TW201220711A - Portable computer system and method for switching key functions thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable computer system and a method for switching key functions thereof are provided. The portable computer system has an authentication state for secure login and an operation state, and is equipped with a physical key providing multi-function. When the portable computer system is in the operation state, the physical key is corresponding to a system default function. If the portable computer system is in the authentication state for secure login, a reception of a secure attention key (SAK) input is needed for summoning a login procedure of the portable computer system. In the method, a current state of the portable computer system is determined. If the portable computer system is in the authentication state for secure login, the physical key is set to correspond to a function of the SAK. When the portable computer system receives an input signal of pressing the physical key, the login procedure of the portable computer system is summoned.

Description

35517twf.doc/I 201220711 η VI. Description of the Invention: [Technical Field] The present invention relates to the application of a portable computer system, and in particular to the function of a physical button of a portable computer system Switch method. [Prior Art] In order to improve the convenience of operation, most computer systems support a combination of a plurality of specific keys, and can be quickly activated when the user inputs the keys constituting the combination keys in a predetermined order. Corresponding function. In general, the effective range of the combination keys is not necessarily the same. For example, a combination of keystrokes can function in all programs executed by a computer system. Application-level key combinations can only work when a particular application is active. If the application is not active or running in the background, the application-level key combination will not work. Among the many key combinations supported by the computer system, the "Ctrl+Alt+Del" key combination is widely used. The "Ctrl+Alt+Del" key combination consists of three buttons "Ctrl", "Alt", and "Delete". As the operating system installed in the computer system is different, the functions corresponding to the "Ctri+Alt+Del" combination key are slightly different. Take the computer system of the Windows operating system (such as wind〇ws 7) developed by Microsoft (Micr〇s〇ft) as an example. Once the secure login mechanism is enabled on the computer system, the login of the Windows operating system is displayed on the computer system. In the case of a face, the user must first press the "Ctrl+Alt+Del" key combination before entering the personal account password to be positive.

201220711 35517twf.doc/I completed the login action. Since only the Windows operating system can recognize the "Ctrl+Alt+Del" key combination, the secure login mechanism is enabled to determine the true Windows operating system login screen displayed on the screen and ensure that the user enters the key combination after pressing the key combination. The account password information in the login dialog will only be read by the Windows operating system, and malicious programs such as viruses or spyware will be prevented from intercepting the account number >. In such a usage scenario, the "Ctri+Ait+Del _j key combination can be called a Secure Attention Key (SAK). However, for a low-cost tablet (TabletPC), as its main input device. Most of the touch screens can only accept single-point or up to two-point touch operations. Therefore, when the user enables the secure login mechanism to keep the security of the computer system, it cannot be input through the software keyboard displayed on the touch screen. Ctrl+Alt+Del" to log in to the computer system. In order to solve such problems, the manufacturer of the tablet computer will add a physical button dedicated to the "Ctrl+Alt+Del" key combination function on the body to trigger "C trl+Alt+D" through the physical button. The function supported by the el" key combination. But it's not hard to see that increasing the physical button will not only increase the hardware cost, but also have a negative impact on the appearance of the tablet. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above, the present invention provides a method for switching a button function, so that a single physical button on a portable computer system can have different functions under different computer system states. The invention provides a portable computer system capable of pressing a single entity

355l7twf.doc/I 201220711, ι key provides a variety of functions. The present invention provides a method for switching a button function for a portable computer system having a physical button with a composite function, the portable computer system including an operational state and a secure login authentication state. Wherein, when the portable computer system is in an operating state, the physical button corresponds to a predetermined function of the system, and when the portable computer system enters the secure login authentication state, the input of the Secure Attention Key (SAK) is required. It is only possible to call the login procedure of the portable computer system. This method includes determining the state of the system in which the portable computer system is located. When the portable computer system is in the secure login authentication state, the physical button corresponds to the security attention key function' and the login procedure of the portable computer system is called when receiving the input signal that the physical button is pressed. In an embodiment of the present invention, after the step of causing the physical button to correspond to the function of the security key, the method further comprises: when the portable computer system is in an operating state, the physical button is corresponding to the system predetermined function, and receiving The system predetermined function is executed when the input signal to which the button is pressed is pressed. In an embodiment of the invention, the step of calling the login program of the portable computer system includes transmitting a scan code (scan (7) heart) of the security note key to the operating system of the portable computer system, thereby calling the login program. In an embodiment of the present invention, the method for switching the button function further includes: when the portable computer system is in an operating state, if the actual pressing exceeds the preset time, the portable computer system is authenticated by the operation== full login. Status, and make the physical button corresponding to the security to pay attention to key function

