 45 is displayed on the right side of the sub-display 10.

After starting the handwritten memo application, the application execution unit 33 executes the handwritten memo application based on the input information from the input device 4 such as the touch pen 7 and the keyboard 5. As a result, the memo writing corresponding to the input information from the user is displayed in the window 45 of the sub-display 10. Further, while the handwritten memo application is active, the application execution unit 33 determines that the input instruction by the contact area equal to or larger than the area threshold value in the touch pad 6 is an erroneous operation, and does not perform the process based on the input instruction (palm). Rejection function). Thereby, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the user can write a desired content in the window 45 using the touch pen 7 while placing the side portion of the palm on the touch pad 6.

Further, for example, when a save instruction is input from an input device 4 such as a touch pen 7 or a keyboard 5, or at a predetermined time interval and a predetermined timing, the application execution unit 33 performs a save process. As a result, the contents displayed in the window 45 of the sub-display 10 are stored in the storage unit 35. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the application execution unit 33 causes the sub-display 10 to display the information saved via the display control unit 34 as the history information 46. In this way, each time the saving process is performed, the saved information is displayed as the history information 46 on the sub-display 10, so that the user can easily check the history of the memo.

Next, an example of the processing procedure executed by the notebook PC 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7. In the following description, for convenience of explanation, a "handwritten memo" application (handwritten memo application) will be illustrated as an example of a predetermined application that accepts pen input.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure executed by the notebook PC 1 according to the present embodiment. This process is started, for example, by starting the notebook PC1 as a trigger.

First, it is determined whether or not a touch is detected on the operation surface of the touch pad 6 (SA1). As a result, if there is no touch (SA1: NO), SA1 is repeated until a touch is detected. On the other hand, when a touch is detected (SA1: YES), it is determined whether or not the contact area is equal to or larger than a preset area threshold value (SA2). As a result, when the contact area is less than the area threshold value (SA2: NO), in other words, when the contact area is about the fingertip, the process corresponding to the input operation is executed, and the process returns to step SA1.

On the other hand, in step SA2, when the contact area is equal to or larger than the area threshold value (SA2: YES), the handwritten memo application is started (SA3), and the window 45 of the “handwritten memo” is displayed on the sub-display 10 (SA4). .. Here, while the "handwritten memo" application is active, an input operation having a contact area equal to or larger than the area threshold value on the touchpad 6 is determined to be an erroneous operation, and processing based on the input operation is not performed (palm). Reject function).

Next, in the handwritten memo application, it is determined whether or not the saving process has been performed (SA5), and if the saving process has not been performed (SA5: NO), the process proceeds to step SA7. On the other hand, when the saving process is performed, the saved information is displayed on the sub-display 10 as history information (SA6). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the end instruction of the handwritten memo application is input (SA7), and if it is input, the handwritten memo application is terminated (SA8), and the process returns to step SA1. On the other hand, if the application termination instruction is not input (SA7: NO), the process returns to step SA5, and the subsequent processing is repeated.

As described above, according to the notebook PC 1 according to the present embodiment, its control method, and the program, since the touch pad 6 is arranged on the side of the first housing 2, keyboard input is performed. At that time, erroneous operations such as a part of the hand accidentally touching the touch pad 6 are unlikely to occur. Therefore, when a contact having a contact area equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold value is detected, it can be regarded as an input operation involving the intention of the user. In the present embodiment, such an input operation having a contact area equal to or larger than a predetermined area threshold value is defined as input of a predetermined application start instruction that accepts pen input. As a result, it is possible to increase the variety of functions of the touch pad and provide a more convenient information processing device.

That is, when the touch pad 6 detects a contact area equal to or larger than a predetermined area threshold value, it is determined that a start instruction of an application that accepts pen input has been input, and the predetermined application is started. As a result, the pen input application can be easily started by one action such as bringing the side surface of the hand into contact with the touch pad 6.

Further, while the pen input application activated in this way is active, an input operation having a contact area equal to or larger than a predetermined area threshold on the touch pad 6 is treated as an erroneous operation (so-called palm rejection function), and the pen is used. The window 45 of the application that accepts the input is displayed on the side of the sub-display 10 where the touch pad 6 is provided. As a result, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the user can perform pen input to the window (for example, memo pad) 45 displayed on the sub-display 10 while keeping the side surface of the hand on the touch pad 6. it can.

