JP7408749B1 - Information processing equipment and display support equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to improve convenience when using an extended display function. An information processing device (1) includes a display (3) and an extended display function for displaying information on a plurality of displays including the display (3). The display 3 is provided with a mounting portion for removably mounting a display support device 20 that supports a display 50 different from the display 3. The information processing device 1 includes a placement information acquisition unit that acquires placement information of the display support device 20 with respect to the display 3 from the display support device when the display support device 20 is attached to the display 3; and an extended display setting section that configures the extended display function based on the arrangement information while the display is supported. [Selection diagram] Figure 13

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device and a display support device.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an extended display function (multi-display function) is known in which a plurality of displays are connected to an information processing apparatus and images are displayed on these displays. By using the extended display function, for example, it becomes possible to treat a plurality of display screens as if they were one large display screen, and it is possible to provide an enlarged image to the user. Furthermore, by displaying different images on a plurality of display devices, a large amount of information can be provided to the user at the same time.

JP2020-64347A

When using such an extended display function, it is necessary to set the arrangement relationship between the main display and other displays. Conventionally, the user had to set the display arrangement by himself from the extended display setting screen.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device and a display support device that can improve convenience when using an extended display function.

A first aspect of the present invention is an information processing apparatus including a first display and an extended display function for displaying on a plurality of displays including the first display, a mounting part for removably mounting a display support device supporting a second display different from the first display; a placement information acquisition unit that acquires placement information of the display support device from the display support device; and setting an extended display function based on the placement information while the second display is supported by the display support device; The information processing apparatus includes an extended display setting section.

A second aspect of the present invention includes a mounting part for detachably mounting on a first display, a support part for supporting a second display different from the first display, and a mounting part for supporting a second display different from the first display. a placement detection unit that detects a mounting orientation with respect to the first display when the display is mounted; and a placement information that outputs placement information regarding the mounting orientation when electrically connected to an information processing device that includes the first display; A display support device includes an output section.

According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the convenience when using the extended display function.

1 is a schematic external view of an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic rear view of the display shown in FIG. 1; 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration included in an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a display support device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic rear view of a display support device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a display is supported by a display support device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a schematic external view showing one aspect of a display support device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration included in a display support device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a functional configuration diagram showing an example of functions provided in an information processing device and a display support device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a display support device according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to the right side of a display; FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a display support device according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to the left side of a display; FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of an extended display setting process executed by an information processing device and a display support device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a display support device according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to the right side of a display, and the display is supported by the display support device; FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an extended display setting screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An information processing device and a display support device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, an integrated desktop computer in which a display and a PC body are integrated, a so-called AIO (All-in-One) desktop PC, will be described as an example of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. It is not limited to this example. The information processing device may be any personal computer equipped with a display, such as a notebook PC. Further, the display and the PC main body do not necessarily have to be integrated, and the information processing device may be configured such that the PC main body and the display can communicate with each other via a wired or wireless communication medium.

FIG. 1 is a schematic external view of an information processing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing device 1 includes a display (first display) 3 and an extended display function for displaying on a plurality of displays including the display 3.

FIG. 2 is a schematic rear view of the display 3 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, a mounting portion 5 is provided on the back surface of the display 3 of the information processing device 1 to removably mount a display support device 20, which will be described later. For example, the mounting portion 5 includes metal plates 6 provided at the left and right ends of the back surface of the display 3. The information processing device 1 further includes an external interface (external device connection terminal) 14 for electrically connecting to the display support device 20. Although FIG. 2 shows an example in which the external interface 14 is provided on the metal plate 6, the present invention is not limited to this example. The external interface 14 may be installed at a location where the metal plate 6 is not provided. Furthermore, when the information processing device 1 and the display support device 20 communicate wirelessly, the external interface 14 can be omitted.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration included in the information processing device 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the information processing device 1 includes, for example, a display 3, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a main memory 12, and a secondary storage (memory). 13, an external interface 14, a communication interface 15, and the like. These units are connected to each other directly or indirectly via a bus, and cooperate with each other to execute various processes.