201220711 35517twf.doc/I month b ' and when the input signal of the button pressed is received, the login procedure of the portable computer system is called. In an embodiment of the invention, the physical button is a power button, and the system predetermined function is to turn the portable computer system on or off. From another point of view, the present invention provides a portable computer system that includes an operational status and a secure login authentication status. When the portable computer system enters the secure login authentication state, it needs to receive the input of the security attention key to call the login procedure of the portable computer system. The portable computer system includes a physical button with a composite function, a state determination module, and a control unit. Among them, the cross-body button corresponds to the predetermined function of the system when the portable computer system is in operation. The status determination module is configured to determine whether the portable computer system is in a secure login authentication state. The control unit is coupled to the physical button and the state determination module. When the state determination module determines that the portable computer system is in the authentication state, the control unit causes the physical button to correspond to the security attention key function. When the portable computer system is in the secure login authentication state and receives the input signal that the physical button is pressed, the control unit causes the portable computer system to call the login program. In an embodiment of the present invention, after the control unit causes the physical button to correspond to the security attention key function, when the state determination module determines that the portable brain system is in the operating state, the (4) unit makes the entity : , the function is fixed, and the control function can perform the system predetermined function when the user can reduce the battery age, the secret operation state, and receive the input signal that the button is pressed. In the embodiment of the present invention, wherein the control unit will pay attention to the security key 201220711

The scan code of 1 35517tw£doc/I is transferred to the operating system of the portable computer system to call the login program. In an embodiment of the present invention, when the portable computer system is in an operating state, if the physical button is pressed for more than a predetermined time, the portable computer system is switched from the operating state to the secure login authentication state, and the control is performed. The single physical button corresponds to the safe attention key function. When the portable computer system is in the secure login authentication state and receives an input message that the physical button is pressed, the control unit causes the portable computer system to call the login program. In one embodiment of the invention, the physical button is a power button and the system is predetermined to turn the portable computer system on or off.匕 Based on the above, the present invention determines that the current system-like fe of the portable computer system is an operating state or a secure login authentication state, so that the physical button of the portable computer system corresponds to a different button in different computer system states. Features. Accordingly, the number of physical keys required for the configuration of the portable computer system is reduced, thereby reducing the hardware cost of the portable computer system. The above described features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description. [Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a portable computer system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the portable computer system has just included a physical function of the composite function m, a shape-break module l2G, and a control unit 130. In the present embodiment, the portable computer system 100 is, for example, a tablet PC (Tablet), but the invention is not limited thereto. 7

201220711 35517twf.doc/I The system state of the portable computer system 100 includes an operational status and a secure login authentication status. The secure login authentication status refers to the status of the portable computer system 100 displaying the login screen of the operating system. It must be specially stated that when the portable computer system enters the secure login authentication state, the login procedure of the portable computer system must be called after receiving the input of the Secure Attention Key (SAK). , and then let the user enter the account password to complete the login action. The 'safety attention key' is a combination of the three buttons "Ctrl", "Alt", and "Deiete". The operating state refers to a situation other than the secure login authentication state. For example, when the power of the portable computer system has been activated but the operating system has not been displayed, or the user completes the login operation, the portable device can be operated. When the computer system is at a glance. In this embodiment, when the portable computer system 100 is in an operating state, the physical button 110 corresponds to a system predetermined function. For example, the physical button 11G can be a power button, and the corresponding system predetermined function is to turn on or off the portable computer system 100. The state judging module 120 is configured to judge the operating state of the portable computer system in a safe and secure manner. In this embodiment, the station status determination module 120 is implemented as an application and stored in a storage unit (not shown) of the portable computer system 100. Once it is activated, it will continuously test and judge the portability. Computer system 1 (10) element 130 lightly connected physical button 110 and state determination module 12 controls early element 130, for example, an embedded controller (Embedded