As a result, for example, the user first places the side of the hand on the touch pad 6 while holding the pen to start a predetermined application that accepts pen input, and the window displayed on the sub-display 10 while maintaining that state. Pen input can be started for (for example, memo pad) 45. As a result, it becomes possible to perform from the start instruction of the application that accepts the pen input to the pen input by continuous movement, and it is possible to further enhance the convenience.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, the information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, its control method, and the program will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the above-described first embodiment, when the contact area of the touchpad 6 is equal to or larger than a predetermined area threshold value, a predetermined application that accepts pen input is started, but in the present embodiment, the launcher application is started. It differs from the first embodiment described above in that it is different. Further, in the present embodiment, the sub-display 10 does not necessarily have to be configured to be able to detect pen input, and it is sufficient if it has a function of detecting contact with a fingertip.

The launcher application is, for example, an application having a function that enables an application or the like to be easily started on the OS. Information on the application that can be easily started is registered in the launcher application. The application to be registered can be added or deleted by the user as appropriate. At startup, the launcher application displays, for example, the icons of registered applications as a list, and when any icon is selected by the user, the application corresponding to the selected icon is started.
Hereinafter, the points in common with the above-described first embodiment of the present embodiment will be omitted, and the differences will be mainly described.

FIG. 8 is a functional configuration diagram schematically showing a part of the functions included in the notebook PC according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the notebook PC according to the present embodiment includes a contact area detection unit 31, a determination unit 32, an application execution unit 33, a display control unit 34, and a storage unit 35a. The storage unit 35a stores the launcher application and registered application information which is information of various applications registered in the launcher application.

The contact area detection unit 31 detects the contact area on the operation surface of the touch pad 6.
The determination unit 32 determines whether or not the contact area detected by the contact area detection unit 31 is equal to or greater than a predetermined area threshold value.
The application execution unit 33 starts the launcher application when the determination unit 32 determines that the contact area is equal to or larger than the area threshold value.

The display control unit 34 displays the application on the sub-display 10 based on a command from the application execution unit 33. For example, the display control unit 34 causes the sub-display 10 to display the icon of the application based on the registered application information when the launcher application is started by the application execution unit 33. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of the sub-display 10 when the launcher application is started. As shown in FIG. 9, the sub-display 10 displays a launcher screen including the icon 48 of the registered application.

When any one icon is selected in this launcher application, the application execution unit 33 executes the selected application and terminates the launcher application. As a result, the launcher screens of various icons displayed on the sub-display 10 are hidden. Further, the application execution unit 33 terminates the launcher application when the contact with the operation surface determined by the determination unit 32 to be equal to or greater than the predetermined area threshold value becomes less than the predetermined area threshold value, and the sub-display 10 The launcher screen 47 displayed in is hidden. As a result, for example, the launcher screen is displayed on the sub-display 10 only for the period when the user puts the side surface of the hand on the touch pad 6.

Next, an example of the control process executed by the notebook PC according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure executed by the notebook PC according to the present embodiment. This process is started, for example, by starting the notebook PC as a trigger.

First, it is determined whether or not a touch is detected on the operation surface of the touch pad 6 (SB1). As a result, if there is no touch (SB1: NO), SB1 is repeated until a touch is detected. On the other hand, when a touch is detected (SB1: YES), it is determined whether or not the contact area is equal to or larger than a preset area threshold value (SB2). As a result, when the contact area is less than the area threshold value (SB2: NO), in other words, when the contact area is about the fingertip, the process corresponding to the input operation is executed, and the process returns to step SB1.

On the other hand, in step SB2, when the contact area is equal to or larger than the area threshold value (SB2: YES), the launcher application is started (SB3) and the launcher screen is displayed on the sub-display 10 (SB4).

Next, it is determined whether or not any of the icons is selected on the launcher screen (SB5). As a result, when the icon is not selected (SB5: NO), it is determined whether or not the contact area is less than the area threshold value (SB6). That is, it is determined whether or not the side surface of the hand is separated from the operation surface. As a result, if the contact area is not less than the area threshold value (SB6: NO), the process returns to step SB4.
On the other hand, if the icon is selected in step SB5 (SB5: YES), or if the contact area is less than the area threshold in step SB6 (SB6: YES), the launcher application is terminated (SB7), and step SB1 Return to. As a result, the launcher screen displayed on the sub-display 10 is hidden.