The information processing apparatus 1 may further include an input device 16. The input device 16 may be connected to the CPU 11 etc. via a bus, or may be connected via the external interface 14 or the communication interface 15. Examples of the input device 16 include a keyboard, touch pad, pointing device, and the like. Examples of pointing devices include a mouse, touch panel, pen tablet, trackpad, trackball, and the like. Furthermore, the information processing device 1 may include a speaker, a microphone, a camera, and the like.

For example, the CPU 11 controls the entire information processing device 1 using an OS (Operating System) stored in a secondary storage device 13 connected via a bus, and also executes various programs stored in the secondary storage device 13. Various processes are executed by executing the command. One or more CPUs 11 may be provided and may cooperate with each other to realize processing.

The main storage device 12 is composed of a writable memory such as a cache memory and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and is used as a work area for reading out an execution program of the CPU 11, writing processing data by the execution program, etc. .

The secondary storage device 13 is a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. The secondary storage device 13 is, for example, a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a semiconductor memory, or the like. Examples of the secondary storage device 13 include ROM (Read Only Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive) flash memory, and the like. The secondary storage device 13 includes, for example, an OS for controlling the entire information processing device 1 such as Windows (registered trademark), iOS (registered trademark), and Android (registered trademark), BIOS (Basic Input/Output System), It stores various device drivers for operating peripheral devices, various application software, and various data and files. Further, the secondary storage device 13 stores programs for implementing various processes and various data required for implementing various processes. A plurality of secondary storage devices 13 may be provided, and programs and data as described above may be stored in each secondary storage device 13 in a divided manner.

The external interface (external device connection terminal) 14 is an interface for connecting to the display support device 20 as an external device. An example of the external interface 14 is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port. Further, other examples include connection ports for performing data communication using UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter), I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit), and the like.
Further, the information processing device 1 may further include one or more external interfaces for connecting to external devices other than the display support device 20. Examples of external devices include an external monitor, a USB memory, an external HDD, an external camera, and the like.

The communication interface 15 functions as an interface for connecting to a network, communicating with other devices, and transmitting and receiving information. For example, the communication interface 15 communicates with other devices by wire or wirelessly. Examples of wireless communication include communication through lines such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), Wi-Fi, mobile communication systems (3G, 4G, 5G, 6G, LTE, etc.), and wireless LAN. An example of wired communication is communication through a line such as a wired LAN (Local Area Network).

4 is a schematic front view of the display support device 20, and FIG. 5 is a schematic rear view of the display support device 20. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the display support device 20 has, for example, a thin, substantially rectangular outer shape. The display support device 20 includes a first region AR1 attached to a metal plate 6 provided on the back surface of the display 3, and a display support device 20 for supporting a display (second display) 50 (see FIG. 6) used as an external display. It has a second area AR2.

A mounting portion for mounting the display support device 20 on the display 3 is provided in the first region AR1. The mounting portion includes, for example, a magnet 28a. Although FIGS. 4 and 5 show an example in which the magnet 28a is housed inside the display support device 20, the magnet 28a is not limited thereto. The magnet 28a may be attached to the surface of the first region AR1, for example.

Further, in the first area AR1, an external interface (connection terminal) 24a is provided for electrically connecting the display support device 20 to the information processing device 1 when the display support device 20 is attached to the display 3. ing. This external interface 24a corresponds to the external interface (external device connection terminal) 14 included in the information processing device 1.

A support portion for supporting a display 50 (see FIG. 6) used as an external display is provided in the second region AR2. In this embodiment, the magnet 28b is used as an example of the support section. Although FIGS. 4 and 5 show an example in which the magnet 28b is housed inside the display support device 20, the magnet 28b is not limited thereto. The magnet 28b may be attached to the surface of the second region AR2, for example.