201220711,, 35517twf.d〇〇/I

The controller 'EC' is used to switch the function of the physical button 11 对应 according to the judgment result generated by the state judging module 12 。. In order to further explain the detailed manner in which the control unit 13 switches the functions of the physical buttons, the present invention will be described with reference to another embodiment. 2 is a flow chart showing a method of switching a button function according to an embodiment of the invention. Please refer to FIG. 2 and FIG. 2 first. First, as shown in step 21, the state determination module 120 determines the state of the system in which the portable computer system 10 is located. For example, the state determination module 12 can determine the portable computer system by checking the status of the operating system of the portable computer system 100, the currently displayed face and/or the startup of a specific program.系统 The current system state is the operational status or the secure login authentication status. Next, in step 220, when the state determination module 120 determines that the portable computer system 1 is in the secure login authentication state, the control unit 13 causes the physical button 110 to correspond to the secure attention key function. For example, the control unit 130 causes the physical button 11 to correspond to different functions by setting different flag values. Finally, as shown in step 230, when the portable computer system 100 receives the input signal that the physical button 11 is pressed, it is equivalent to the user inputting the security attention button. Therefore, the control unit 13 causes the portable computer system 1 to be 〇〇 Call its login program. Specifically, the control unit 130 transmits the scan code of the security note key to the job system of the portable computer system 1 to call the login program. After the login program is called and started, the user can enter their account password in the login dialog to complete

201220711 35517twf.doc/I Login action. FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a switching function of a button function according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the portable computer system 100 is in an operational state, so the physical button 11 〇 currently corresponds to the system predetermined function. In other words, if the user presses the physical button 110' at this time, the removable computer system will perform the predetermined function of the system. First, as shown in step 310, the state judging module 12 switches the operating state to the secure login authentication state. In the embodiment, the state determination module 120 will continuously detect whether the 1Q_U state of the portable (4) system changes after the power of the portable computer system is activated. In another implementation, the state touch module 120 will perform the sensation after receiving the user's instruction. For example, if the status determination module 12G is a real application, the application will start detecting the system status of the portable computer system (8) after being activated by the user. Specifically, the status determination module 12G determines whether the portable computer system is switched from the operational state to the secure login authentication state according to the state of the broadcastable computer system. When the portable computer system switches to the secure login authentication state, the screen displays as the (4) unified login, indicating that the user wants to enter the login action (can be the login after the boot, or Switch between different user accounts to log in). As shown in step 320, the control unit 13 causes the entity press key 110 to correspond to the secure attention key function. ^ Next, in step 33, it is judged whether or not the physical button ho is pressed. If the control unit 130 receives the input signal that the physical button 11 is pressed

201220711^35517twf.d〇c/I says that, as shown in step 34, the control unit 13 causes the portable computer system 100 to call the login program. In other words, although the user presses only one physical button 110', it is equivalent to inputting a combination of three keys: rCtrl", "Alt" and "Delete". Returning to step 330, if the input signal that the physical button 110 is pressed is not received, then as shown in step 350, the state determination module 12 determines whether the portable computer system 1 is switched from the secure login authentication state to status. If the portable computer system 100 is still maintained in the secure login authentication state, the switching method of the button function described in this embodiment will return to step 330' again to determine whether the physical button 11() is pressed. However, if the state judging module 120 determines that the portable computer system 1 is switched from the secure login authentication state to the operating state, it indicates that the user has logged into the portable computer system 100 to complete the system authentication action, thereby enabling the portable computer system. 100 returns to the operational state, so as shown in step 36, the control unit 130 re-associates the physical button 11 to the system predetermined function. As a result, when the portable computer system 10 is in an operating state and the physical button 110 is pressed by the user, the portable computer system 100 performs a system predetermined function. The method for switching the button functions described in this embodiment will repeat step 31 to step 360, and then switch the physical button 110 to the corresponding security attention button function when the portable computer system 1 is in the secure login authentication state. And when the portable computer system 100 is in an operational state, the physical button 110 is switched to correspond to a predetermined function of the system. As shown in Figure 3, for a portable type with an existing physical button 11 ()

