Information processing apparatus and control method

Abstract

The invention relates to an information processing apparatus and a control method. The information processing device controls switching between a first display mode for controlling display using the entire screen area of the display as one display area, a second display mode for controlling display by dividing the screen area of the display into a plurality of display areas, and a third display mode for controlling display by dividing the screen area of the display into a plurality of display areas. When it is detected that the external keyboard is placed in a prescribed screen area in the screen area of the display, the display is controlled by using a part of the first screen area other than the prescribed screen area in the screen area of the display as a display area. Furthermore, when switching from the second display mode to the third display mode, the information processing apparatus arranges or minimizes a window to be displayed in a display area other than the first screen area in the first screen area, and when the window is arranged in the first screen area, the window is displayed in a display area other than the first screen area. The first screen region is disposed in a lower layer than a window displayed in an uppermost layer of the first screen region.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device and a control method. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, an information processing device has been disclosed in which a foldable flexible display (display unit) is bendably provided over the first housing and the second housing according to the rotation of the first housing and the second housing (for example, see Patent Document 1). In this way, when one display is provided over the first housing and the second housing, not only one display can be used as a single screen mode, but also one display can be divided into a display area on the first housing side and a display area on the second housing side and used as a dual screen mode.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-13850

[0004] The above-mentioned information processing device has a display provided over the first housing and the second housing, and therefore is generally not equipped with a keyboard. However, there is a structure in which an external keyboard is placed on one screen in the dual-screen mode, and only the other screen is used as a display area, so that it can be used in the same manner as a notebook PC (Personal Computer) equipped with a keyboard. In this way, if it can be used in the same manner as a notebook PC, the user's freedom of use is increased, so the convenience is high.

[0005] For example, if an external keyboard is mounted on the information processing device, the screen area on the side where the external keyboard is mounted is automatically switched to a screen mode in which the screen area on the other side is controlled to be displayed as a black screen or the like, and the screen area on the other side is controlled to be displayed as a screen of half the size of the screen mode (hereinafter referred to as "half-screen mode"). At this time, the window of the application displayed before switching to the half-screen mode is reconfigured to half of the screen area, for example, according to the control of the OS (Operating System). For example, if an active window is displayed on the screen area on the side where the keyboard is mounted before switching to the half-screen mode, the active window is displayed on the screen area on the other side in accordance with the fact that the half-screen mode is switched.

[0006] However, when the user places an external keyboard, if the display state of the window in the screen area on the side where the keyboard is not placed changes, there is a concern that the user may feel a sense of discomfort. Summary of the invention

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned situation, and one object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device and a control method for appropriately controlling display when the screen area of ​​a display is divided into a plurality of areas to control display.

[0008] The present invention is completed to solve the above-mentioned problems. The information processing device involved in the first mode of the present invention comprises: a memory, temporarily storing an application program; a display; and a processor, which controls the display to display a window of the application by executing the application program stored in the above-mentioned memory, and the above-mentioned processor performs a placement detection process and a display control process. In the above-mentioned placement detection process, the above-mentioned processor detects that an external keyboard is placed in a specified screen area in the screen area of ​​the above-mentioned display. In the above-mentioned display control process, the above-mentioned processor controls the switching of a first display mode, a second display mode and a third display mode, wherein the above-mentioned first display mode is a display mode in which the entire screen area of ​​the above-mentioned display is controlled as a display area, and the above-mentioned second display mode is a display mode in which the display is controlled as a display area. The display mode is a display mode for controlling the display by dividing the screen area of ​​the above-mentioned display into multiple display areas, the above-mentioned third display mode is a display mode for controlling the display by using a part of the first screen area in the screen area of ​​the above-mentioned display except the above-mentioned specified screen area as a display area when the placement of the above-mentioned keyboard is detected by the above-mentioned placement detection processing, and the above-mentioned processor, when switching from the above-mentioned second display mode to the above-mentioned third display mode in the above-mentioned display control processing, arranges the window displayed in the display area other than the above-mentioned first screen area in the above-mentioned second display mode in the above-mentioned first screen area or minimizes it, and when arranged in the above-mentioned first screen area, arranges it in a layer lower than the window displayed in the top layer of the above-mentioned first screen area in the above-mentioned second display mode.

[0009] The above-mentioned information processing device can also be configured such that, in the above-mentioned display control processing, when an active window is displayed in a display area outside the above-mentioned first screen area in the above-mentioned second display mode, the above-mentioned processor switches the window displayed in the top layer of the above-mentioned first screen area in the above-mentioned second display mode to the active window according to the situation that the above-mentioned second display mode is switched to the above-mentioned third display mode.

[0010] The above-mentioned information processing device can also be configured as follows: in the above-mentioned display control processing, when the display area outside the above-mentioned first screen area is divided into multiple display areas in the above-mentioned second display mode to control the display, according to the situation that the above-mentioned processor switches from the above-mentioned second display mode to the above-mentioned third display mode, the window displayed in each of the multiple display areas outside the above-mentioned first screen area in the above-mentioned second display mode is arranged at a layer lower than the window displayed in the topmost layer of the above-mentioned first screen area in the above-mentioned second display mode, or the window displayed in each of the multiple display areas outside the above-mentioned first screen area in the above-mentioned second display mode is minimized.

[0011] The above-mentioned information processing device can also be configured such that, in the above-mentioned display control processing, when the above-mentioned first screen area is divided into multiple display areas to control the display in the above-mentioned second display mode, the above-mentioned processor may, in accordance with the situation that the second display mode is switched to the above-mentioned third display mode, arrange the window displayed in the display area outside the above-mentioned first screen area in the above-mentioned second display mode at a layer lower than the window displayed at the topmost layer of each display area in the above-mentioned first screen area in the above-mentioned second display mode, or minimize the window displayed in the display area outside the above-mentioned first screen area in the above-mentioned second display mode.

[0012] The above-mentioned information processing device can also be configured as follows: in the above-mentioned display control processing, when the above-mentioned processor divides the above-mentioned first screen area and the display area outside the above-mentioned first screen area into multiple display areas respectively to control the display in the above-mentioned second display mode, according to the situation that the above-mentioned second display mode is switched to the above-mentioned third display mode, the window displayed in each of the multiple display areas outside the above-mentioned first screen area in the above-mentioned second display mode is arranged at a lower layer than the window displayed at the topmost layer of each display area in the above-mentioned first screen area in the above-mentioned second display mode, or the window displayed in each of the multiple display areas outside the above-mentioned first screen area in the above-mentioned second display mode is minimized.

[0013] In addition, the information processing device involved in the second embodiment of the present invention comprises: a memory for temporarily storing an application program; a display; and a processor for controlling the display to display a window of the application by executing the application program stored in the memory, the processor performing a placement detection process and a display control process, in which the processor detects that an external keyboard is placed in a specified screen area of ​​the screen area of ​​the display, and in the display control process, the processor controls switching among a first display mode, a second display mode, and a third display mode, wherein the first display mode is a display mode in which the entire screen area of ​​the display is controlled as a display area. The second display mode is a display mode for controlling the display by dividing the screen area of ​​the display into a plurality of display areas, the third display mode is a display mode for controlling the display by using a part of the first screen area in the screen area of ​​the display other than the specified screen area as a display area when the placement of the keyboard is detected by the placement detection processing, and the processor, in the display control processing, when switching from the second display mode to the third display mode, if an active window is displayed in the display area other than the first screen area in the second display mode, switches the window displayed in the uppermost layer of the first screen area in the second display mode to the active window.

[0014] The above-mentioned information processing device can also be configured such that, in the above-mentioned display control processing, when the screen area of ​​the above-mentioned display is divided into two display areas in the above-mentioned second display mode to control the display, the above-mentioned processor divides the above-mentioned first screen area into two display areas according to the situation that the above-mentioned second display mode is switched to the above-mentioned third display mode, and displays the window displayed in the above-mentioned first screen area in the above-mentioned second display mode in one of the two display areas, and displays the window displayed in the display area other than the above-mentioned first screen area in the other display area.

[0015] In addition, the information processing device involved in the third embodiment of the present invention comprises: a memory for temporarily storing an application program; a display; and a processor for controlling the display to display a window of the application by executing the application program stored in the memory, the processor performing a placement detection process and a display control process, in which the processor detects that an external keyboard is placed in a specified screen area in the screen area of ​​the display, and in the display control process, the processor controls switching among a first display mode, a second display mode, and a third display mode, wherein the first display mode is a display mode in which the entire screen area of ​​the display is controlled as a display area, and the second display mode is a display mode in which the screen area of ​​the display is controlled as a whole. The domain is divided into two display areas, a first screen area excluding the above-mentioned specified screen area and a second screen area including the above-mentioned specified screen area, to control the display mode. The above-mentioned third display mode is a display mode in which, when the placement of the above-mentioned keyboard is detected by the above-mentioned placement detection processing, only the above-mentioned first screen area of ​​the above-mentioned first screen area and the above-mentioned second screen area is used as a display area to control the display. In the above-mentioned display control processing, the above-mentioned processor divides the above-mentioned first screen area into two display areas according to the situation of switching from the above-mentioned second display mode to the above-mentioned third display mode, and displays the window displayed in the above-mentioned first screen area in the above-mentioned second display mode in one of the two display areas, and displays the window displayed in the above-mentioned second screen area in the other display area.

[0016] The information processing device may be configured such that, when the display control process is performed to control the display mode to the third display mode, the processor controls a display area including at least the predetermined screen area to be displayed in black or turned off.

[0017] In the above-mentioned information processing device, the above-mentioned display may be a foldable display.

[0018] The information processing device may be configured such that the display includes a plurality of displays.

[0019] In addition, a control method according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a control method in an information processing device, the information processing device comprising a memory for temporarily storing an application program, a display, and a processor for controlling the display to display a window of the application by executing the application program stored in the memory, the control method comprising a placement detection step and a display control step, in which the processor detects that an external keyboard is placed in a specified screen area of ​​the screen area of ​​the display, and in the display control step, the processor controls switching among a first display mode, a second display mode, and a third display mode, wherein the first display mode is a display mode in which the entire screen area of ​​the display is controlled to be displayed as a display area, The above-mentioned second display mode is a display mode for controlling the display by dividing the screen area of ​​the above-mentioned display into multiple display areas. The above-mentioned third display mode is a display mode for controlling the display by using a part of the first screen area in the screen area of ​​the above-mentioned display other than the above-mentioned specified screen area as a display area when the placement of the above-mentioned keyboard is detected by the above-mentioned placement detection step. In the above-mentioned display control step, when switching from the above-mentioned second display mode to the above-mentioned third display mode, the window displayed in the display area other than the above-mentioned first screen area in the above-mentioned second display mode is configured in the above-mentioned first screen area or minimized, and when configured in the above-mentioned first screen area, it is configured in a layer lower than the window displayed in the top layer of the above-mentioned first screen area in the above-mentioned second display mode.

[0020] In addition, the control method involved in the fifth mode of the present invention is a control method in an information processing device, the information processing device includes a memory for temporarily storing an application program, a display, and a processor for controlling the display to display a window of the application by executing the program of the application stored in the above-mentioned memory, the above-mentioned control method includes a placement detection step and a display control step, in the above-mentioned placement detection step, the above-mentioned processor detects that an external keyboard is placed in a specified screen area in the screen area of ​​the above-mentioned display, and in the above-mentioned display control step, the above-mentioned processor controls the switching of a first display mode, a second display mode and a third display mode, wherein the above-mentioned first display mode is to use the entire screen area of ​​the above-mentioned display as a display mode The above-mentioned display mode is a display mode that controls the display by dividing the screen area of ​​the above-mentioned display into multiple display areas, the above-mentioned second display mode is a display mode that controls the display by dividing the screen area of ​​the above-mentioned display into multiple display areas, the above-mentioned third display mode is a display mode that controls the display by using a part of the first screen area in the screen area of ​​the above-mentioned display except the above-mentioned specified screen area as the display area when the placement of the above-mentioned keyboard is detected by the above-mentioned placement detection step, and in the above-mentioned display control step, when switching from the above-mentioned second display mode to the above-mentioned third display mode, when an active window is displayed in the display area other than the above-mentioned first screen area in the above-mentioned second display mode, the window displayed in the uppermost layer of the above-mentioned first screen area in the above-mentioned second display mode is switched to the active window.

