Information processing apparatus and input control method

Abstract

The invention relates to an information processing apparatus and an input control method. The risk of erroneous determination of touch input caused by heat is reduced. The information processing device includes a first housing and a second housing, and the first housing and the second housing are connected so as to be relatively openable and closable. The information processing apparatus includes: a touch panel provided in a first housing; a temperature sensor; a temperature acquisition unit (21) that acquires the temperature of the touch panel on the basis of the temperature measured by the temperature sensor; and a mode setting unit (23) that has a plurality of touch modes including a touch invalidation mode in which an input operation to the touch panel is invalidated and a touch validation mode in which an input operation to the touch panel is validated, and that sets any one of the touch modes on the basis of the touch panel temperature.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] There is a case that can be used by connecting to an external monitor when the laptop PC is closed.

[0003] If a laptop PC equipped with a touch panel display is used in a closed state, the heat of the motherboard is transferred to the touch panel display, and the temperature of the touch panel display may be locally increased.

[0004] If the temperature of the touch panel display rises, the impedance of the touch sensor decreases, and sometimes a phenomenon called false touch occurs, in which the touch input is mistakenly judged to be present at that part. Such false touch is particularly likely to occur when the distance between the display surface and the touch sensor is relatively close, or when a structure or material with high thermal conductivity from the heat source to the touch panel display is used. Summary of the invention

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an information processing device and an input control method capable of reducing the risk of erroneous determination of touch input due to heat.

[0006] One method of the present disclosure is an information processing device, comprising a first frame and a second frame, wherein the first frame and the second frame are connected to be able to be opened and closed relatively, and the information processing device comprises: a touch panel, which is arranged on the first frame; a temperature sensor; a temperature acquisition unit, which acquires the touch panel temperature based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor; and a mode setting unit, which has a plurality of touch modes including a touch invalidation mode that invalidates input operations to the touch panel and a touch validation mode that validates input operations to the touch panel, and any one of the touch modes is set based on the touch panel temperature.

[0007] One method disclosed herein is an input control method for an information processing device, the information processing device comprising a first frame, a second frame and a temperature sensor, the first frame and the second frame being connected so as to be relatively openable and closable, the first frame comprising a touch panel, a temperature acquisition process and a mode setting process being executed by a computer, in which the temperature acquisition process acquires the touch panel temperature based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor, in which the mode setting process comprises a plurality of touch modes including a touch invalidation mode for invalidating input operations to the touch panel and a touch validation mode for validating input operations to the touch panel, and any one of the touch modes is set based on the touch panel temperature.

[0008] It is possible to reduce the risk of erroneous determination of touch input due to heat. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 This is a schematic external view of the information processing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and is a view showing an example of a cover-open state.

[0010] Figure 2 This is a schematic external view of the information processing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and is a view showing an example of a cover-closed state.

[0011] Figure 3 This is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 4 This is a functional configuration diagram showing an example of functions included in an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 5 This is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of a touch invalidation determination process in an input control process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 6 This is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of a touch validity determination process in an input control process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] Description of Reference Numerals

[0016] 1…information processing device; 2…first frame; 3…second frame; 4…input device; 5…touch panel display; 5a…display; 5b…touch panel; 6…connecting member; 11…CPU; 12…primary storage device; 13…secondary storage device; 14…external interface; 15…communication interface; 16…temperature sensor; 17…Hall sensor; 18…bus; 20…input control system; 21…temperature acquisition unit; 22…open / close determination unit; 23…mode setting unit; 24…notification unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Hereinafter, an information processing device and an input control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, a laptop PC will be described as an example of the information processing device 1, but the information processing device 1 according to the present embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, as described later, any information processing device having a first housing and a second housing that can be relatively opened and closed may be used, and as another example, a 2in1 PC or the like is listed.

[0018] Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 is a schematic external view of an information processing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1 It shows the state where the first housing 2 is opened relative to the second housing 3, the so-called cover-open state, Figure 2 The diagram shows a state in which the first housing 2 is closed relative to the second housing 3 , a so-called cover-closed state.

[0019] like Figure 1 As shown, the information processing device 1 includes a first housing 2 and a second housing 3. The first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are connected to each other by a connecting member 6 so as to be relatively openable and closable. An example of the connecting member 6 is a hinge.