201220711 35517twf.doc/I The electric system 1GG, even if the physical button 11 () county is designed to drive the portable computer system, the system just performs the predetermined function, the control unit 13 can be provided according to Si Ji Huan 120 (4) The result of the unified (four) break, it is determined that the physical button 110 should currently correspond to the function of the system or the security key, and the user is ready to log in to enable the portable computer system 100 to enter the secure login authentication state, although The touch screen of the portable computer system 100 cannot accept more than three touch operations, and the user cannot input the "Ctrl", "Alt", and "Delete" by using the software keyboard displayed on the touch screen. The three buttons constitute a security note, but the user can perform a secure attention button function by pressing a single physical button 1〇〇, and then call the login program to complete the secure login action. It is worth mentioning that, in the above embodiment, when the portable computer system 100 is in an operating state, if the physical button 110 is continuously pressed for more than a predetermined time (for example, two seconds), the portable computer system 1〇 〇 will be converted from operational status to secure login authentication status. The control unit then causes the physical button 110 to correspond to the secure attention key function. In this way, when the portable battery system 100 is in the secure login authentication state and receives the input signal that the physical button 110 is pressed, the control unit 130 will cause the portable computer system 100 to call the login program. 4 is a block diagram of a portable computer system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, the portable computer system 400 includes a physical button 410 having a composite function, a button function definition module 42A, a state determination module 430, and a control unit 440. Since the physical button 41, the state judging module 430, and the control unit 440 and the portable computer system 100 are real 0 12

35517twf.doc/I 201220711 The body button 110, the state determination module 120 and the control unit 130 are substantially similar, so only the differences between the portable computer system 400 and the portable computer system 1 will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 4, the button function definition module 420 is coupled to the control unit 440. In this embodiment, the portable computer system 1 includes a plurality of system states (such as a secure login authentication state and an operating state, etc.), and the button function definition module 420 is configured to define each system state respectively. One button function. The button function definition module 420 is implemented, for example, by a software component. The button function definition module 420 can automatically set a button function corresponding to each system state according to system requirements, or provide an interface for the user to manage each system state and button. The correspondence of functions. The detailed operation of each component of the portable computer system 4 will be described below with reference to FIG. Please also refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5. First, in step 510, the button function definition module 42 defines a button function corresponding to each system state supported by the portable computer system 400. For example, suppose that the portable computer system includes a female full login 5 forcible state and an operating state, and the key function corresponding to the secure login sentence and the certificate state is, for example, a security attention key function, and ^ The button function corresponding to the status can be the system reservation function. In the "implementation" button function can also be any function of a combination of three or more buttons. The button function definition module 420, for example, records the correspondence between various system states and button functions. Then, as shown in step 520, when the state determination module 43 determines that the computer system 400 is in one of the system states, the control unit 13

201220711 35517twf.docA

201220711 35517twf.docA

Referring to the definition of the button function definition module 420 (for example, querying the correspondence table recorded by the button function definition module 420), the physical button 410 has the button function corresponding to the current state of the portable computer system 400. The control unit 440 can change the function of the button that the physical button 410 should have at this time by setting different flag values. In this embodiment, when the portable computer system 400 is in one of the included system states, if the physical button 410 is pressed for more than a preset time, the portable computer system 4 (8) is switched to include the other one. A system state. For example, when the portable computer system 400 is in an operating state, if the user continues to press the physical button 410 for more than a preset time, the portable computer system 4 can safely log in to the authentication state. Finally, as shown in step 530, when the physical button 41 is pressed, the invoicing unit 440 causes the portable battery system 4 to perform the button function of the physical button 41. For example, the control unit 44 determines the physical button according to the flag value set by the entity name key, which lion key function is currently available, and then transmits the scan code of the key function to the operating system of the portable computer system toward 400. To perform the button function.