[0021] In addition, the control method involved in the sixth mode of the present invention is a control method in an information processing device, which includes a memory for temporarily storing an application program, a display, and a processor for controlling the display to display a window of the application by executing the program of the application stored in the above-mentioned memory. The above-mentioned control method includes a placement detection step and a display control step. In the above-mentioned placement detection step, the above-mentioned processor detects that an external keyboard is placed in a specified screen area in the screen area of ​​the above-mentioned display. In the above-mentioned display control step, the above-mentioned processor controls switching among a first display mode, a second display mode, and a third display mode, wherein the above-mentioned first display mode is a display mode in which the entire screen area of ​​the above-mentioned display is controlled as a display area, and the above-mentioned second display mode is a display mode in which the display is controlled. The display mode is a display mode in which the screen area of ​​the display is divided into two display areas, namely a first screen area excluding the prescribed screen area and a second screen area including the prescribed screen area, to control the display; the third display mode is a display mode in which, when the placement of the keyboard is detected by the placement detection step, only the first screen area of ​​the first screen area and the second screen area is used as a display area to control the display; in the display control step, according to the situation of switching from the second display mode to the third display mode, the first screen area is divided into two display areas, and the window displayed in the first screen area in the second display mode is displayed in one of the two display areas, and the window displayed in the second screen area is displayed in the other display area.

[0022] According to the above aspect of the present invention, when the screen area of ​​the display is divided into a plurality of areas and the display is controlled, the display can be appropriately controlled. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing the appearance of the information processing device according to the first embodiment.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a side view showing an example of the information processing device in a folded state according to the first embodiment.

[0025] Figure 3 It is a side view showing an example of the information processing device in a planar state according to the first embodiment.

[0026] Figure 4 It is a diagram showing specific examples of various display modes of the information processing device according to the first embodiment.

[0027] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing an example of an operation specification of the display mode switching operation according to the first embodiment.

[0028] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing an example of control from one screen mode to half screen mode according to the first embodiment.

[0029] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing an example of control from the dual screen mode to the half screen mode according to the first embodiment.

[0030] Figure 8 This is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the information processing device according to the first embodiment.

[0031] Fig. 9 This is a block diagram showing a functional configuration example related to the display control process according to the first embodiment.

[0032] Fig.10 This is a flowchart showing an example of the half-screen mode switching process according to the first embodiment.

[0033] Fig.11 This is a diagram showing an example of an operation specification of a display mode switching operation according to the second embodiment.

[0034] Fig.12 This is a diagram showing a first example of control from the three-screen mode to the half-screen mode according to the second embodiment.

[0035] Fig.13 This is a diagram showing a second example of control from the three-screen mode to the half-screen mode according to the second embodiment.

[0036] Fig.14 This is a diagram showing an example of control from the four-screen mode to the half-screen mode according to the second embodiment.

[0037] Fig.15 This is a diagram showing an example of control from the dual screen mode to the half screen mode according to the third embodiment.

[0038] Fig.16 This is a flowchart showing a first example of the half-screen mode switching process according to the third embodiment.

[0039] Fig.17 This is a flowchart showing a second example of the half-screen mode switching process according to the third embodiment.

[0040] Description of Reference Numerals

[0041] 10…information processing device; 101…first shell; 102…second shell; 103…hinge mechanism; 11…communication unit; 12…RAM; 13…storage unit; 14…speaker; 15…display unit; 16…camera; 150…display; 155…touch sensor; 161…first acceleration sensor; 162…second acceleration sensor; 17…Hall sensor; 18…control unit; 181…system processing unit; 1811…execution application information generation unit; 182…detection processing unit; 1821…opening and closing detection unit; 1822…posture detection unit; 1823…connection detection unit; 1824…operation detection unit; 183…display processing unit; 1831…display mode determination unit; 1832…display mode switching unit; 1834…display control unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0043] <First embodiment>

[0044] Figure 1 : is a three-dimensional diagram showing the appearance of the information processing device 10 involved in the present embodiment. The information processing device 10 involved in the present embodiment is a clamshell (notebook) PC (personal computer). The information processing device 10 includes: a first shell 101, a second shell 102 and a hinge mechanism 103. The first shell 101 and the second shell 102 are approximately quadrilateral plate-shaped (for example, flat plate-shaped) shells. One of the side surfaces of the first shell 101 and one of the side surfaces of the second shell 102 are combined (connected) via the hinge mechanism 103, and the first shell 101 and the second shell 102 can rotate relative to each other around the rotation axis formed by the hinge mechanism 103. The state in which the opening angle θ of the first shell 101 and the second shell 102 around the rotation axis is approximately 0° is the state in which the first shell 101 and the second shell 102 overlap and close. The state in which the first shell 101 and the second shell 102 are closed is called the "closed state" (closed). In the closed state, the surfaces of the first shell 101 and the second shell 102 facing each other are respectively referred to as "inner surfaces", and the surfaces on the opposite side to the inner surfaces are referred to as "outer surfaces". The opening angle θ can also refer to the angle formed by the inner surface of the first shell 101 and the inner surface of the second shell 102. Relative to the closed state, the state in which the first shell 101 and the second shell 102 are opened is referred to as the "open state". The open state is a state in which the first shell 101 and the second shell 102 are relatively rotated until the opening angle θ becomes larger than a preset threshold value (for example, 10°).

[0045] In addition, the information processing device 10 includes a camera 16 and a display 150. The camera 16 is provided on the inner surface of the first housing 101. The display 150 is provided from the inner surface of the first housing 101 to the inner surface of the second housing 102. The camera 16 is provided, for example, on the inner surface of the first housing 101 outside the screen area DA of the display 150, and can capture a user or the like who is on the side facing the display 150. The display 150 is a flexible display that can be bent according to the opening angle θ formed by the relative rotation of the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 2 , 3 ). As a flexible display, an organic EL display or the like is used. The information processing device 10 can control the display by treating the entire screen area DA of the display 150 as a display area to form a screen structure, or can control the display by dividing the screen area DA of the display 150 into two display areas, a first screen area DA1 and a second screen area DA2, to form a dual-screen structure. The screen area DA is divided into two display areas, the first screen area DA1 and the second screen area DA2, so that the two display areas do not overlap with each other. Here, the screen area corresponding to the inner surface side of the first shell 101 in the screen area DA of the display 150 is set to the first screen area DA1, and the screen area corresponding to the inner surface side of the second shell 102 is set to the second screen area DA2. Hereinafter, the display mode for controlling the display with a one-screen structure is referred to as a "one-screen mode", and the display mode for controlling the display with a dual-screen structure is referred to as a "dual-screen mode".

[0046] In addition, a touch sensor is provided on the screen area DA (surface) of the display 150. The information processing device 10 can detect a touch operation on the screen area DA of the display 150. By opening the information processing device 10, the user can visually check the display of the display 150 provided on the inner surface of each of the first housing 101 and the second housing 102, perform a touch operation on the display 150, and use the information processing device 10.

[0047] Next, the usage form and screen mode of the information processing device 10 are described in detail. First, as the usage form of the information processing device 10, according to the opening angle θ of the first shell 101 and the second shell 102, it is divided into a state (Bent form) in which the first shell 101 and the second shell 102 are bent, and a state (Flat form) in which the first shell 101 and the second shell 102 are not bent. In the following, the state (Bent form) in which the first shell 101 and the second shell 102 are bent is simply referred to as "the bent state (Bent form)", and the state (Flat form) in which the first shell 101 and the second shell 102 are not bent is simply referred to as "the flat state (Flat form)". In the bent state (Bent form), the display 150 arranged throughout the first shell 101 and the second shell 102 also becomes a bent state. In the flat state (Flat form), the display 150 also becomes a flat state.

[0048] Figure 2 1 is a side view showing an example of the information processing device 10 in a bent state. The display 150 is arranged to extend across (straddle) the first housing 101 and the second housing 102. The screen area ( Figure 1 The screen area DA shown can be bent (curved) with the portion corresponding to the hinge mechanism 103 as a fold line, and with the fold line as a boundary, the screen area on the first shell 101 side is represented as the first screen area DA1, and the screen area on the second shell 102 side is represented as the second screen area DA2. The display 150 bends according to the rotation (opening angle θ) of the first shell 101 and the second shell 102. The information processing device 10 determines whether it is in a bent state (Bent form) based on the opening angle θ. As an example, when 10°<θ<170°, the information processing device 10 determines that it is in a bent state (Bent form). This state is equivalent to the so-called clamshell mode, book mode and other usage modes.

[0049] Figure 3 1 is a side view showing an example of the information processing device 10 in a flat state. Typically, when the opening angle θ is 180°, the information processing device 10 is determined to be in a flat state. However, as an example, when 170°≤θ≤180°, it can also be determined to be in a flat state. For example, when the opening angle θ between the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 is 180°, the display 150 is also in a flat state. This state corresponds to the so-called tablet mode, which is a usage form.

[0050] Next, refer to Figure 4 , the display modes based on various usage modes of the information processing device 10 are described in detail.

[0051] Figure 4 1 is a diagram showing specific examples of various display modes of the information processing device 10 involved in this embodiment. The information processing device 10 has different display modes in different usage modes classified by the opening angle θ of the first housing 101 and the second housing 102, the posture (direction) of the information processing device 10, and whether it is a single screen mode or a dual screen mode. In addition, one screen is also called a single screen, and dual screens are also called split screens or dual screens.

[0052] Display mode (a) is a display mode when the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 are in a closed state (Closed) as a usage mode. For example, in this closed state, the information processing device 10 is in a sleep, dormant, or standby state, and the display 150 is in a display-off state. This sleep, dormant, or standby state is, for example, equivalent to S3 or S4 of the system power state specified by ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface).

[0053] Display mode (b) is a display mode in a dual-screen mode in which the display is controlled by dividing the screen area DA of the display 150 into two display areas, namely, the first screen area DA1 and the second screen area DA2, in a bent state as a usage form. In addition, the direction of the information processing device 10 is a direction in which the first screen area DA1 and the second screen area DA2 are arranged horizontally in the vertical direction. The screen area being vertical means that the long side of the four sides of the rectangular screen area DA is vertical and the short side is horizontal. When the screen area is vertical, the display direction is also vertical, and the direction along the long side corresponds to the up-down direction and the direction along the short side becomes the left-right direction. This usage form is a usage form in which the left and right pages of a book when it is opened correspond to the left and right screens, which is equivalent to the so-called book mode. This usage form is a bent state (Bent form) and the first screen area DA1 and the second screen area DA2 are arranged horizontally, and the display area formed by merging the two is horizontally wide, so it is also called "Fold Landscape".

[0054] In the display mode (b), the information processing device 10, for example, in a normal operation state, uses the first screen area DA1 on the left as the primary screen and the second screen area DA2 on the right as the secondary screen, thereby achieving a dual-screen display mode. In addition, in the display mode (b), the correspondence between the first screen area DA1 and the second screen area DA2 and the primary screen and the secondary screen may be reversed.