As described above, according to the information processing device according to the present embodiment, the control method thereof, and the program, when the touch pad 6 detects a contact area equal to or larger than a predetermined area threshold value, the launcher application is started. Determines that the instruction has been entered and launches the launcher application. As a result, the launcher screen can be displayed on the sub-display 10 by one action such as touching the side surface of the hand to the touch pad 6.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the launcher screen 47 is displayed on the side of the sub-display 10 where the touch pad 6 is provided, so that the user can touch the side surface of the hand with the touch pad 6 as shown in FIG. You can select the icon displayed on the launcher screen while leaving it in. As a result, the desired application can be easily started in the registered application displayed on the launcher screen.

Further, when it is determined that the contact on the operation surface of the touch pad 6 is less than the predetermined area threshold value, the launcher application is terminated. As a result, after the launcher application is started, the user can easily hide the launcher screen by releasing the touch pad 6.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, the information processing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention, its control method, and the program will be described with reference to the drawings. In each of the above-described embodiments, when a contact area equal to or larger than a predetermined area threshold value is detected on the operation surface of the touch pad 6, a predetermined application is started and a display related to the application is displayed on the sub-display 10. In the present embodiment, in addition to the above determination based on the contact area, it is determined whether or not the pen mode is used. Then, the application to be started is different depending on whether the pen mode or not. Specifically, when it is in the pen mode, a predetermined application that accepts pen input is started, and when it is not in the pen mode, a launcher application is started.
Hereinafter, the points in common with the above-described embodiments of this embodiment will be omitted, and the differences will be mainly described.

FIG. 11 is a functional configuration diagram schematically showing a part of the functions included in the notebook PC according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the notebook PC according to the present embodiment includes a contact area detection unit 31, a determination unit 32, an application execution unit 33, a display control unit 34, a storage unit 35b, and a pen mode determination unit 36. .. In the storage unit 35b, for example, a handwritten memo application is stored as a predetermined application that accepts the pen mode. Further, the storage unit 35b stores the launcher application and the registered application information which is the information of various applications registered in the launcher application.

The contact area detection unit 31 detects the contact area on the operation surface of the touch pad 6.
The determination unit 32 determines whether or not the contact area detected by the contact area detection unit 31 is equal to or greater than a predetermined area threshold value.

The pen mode determination unit 36 recognizes the pen mode in which the touch pen 7 is used. For example, the notebook PC in the present embodiment is provided with a storage unit 13 for storing the touch pen 7 on one side surface of the first housing 2. FIG. 12 is an enlarged schematic view of the storage unit 13 provided in the first housing 2. As shown in FIG. 12, the storage unit 13 is provided with a storage detection switch 15. The storage detection switch 15 detects whether or not the touch pen 7 is stored in the storage unit 13. More specifically, when the touch pen 7 is stored in the storage unit 13, the storage detection switch 15 is pushed down in the internal direction (direction A in FIG. 12) of the first housing 2. On the other hand, when the touch pen 7 is taken out from the storage unit 13, the storage detection switch 15 is pushed up in the internal direction of the storage unit 13 (direction B in FIG. 12). That is, the storage detection switch 15 detects that the touch pen 7 has been taken out by being pushed up, and the storage detection switch 15 detects that the touch pen 7 has been stored by being pushed down. The state in which the storage detection switch 15 is pushed up is also referred to as an off state, and the state in which the storage detection switch 15 is pushed down is also referred to as an on state.

The pen mode determination unit 36 determines, for example, whether or not the pen mode is in a state in which the touch pen 7 is used based on a signal from the storage detection switch 15. More specifically, when the storage detection switch 15 is turned off, the pen mode is determined.
Here, the touch pen 7 is an indicator that can be carried by the user and is grasped by the user and used as an input device of a notebook PC. The type of the stylus 7 is not particularly limited, and may be a passive type, an active type, or another type.