Further, instead of supporting the display 50 using the magnet 28b, the support portion may support the display 50 using another method. For example, a frame for holding the display 50 may be attached to a fixed position in the second area AR2, and the display 50 may be housed within the frame. Further, by attaching fixtures and locking fixtures to the second region AR2 along the shape of the display 50, the display 50 may be supported by these fixtures. In this way, as a specific method for supporting the display 50, known techniques can be appropriately adopted.

The display support device 20 includes, for example, an external interface 24b for electrically connecting the display 50 and the display support device 20 in a third area AR3 provided between the first area AR1 and the second area AR2. We are prepared. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which the display 50 is supported by the display support device 20. As shown in FIG. 6, with the display 50 supported in the second area AR2, an external interface (not shown) provided on the display 50 and an external interface 24b provided in the third area AR3 are connected. Ru. Thereby, the display 50 and the display support device 20 are electrically connected and become communicable.

Here, as an example of the display 50, it is possible to employ an information processing device. Examples of information processing devices include tablet terminals, smartphones, and the like. An application for using the display 50 as an external monitor is installed on the display 50.
Further, the display support device 20 may be configured such that the angle θ between the surface of the first region AR1 and the surface of the second region AR2 can be changed, as shown in FIG. 7, for example.

FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the display support device 20. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the display support device 20 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21, a main memory 22, a secondary storage 23, an external interface 24a, 24b, and a communication interface 25. These units are connected to each other directly or indirectly via a bus, and cooperate with each other to execute various processes.
The hardware configuration of the display support device 20 is a well-known configuration, and the main configuration is the same as that of the information processing device 1 described above, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

Next, an example of the functions of the information processing device 1 and the display support device 20 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 9 is a functional configuration diagram showing an example of functions provided in the information processing device 1 and the display support device 20 according to the present embodiment.
A series of processes for realizing various functions described below are stored, for example, in the form of a program in the secondary storage devices 13 and 23, and the CPUs (processors) 11 and 21 store this program in the main storage device 12, By reading out the information to 22 and processing and calculating the information, various functions are realized. The program may be installed in the secondary storage devices 13, 23 in advance, stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, or provided via wired or wireless communication means. A form of distribution may also be applied. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable storage media include magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, semiconductor memories, and the like.

The information processing device 1 includes a placement information acquisition section 31 and an extended display setting section 32.
The placement information acquisition unit 31 acquires placement information of the display support device 20 with respect to the display 3 from the display support device 20 while the display support device 20 is attached to the display 3 .
The extended display setting unit 32 sets the extended display function based on the arrangement information acquired from the display support device 20 while the display 50 is supported by the display support device 20 .

The display support device 20 includes a mounting detection section 41 , a placement detection section 42 , a placement information output section 43 , a display connection detection section 44 , and a connection information output section 45 .
The attachment detection unit 41 detects that the display support device 20 is attached to the display 3 and that the external interface 24 a is connected to the external interface 14 of the information processing device 1 .
The arrangement detection section 42 detects the arrangement direction with respect to the display 3 when the attachment detection section 41 detects the electrical connection between the display support device 20 and the information processing device 1 . For example, the arrangement detection unit 42 includes an acceleration sensor, and detects the mounting orientation of the display support device 20 based on the detection result of the acceleration sensor. For example, when comparing the case where the display support device 20 is attached to the right side of the display 3 (see FIG. 10) and the case where it is attached to the left side (see FIG. 11), the attitude of the display support device 20 changes by 180 degrees. . Therefore, by detecting the posture of the display support device 20 (for example, whether it is in the normal position or the reverse position) using the acceleration sensor, it is possible to determine whether the display support device 20 is attached to the right side of the display 3 or to the left side. It is possible to detect whether the device is attached to the device.

When the mounting orientation of the display support device 20 is detected by the arrangement detection unit 42, the arrangement information output unit 43 outputs arrangement information that is information regarding the mounting orientation to the information processing device 1. The placement information output unit 43 outputs placement information via the external interface 24a. In this embodiment, the placement information is information indicating whether the display support device 20 is attached to the right side or the left side of the display 3.