[0055] Display mode (c-1) is a display mode in a dual-screen mode in which the display is controlled by dividing the screen area DA of the display 150 into two display areas, namely, the first screen area DA1 and the second screen area DA2, in a bent state similar to display mode (b), but is a usage mode in which the direction of the information processing device 10 is different. The direction of the information processing device 10 is a direction in which the first screen area DA1 and the second screen area DA2 are arranged vertically in the horizontal direction. The screen area being horizontal means that the long side of the four sides of the rectangular screen area DA is horizontal and the short side is vertical. When the screen area is horizontal, the display direction is also horizontal, and the display is performed in a direction in which the direction along the short side corresponds to the up-down direction and the direction along the long side corresponds to the left-right direction. This usage mode is one of the general usage modes of a clamshell-type PC.

[0056] In the display mode (c-1), the information processing device 10, for example, in a normal operation state, uses the first screen area DA1 as the primary screen and the second screen area DA2 as the secondary screen, thereby achieving a dual-screen display mode. In addition, in the display mode (c-1), the correspondence between the first screen area DA1 and the second screen area DA2 and the primary screen and the secondary screen may be reversed.

[0057] For example, the information processing device 10 automatically switches (Switch by Rotation) from display mode (b) to display mode (c-1) or from display mode (c-1) to display mode (b) by detecting a change in the posture (direction) of the information processing device 10. For example, relative to display mode (b), display mode (c-1) is a state in which the display 150 is rotated 90 degrees to the right in the figure. Therefore, if the information processing device 10 detects that the display 150 is rotated to the right by a predetermined angle (for example, 45 degrees) or more from the state of display mode (b), it switches to display mode (c-1). In addition, relative to display mode (c-1), display mode (b) is a state in which the display 150 is rotated 90 degrees to the left in the figure. Therefore, if the information processing device 10 detects that the display 150 is rotated to the left by a predetermined angle (for example, 45 degrees) or more from the state of display mode (c-1), it switches to display mode (b).

[0058] The display mode (c-2) is in a bent state (Bent form) like the display mode (c-1) and the direction of the information processing device 10 is also the same, but the difference is that an external keyboard 30 (Dockable mini KBD: KeyBord) that can be connected to the information processing device 10 is connected. This usage form is a state in which a physical keyboard 30 is connected in the general usage form of a clamshell-type PC. For example, the keyboard 30 is almost the same size as the second screen area DA2, and is configured to be placed on the second screen area DA2. As an example, the keyboard 30 is provided with a magnet inside (end) of the bottom surface, and if placed on the second screen area DA2, it is adsorbed and fixed to the metal part of the inner surface end of the second shell 102. As a result, it becomes the same usage form as a traditional clamshell-type PC that originally has a physical keyboard. In addition, if the keyboard 30 is placed on the second screen area DA2, the placed keyboard 30 and the information processing device 10 are connected, for example, via Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication. In the display mode (c-2), the second screen area DA2 cannot be visually confirmed due to the keyboard in the information processing device 10, so it is controlled to be displayed in black or turned off. In other words, the display mode (c-2) is a display mode in which only half of the screen area DA is effective for display (hereinafter referred to as "half screen mode"), which is equivalent to a screen mode in which only the first screen area DA1 is used as a display object.

[0059] For example, when the information processing device 10 detects the connection of an external keyboard in the display mode (c-1), the information processing device 10 automatically switches from the display mode (c-1) to the display mode (c-2) (Switch by Dock).

[0060] Display mode (d) is in a bent state (Bent form) like display mode (b) and the direction of the information processing device 10 is also the same, but the difference is that the entire screen area DA of the display 150 is used as a display area to control the display. This usage form is different from display mode (b), but it is a bent state (Bent form) and the screen area DA is horizontally wide, so it is also called "Fold Landscape". The screen area DA is horizontal, and the display direction is also horizontal.

[0061] Here, the switching between the single screen mode and the dual screen mode in the bent state (Bent form) is performed, for example, by the user's operation. For example, the information processing device 10 displays an operator as a UI (User Interface) capable of switching between the single screen mode and the dual screen mode at any location on the screen, and switches from the display mode (b) to the display mode (d) based on the operation of the operator (Switch by UI). A specific example of the display mode switching operation is described later.

[0062] Display mode (e) is in the bent state (Bent form) like display mode (c-1), and the direction of the information processing device 10 is also the same, but the difference is that the entire screen area DA of the display 150 is used as a display area to control the display. This usage form is different from the display mode (c-1), but from the bent state (Bent form) and the direction of the information processing device 10, it is equivalent to the usage form of a clamshell type PC. The screen area DA is vertical, and the display direction is also vertical.

[0063] For example, the information processing device 10 automatically switches (Switch by Rotation) from display mode (d) to display mode (e), or from display mode (e) to display mode (d) by detecting a change in the posture (direction) of the information processing device 10. For example, relative to display mode (d), display mode (e) is a state in which the display 150 is rotated 90 degrees to the right in the figure, so if the information processing device 10 detects that it is rotated to the right by a predetermined angle (for example, 45 degrees) or more from the state of display mode (d), it switches to display mode (e). In addition, relative to display mode (e), display mode (d) is a state in which the display 150 is rotated 90 degrees to the left in the figure, so if the information processing device 10 detects that it is rotated to the left by a predetermined angle (for example, 45 degrees) or more from the state of display mode (e), it switches to display mode (d).

[0064] The display mode (d′) is a screen mode similar to the display mode (d), and the direction of the information processing device 10 is also the direction in which the screen area DA is horizontally wide, but the difference is that it is in a flat state (Flat form). The flat state (Flat form) refers to a state in which the opening angle θ of the first shell 101 and the second shell 102 is approximately 180°. This usage mode corresponds to the reference Figure 3The so-called tablet mode described here is a flat state (Flat form), and the screen area DA is horizontally wide, so it is also called "Flat Landscape". This display mode (d') is different from the display mode (d) only in the opening angle θ of the first shell 101 and the second shell 102. Similar to the display mode (d), the screen area DA is horizontal and the display direction is also horizontal.

[0065] Display mode (e′) is a screen mode similar to display mode (e), and the orientation of the information processing device 10 is also the orientation in which the screen area DA is longitudinally long, but the difference is that it is in a flat state (Flat form). This usage form is in a flat state (Flat form), and the screen area DA is longitudinally long, so it is also called "Flat Portrait". This display mode (e′) is different from display mode (e) only in the opening angle θ of the first shell 101 and the second shell 102. Similar to display mode (e), the screen area DA is longitudinal, and the display direction is also longitudinal.

[0066] For example, the information processing device 10 automatically switches (Switch by Rotation) from the display mode (d′) to the display mode (e′), or from the display mode (e′) to the display mode (d′) by detecting a change in the posture (direction) of the information processing device 10. For example, relative to the display mode (d′), the display mode (e′) is a state in which the display 150 is rotated 90 degrees to the right in the figure. Therefore, if the information processing device 10 detects that the display mode 150 is rotated to the right by a predetermined angle (for example, 45 degrees) or more from the state of the display mode (d′), it switches to the display mode (e′). In addition, relative to the display mode (e′), the display mode (d′) is a state in which the display 150 is rotated 90 degrees to the left in the figure. Therefore, if the information processing device 10 detects that the display mode (e′) is rotated to the left by a predetermined angle (for example, 45 degrees) or more from the state of the display mode (e′), it switches to the display mode (d′).

[0067] In addition, in display mode (d') and display mode (e'), the user can switch to dual-screen mode while maintaining the flat state (flat form) by operating the above-mentioned display mode switching icon. For example, if the display mode (d') is switched to dual-screen mode, the display state in the flat state (flat form) is the same as that in display mode (b). In addition, if the display mode (e') is switched to dual-screen mode, the display state in the flat state (flat form) is the same as that in display mode (c-1).

[0068] In addition, if the information processing device 10 detects the connection with the keyboard 30 in the display mode (e′), it automatically switches (Switch by Dock) from the display mode (e′) to the display mode (c-2′). The display mode (c-2′) is a flat state (Flat form), and with respect to the display mode (c-2), only the opening angle θ of the first shell 101 and the second shell 102 is different. In this display mode (c-2′), in the information processing device 10, the second screen area DA2 cannot be visually confirmed due to the keyboard, so it is controlled to be displayed in black or turned off. In other words, this display mode (c-2′) is a half-screen mode that only uses the first screen area DA1 as the display object, just like the display mode (c-2).

[0069] In addition, the information processing device 10 can also switch from a single screen mode to a dual screen mode when a change from a flat state (Flat form) to a bent state (Bent form) is detected. For example, when the information processing device 10 detects a change from a display mode (d′) to a bent state (Bent form) based on the opening angle θ of the first shell 101 and the second shell 102, the information processing device 10 automatically switches from the display mode (d′) to the display mode (b). In addition, when the information processing device 10 detects a change from a display mode (e′) to a bent state (Bent form) based on the opening angle θ of the first shell 101 and the second shell 102, the information processing device 10 automatically switches from the display mode (e′) to the display mode (c-1).

[0070] (Display mode switching operation)

[0071] Next, a specific example of the operation specification when the display mode is switched by the user's operation will be described.

[0072] Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of an operation specification of a display mode switching operation according to the present embodiment. Figure 5 As shown in (A), the icon C1 for displaying the switching menu of the display mode is displayed on the task bar B2. The task bar B2 is displayed in any area within the screen area DA of the display 150. For example, regardless of the single screen mode or the dual screen mode, the task bar B2 is displayed only in one place (for example, the bottom of the screen area DA) within the screen area DA of the display 150. In addition, in the case of the dual screen mode, the task bar B2 may also be displayed in each area of ​​the first screen area DA1 and the second screen area DA2 (for example, the bottom of each area).

[0073] If the icon C1 for displaying the switching menu is operated, the switching menu of the display mode is displayed as a pop-up screen. In addition, the switching menu of the display mode may be displayed as a pop-up screen when the bent state (Bent form) is changed to the unbent flat state (Flat form). In addition, the switching menu of the display mode may be displayed as a pop-up screen when the flat state (Flat form) is changed to the bent state (Bent form).

[0074] The switching menu displays a display mode switching icon as a selection item of the display mode, and the display mode switching icon is used by the user to instruct the switching between the single screen mode and the dual screen mode, and the replacement of the display data of each area of ​​the first screen area DA1 and the second screen area DA2 displayed in the dual screen mode (for example, the replacement of the primary screen and the secondary screen). The switching menu displays the selection items of the display mode that the user can select according to the current usage mode (the direction of the display 150).

[0075] Figure 5 (B) represents the switching menu M1 displayed when the usage mode is "Landscape" (display mode (b), display mode (d), display mode (d'), etc.). In addition, "1" and "2" in the figure are added to distinguish the display areas in the dual-screen mode, and are referred to as display area "1" and display area "2" below. Display mode switching icon C11, display mode switching icon C12 and display mode switching icon C13 are displayed in the switching menu M1. Display mode switching icon C11 is displayed as an operator for selecting display mode (d) or display mode (d') of a screen mode. Display mode switching icon C12 and display mode switching icon C13 are displayed as operators for selecting display mode (b) of the dual-screen mode. In display mode switching icon C12 and display mode switching icon C13, the arrangement of display area "1" and display area "2" is different.

[0076] In addition, the display mode switching icon corresponding to the current display mode is displayed in a manner that can be distinguished from other display mode switching icons. Here, the display mode switching icon C11 is highlighted relative to the other display mode switching icons C12 and C13 so that it is known that the display mode switching icon C11 is the current display mode.

[0077] Figure 5(C) represents the switching menu M2 displayed when the usage mode is "Clamshell" (display mode (c-1), display mode (e), display mode (e′), etc.). Display mode switching icon C21, display mode switching icon C22 and display mode switching icon C23 are displayed in the switching menu M2. Display mode switching icon C21 is displayed as an operator for selecting display mode (e) or display mode (e′) of one screen mode. Display mode switching icon C22 and display mode switching icon C23 are displayed as operators for selecting display mode (c-1) of dual screen mode, and in display mode switching icon C22 and display mode switching icon C23, the arrangement of display area "1" and display area "2" are different.