The application execution unit 33 starts the handwriting memo application when the contact area detected by the contact area detection unit 31 is equal to or greater than a predetermined area threshold value and the pen mode determination unit 36 determines that the pen mode is in use. As a result, as described in detail in the first embodiment, the display control unit 34 displays a window 45 such as a memo pad on the sub-display 10 (see FIG. 4).

On the other hand, the application execution unit 33 activates the launcher application when the contact area detected by the contact area detection unit 31 is equal to or greater than a predetermined area threshold value and the pen mode determination unit 36 determines that the pen mode is not set. As a result, as described in detail in the second embodiment, the display control unit 34 displays the launcher screen 47 (see FIG. 9) on the sub-display 10.

Since each process after the handwritten memo application and the launcher application are started is as described above, the description in the present embodiment will be omitted.

Next, an example of the processing executed by the notebook PC according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure executed by the notebook PC according to the present embodiment. This process is started, for example, by starting the notebook PC as a trigger.

First, it is determined whether or not a touch is detected on the operation surface of the touch pad 6 (SC1). As a result, if there is no touch (SC1: NO), SC1 is repeated until a touch is detected. On the other hand, when a touch is detected (SC1: YES), it is determined whether or not the contact area is equal to or larger than a preset area threshold value (SC2). As a result, when the contact area is less than the area threshold value (SC2: NO), in other words, when the contact area is about the fingertip, the process corresponding to the input operation is executed, and the process returns to step SC1.

On the other hand, in step SC2, when the contact area is equal to or larger than the area threshold value (SC2: YES), it is determined whether or not the pen mode is used (SC3). As a result, when it is determined that the pen mode is set (SC3: YES), the handwritten memo application is started (SC4). As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the window 45 of the handwritten memo application is displayed on the sub-display 10. The processing after the start of the handwritten memo application is as described in detail in the first embodiment.

If it is determined in step SC3 that the pen mode is not set, the launcher application is started (SC5). As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the launcher screen 47 is displayed on the sub-display 10. The processing after the launcher application is started is as described in detail in the second embodiment.

As described above, according to the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, the control method thereof, and the program, when the touch pad 6 detects a contact area equal to or larger than a predetermined area threshold, the pen mode is used. In this case, it is determined that the start instruction of the predetermined application that accepts the pen input has been input, and the predetermined application that accepts the pen input is started. As a result, the pen input application can be easily started by one action such as bringing the side surface of the hand holding the touch pen 7 into contact with the touch pad 6.

On the other hand, when the touch pad 6 detects a contact area equal to or larger than a predetermined area threshold value and is not in the pen mode, it is determined that the launcher application start instruction has been input and the launcher application is started. As a result, the launcher screen 47 can be displayed on the sub-display 10 by one action such as bringing the side surface of the hand into contact with the touch pad 6.
In this way, when the user is not in the pen mode, it can be considered that the user does not want the pen input. Therefore, by starting an application other than the application that accepts the pen input, for example, the launcher application, the application desired by the user is started. Can be easily selected and activated.

In the present embodiment, the storage detection switch 15 is used as the detection means for detecting the presence / absence of the touch pen 7 in the storage unit 13, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the detection means may detect the presence or absence of storage of the touch pen 7. For example, a magnet may be installed in the touch pen 7, and a Hall element for detecting magnetic force may be installed in the storage unit 13 as the detection means. In this case, the pen mode determination unit 36 determines whether or not the pen mode is set based on the signal from the Hall element.

As another aspect, for example, when the sub-display 10 or the main display 8 displays an image indicating the start of the pen mode and the user touches this image, the pen mode determination unit 36 determines that the pen mode is in the pen mode. You may. Further, the touch pen 7 is provided with a sensor for detecting that the touch pen 7 is gripped by the user or a switch operated by the user, and the pen mode determination unit receives a detection result from this sensor or a signal indicating the operation state of the switch. , It may be determined whether or not it is in the pen mode.

Although the present invention has been described above using the embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. Various changes or improvements can be made to the above embodiments without departing from the gist of the invention, and the modified or improved forms are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Moreover, each embodiment may be combined appropriately.
Further, the flow of the display control process described in the above embodiment is also an example, and unnecessary steps are deleted, new steps are added, and the process order is changed within a range not deviating from the gist of the present invention. You may.