The display connection detection unit 44 detects the electrical connection between the display 50 and the display support device 20 when the display 50 is connected via the external interface 24b.
The connection information output unit 45 sends a connection completion signal indicating that the display 50 is connected to the information processing device 1 when the display connection detection unit 44 detects an electrical connection between the display 50 and the display support device 20. Output to.

Next, the extended display setting process executed by the information processing device 1 and the display support device 20 according to the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. 12. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing procedure of the extended display setting process. This extended display setting process is realized by the CPUs 11 and 21 reading out programs stored in the secondary storage devices 13 and 23 to the main storage devices 12 and 22, and processing and calculating the information. .

For example, as shown in FIG. 10, when the display support device 20 is attached to the display 3 and the display support device 20 is electrically connected to the information processing device 1 via the external interfaces 14 and 24a, the display support device 20 The device 20 detects electrical connection with the information processing device 1 (SA1), and detects the mounting orientation based on the detection result of the acceleration sensor (SA2). Subsequently, the display support device 20 outputs placement information indicating the mounting orientation to the information processing device 1 via the external interface 24a (SA3). For example, in the mounting example shown in FIG. 10, the display support device 20 outputs, as placement information, placement information indicating that the display is mounted on the right side.

The information processing device 1 stores the arrangement information acquired from the display support device 20 in a predetermined storage area (SA4). Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 13, when the display 50 is supported by the display support device 20 and the external interface 24b of the display support device 20 and the external interface (not shown) of the display 50 are electrically connected, Display support device 20 detects electrical connection of display 50 (SA5). When the display support device 20 detects the electrical connection of the display 50, it outputs a connection completion signal indicating that the display 50 is connected to the information processing device 1 (SA6).

Upon receiving the connection completion signal, the information processing device 1 sets extended display based on the arrangement information (SA7). Thereby, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, the display 50 is set on the right side of the display 3 as a sub-display. This allows the physical arrangement of the display 50 to be automatically reflected in the extended display settings. As a result, display 50 can be used as an external monitor. Although the description has been omitted above, the display 50 is supported by the display support device 20 and is connected to the information processing device 1 via a video cable or the like. Furthermore, the connection may be made wirelessly without using a cable or the like.

As described above, the information processing device 1 and the display support device 20 according to the present embodiment have the following effects.

The display 3 includes a metal plate 6 to which a display support device 20 for supporting the display 50 is removably attached. Thereby, the display support device 20 can be easily and stably mounted.
The information processing device 1 includes a placement information acquisition unit 31 that acquires placement information of the display support device 20 with respect to the display 3 from the display support device 20 when the display support device 20 is attached to the display 3; The extended display setting section 32 is configured to set the extended display function based on the arrangement information while the display 50 is supported. As a result, while the display 50 is supported by the display support device 20, the extended display function is automatically set. Therefore, setting operations by the user can be made unnecessary, and convenience can be improved.

The display support device 20 includes a mounting part (for example, a magnet 28a) for detachably mounting on the display 3, and a support part (for example, a magnet 28b) for supporting a display 50 different from the display 3. We are prepared. This makes it possible to easily arrange the displays 50 on the left and right sides of the display 3.

The display support device 20 includes a placement detection unit 42 that detects the mounting orientation with respect to the display 3 when mounted on the display 3, and outputs placement information regarding the mounting orientation when electrically connected to the information processing device 1. A layout information output unit 43 is provided. Thereby, it becomes possible to automatically detect the physical arrangement of the display 50 with respect to the display 3 and promptly notify the information processing device 1 of the detected arrangement information.

The display support device 20 includes an external interface 24b for electrically connecting to the display 50, and a connection for outputting a connection completion signal indicating that the display 50 is connected when the display 50 is connected through the external interface 24b. and an information output section. This makes it possible to notify the information processing device 1 that the display 50 is physically arranged as a sub-display of the display 3.

Although the present invention has been described above using the embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the range described in the above embodiments. Various changes or improvements can be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the gist of the invention, and forms with such changes or improvements are also included within the technical scope of the present invention. Further, the above embodiments may be combined as appropriate.
Further, the process flow described in the above embodiment is only an example, and unnecessary steps may be deleted, new steps may be added, or the processing order may be changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention. good.