[0078] In addition, Figure 5 Similarly, in the switching menu M1 shown in (B), the display mode switching icon corresponding to the current display mode is displayed in a manner that can be distinguished from other display mode switching icons. Here, the display mode switching icon C21 is highlighted relative to the other display mode switching icons C22 and C23 so that it is known that the display mode switching icon C21 is the current display mode.

[0079] The user can arbitrarily select any one of the display mode switching icons displayed in the switching menu M1 or the switching menu M2. When the user selects one of the display mode switching icons, the display of the switching menu ends. Alternatively, when a specified time (for example, 3 to 5 seconds) has passed after the switching menu M1 or the switching menu M2 is displayed and the user has not selected any of the display mode switching icons, the display of the switching menu ends. In addition, when the user operates the close button "×" on the upper right corner of the switching menu, when the user operates outside the screen of the pop-up switching menu, or when the direction of the information processing device 10 is changed, the display of the switching menu ends. In addition, when the keyboard 30 is connected, it is fixed to a half-screen mode (display mode (c-2)) in which only the first screen area DA1 is the display object, so the switching menu is not displayed.

[0080] In addition, the UI for switching between the single screen mode and the dual screen mode is not limited to Figure 5 For example, icons that alternately switch between single-screen mode and dual-screen mode or icons that sequentially switch between single-screen mode, dual-screen mode, and reverse dual-screen mode may be displayed on the taskbar B2 for each operation.

[0081] In addition, Figure 5In the example shown, the display mode switching menu is displayed as a pop-up screen by operating the icon C1 displayed on the taskbar B2, but the switching menu can also be displayed as a pop-up screen by dragging the application window. In addition, the display mode can also be switched by dragging the application window. In the case where the switching menu pops up by dragging the application window, it is also possible to drag on one of the divided areas of the screen area displayed on the switching menu, so that not only the screen mode can be selected, but also the screen area can be selected, and the dragged application can be arranged in the selected area. In addition, the switching menu can also be displayed as a pop-up screen by operating a specific place in the application window.

[0082] (Display control in half-screen mode)

[0083] Next, the control of the information processing device 10 when it is transferred to the half-screen mode according to the fact that the keyboard 30 is placed is described. In addition, the keyboard 30 can be placed and connected only on the second screen area DA2 on the side of the second housing 102 where the camera 16 is not provided. If the keyboard 30 is placed on the second screen area DA2, the information processing device 10 is transferred to the half-screen mode. In the half-screen mode, the information processing device 10 controls the display only by using the first screen area DA1 as the effective display area, and the second screen area DA2 is controlled to be black or display off.

[0084] Figure 6 : is a diagram showing an example of control from one screen mode to half screen mode involved in the present embodiment. In the one screen mode, the information processing device 10 controls the display of the screen area DA as a display area "1", but if it is transferred to the half screen mode, only the first screen area DA1 is used as the display object, and the display area "1" is reduced to half to control the display. At this time, the information processing device 10 reconfigures the window of the application being executed and displayed in the screen area DA in the one screen mode (hereinafter referred to as "window") in the first screen area DA1 while maintaining the upper and lower relationship of the layers. In addition, the information processing device 10 controls the second screen area DA2 on which the keyboard 30 is placed to display black or turn off the display.

[0085] Figure 7: is a diagram showing an example of control from dual-screen mode to half-screen mode involved in the present embodiment. In dual-screen mode, the information processing device 10 divides the screen area DA into two display areas (display area "1" and display area "2"), namely, the first screen area DA1 and the second screen area DA2 to control the display. If the information processing device 10 is transferred to the half-screen mode, only the first screen area DA1 (display area "1") is used as the display object, and the window displayed in the first screen area DA1 (display area "1") in the dual-screen mode is maintained. In addition, the information processing device 10 arranges the window displayed in the second screen area DA2 (display area "2") in the dual-screen mode at a layer lower than the window displayed at the top layer of the first screen area DA1 (display area "1").

[0086] In addition, when the information processing device 10 displays an active window in the second screen area DA2 (display area "2") in the dual-screen mode, the window displayed in the top layer of the first screen area DA1 (display area "1") in the dual-screen mode may be switched to the active window according to the fact that the information processing device 10 switches to the half-screen mode. In addition, when the information processing device 10 displays an active window in the first screen area DA1 (display area "1") in the dual-screen mode, the display of the active window is maintained even after the information processing device 10 switches to the half-screen mode. That is, regardless of whether the information processing device 10 displays the active window in the first screen area DA1 (display area "1") or the second screen area DA2 (display area "2") in the dual-screen mode, the window displayed in the top layer of the first screen area DA1 (display area "1") may be made the active window after the information processing device 10 switches to the half-screen mode.

[0087] Furthermore, when the information processing device 10 changes from the dual screen mode to the half screen mode, the window displayed in the second screen area DA2 (display area “ 2 ”) in the dual screen mode may be minimized in the first screen area DA1 .

[0088] In this way, when the information processing device 10 switches from the dual-screen mode to the half-screen mode due to the placement of the keyboard 30, the display state of the window (especially, the top-level window) in the first screen area DA1 (display area "1") on the side where the keyboard 30 is not placed is maintained, thereby preventing the user from feeling a sense of disharmony.

[0089] (Hardware Configuration of Information Processing Device 10)

[0090] Hereinafter, the specific structure of the information processing device 10 will be described.

[0091] Figure 81 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware structure of the information processing device 10 involved in this embodiment. The information processing device 10 includes: a communication unit 11, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12, a storage unit 13, a speaker 14, a display unit 15, a camera 16, a first acceleration sensor 161, a second acceleration sensor 162, a Hall sensor 17, and a control unit 18. These units are connected to each other via a bus or the like so as to be communicable.

[0092] The communication unit 11 is configured to include, for example, a plurality of Ethernet (registered trademark) ports, a plurality of digital input / output ports such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), Bluetooth (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark) and other communication devices for wireless communication, etc. For example, the communication unit 11 can communicate with the external keyboard 30 described above using Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0093] In RAM12, the programs and data of the processing executed by the control unit 18 are expanded, and various data are appropriately saved or deleted. For example, RAM12 also functions as a video memory (V-RAM) for displaying the display 150. As an example, RAM12 functions as a video memory for data displayed in the screen area DA when the display 150 is controlled in a single screen mode. In addition, RAM12 functions as a video memory for data displayed in the first screen area DA1 and the second screen area DA2 when the display 150 is controlled in a dual screen mode. In addition, information on the application being executed, the application being used (the application of the active window) among the applications being executed, information on the application of the other inactive windows, information on which screen area each window is displayed, etc. are stored in RAM12. In addition, since RAM12 is a volatile memory, if the power supply to RAM12 is stopped, the data is not retained. The data that needs to be retained when the power supply to RAM12 is stopped is migrated to the storage unit 13.

[0094] The storage unit 13 is configured to include any one or more of an SSD (Solid State Drive), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a Flash-ROM, etc. For example, the storage unit 13 stores a BIOS (Basic Input Output System) program, setting data, an OS (Operating System), a program of an application that operates on the OS, and various data used in the application.

[0095] The speaker 14 outputs electronic sounds, voices, and the like.

[0096] The display unit 15 includes a display 150 and a touch sensor 155. The display 150 is a flexible display that can be bent according to the opening angle θ formed by the relative rotation of the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 as described above. The display 150 is controlled by the control unit 18 to communicate with the reference Figure 4 The display corresponding to each display mode described is shown. The touch sensor 155 is provided on the screen of the display 150 to detect touch operations on the screen. For example, in the single screen mode, the touch sensor 155 detects touch operations on the screen area DA. In addition, in the dual screen mode, the touch sensor 155 detects touch operations on one or both of the first screen area DA1 and the second screen area DA2. Touch operations include tapping operations, sliding operations, tapping operations, knocking operations, pinching operations, etc. The touch sensor 155 detects touch operations and outputs operation information based on the detected operations to the control unit 18.

[0097] The camera 16 is configured to include a lens, an imaging element, etc. The camera 16 captures an image (still image, moving image) under the control of the control unit 18 and outputs data of the captured image.

[0098] The first acceleration sensor 161 is disposed inside the first housing 101, and detects the direction and direction change of the first housing 101. For example, if the direction parallel to the long side direction of the first screen area DA1 is set as the X1 direction, the direction parallel to the short side direction is set as the Y1 direction, and the direction perpendicular to the X1 direction and the Y1 direction is set as the Z1 direction, the first acceleration sensor 161 detects the acceleration in each direction of the X1 direction, the Y1 direction, and the Z1 direction, and outputs the detection result to the control unit 18.

[0099] The second acceleration sensor 162 is disposed inside the second housing 102, and detects the direction and direction change of the second housing 102. For example, if the direction parallel to the long side direction of the second screen area DA2 is set as the X2 direction, the direction parallel to the short side direction is set as the Y2 direction, and the direction perpendicular to the X2 direction and the Y2 direction is set as the Z2 direction, the second acceleration sensor 162 detects the acceleration in each direction of the X2 direction, the Y2 direction, and the Z2 direction, and outputs the detection result to the control unit 18.

[0100] The Hall sensor 17 is provided to detect the connection of the keyboard 30. For example, if the keyboard 30 is placed on the second screen area DA2 of the second housing 102, the magnetic field changes due to the proximity of the magnet provided inside the bottom surface of the keyboard 30, and the detection value (output value) of the Hall sensor 17 changes. In other words, the Hall sensor 17 outputs different detection results depending on whether the keyboard 30 is placed. In addition, the Hall sensor 17 is used here to detect whether the keyboard 30 is placed, but the detection method is not limited to this, and any detection method can be used.

[0101] The control unit 18 is configured to include a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphic Processing Unit), and a microcomputer, and implements various functions by executing programs (BIOS, OS, various programs such as applications running on the OS) stored in the storage unit 13, etc. For example, the control unit 18 detects the posture (direction) of the information processing device 10 based on the detection results of the first acceleration sensor 161 and the second acceleration sensor 162. In addition, the control unit 18 detects whether it is in an open state or a closed state, and whether it is in a bent state (Bent form) or a flat state (Flat form) in the case of an open state, etc. based on the detection results of the first acceleration sensor 161 and the second acceleration sensor 162.

[0102] In addition, the control unit 18 detects a display mode switching operation (for example, Figure 5 In addition, the control unit 18 detects the connection with the keyboard 30 based on the detection result of the Hall sensor 17. In addition, the connection with the keyboard 30 refers to the placement of the keyboard 30 on the second screen area DA2, and does not refer to the communication connection. For the communication connection with the keyboard 30, the control unit 18 uses the function of Bluetooth (registered trademark) and the like to detect it.

[0103] The control unit 18 also refers to the system status, the posture (orientation) of the information processing device 10, whether it is in an open state or a closed state, whether it is in a bent state (Bent form) or a flat state (Flat form) in the open state, the display mode switching operation based on the user, the connection with the keyboard 30, etc. Figure 4 and Figure 5 The switching control of the display mode of the display 150 described above, Figure 6 and Figure 7 This section describes the display control when switching to half-screen mode.

[0104] (Functional Structure of Information Processing Device 10)

[0105] Next, among the processes executed by the control unit 18 , a functional configuration related to the display control process will be described.

[0106] Fig. 9 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional structure related to display control processing involved in this embodiment. The control unit 18 includes a system processing unit 181, a detection processing unit 182, and a display processing unit 183. Here, the system processing unit 181 is, for example, a functional structure in which a CPU executes processing based on an OS or BIOS. In addition, the detection processing unit 182 is, for example, a functional structure in which a microcomputer different from a CPU that executes processing of an OS or BIOS executes various detection processing. The display processing unit 183 is, for example, a functional structure in which a CPU executes processing based on an OS or a program running on the OS.