[0020] The first housing 2 is substantially rectangular and includes a touch panel display 5 provided on a surface facing the second housing 3. The touch panel display 5 is, for example, a display 5a (see Figure 3 ) is overlapped with a touch panel 5b (see Figure 3 ) In addition, as for the structure of the touch panel display 5, a known technology may be appropriately adopted, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0021] The second frame 3 is roughly rectangular, and an input device 4 is provided on the first surface of the second frame 3. The input device 4 is a user interface for the user to perform input operations. As an example of the input device 4, a keyboard, a touch pad, a small red dot, etc. are listed. In addition, the input device 4 can also be a software keyboard, etc. That is, the first surface of the second frame 3 can also have a touch panel, and a screen of a keyboard, etc. is displayed relative to the touch panel, and it functions as an input device 4.

[0022] Next, refer to Figure 3 The hardware configuration of the information processing device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. Figure 3 1 is a schematic structural diagram showing an example of the hardware structure of the information processing device 1 involved in this embodiment. Figure 3 As shown, the information processing device 1 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit: processor) 11, a main memory device (Main Memory) 12, a secondary storage device (Secondary storage: memory) 13, an external interface 14, a communication interface 15, a temperature sensor 16, a Hall sensor 17, etc., in addition to the above-mentioned input device 4 and touch panel display 5. These components are directly or indirectly connected to each other via a bus 18 and cooperate with each other to perform various processes.

[0023] The CPU 11 controls the entire information processing device 1 through, for example, an OS (Operating System) stored in a secondary storage device 13 connected via a bus 18, and performs various processes by executing various programs stored in the secondary storage device 13. One or more CPUs 11 may be provided to realize processes in cooperation with each other.

[0024] The main storage device 12 is composed of a writable memory such as a cache memory or a RAM (Random Access Memory), and is used as a work area for the CPU 11 to read and execute programs and write processing data based on the execution of the programs.

[0025] The secondary storage device 13 is a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. The secondary storage device 13 is, for example, a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a semiconductor memory, etc. As an example of the secondary storage device 13, there are ROM (Read Only Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive) flash memory, etc. The secondary storage device 13 stores, for example, an OS for controlling the entire information processing device such as Windows (registered trademark), iOS (registered trademark), Android (registered trademark), BIOS (Basic Input / Output System), various device drivers for hardware operations of peripheral devices, various application software, and various data and files. In addition, the secondary storage device 13 stores programs for implementing various processes and various data required for implementing various processes. A plurality of secondary storage devices 13 may be provided, and the above-mentioned programs and data may be divided and stored in each secondary storage device 13.

[0026] The external interface 14 is an interface for connecting to an external device. Examples of external devices include an external monitor, a USB memory, an external HDD, an external camera, and the like. Figure 3 In the example shown, only one external interface is illustrated, but a plurality of external interfaces may be provided.

[0027] The communication interface 15 is connected to the network and communicates with other devices, and functions as an interface for sending and receiving information. For example, the communication interface 15 communicates with other devices via wired or wireless communication. As wireless communication, Bluetooth (registered trademark), Wi-Fi, mobile communication systems (3G, 4G, 5G, 6G, LTE, etc.), wireless LAN, etc., which are communications through lines, are listed. As an example of wired communication, wired LAN (Local Area Network) and other communications through lines are listed.

[0028] The temperature sensor 16 is, for example, disposed inside the second frame 3. The temperature sensor 16 may be one or more. The temperature sensor 16 is, for example, disposed at a location where the temperature is likely to rise inside the second frame 3. As an example, the temperature sensor 16 may be located near a motherboard housed inside the second frame 3, on the motherboard, near a power element, and the like. The temperature measured by the temperature sensor 16 is output to the CPU 11.

[0029] In addition, in this embodiment, the temperature sensor 16 is described as being disposed inside the second frame body 3, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and there is no particular limitation on the location and number of the temperature sensor 16. For example, the temperature sensor 16 may also be disposed inside the first frame body 2. In addition, the temperature sensor 16 may also be disposed on the surface of the first frame body 2 or the surface of the second frame body 3 in addition to the inside.

[0030] The Hall sensor 17, for example, includes a Hall element in either the first frame 2 or the second frame 3, and a magnet in the other frame. As an example, the Hall element is arranged inside the first frame 2. The position where the Hall element is arranged corresponds to the position of a magnet (not shown) arranged inside the second frame 3. More specifically, the Hall element and the magnet are arranged so that when the information processing device 1 is in the closed state, the Hall element and the magnet are opposite to each other.