=5 shows 'as long as the button is defined by the button Wei definition module 〇 ▲ 电脑 电脑 电脑 电脑 电脑 电脑 电脑 电脑 电脑 电脑 电脑 ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' According to the portable computer system 4 〇〇 current Li 410 雍 and system-like secret set the physical button A should have the secret A. According to this, the 嶋 状 (4) aided the machine (four) round. The material key is not described above. </ br> _ _ _ _ computer system and its button work 14

201220711 35517twf.doc/I The ability to switch between physical buttons allows a physical button to support different functions when the portable computer system is in an operational state or securely authenticated. In this way, the manufacturer of the portable computer system does not need to add a physical button corresponding to the "CtrHAlt+Del" key combination function, and can use the existing physical button on the portable computer system to achieve the input. The purpose of the Ctrl+Alt+Del" key combination. The present invention has been disclosed in the above embodiments, and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any one of ordinary skill in the art can make a few changes and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined by the scope of the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a portable computer system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a flow chart of a method for switching a function of a button according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a method for switching a button function according to another embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a block diagram of a portable computer system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a method for switching a function of a button according to still another embodiment of the present invention. [Main component symbol description] 15

201220711 35517twf.doc/I 100 : Portable computer system 110 : physical button 120 : state determination module 130 : control unit 210 to 230 : steps 310 to 1 of the method for switching the button function according to an embodiment of the present invention 3: 60 steps of the method for switching the button functions according to another embodiment of the present invention: portable computer system 41: physical button 420: button function definition module 430: state determination module 440: Control unit 530. Steps of a method for switching a button function according to still another embodiment of the present invention

Claims (1)

201220711 IX 35517twf.doc/I VII. Patent application scope: 1. A method for switching a button function for a portable computer system having a composite function physical button, the portable computer system including an operating state and a secure login authentication state, wherein the physical button corresponds to a system predetermined function when the portable computer system is in the operating state and is required when the portable computer system enters the secure login sk Receiving an input of a Secure Attention Key (SAK) to call a login procedure of the portable computer system, the method comprising: determining a system state of the portable computer system; when the portable computer When the system is in the secure login authentication state, the physical button is associated with a security attention key function; and when the input signal that the physical key is pressed is received, the login program of the portable computer system is called. 2. The method for switching a button function as described in claim 1 of the patent application, wherein after the step of causing the physical button to correspond to the function of the security attention key, the method further comprises: when the portable computer system is in the operation In the state, the physical button is caused to correspond to the predetermined function of the system; and when the input signal to which the physical button is pressed is received, the predetermined function of the system is executed. 3. The method for switching a button function according to claim 1, wherein the step of calling the login program of the portable computer system comprises: transmitting a scan code of the security note to the Carry an operating system of the 17 201220711 35517twf.doc/I computer system to call the login program. 4_ The method for switching the function of the button as described in claim 1 of the patent application, further comprising: when the portable computer system is in the operating state, if the physical button is pressed for more than a predetermined time, the portable device is enabled Converting the operating system state to the secure login authentication state; causing the physical button to correspond to a secure attention key function; and when receiving the input signal that the physical button is pressed, calling the login of the portable computer system program. 5. The method of switching a button function as recited in claim 1, wherein the physical button is a power button, and the predetermined function of the system is to turn the portable computer system on or off. 6_-portable computer system 'The portable computer system includes an operating state and a secure login authentication state', wherein when the portable computer system enters the secure login authentication state, an input of a security attention key is received In order to call the portable computer system, the portable computer system includes: a physical button having a composite function, the physical button corresponding to a system reservation when the portable computer system is in the operating state a state determining module to determine whether the portable computer system is in the secure login authentication state; and a control unit coupled to the physical button and the state determining module, wherein the state determining module determines When the portable computer system is in the secure login authentication state, the control unit causes the physical button to correspond to a security stay 201220711 35517twf.doc/I key function, wherein when the portable computer system is in the secure login authentication state The control unit causes the portable computer system to call when receiving an input signal that the physical button is pressed The sign-in process. 7. The portable computer system of claim 6, wherein the control unit determines that the portable computer system is in a state after the control unit causes the physical button to correspond to the security attention key function In the operating state, the control unit causes the physical button to correspond to a predetermined function of the system, and when the portable computer system is in the operating state and receives the input signal that the key is pressed, the control unit The portable computer system is caused to perform the predetermined function of the system. 8. The portable computer system of claim 6, wherein the control unit transmits a scan code of the security note to an operating system of the portable computer system to call the login program. Being pressed for more than a predetermined time, the portable computer system is operated by the operating state The portable computer system of claim 6, wherein the portable computer system is in the operating state, if the physical button