[0107] The system processing unit 181 executes various programs such as the OS, the driver program and the application running on the OS. In addition, the system processing unit 181 includes, for example, an executed application information generating unit 1811. The executed application information generating unit 1811 generates application information including identification information of the executed application (for example, application ID) and information indicating the application used by the user among the executed applications (that is, the application with active window). The executed application information generating unit 1811 stores and holds the generated application information in the RAM 12.

[0108] The detection processing unit 182 includes an opening / closing detection unit 1821, a posture detection unit 1822, and a connection detection unit 1823 as functional components for detecting the state of the information processing device 10. The detection processing unit 182 outputs the detection results of the opening / closing detection unit 1821, the posture detection unit 1822, and the connection detection unit 1823 to the display processing unit 183.

[0109] The opening and closing detection unit 1821 detects whether the information processing device 10 is in an open state or a closed state based on the detection results of the first acceleration sensor 161 and the second acceleration sensor 162. In addition, when the information processing device 10 is in an open state, the opening and closing detection unit 1821 detects the opening angle θ of the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 based on the detection results of the first acceleration sensor 161 and the second acceleration sensor 162. Moreover, the opening and closing detection unit 1821 detects whether the information processing device 10 is in a bent state (Bent form) or a flat state (Flat form) based on the detected opening angle θ.

[0110] The posture detection unit 1822 detects the posture (direction) of the information processing device 10 based on the detection results of the first acceleration sensor 161 and the second acceleration sensor 162 .

[0111] The connection detection unit 1823 performs a connection detection process for detecting the connection with the keyboard 30. For example, the connection detection unit 1823 detects the connection with the keyboard 30 by detecting whether the keyboard 30 is placed on the second screen area DA2 based on the detection result of the Hall sensor 17. That is, the connection detection process for detecting the connection with the keyboard 30 is equivalent to the placement detection process for detecting whether the keyboard 30 is placed on the second screen area DA2. In the state where the keyboard 30 is placed on the second screen area DA2, the connection detection unit 1823 detects that the keyboard 30 is connected.

[0112] In addition, the detection processing unit 182 includes an operation detection unit 1824 as a functional structure for detecting an operation on the information processing device 10. The operation detection unit 1824 detects the user's operation based on the operation information output from the touch sensor 155 provided on the screen of the display 150. For example, the operation detection unit 1824 obtains the user's operation based on the user's operation on the switching menu M1, M2 (see Figure 5 ) operation information, and based on the acquired operation information, detect the display mode switching operation of the user switching the display mode. The detection processing unit 182 outputs the detected user operation information to the display processing unit 183.

[0113] The display processing unit 183 determines and switches the display mode based on the opening and closing state and posture (direction) of the information processing device 10 obtained from the detection processing unit 182, the user's operation, etc. In addition, the display processing unit 183 controls the display of the windows (active windows and inactive windows) of the executing application according to the display mode based on the application information obtained from the system processing unit 181. Specifically, the display processing unit 183 includes a display mode determination unit 1831, a display mode switching unit 1832, and a display control unit 1834.

[0114] The display mode determination unit 1831 performs a determination process for determining the display mode based on the state of the information processing device 10 detected by the detection processing unit 182 or the detection result regarding the user's operation. For example, the display mode determination unit 1831 obtains from the detection processing unit 182 the detection result of the open / closed state of the information processing device 10, the detection result of whether the information processing device 10 is in a bent state (Bent form) or a flat state (Flat form) in the open state, the detection result of the posture (orientation) of the information processing device 10, the detection result of the user's operation, and the detection result of the information processing device 10. Figure 5 The display mode determination unit 1831 determines the reference mode based on the detection results and operation information obtained from the detection processing unit 182. Figure 4 Display mode for explanation.

[0115] The display mode switching unit 1832 switches the display mode to the reference mode based on the display mode determined by the display mode determination unit 1831. Figure 4 For example, the display mode switching unit 1832 sets the display mode such as switching between a single screen mode and a dual screen mode (or an inverted dual screen mode), the direction of each screen area, and the display content of each screen area based on the display mode determined by the display mode determination unit 1831.

[0116] When the connection detection unit 1823 detects the connection with the keyboard 30, the display mode switching unit 1832 switches to the half screen mode (see Figure 6 , 7 ). As described above, the half-screen mode is a display mode in which the keyboard 30 is placed on the second screen area DA2 and only the first screen area DA1 is used as the display object. In addition, in the half-screen mode, the display mode switching unit 1832 controls the display in a predetermined display direction regardless of the orientation of the display 150. The predetermined display direction refers to, for example, a direction in which the side where the first shell 101 and the second shell 102 are connected in the first screen area DA1 becomes the lower side (that is, the first screen area DA1 is the upper side, and the second screen area DA2 on which the keyboard 30 is placed is the lower side).

[0117] The display control unit 1834 controls the display of the display 150. For example, the display control unit 1834 controls the display of the display 150 to be turned on / off (displayed / not displayed), and outputs and displays display data such as windows of applications displayed in each screen area according to the display mode set by the display mode switching unit 1832. In addition, the display control unit 1834 controls the direction of the display in the screen area of ​​the display 150 according to the direction of the information processing device 10 (the direction of the screen area of ​​the display 150) when the device is shifted from the standby state or the stop state to the normal operation state, and in the normal operation state.

[0118] In addition, when the connection with the keyboard 30 is detected by the connection detection unit 1823, the display control unit 1834 changes the direction of the display in the screen area according to the change in the direction of the screen area of ​​the display 150, and controls the display direction to the above-mentioned pre-set direction after the change.

[0119] Furthermore, when the connection detection unit 1823 detects the placement of the keyboard 30 , the display control unit 1834 does not control the display direction in the screen area of ​​the display 150 to change according to the change in the direction of the screen area, but controls the display direction to the above-mentioned preset direction.

[0120] Here, for reference Figure 7The display control when switching from the dual-screen mode to the half-screen mode is described below. When switching from the dual-screen mode to the half-screen mode, the display control unit 1834 arranges the window displayed in the display area "2" of the second screen area DA2 in the dual-screen mode in the first screen area DA1 or minimizes it. Here, when the display control unit 1834 arranges the window displayed in the display area "2" of the second screen area DA2 in the dual-screen mode in the first screen area DA1, it arranges it in a layer lower than the window displayed in the top layer of the first screen area DA1 in the dual-screen mode.

[0121] In addition, the display control unit 1834 can also configure the window displayed in the display area "2" of the second screen area DA2 in the dual-screen mode in a layer below the top layer of the first screen area DA1, or in a layer lower than all windows configured in the first screen area DA1.

[0122] In addition, when the display control unit 1834 displays an active window in the display area "2" of the second screen area DA2 in the dual-screen mode, the window displayed in the top layer of the first screen area DA1 in the dual-screen mode can also be switched to the active window according to the situation of switching from the dual-screen mode to the half-screen mode.

[0123] (Half-screen mode switching process)

[0124] Next, the operation of the half screen mode switching process in which the control unit 18 switches from the one screen mode or the two screen mode to the half screen mode will be described.

[0125] Fig.10 This is a flowchart showing an example of the half-screen mode switching process involved in this embodiment.

[0126] (Step S101) The control unit 18 determines whether the keyboard 30 is placed on the second screen area DA2 based on the detection result of the Hall sensor 17. When the control unit 18 determines that the keyboard 30 is not placed (No), the process of step S101 is performed again. On the other hand, when the control unit 18 determines that the keyboard 30 is placed (Yes), the process proceeds to step S103.

[0127] (Step S103) The control unit 18 determines the screen mode before the keyboard 30 is placed. If the control unit 18 determines that the screen mode before the keyboard 30 is placed is the single screen mode, the process proceeds to step S105. On the other hand, if the control unit 18 determines that the screen mode before the keyboard 30 is placed is the dual screen mode, the process proceeds to step S109.

[0128] (Step S105) The control unit 18 switches to the half screen mode in which only the first screen area DA1 is displayed. For example, the control unit 18 re-arranges the windows arranged in the screen area DA in the single screen mode in the first screen area DA1 while maintaining the upper and lower relationship of the layers. Then, the process proceeds to step S107.

[0129] (Step S107 ) The control unit 18 controls the second screen area DA2 to display black or turn off the display, and ends the half screen mode switching process.

[0130] (Step S109) The control unit 18 determines the screen area displaying the active window in the dual screen mode before the keyboard 30 is placed. If the screen area displaying the active window is the second screen area DA2, the control unit 18 proceeds to the process of step S111. On the other hand, if the screen area displaying the active window is the first screen area DA1, the control unit 18 proceeds to the process of step S115.

[0131] (Step S111) When the active window is displayed in the second screen area DA2, the control unit 18 determines whether a window is displayed in the first screen area DA1. When the control unit 18 determines that a window is displayed in the first screen area DA1 (Yes), the process proceeds to step S113. On the other hand, when the control unit 18 determines that a window is not displayed in the first screen area DA1 (No), the process proceeds to step S117.

[0132] (Step S113) The control unit 18 controls the window arranged in the uppermost layer in the first screen area DA1 to be the active window, and controls the active window displayed in the second screen area DA2 to be the inactive window. Then, the process proceeds to step S115.

[0133] (Step S115) The control unit 18 switches to the half screen mode in which only the first screen area DA1 is displayed. For example, the control unit 18 places the window placed in the second screen area DA2 in a lower layer of the first screen area DA1 or minimizes it. Then, the process proceeds to step S119.

[0134] (Step S117) When no window is displayed in the first screen area DA1, the control unit 18 switches to the half screen mode in which only the first screen area DA1 is displayed, and arranges the window arranged in the second screen area DA2 in the first screen area DA1 or minimizes it. Then, the process proceeds to step S119.

[0135] (Step S119 ) The control unit 18 controls the second screen area DA2 to display black or display off, and ends the half screen mode switching process.

[0136] As described above, the information processing device 10 according to the present embodiment includes the RAM 12 (an example of a memory) for temporarily storing application programs, the display 150, and the control unit 18 (an example of a configuration including a processor) for controlling the display 150 to display application windows by executing the application programs stored in the RAM 12. The control unit 18 performs placement detection processing (connection detection processing) to detect that the external keyboard 30 is placed (connected) in the second screen area DA2 (an example of a predetermined screen area) in the screen area of ​​the display 150. In addition, the control unit 18 performs display control processing to control switching between a single screen mode (an example of the first display mode), a dual screen mode (an example of the second display mode), and a half screen mode (an example of the third display mode), wherein the single screen mode is a screen mode in which the entire screen area DA of the display 150 is controlled as a single display area, the dual screen mode is a screen mode in which the screen area DA of the display 150 is divided into a plurality of display areas (for example, two display areas "1", "2") to control the display, and the half screen mode is a screen mode in which a part of the first screen area DA1 in the screen area DA of the display 150 except the second screen area DA2 is controlled as a display area (for example, display area "1") when the placement of the keyboard 30 is detected through the placement detection processing. Moreover, during the display control process, when the control unit 18 switches from the dual-screen mode to the half-screen mode, the window displayed in the display area outside the first screen area DA1 in the dual-screen mode (for example, the display area "2" of the second screen area DA2) is configured in the first screen area DA1 or minimized, and when configured in the first screen area DA1, is configured in a layer lower than the window displayed in the top layer of the first screen area DA1 in the dual-screen mode.

[0137] Thus, when the information processing device 10 switches from the dual screen mode to the half screen mode due to the placement of the keyboard 30, the display state of the window in the first screen area DA1 on the side where the keyboard 30 is not placed is maintained, so that the user does not feel a sense of incongruity. Therefore, the information processing device 10 can appropriately control the display when the screen area of ​​the display 150 is divided into a plurality of display areas to control the display.