[0031] The Hall sensor 17 detects a magnetic field generated by a magnet disposed inside the second housing 3 using a Hall element, and outputs the detection result of the magnetic field to the CPU 11. The Hall element detects the magnetic field, so that the CPU 11 can determine whether the information processing device 1 is open or closed.

[0032] Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a functional configuration diagram showing an example of functions provided by the information processing device 1. Figure 4 As shown, the information processing device 1 includes an input control system 20. The input control system 20 includes a temperature acquisition unit 21, an opening / closing determination unit 22, a mode setting unit 23, and a notification unit 24, for example.

[0033] As an example, a series of processes for realizing various functions of the input control system 20 are stored in the secondary storage device 13 or the like in the form of a program, and the CPU (processor) 11 reads the program to the main storage device 12, and realizes various functions by executing information processing and calculation processing. In addition, the program can also be applied in a manner of being pre-installed in the secondary storage device 13, provided in a state of being stored in a non-transient computer-readable storage medium, or distributed via a wired or wireless communication unit. As an example of a non-transient computer-readable storage medium, a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a semiconductor memory, etc. are listed.

[0034] The temperature acquisition unit 21 acquires the touch panel temperature based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 16. For example, in the case where there is one temperature sensor 16, the temperature acquisition unit 21 may also acquire the temperature measurement value of the temperature sensor 16 as the touch panel temperature. In addition, an operation formula for estimating the touch panel temperature based on the temperature measurement value may be provided in advance, and the touch panel temperature may be acquired by using the operation by using the temperature measurement value in the operation formula. In addition, in the case where multiple temperature sensors 16 are provided, the touch panel temperature may be calculated according to a prescribed algorithm based on their measurement values. For example, the maximum value among the measurement values ​​of multiple temperature sensors 16 may be set as the touch panel temperature, or the touch panel temperature may be acquired by statistically processing multiple temperature measurement values.

[0035] In addition, what temperature to adopt as the touch panel temperature may be appropriately determined, and the touch invalidation threshold and the touch validating threshold described later may be set to appropriate values ​​according to the defined “touch panel temperature”.

[0036] The opening and closing determination unit 22 determines the opening and closing state of the first frame body 2 and the second frame body 3 based on the output of the Hall sensor 17. Specifically, the opening and closing determination unit 22 determines whether the first frame body 2 and the second frame body 3 are in an open state, that is, a cover open state, or whether the first frame body 2 and the second frame body 3 are in a closed state, that is, a cover closed state, based on the output from the Hall sensor 17.

[0037] The cover closed state refers to, for example, a case where the angle formed by the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 is substantially 0°, and a state other than the cover closed state is referred to as the cover open state.

[0038] The mode setting unit 23 has a plurality of touch modes including, for example, a touch invalidation mode for invalidating an input operation to the touch panel 5 b and a touch validating mode for validating an input operation to the touch panel 5 b .

[0039] Here, the so-called touch invalidation mode includes, for example, not only invalidating the input of the touch panel 5 b , but also forcibly reducing the sensitivity of the touch panel 5 b to a predetermined value or less so that the touch input cannot be sensed.

[0040] The mode setting unit 23 sets any one of the touch modes based on the touch panel temperature acquired by the temperature acquisition unit 21 and the open / closed states of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 determined by the open / close determination unit 22 .

[0041] Specifically, when the cover is closed and the touch panel temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined touch invalidation threshold value for a predetermined period of time, the mode setting unit 23 sets the touch invalidation mode.

[0042] When the first condition or the second condition is satisfied after a predetermined period of time has passed since the first condition of the cover being open or the second condition of the touch panel temperature being lower than a predetermined touch validation threshold is satisfied, the mode setting unit 23 sets the touch validation mode.

[0043] Here, the touch invalid threshold is, for example, a temperature threshold determined based on the temperature at which a false touch is generated. In addition, the touch valid threshold is, for example, a temperature threshold determined based on the temperature at which a false touch is not generated. The touch invalid threshold and the touch valid threshold may be the same value or different values. When the touch invalid threshold and the touch valid threshold take different values, the touch invalid threshold is set to a value greater than the touch valid threshold.