For example, in this embodiment, the metal plate 6 is provided on the back surface of the display 3, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the metal plate 6 may be provided on the side of the display 3.

In this embodiment, the metal plate 6 and the magnet 28a are used as the attachment part for detachably attaching the display support device 20 to the display 3, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, external device connection terminals are provided on the back or sides of the display 3, and connection terminals are provided on the display support device 20. Then, the display support device 20 may be attached to the information processing device 1 by inserting the connection terminal provided on the display support device 20 into an external device connection terminal provided in the information processing device 1. In this case, the physical connection (attachment) and electrical connection of the display support device 20 can be realized by a pair of connection terminals (connectors). As a result, the device configuration can be simplified.

An example of the external interface is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port. Further, other examples include connection ports for performing data communication using UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter), I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit), and the like.

In this embodiment, the information processing device 1 and the display support device 20 are electrically connected by directly connecting the external interface 24a to the external interface 14, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the information processing device 1 and the display support device 20 may be connected via a communication cable.

In the present embodiment, the display connection detection unit 44 detects the support of the display 50 by detecting the electrical connection between the display support device 20 and the display 50, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the display connection detection section 44 may have a function of detecting whether or not the display 50 is supported by the support section. For example, the display connection detector 44 can be replaced by a button that is pressed when the display 50 is supported. Alternatively, the state in which the display 50 is supported may be detected by other known means. In this case, the display connection detection unit 44 may output a connection completion signal to the information processing device 1 when it detects that the display 50 is supported.

1: Information processing device 3: Display (first display)
5: Mounting part 6: Metal plate 11: CPU
12: Main storage device 13: Secondary storage device 14: External interface 15: Communication interface 16: Input device 20: Display support device 21: CPU
22: Main storage device 23: Secondary storage device 24a: External interface 24b: External interface 25: Communication interface 28a: Magnet 28b: Magnet 31: Placement information acquisition section 32: Expanded display setting section 41: Attachment detection section 42: Placement detection Section 43: Arrangement information output section 44: Display connection detection section 45: Connection information output section 50: Display (second display)

Claims (7)

An information processing device including a first display and an extended display function for displaying on a plurality of displays including the first display,
a mounting section for removably mounting a display support device provided on the first display and supporting a second display different from the first display;
a placement information acquisition unit that acquires placement information of the display support device with respect to the first display from the display support device in a state where the display support device is attached to the first display;
an extended display setting unit that configures an extended display function based on the arrangement information after receiving a connection completion signal from the display supporting device indicating that the display supporting device is supporting the second display; An information processing device comprising: The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the mounting portion is a metal plate provided on the back or side of the first display. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mounting section is an external interface provided on the back or side of the first display. a mounting part for removably mounting the first display;
a support part for supporting a second display different from the first display;
a placement detection unit that detects a mounting orientation with respect to the first display when the display is mounted on the first display;
a placement information output unit that outputs placement information regarding the mounting orientation when electrically connected to the information processing device including the first display ;
a detection unit that detects that the second display is supported;
a connection information output unit that outputs a connection completion signal to the information processing device when it is detected that the second display is supported;
A display support device comprising: The mounting portion is a connection terminal for electrically connecting to an information processing device including the first display, and the connection terminal is inserted into an external device connection terminal provided to the information processing device to connect to the information processing device. installed,
The display support device according to claim 4, wherein the arrangement information output unit outputs the arrangement information to the information processing device through the connection terminal. comprising an external interface for electrically connecting with the second display,
The display support device according to claim 4, wherein the detection unit detects that the second display is supported when the second display is connected through the external interface. a mounting part for removably mounting the first display;
a support part for supporting a second display different from the first display;
a placement detection unit that detects a mounting orientation with respect to the first display when the display is mounted on the first display;
a placement information output unit that outputs placement information regarding the mounting orientation when electrically connected to the information processing device including the first display;
Equipped with
The mounting section is a display support device including a magnet.