[0138] In addition, during the display control process, when an active window is displayed in a display area other than the first screen area DA1 (for example, display area "2" of the second screen area DA2) in the dual-screen mode, the control unit 18 switches the window displayed in the top layer of the first screen area DA1 in the dual-screen mode to the active window in accordance with the switching from the dual-screen mode to the half-screen mode.

[0139] Thus, when the information processing device 10 is switched from the dual screen mode to the half screen mode due to the placement of the keyboard 30, the window of the first screen area DA1 on the side where the keyboard 30 is not placed is maintained in a display state that can be used preferentially, so that the user does not feel a sense of incongruity. Therefore, the information processing device 10 can appropriately control the display when the screen area of ​​the display 150 is divided into a plurality of display areas to control the display.

[0140] Furthermore, when the display control process is used to control the half screen mode, the control unit 18 controls the second screen area DA2 (an example of a display area including at least a predetermined screen area) to be displayed in black or turned off.

[0141] Thus, when the information processing device 10 is controlled in the half screen mode, the screen area where the external keyboard 30 is placed can be made a display invalid area.

[0142] In addition, the control method in the information processing device 10 involved in the present embodiment includes: a placement detection step, in which the control unit 18 detects that the external keyboard 30 is placed in the second screen area DA2 (an example of a specified screen area) (connection) in the screen area of ​​the display 150; and a display control step, which controls the switching of a single screen mode (an example of a first display mode), a dual screen mode (an example of a second display mode) and a half screen mode (an example of a third display mode), wherein the above-mentioned single screen mode is a screen mode in which the entire screen area DA of the display 150 is controlled as a display area, the above-mentioned dual screen mode is a screen mode in which the screen area DA of the display 150 is divided into a plurality of display areas (for example, two display areas "1" and "2") to control the display, and the above-mentioned half screen mode is a screen mode in which a part of the first screen area DA1 in the screen area DA of the display 150 except the second screen area DA2 is controlled as a display area (for example, display area "1") when the placement of the keyboard 30 is detected by placement detection processing. Moreover, in the display control step, when the control unit 18 switches from the dual-screen mode to the half-screen mode, the window displayed in the display area outside the first screen area DA1 in the dual-screen mode (for example, the display area "2" of the second screen area DA2) is configured in the first screen area DA1 or minimized, and when configured in the first screen area DA1, it is configured in a layer lower than the window displayed in the top layer of the first screen area DA1 in the dual-screen mode.

[0143] Thus, when the information processing device 10 switches from the dual screen mode to the half screen mode due to the placement of the keyboard 30, the display state of the window in the first screen area DA1 on the side where the keyboard 30 is not placed is maintained, so that the user does not feel a sense of incongruity. Therefore, the information processing device 10 can appropriately control the display when the screen area of ​​the display 150 is divided into a plurality of display areas to control the display.

[0144] <Second embodiment>

[0145] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0146] In the first embodiment, the control when the one-screen mode or the two-screen mode is transferred to the half-screen mode is described, but in this embodiment, the control when the three-screen mode and the four-screen mode are transferred to the half-screen mode is described. For example, the information processing device 10 may also divide one or both of the first screen area DA1 and the second screen area DA2 into two display areas, thereby having not only the two-screen mode but also the three-screen mode or the four-screen mode.

[0147] Fig.11 is a diagram showing an example of an operation specification for a display mode switching operation according to the present embodiment. Figure 5 An example of a switching menu M3 displayed by operating the icon C1 shown in (A). The switching menu M3 is displayed when the usage mode is "Clamshell" (display mode (c-1), display mode (e), display mode (e'), etc.), and the points that can be switched to three screen modes and four screen modes are Figure 5 (C) Different.

[0148] Display mode switching icons C31, C32, C33, C34, and C35 are displayed in the switching menu M3. The display mode switching icon C31 is displayed as an operator for selecting the display mode (e) or the display mode (e′) of one picture mode. The display mode switching icon C32 is displayed as an operator for selecting the display mode (c-1) of the dual picture mode. The display mode switching icon C33 and the display mode switching icon C34 are displayed as operators for selecting the display mode of the three picture modes. The difference between the display mode switching icon C33 and the display mode switching icon C34 is whether the second picture area DA2 is divided into two display areas "2", "3", or whether the first picture area DA1 is divided into two display areas "2", "3". The display mode switching icon C35 is displayed as an operator for selecting the display mode of the four picture modes.

[0149] If the user selects the display mode switching icon C33 or the display mode switching icon C34, the display of the switching menu ends and the display is controlled to the three-screen mode. In addition, if the user selects the display mode switching icon C35, the display of the switching menu ends and the display is controlled to the four-screen mode.

[0150] In addition, in this Fig.11 In, relative to Figure 5 The switching menu M2 shown in (C) of FIG. 1 adds an example of an operator for selecting three-screen modes and four-screen modes, but it can also be used with respect to Figure 5 Similarly, the switching menu M1 shown in (B) has an additional operator for selecting the three-screen mode and the four-screen mode.

[0151] Fig.12 1 is a diagram showing a first example of control from the three-screen mode to the half-screen mode according to the present embodiment. In the information processing device 10, the control unit 18, in the three-screen mode shown in the figure, further divides the second screen area DA2 into two display areas, relative to the dual-screen mode in which the screen area DA is divided into two display areas, the first screen area DA1 and the second screen area DA2, and controls the display with the three display areas, namely, the display area "1" of the first screen area DA1 and the two display areas "2" and "3" of the second screen area DA2.

[0152] When the control unit 18 shifts to the half screen mode, it only uses the first screen area DA1 (display area "1") as a display object, and maintains the windows displayed in the first screen area DA1 (display area "1") in the three-screen mode. In addition, the control unit 18 arranges the windows of the two display areas "2" and "3" respectively displayed in the second screen area DA2 in the three-screen mode at a layer lower than the windows displayed at the top layer of the first screen area DA1 (display area "1").

[0153] In addition, when the control unit 18 displays an active window in any of the two display areas "2" and "3" of the second screen area DA2 in the three-screen mode, the control unit 18 can also switch the window displayed in the top layer of the first screen area DA1 (display area "1") in the three-screen mode to the active window according to the fact that the half-screen mode is switched. In addition, when the control unit 18 displays an active window in the first screen area DA1 (display area "1") in the three-screen mode, the display of the active window is maintained even after switching to the half-screen mode. That is, regardless of whether the control unit 18 displays the active window in the first screen area DA1 (display area "1") or the second screen area DA2 (display area "2" or display area "3") in the three-screen mode, the window displayed in the top layer of the first screen area DA1 (display area "1") can be made the active window after switching to the half-screen mode.

[0154] Furthermore, when the mode is changed from the three-screen mode to the half-screen mode, the control unit 18 may minimize, in the first screen area DA1, the window displayed in the two display areas "2" or the display area "3" of the second screen area DA2 in the three-screen mode.

[0155] Thus, in the information processing device 10 involved in the present embodiment, when the control unit 18 divides the display area of ​​the second screen area DA2 (an example of the display area outside the first screen area DA1) into multiple display areas (for example, two display areas "2" and "3") to control the display in the three-screen mode (an example of the second display mode) during the display control processing, in accordance with the situation that the three-screen mode is switched to the half-screen mode (an example of the third display mode), the windows displayed in the two display areas "2" and "3" of the second screen area DA2 in the three-screen mode are arranged at a lower layer than the windows displayed at the top layer of the first screen area DA1 (display area "1") in the three-screen mode, or are minimized.

[0156] Thus, when the information processing device 10 switches from the three-screen mode to the half-screen mode due to the placement of the keyboard 30, the display state of the window in the first screen area DA1 on the side where the keyboard 30 is not placed is maintained, so that the user does not feel a sense of incongruity. Therefore, the information processing device 10 can appropriately control the display when the screen area of ​​the display 150 is divided into a plurality of display areas to control the display.

[0157] Fig.131 is a diagram showing a second example of control from the three-screen mode to the half-screen mode according to the present embodiment. In the information processing device 10, the control unit 18, in the three-screen mode shown in the figure, further divides the first screen area DA1 into two display areas, relative to the dual-screen mode in which the screen area DA is divided into two display areas, the first screen area DA1 and the second screen area DA2, and controls the display using the three display areas, the two display areas "2" and "3" of the first screen area DA1 and the display area "1" of the second screen area DA2.

[0158] When the control unit 18 shifts to the half screen mode, it uses only the first screen area DA1 (display areas "2" and "3") as the display object, and maintains the windows of the two display areas "2" and "3" respectively displayed in the first screen area DA1 in the three screen mode. In addition, the control unit 18 arranges the window displayed in the second screen area DA2 (display area "1") in the three screen mode at a layer lower than the window displayed in the top layer of each of the display areas "2" and "3" in the first screen area DA1.

[0159] In addition, when the control unit 18 displays an active window in the display area "1" of the second screen area DA2 in the three-screen mode, the control unit 18 can also switch the window displayed in the top layer of the display areas "2" and "3" in the first screen area DA1 in the three-screen mode to the active window according to the fact that the half-screen mode is switched. In addition, when the control unit 18 displays an active window in the first screen area DA1 (display area "2" or display area "3") in the three-screen mode, the display of the active window is maintained even after switching to the half-screen mode. That is, regardless of whether the active window is displayed in the first screen area DA1 (display area "2" or display area "3") or the second screen area DA2 (display area "1") in the three-screen mode, the control unit 18 can make the window displayed in the top layer of the first screen area DA1 (display area "2" and "3") the active window after switching to the half-screen mode.

[0160] In addition, if the control unit 18 switches from the three-screen mode to the half-screen mode, the window displayed in the second screen area DA2 (display area "1") in the three-screen mode can also be minimized in any of the display areas "2" and "3" of the first screen area DA1.

[0161] In this way, when the information processing device 10 controls the display by dividing the first screen area DA1 into multiple display areas (for example, two display areas "2" and "3") in the three-screen mode during the display control process, based on the situation that the three-screen mode is switched from the half-screen mode, the window displayed in the display area "1" (an example of a display area other than the first screen area DA1) in the second screen area DA2 in the three-screen mode is arranged at a lower layer than the window displayed at the top layer of each display area in the first screen area DA1 in the three-screen mode, or is minimized.

[0162] Thus, when the information processing device 10 switches from the three-screen mode to the half-screen mode due to the placement of the keyboard 30, the display state of the window in the first screen area DA1 on the side where the keyboard 30 is not placed is maintained, so that the user does not feel a sense of incongruity. Therefore, the information processing device 10 can appropriately control the display when the screen area of ​​the display 150 is divided into a plurality of display areas to control the display.

[0163] Fig.14 1 is a diagram showing an example of control from the four-screen mode to the half-screen mode involved in the present embodiment. In the information processing device 10, the control unit 18, in the four-screen mode shown in the figure, further divides each of the first screen area DA1 and the second screen area DA2 into two display areas, relative to the dual-screen mode in which the screen area DA is divided into two display areas, the first screen area DA1 and the second screen area DA2, and controls the display with the four display areas of the two display areas "1", "2" of the first screen area DA1 and the two display areas "3", "4" of the second screen area DA2.

[0164] When the control unit 18 shifts to the half screen mode, it uses only the first screen area DA1 (display areas "1" and "2") as the display object, and maintains the windows of the two display areas "1" and "2" respectively displayed in the first screen area DA1 in the four screen mode. In addition, the control unit 18 arranges the window displayed in the second screen area DA2 (display areas "3" and "4") in the four screen mode at a layer lower than the window displayed in the uppermost layer of the display areas "1" and "2" in the first screen area DA1.