[0044] When the touch mode setting is changed by the mode setting unit 23, the notification unit 24 notifies the change of the touch mode. For example, the notification unit 24 notifies the user of the change of the touch mode by displaying a message that the touch mode has been changed on the display 5a. In addition, the notification method is not limited to this, for example, it can also be notified by voice. In addition, a light-emitting element such as an LED can also be provided to notify the user of the touch mode by lighting up in a color corresponding to the mode.

[0045] Next, refer to Figure 5 as well as Figure 6 The input control process (input control method) executed by the input control system 20 of the information processing device 1 will be described. Figure 5 as well as Figure 6 The following series of processes are implemented by, for example, the CPU 11 reading the input control program stored in the secondary storage device 13 to the main storage device 12 and executing information processing and calculation processing.

[0046] The input control process includes, for example, a touch invalidation determination process (see Figure 5 ) and touch validation processing (refer to Figure 6 ). Moreover, for example, the touch invalidation determination process is repeatedly executed during the period in which the touch validation mode is set, and the touch validation determination process is repeatedly executed during the period in which the touch invalidation mode is set.

[0047] First, use Figure 5 , the touch invalid determination process is explained.

[0048] The input control system 20 determines whether the cover is closed and the touch panel temperature Tc is greater than or equal to the specified touch invalid threshold value T1 (SA1). As a result, if the condition is not satisfied (SA1: No), the process is repeated. On the other hand, if the cover is closed and the touch panel temperature Tc is greater than or equal to the touch invalid threshold value T1 (SA1: Yes), the timer is started (SA2), and then, the timer is waited until the timer reaches the specified time (SA3: No). Then, if the timer reaches the specified time (SA3: Yes), the timer is reset (SA4), and then, it is determined again whether the cover is closed and the touch panel temperature Tc is greater than or equal to the touch invalid threshold value T1 (SA5). As a result, if the condition is not satisfied (SA5: No), the process returns to step SA1 and the above process is repeated. On the other hand, if the cover is closed and the touch panel temperature Tc is greater than or equal to the specified touch invalid threshold value T1 (SA5: Yes), the touch invalidation mode is set (SA6). Then, the touch mode change is notified (SA7), for example, the touch invalidation mode is notified, and the process ends.

[0049] Next, use Figure 6 , the touch validity determination process is explained.

[0050] The input control system 20 determines whether the lid is open (condition 1) or the touch panel temperature Tc is less than the specified touch effective threshold T2 (condition 2) (SB1). As a result, if any condition is not met (SB1: No), the process is repeated. On the other hand, if the lid is open or the touch panel temperature Tc is less than the touch effective threshold T2 (SB1: Yes), the timer is started (SB2), and then, it is waited until the timer reaches the specified time (SB3: No). Then, if the timer reaches the specified time (SB3: Yes), the timer is reset (SB4), and then it is determined whether the lid is open or the touch panel temperature Tc is less than the touch effective threshold T2 (SB5). As a result, if any condition is not met (SB5: No), it returns to step SB1 and the above process is repeated. On the other hand, if the lid is open or the touch panel temperature Tc is less than the touch effective threshold T2 (SB5: Yes), the touch validation mode is set (SB6). Next, a change in the touch mode is notified (SB7), for example, the setting of the touch enabling mode is notified, and the present process is terminated.

[0051] As described above, according to this embodiment, there are multiple touch modes including a touch invalidation mode that invalidates the input operation to the touch panel 5b and a touch validation mode that validates the input operation to the touch panel 5b, and any one of the touch modes is set based on the touch panel temperature and the opening and closing status of the first frame 2 and the second frame 3.

[0052] Thus, for example, in the closed state (see Figure 2 ) When the information processing device 1 is used under the condition that the temperature of the touch panel rises, a touch invalidation mode is set to invalidate the input operation to the touch panel 5b. Thus, the risk of erroneous determination of touch input caused by heat can be reduced.

[0053] In addition, when the information processing device 1 is not in the off state (for example, refer to Figure 1 ), or when the touch panel temperature is lower than the effective threshold, a touch enabling mode is set to enable input operation to the touch panel 5b. Thus, the user can perform touch input to the touch panel 5b.

[0054] The present disclosure is described above using the embodiments, but the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. Various changes or improvements can be applied to the above embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosed subject matter, and the methods obtained by applying the changes or improvements are also included in the technical scope of the present disclosure. In addition, the above embodiments can also be appropriately combined.