For example, in each embodiment, the sub-display 10 is configured to be tiltable in a certain angle range, but the sub-display 10 is not limited to this. For example, it may not have a function of rotating around a hinge and may be installed on the upper surface of the first housing 2.

1: Notebook PC
2: 1st housing 3: 2nd housing 4: Input device 5: Keyboard 6: Touch pad 7: Touch pen 8: Main display 9a: Connecting part 9b: Connecting part 10: Sub-display 11: Accommodating part 13: Storage part 15: Storage detection switch 20: CPU
21: ROM
22: Memory 23: Flash memory 24: Graphics adapter 25: Communication device 26: Power supply circuit 28: Bus 31: Contact area detection unit 32: Judgment unit 33: Application execution unit 34: Display control unit 35: Storage unit 35a: Storage unit 35b: Storage unit 36: Pen mode determination unit 45: Window 46: History information 47: Launcher screen 48: Icon

Claims (9)

An information processing device including a first housing and a second housing, in which the second housing is openably and closably connected to the first housing.
The main display provided in the second housing and
In the first housing, a sub-display provided along the end side of the second housing and
A touch pad provided on the side of the upper surface of the first housing and
An application execution unit that starts a predetermined application when a contact area equal to or larger than a predetermined area threshold value is detected on the operation surface of the touch pad.
Wherein a region in the vicinity of the touch pad in the sub display of the display area, the information processing apparatus comprising a row intends display control unit an indication as to the predetermined application is activated. The sub-display can accept pen input and
The predetermined application is an application that accepts pen input.
The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays a window of the predetermined application on the sub-display. The information processing according to claim 2 , wherein the display control unit displays the saved information as history information on the sub-display when the storage process is performed in the predetermined application displayed on the sub-display. apparatus. The predetermined application is a launcher application and
The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays a launcher screen on the sub-display. The information according to claim 4 , wherein when the launcher screen is displayed on the sub-display and the contact area is less than the predetermined area threshold value, the application execution unit terminates the launcher application. Processing equipment. The application execution unit according to claim 4 , wherein when the launcher screen including a plurality of icons is displayed on the sub-display and any one of the icons is selected , the application execution unit terminates the launcher application . Information processing device. An information processing device including a first housing and a second housing, in which the second housing is openably and closably connected to the first housing.
The main display provided in the second housing and
In the first housing, a sub-display provided along the end side of the second housing and
A touch pad provided on the side of the upper surface of the first housing and
An application execution unit that starts a predetermined application when a contact area equal to or larger than a predetermined area threshold value is detected on the operation surface of the touch pad.
A display control unit that displays the activated application on the sub-display ,
It is equipped with a pen mode determination unit that determines whether or not the pen is in the pen mode in which the pen is being used .
The sub-display can accept pen input and
The application execution unit is an information processing device that activates the predetermined application that accepts pen input in the pen mode, and activates the launcher application in the non-pen mode . The first housing, the second housing that is openable and closable to the first housing, the main display provided in the second housing, and the second housing in the first housing. It is a control method of an information processing apparatus including a sub-display provided along the end side of the first housing and a touch pad provided on the side portion on the upper surface of the first housing.
A step of activating a predetermined application when a contact area equal to or larger than a predetermined area threshold value is detected on the operation surface of the touch pad.
Wherein a region in the vicinity of the touch pad in the sub display of the display area, the control method for an information processing apparatus starts the computer a row Cormorant step an indication as to the predetermined application was to be executed. The first housing, the second housing that is openable and closable to the first housing, the main display provided in the second housing, and the second housing in the first housing. It is a control method of an information processing apparatus including a sub-display provided along the end side of the first housing and capable of receiving pen input, and a touch pad provided on the side portion on the upper surface of the first housing.
The process of determining whether or not the pen is in the pen mode in which it is used,
When a contact area equal to or larger than a predetermined area threshold value is detected on the operation surface of the touch pad and the pen mode is set, the predetermined application that accepts pen input is started, and the operation surface of the touch pad has a predetermined area threshold value. When the above contact area is detected and the pen mode is not set, the step of starting the launcher application and
A control method of an information processing device in which a computer executes a step of displaying an activated application related to the predetermined application on the sub-display.

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