[0165] In addition, when the control unit 18 displays an active window in the display area "3" or the display area "4" of the second screen area DA2 in the four-screen mode, the control unit 18 may switch the window of the top layer of the display area "1" or "2" displayed in the first screen area DA1 in the four-screen mode to the active window according to the fact that the half-screen mode is switched. In addition, when the control unit 18 displays an active window in the first screen area DA1 (display area "1" or "2") in the four-screen mode, the display of the active window is maintained even after the half-screen mode is switched. That is, regardless of whether the active window is displayed in the first screen area DA1 (display area "1" or "2") or the second screen area DA2 (display area "3" or "4") in the four-screen mode, the control unit 18 may make the window displayed in the top layer of the first screen area DA1 (display area "1" or "2") the active window after the half-screen mode is switched.

[0166] In addition, if the control unit 18 switches from the four-screen mode to the half-screen mode, the window displayed in the second screen area DA2 (display areas "3", "4") in the four-screen mode can also be minimized in any one of the display areas "1" or "2" of the first screen area DA1.

[0167] In this way, when the control unit 18 controls the display by dividing each of the display areas of the first screen area DA1 and the second screen area DA2 into two display areas in the four-screen mode (an example of the second display mode) in the display control processing, according to the situation that the four-screen mode is switched to the half-screen mode, the windows displayed in the two display areas "3" and "4" of the second screen area DA2 in the four-screen mode are arranged at a lower layer than the windows displayed at the top layer of the display areas "1" and "2" in the first screen area DA1 in the four-screen mode, or are minimized.

[0168] Thus, when the information processing device 10 switches from the four-screen mode to the half-screen mode due to the placement of the keyboard 30, the display state of the window in the first screen area DA1 on the side where the keyboard 30 is not placed is maintained, so that the user does not feel a sense of incongruity. Therefore, the information processing device 10 can appropriately control the display when the screen area of ​​the display 150 is divided into a plurality of display areas to control the display.

[0169] <Third embodiment>

[0170] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0171] In the first embodiment, the control of maintaining the display of the first screen area DA1 when switching from the dual-screen mode to the half-screen mode is described, but in the present embodiment, the control of dividing the first screen area DA1 into two display areas in the half-screen mode and configuring the windows respectively displayed in the first screen area DA1 and the second screen area DA2 in the dual-screen mode in the two display areas of the first screen area DA1 is described.

[0172] Fig.15 : is a diagram showing an example of control from dual-screen mode to half-screen mode involved in the present embodiment. In the information processing device 10, the control unit 18 controls the display by dividing the screen area DA into two display areas (display area "1" and display area "2"), namely, the first screen area DA1 and the second screen area DA2 in the dual-screen mode. If the control unit 18 shifts to the half-screen mode, only the first screen area DA1 is used as the display object, and the first screen area DA1 is divided into two display areas "1" and "2". Moreover, the control unit 18 arranges the window displayed in the first screen area DA1 (display area "1") in the dual-screen mode and the window displayed in the second screen area DA2 (display area "2") in the two display areas "1" and display area "2" of the first screen area DA1 in the half-screen mode.

[0173] At this time, the control unit 18 can maintain the active window in the dual-screen mode after switching to the half-screen mode, or make the window displayed in the top layer of the display area "1" of the first screen area DA1 in the dual-screen mode the active window after switching to the half-screen mode.

[0174] Next, in this embodiment, the operation of the half-screen mode switching process of the control unit 18 from the dual-screen mode to the half-screen mode will be described. Fig.16 The operation of the half-screen mode switching process in the case where the active window in the dual-screen mode is maintained after switching to the half-screen mode will be described.

[0175] Fig.16 1 is a flowchart showing a first example of half-screen mode switching processing according to the present embodiment. Fig.10 The processing of step S109 and step S103 is the same, and the description thereof is omitted. If the control unit 18 determines in step S103 that the screen mode before the keyboard 30 is placed is the dual screen mode, the process proceeds to step S215.

[0176] (Step S215) The control unit 18 switches to the half-screen mode in which only the first screen area DA1 is displayed. For example, the control unit 18 divides the first screen area DA1 into two display areas "1" and "2", and configures a window displayed in the first screen area DA1 in the dual-screen mode in one display area "1", and configures a window displayed in the second screen area DA2 in the dual-screen mode in the other display area "2". Then, the process proceeds to step S217.

[0177] (Step S217 ) The control unit 18 controls the second screen area DA2 to display black or turn off the display, and ends the half screen mode switching process.

[0178] Next, refer to Fig.17 , the action of the half-screen mode switching processing is described in which, after switching to the half-screen mode, the window displayed in the top layer of the display area "1" of the first screen area DA1 in the dual-screen mode becomes the active window.

[0179] Fig.17 1 is a flowchart showing a second example of the half screen mode switching process according to the present embodiment. Fig.10 The processing of step S109 is the same as that of step S103, and the description thereof is omitted. If the control unit 18 determines in step S103 that the screen mode before the keyboard 30 is placed is the dual screen mode, the process proceeds to step S209.

[0180] (Step S209) The control unit 18 determines the screen area displaying the active window in the dual screen mode before the keyboard 30 is placed. If the screen area displaying the active window is the second screen area DA2, the control unit 18 proceeds to the process of step S211. On the other hand, if the screen area displaying the active window is the first screen area DA1, the control unit 18 proceeds to the process of step S215.

[0181] (Step S211) When the active window is displayed in the second screen area DA2, the control unit 18 determines whether a window is displayed in the first screen area DA1. When the control unit 18 determines that a window is displayed in the first screen area DA1 (Yes), the process proceeds to step S213. On the other hand, when the control unit 18 determines that no window is displayed in the first screen area DA1 (No), the process proceeds to step S215.

[0182] (Step S213) The control unit 18 controls the window of the top layer arranged in the first screen area DA1 to be the active window, and controls the active window displayed in the second screen area DA2 to be the inactive window. Then, the process proceeds to step S215 to switch to the half screen mode. In addition, the process after step S215 is the same as Fig.16 The processing is the same, so the description is omitted.

[0183] Thus, when an active window is displayed in the second screen area DA2 in the dual screen mode, the window in the uppermost layer arranged in the first screen area DA1 becomes the active window and the mode is switched to the half screen mode. Fig.14 The active window is displayed on the display area "1" side in the first screen area DA1.

[0184] Furthermore, in the dual-screen mode, when an active window is displayed in the second screen area DA2 and no window is displayed in the first screen area DA1, the active window is not changed and the mode is switched to the half-screen mode. Fig.14 The active window is displayed on the display area "2" side within the first screen area DA1.

[0185] As described above, in the information processing device 10 according to the present embodiment, the control unit 18 performs placement detection processing to detect that the external keyboard 30 is placed in the second screen area DA2 (an example of a predetermined screen area) (connected) in the screen area of ​​the display 150. In addition, the control unit 18 performs display control processing to control switching between a single screen mode (an example of a first display mode), a dual screen mode (an example of a second display mode), and a half screen mode (an example of a third display mode), wherein the single screen mode is a screen mode in which the entire screen area DA of the display 150 is controlled to be displayed as a single display area, the dual screen mode is a screen mode in which the screen area DA of the display 150 is divided into two display areas, namely, the first screen area DA1 (a screen area not including the second screen area DA2) and the second screen area DA2, to control the display, and the half screen mode is a screen mode in which, when the placement of the keyboard 30 is detected by the placement detection processing, only the first screen area DA1 of the first screen area DA1 and the second screen area DA2 is controlled to be displayed as a display area. Moreover, in the display control process, the control unit 18 divides the first screen area DA1 into two display areas "1" and "2" according to the situation of switching from the dual-screen mode to the half-screen mode, and displays the window displayed in the first screen area DA1 in the dual-screen mode in one display area "1" of the two display areas, and displays the window displayed in the second screen area DA2 (outside the first screen area DA1) in the other display area "2".

[0186] Thus, when the information processing device 10 is switched from the dual screen mode to the half screen mode due to the placement of the keyboard 30, not only the windows of the first screen area DA1 on the side where the keyboard 30 is not placed, but also the windows of the second screen area DA2 on the side where the keyboard 30 is placed are displayed in the first screen area DA1, which is convenient for the user. Thus, the information processing device 10 can appropriately control the display when the screen area of ​​the display 150 is divided into a plurality of display areas to control the display.

[0187] In addition, the control method in the information processing device 10 involved in the present embodiment includes: a placement detection step, in which the control unit 18 detects that the external keyboard 30 is placed in the second screen area DA2 (an example of a specified screen area) (connection) in the screen area of ​​the display 150; and a display control step, which controls the switching of a single screen mode (an example of a first display mode), a dual screen mode (an example of a second display mode) and a half screen mode (an example of a third display mode), wherein the above-mentioned single screen mode is a screen mode that controls the display of the entire screen area DA of the display 150 as a display area, the above-mentioned dual screen mode is a screen mode that controls the display of the screen area DA of the display 150 by dividing the screen area DA of the display 150 into two display areas, namely, a first screen area DA1 (a screen area that does not include the second screen area DA2) and a second screen area DA2, and the above-mentioned half screen mode is a screen mode that controls the display of only the first screen area DA1 of the first screen area DA1 and the second screen area DA2 as a display area when the placement of the keyboard 30 is detected by the placement detection step. Moreover, in the display control step, the control unit 18 divides the first screen area DA1 into two display areas "1" and "2" according to the situation of switching from the dual-screen mode to the half-screen mode, and displays the window displayed in the first screen area DA1 in the dual-screen mode in one display area "1" of the two display areas, and displays the window displayed in the second screen area DA2 (outside the first screen area DA1) in the other display area "2".

[0188] Thus, when the information processing device 10 is switched from the dual screen mode to the half screen mode due to the placement of the keyboard 30, not only the windows of the first screen area DA1 on the side where the keyboard 30 is not placed, but also the windows of the second screen area DA2 on the side where the keyboard 30 is placed are displayed in the first screen area DA1, which is convenient for the user. Thus, the information processing device 10 can appropriately control the display when the screen area of ​​the display 150 is divided into a plurality of display areas to control the display.

[0189] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings, but the specific structure is not limited to the above content, and various design changes can be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, the structures described in the above embodiments can also be combined arbitrarily.

[0190] Furthermore, in the half-screen mode, the display direction of the first screen area DA1 is controlled to be a preset display direction regardless of the direction of the screen area of ​​the display 150. The preset display direction refers to a direction in which the side where the first shell 101 and the second shell 102 are connected in the first screen area DA1 becomes the lower side, in other words, a direction in which the side opposite to the side where the first shell 101 and the second shell 102 are connected in the first screen area DA1 becomes the upper side. The connection between the first shell 101 and the second shell 102 is a portion where the first shell 101 and the second shell 102 are combined (connected) via the hinge mechanism 103, which is equivalent to the portion divided into the first screen area DA1 and the second screen area DA2 in the dual screen mode. That is, in the half-screen mode, the display direction of the first screen area DA1 is controlled so that it can be used in a state where the first shell 101 provided with the camera 16 is higher than the second shell 102 on which the keyboard 30 is placed.

[0191] In the above embodiment, the Hall sensor 17 is used to detect the connection (placing) with the keyboard 30, but the detection method is not limited thereto. For example, a photoelectric sensor, a mechanical switch, etc. may be used to detect the connection (placing) with the keyboard 30.

[0192] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiments, an example is described in which the display 150 is a foldable display and a display is used in a single screen mode, a multi-screen mode (a dual-screen mode, a three-screen mode, a four-screen mode) or a half-screen mode, but the display 150 may also be configured to include multiple (for example, two) displays. For example, it may be set to a single screen mode in which the screen areas of the two displays are combined into one and the display is controlled as the screen area DA, and a dual-screen mode in which the display of the screen areas of the two displays is controlled individually. In addition, as a half-screen mode in which only one of the two displays is used as a display object and the other is controlled to be a black display or display off, etc., the processing in the above-mentioned embodiments can also be applied. Furthermore, it is also possible to use it as a three-screen mode or a four-screen mode by dividing one or both of the two displays into two display areas.