[0055] Furthermore, the processing flow described in the above embodiment is also an example, and unnecessary steps may be deleted, new steps may be added, or the processing order may be changed without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0056] [Variant 1]

[0057] For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the Hall sensor 17 is used to determine the open and closed state of the first frame body 2 and the second frame body 3, but it is not limited to this. For example, a physical switch may be used instead of the Hall sensor to determine the open and closed state. In addition, an acceleration sensor may be used to define the angle between the first surface of the first frame body 2 and the first surface of the second frame body 3 as a posture angle θ, and the open and closed state may be determined based on the posture angle θ.

[0058] [Variant 2]

[0059] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the touch mode is set based on the touch sensor temperature and the open / closed state of the first frame 2 and the second frame 3, but it is not limited to this. For example, the touch mode can be set based on the touch sensor temperature regardless of the open / closed state of the first frame 2 and the second frame 3, in other words, regardless of the cover closed state or the cover open state. In this case, for example, the touch invalidation mode can be set when the touch sensor temperature is above the invalidation threshold, and the touch validation mode can be set when the touch sensor temperature is less than the validation threshold.

[0060] [Variant 3]

[0061] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, a timer is used in the touch invalidation determination process, but the timer may be omitted. That is, steps SA2 to SA5 may be omitted, and the touch invalidation mode may be set when a positive determination is made in step SA1 (SA1: Yes). Similarly, the timer may be omitted in the touch validation determination process, that is, steps SB2 to SB5 may be omitted, and the touch validation mode may be set when a positive determination is made in step SB1 (SB1: Yes).

[0062] [Variant 4]

[0063] In addition, in the above embodiment, the input operation is enabled or disabled in the entire touch panel 5b, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the touch panel 5b may be divided into a plurality of regions, and a temperature sensor for acquiring the touch panel temperature may be provided in each of the divided regions, and a touch mode may be set. Thus, the touch input may be disabled only in the region where the temperature rises locally. As a result, the touch panel 5b may be effectively used in the cover open state.

[0064] In addition, the above-mentioned embodiment and modifications 1 to 4 can be applied in combination as appropriate.

Claims

1. An information processing device comprising a first housing and a second housing, wherein the first housing and the second housing are connected so as to be relatively openable and closable, The above-mentioned information processing device comprises: A touch panel, arranged in the first frame; Temperature sensor; a temperature acquisition unit, which acquires the touch panel temperature based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor; and The mode setting unit has a plurality of touch modes including a touch invalidation mode for invalidating an input operation to the touch panel and a touch validating mode for validating an input operation to the touch panel, and sets any one of the touch modes based on the touch panel temperature.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: An opening / closing determination unit is provided to determine the opening / closing state of the first frame body and the second frame body, The mode setting unit sets the touch mode based on the touch panel temperature and an open / closed state of the first housing and the second housing.

3. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein: The mode setting unit sets the touch invalidation mode when the first housing and the second housing are closed and the temperature of the touch panel is equal to or higher than a predetermined touch invalidation threshold.

4. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein: The mode setting unit sets the touch invalidation mode when the first housing and the second housing are closed and the temperature of the touch panel is equal to or higher than a predetermined touch invalidation threshold value for a predetermined period of time.

5. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein: The mode setting unit sets the touch enabling mode when the first housing and the second housing are in an open state or when the temperature of the touch panel is lower than a predetermined touch enabling threshold.

6. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein: When the first condition or the second condition is met after a specified period of time from when the first condition or the second condition is met, the mode setting unit sets the touch validation mode, wherein the first condition is that the first frame and the second frame are in an open state, and the second condition is that the temperature of the touch panel is less than a specified touch validation threshold.

7. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: A notification unit is provided for notifying the touch mode of the change when the touch mode setting unit changes the touch mode setting.

8. An input control method for an information processing device, the information processing device comprising a first frame, a second frame, and a temperature sensor, the first frame and the second frame being connected so as to be relatively openable and closable, the first frame comprising a touch panel, The temperature acquisition process and mode setting process are executed by the computer. In the temperature acquisition step, the touch panel temperature is acquired based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor. In the mode setting step, a plurality of touch modes are provided including a touch invalidation mode for invalidating input operation to the touch panel and a touch validating mode for validating input operation to the touch panel, and any one of the touch modes is set based on the touch panel temperature.

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