[0193] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, an example of touch operation on a plurality of touch panel displays which are integrally formed with an input unit (touch sensor) and a display unit is described, but it is not limited to touch operation and may also be set as a mouse-based click operation, a gesture-based operation, etc.

[0194] In addition, the above-mentioned information processing device 10 has a computer system inside. Moreover, the program for realizing the functions of each structure possessed by the above-mentioned information processing device 10 can also be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium, and the processing in each structure possessed by the above-mentioned information processing device 10 can be performed by making the computer system read the program recorded in the recording medium and execute it. Here, the so-called "making the computer system read the program recorded in the recording medium and execute it" is included in the computer system installation program. The so-called "computer system" here includes hardware such as OS and peripheral devices. In addition, the "computer system" can also include multiple computer devices connected via a network including communication lines such as the Internet, WAN, LAN, and dedicated lines. In addition, the so-called "computer-readable recording medium" refers to a storage device such as a portable medium such as a floppy disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a CD-ROM, and a hard disk built into the computer system. In this way, the recording medium storing the program can be a non-temporary recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

[0195] In addition, the recording medium also includes an internal or external recording medium that can be accessed from a distribution server in order to distribute the program. In addition, the program can also be divided into multiple parts, and the structure formed by combining the various structures possessed by the information processing device 10 after being downloaded at different time intervals, and the distribution server for distributing each of the divided programs is different. Moreover, the so-called "computer-readable recording medium" also includes a structure that keeps the program for a certain period of time, such as a server in the case of sending a program via a network, and a volatile memory (RAM) inside a computer system that becomes a client. In addition, the above-mentioned program may also be a structure for realizing a part of the above-mentioned functions. Furthermore, it may also be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can be realized by combining the above-mentioned functions with programs already recorded in a computer system.

[0196] In addition, part or all of the functions of the information processing device 10 in the above-mentioned embodiment may be implemented as an integrated circuit such as LSI (Large Scale Integration). Each function may be processed individually, or part or all of it may be integrated for processing. In addition, the method of integrated circuitization is not limited to LSI, and it may also be implemented by a dedicated circuit or a general-purpose processor. In addition, when an integrated circuit technology that replaces LSI emerges with the advancement of semiconductor technology, an integrated circuit based on the technology may also be used.

Claims

1. An information processing device comprising: Memory, temporarily storing application programs; Display; and The processor controls the display to display the window of the application by executing the program of the application stored in the memory. The processor performs loading detection processing and display control processing. In the placement detection process, the processor detects that the external keyboard is placed in a predetermined screen area of ​​the screen area of ​​the display. In the display control process, the processor controls the switching of the first display mode, the second display mode and the third display mode, wherein: The first display mode is a display mode in which the entire screen area of ​​the display is controlled as a display area, the second display mode is a display mode in which the screen area of ​​the display is divided into a plurality of display areas to control the display, and the third display mode is a display mode in which a part of the first screen area in the screen area of ​​the display other than the specified screen area is controlled as a display area when the placement of the keyboard is detected by the placement detection process. In the above-mentioned display control processing, when the above-mentioned processor switches from the above-mentioned second display mode to the above-mentioned third display mode, the window displayed in the display area outside the above-mentioned first screen area in the above-mentioned second display mode is configured in the above-mentioned first screen area or minimized, and when configured in the above-mentioned first screen area, it is configured in a layer lower than the window displayed in the top layer of the above-mentioned first screen area in the above-mentioned second display mode.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: In the display control processing, when an active window is displayed in a display area outside the first screen area in the second display mode, the window displayed at the top layer of the first screen area in the second display mode is switched to the active window in accordance with the switching from the second display mode to the third display mode.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: In the above-mentioned display control processing, when the display area outside the above-mentioned first screen area is divided into multiple display areas to control the display in the above-mentioned second display mode, according to the situation that the above-mentioned processor switches from the above-mentioned second display mode to the above-mentioned third display mode, the window displayed in each of the multiple display areas outside the above-mentioned first screen area in the above-mentioned second display mode is arranged at a lower layer than the window displayed in the top layer of the above-mentioned first screen area in the above-mentioned second display mode, or the window displayed in each of the multiple display areas outside the above-mentioned first screen area in the above-mentioned second display mode is minimized.

4. The information processing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: In the above-mentioned display control processing, when the above-mentioned processor controls the display by dividing the above-mentioned first screen area into multiple display areas in the above-mentioned second display mode, according to the situation that the above-mentioned second display mode is switched to the above-mentioned third display mode, the window displayed in the display area outside the above-mentioned first screen area in the above-mentioned second display mode is arranged in a layer lower than the window displayed in the topmost layer of each display area in the above-mentioned first screen area in the above-mentioned second display mode, or the window displayed in the display area outside the above-mentioned first screen area in the above-mentioned second display mode is minimized.

5. The information processing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: In the display control processing, when the first screen area and the display area outside the first screen area are divided into a plurality of display areas to control the display in the second display mode, the processor configures a window displayed in each of the plurality of display areas outside the first screen area in the second display mode at a layer lower than the window displayed at the topmost layer of each display area in the first screen area in the second display mode, or minimizes a window displayed in each of the plurality of display areas outside the first screen area in the second display mode, according to a situation in which the second display mode is switched to the third display mode.

6. An information processing device comprising: Memory, temporarily storing application programs; Display; and The processor controls the display to display the window of the application by executing the program of the application stored in the memory. The processor performs loading detection processing and display control processing. In the placement detection process, the processor detects that the external keyboard is placed in a predetermined screen area of ​​the screen area of ​​the display. In the display control process, the processor controls the switching of the first display mode, the second display mode and the third display mode, wherein: The first display mode is a display mode in which the entire screen area of ​​the display is controlled as a display area, the second display mode is a display mode in which the screen area of ​​the display is divided into a plurality of display areas to control the display, and the third display mode is a display mode in which a part of the first screen area in the screen area of ​​the display other than the specified screen area is controlled as a display area when the placement of the keyboard is detected by the placement detection process. In the display control process, when the processor switches from the second display mode to the third display mode, if an active window is displayed in a display area outside the first screen area in the second display mode, the window displayed in the top layer of the first screen area in the second display mode is switched to the active window.

7. The information processing device according to claim 6, wherein: In the above-mentioned display control processing, when the screen area of ​​the above-mentioned display is divided into two display areas in the above-mentioned second display mode to control the display, the above-mentioned processor divides the above-mentioned first screen area into two display areas according to the situation of switching from the above-mentioned second display mode to the above-mentioned third display mode, and displays the window displayed in the above-mentioned first screen area in the above-mentioned second display mode in one display area of ​​the two display areas, and displays the window displayed in the display area other than the above-mentioned first screen area in the other display area.

8. An information processing device comprising: Memory, temporarily storing application programs; Display; and The processor controls the display to display the window of the application by executing the program of the application stored in the memory. The processor performs loading detection processing and display control processing. In the placement detection process, the processor detects that the external keyboard is placed in a predetermined screen area of ​​the screen area of ​​the display. In the display control process, the processor controls the switching of the first display mode, the second display mode and the third display mode, wherein: The first display mode is a display mode in which the entire screen area of ​​the display is used as a display area to control the display. The second display mode is a display mode in which the screen area of ​​the display is divided into two display areas, namely, a first screen area that does not include the specified screen area and a second screen area that includes the specified screen area to control the display. The third display mode is a display mode in which, when the placement of the keyboard is detected by the placement detection process, only the first screen area of ​​the first screen area and the second screen area is used as a display area to control the display. In the display control process, the processor divides the first screen area into two display areas according to the situation of switching from the second display mode to the third display mode, wherein one of the two display areas displays the window displayed in the first screen area in the second display mode, and the other display area displays the window displayed in the second screen area.

9. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1, 6 or 8, wherein: The processor controls a display area including at least the predetermined screen area to be displayed in black or turned off when the display control process controls the display to be in the third display mode.

10. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1, 6 or 8, wherein: The above-mentioned display is a foldable display.

11. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1, 6 or 8, wherein: The above-mentioned display includes a plurality of displays.

12. A control method, a control method in an information processing device, the information processing device comprising a memory for temporarily storing an application program, a display, and a processor for controlling the display to display a window of the application by executing the application program stored in the memory, The control method includes a placement detection step and a display control step. In the placement detection step, the processor detects that the external keyboard is placed in a predetermined screen area of ​​the screen area of ​​the display. In the above display control step, the above processor controls the switching of the first display mode, the second display mode and the third display mode, wherein: The first display mode is a display mode in which the entire screen area of ​​the display is used as a display area to control the display. The second display mode is a display mode in which the screen area of ​​the display is divided into a plurality of display areas to control the display. The third display mode is a display mode in which a part of the first screen area in the screen area of ​​the display other than the specified screen area is used as a display area to control the display when the placement of the keyboard is detected by the placement detection step. In the above-mentioned display control step, when switching from the above-mentioned second display mode to the above-mentioned third display mode, the window displayed in the display area outside the above-mentioned first screen area in the above-mentioned second display mode is configured in the above-mentioned first screen area or minimized, and when configured in the above-mentioned first screen area, it is configured in a layer lower than the window displayed in the top layer of the above-mentioned first screen area in the above-mentioned second display mode.

13. A control method, the control method being in an information processing device, the information processing device comprising a memory for temporarily storing an application program, a display, and a processor for controlling the display to display a window of the application by executing the application program stored in the memory, The control method includes a placement detection step and a display control step. In the placement detection step, the processor detects that the external keyboard is placed in a predetermined screen area of ​​the screen area of ​​the display. In the above display control step, the above processor controls the switching of the first display mode, the second display mode and the third display mode, wherein: The first display mode is a display mode in which the entire screen area of ​​the display is used as a display area to control the display. The second display mode is a display mode in which the screen area of ​​the display is divided into a plurality of display areas to control the display. The third display mode is a display mode in which a part of the first screen area in the screen area of ​​the display other than the specified screen area is used as a display area to control the display when the placement of the keyboard is detected by the placement detection step. In the above-mentioned display control step, when switching from the above-mentioned second display mode to the above-mentioned third display mode, if an active window is displayed in the display area outside the above-mentioned first screen area in the above-mentioned second display mode, the window displayed in the top layer of the above-mentioned first screen area in the above-mentioned second display mode is switched to the active window.

14. A control method, the control method being in an information processing device, the information processing device comprising a memory for temporarily storing an application program, a display, and a processor for controlling the display to display a window of the application by executing the application program stored in the memory, The control method includes a placement detection step and a display control step. In the placement detection step, the processor detects that the external keyboard is placed in a predetermined screen area of ​​the screen area of ​​the display. In the above display control step, the above processor controls the switching of the first display mode, the second display mode and the third display mode, wherein: The first display mode is a display mode in which the entire screen area of ​​the display is used as a display area to control the display. The second display mode is a display mode in which the screen area of ​​the display is divided into two display areas, namely, a first screen area that does not include the specified screen area and a second screen area that includes the specified screen area to control the display. The third display mode is a display mode in which, when the placement of the keyboard is detected by the placement detection step, only the first screen area of ​​the first screen area and the second screen area is used as a display area to control the display. In the above-mentioned display control step, according to the situation of switching from the above-mentioned second display mode to the above-mentioned third display mode, the above-mentioned first screen area is divided into two display areas, one of the two display areas displays the window displayed in the above-mentioned first screen area in the above-mentioned second display mode, and the other display area displays the window displayed in the above-mentioned second screen area.

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