Information processor and control method

Abstract

To provide an information processor that appropriately controls display when controlling display by dividing a screen area of a display into a plurality of areas.SOLUTION: An information processor controls switching among a first display mode where an entire screen area of a display is controlled as a single display area, a second display mode where the screen area of the display is divided into a plurality of display areas and the display is controlled, and a third display mode where, when it is detected that an external keyboard is placed in a predetermined screen area of the display, a first screen area, which is a part of the screen area of the display excluding the predetermined screen area, is controlled as the display area. Furthermore, the information processor, when switching from the second display mode to the third display mode, places or minimizes a window that is displayed in a display area other than the first screen area in the first screen area, and places it, when placing the window in the first screen area, in a layer lower than the window that is displayed in a top layer of the first screen area.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] In recent years, information processing devices have been disclosed in which a foldable flexible display (display unit) is provided across the first and second housings so as to be bendable in response to rotation of the first and second housings (see, for example, Patent Document 1). When one display is provided across the first and second housings in this manner, not only can the one display be used in a single-screen mode, but the one display can also be divided into a display area on the first housing side and a display area on the second housing side to be used in a pseudo-two-screen mode. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-13850 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The information processing device as described above generally has a configuration in which one display is provided across the first and second housings and therefore does not include a keyboard, but some devices can be used in the same manner as a notebook PC (Personal Computer) equipped with a keyboard by placing an external keyboard on one of the screens in a dual-screen mode and making the other screen the only display area. If the device can be used in the same manner as a notebook PC in this way, the user has more freedom when using the device, making it highly convenient.

[0005] For example, when an external keyboard is placed on the information processing device, the information processing device automatically switches to a screen mode (hereinafter referred to as "half screen mode") in which the screen area on the side where the external keyboard is placed is controlled to be displayed in black, and the screen area on the other side is controlled to be displayed as a screen half the size of the one-screen mode. At this time, the window of the application that was displayed before switching to the half screen mode is rearranged in the half screen area under the control of, for example, the OS (Operating System). For example, if an active window was displayed in the screen area on the side where the keyboard is placed before switching to the half screen mode, the active window will be displayed in the screen area on the other side in response to switching to the half screen mode.

[0006] However, there is a concern that when a user places an external keyboard, the display state of the windows in the screen area on the side where the keyboard is not placed will change, causing a sense of discomfort.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and one of its objects is to provide an information processing device and a control method that appropriately controls display when dividing the screen area of ​​a display into multiple areas and controlling the display. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems. An information processing device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a memory for temporarily storing an application program, a display, and a processor for controlling display of a window of the application on the display by executing the application program stored in the memory, the processor performing a placement detection process for detecting placement of an external keyboard on a predetermined screen area of ​​the screen area of ​​the display, a first display mode for controlling display of the entire screen area of ​​the display as a single display area, and a second display mode for controlling display of the entire screen area of ​​the display as a single display area. and a display control process for controlling switching between a second display mode and a third display mode in which, when the placement of the keyboard is detected by the placement detection process, a first screen area of ​​the screen area of ​​the display is controlled as the display area, excluding the specified screen area, and in the display control process, when switching from the second display mode to the third display mode, windows that were displayed in a display area other than the first screen area in the second display mode are placed or minimized in the first screen area, and when placed in the first screen area, they are placed in a layer lower than the windows that were displayed in the topmost layer of the first screen area in the second display mode.

[0009] In the above-mentioned information processing device, in the display control process, if the processor has displayed an active window in a display area other than the first screen area in the second display mode, in response to switching from the second display mode to the third display mode, the processor may switch the window that was displayed in the top layer of the first screen area in the second display mode to the active window.

[0010] In the above information processing device, when the processor, in the display control process, controls the display by dividing a display area other than the first screen area into multiple display areas in the second display mode, in response to switching from the second display mode to the third display mode, the processor may place or minimize windows that were displayed in each of the multiple display areas other than the first screen area in the second display mode in a layer lower than the windows that were displayed in the topmost layer of the first screen area in the second display mode.

[0011] In the above-mentioned information processing device, when the processor, in the display control process, controls the display by dividing the first screen area into multiple display areas in the second display mode, in response to switching from the second display mode to the third display mode, the processor may place or minimize windows that were displayed in a display area other than the first screen area in the second display mode in a layer lower than the windows that were displayed in the topmost layer of each display area within the first screen area in the second display mode.

[0012] In the above-mentioned information processing device, when the processor, in the display control process, controls the display by dividing the first screen area and a display area other than the first screen area into multiple display areas in the second display mode, in response to switching from the second display mode to the third display mode, the processor may place or minimize windows that were displayed in each of the multiple display areas other than the first screen area in the second display mode in a layer lower than the windows that were displayed in the topmost layer of each display area within the first screen area in the second display mode.

[0013] In addition, an information processing device according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises a memory that temporarily stores an application program, a display, and a processor that controls the display of a window of the application by executing the program of the application stored in the memory, wherein the processor performs a placement detection process that detects the placement of an external keyboard on a predetermined screen area of ​​the screen area of ​​the display, and a display control process that controls switching between a first display mode in which the entire screen area of ​​the display is controlled as a single display area, a second display mode in which the screen area of ​​the display is divided into a plurality of display areas and the display is controlled, and a third display mode in which, when the placement of the keyboard is detected by the placement detection process, a first screen area of ​​the screen area of ​​the display excluding the predetermined screen area is controlled as the display area, and in the display control process, when switching from the second display mode to the third display mode, if an active window was displayed in a display area other than the first screen area in the second display mode, the window that was displayed in the topmost layer of the first screen area in the second display mode is switched to the active window.

[0014] In the above-mentioned information processing device, when the processor, in the display control process, controls the display by dividing the screen area of ​​the display into two display areas in the second display mode, in response to switching from the second display mode to the third display mode, the processor may divide the first screen area into two display areas, and display a window that was displayed in the first screen area in the second display mode in one of the two display areas, and display a window that was displayed in a display area other than the first screen area in the other display area.

[0015] Further, an information processing device according to a third aspect of the present invention includes a memory for temporarily storing an application program, a display, and a processor for controlling display of a window of the application on the display by executing the program of the application stored in the memory, the processor performing a placement detection process for detecting placement of an external keyboard on a predetermined screen area of ​​a screen area of ​​the display, a first display mode for controlling display as if the entire screen area of ​​the display were a single display area, and a second display mode for dividing the screen area of ​​the display into a first screen area not including the predetermined screen area and a second screen area including the predetermined screen area. and a display control process for controlling switching between a second display mode in which the display is controlled by dividing the first screen area into two display areas, a first display area and a second display area, and a third display mode in which, when the placement of the keyboard is detected by the placement detection process, the display is controlled with only the first screen area of ​​the first and second screen areas as the display area.In the display control process, in response to switching from the second display mode to the third display mode, the first screen area is divided into two display areas, and a window that was displayed in the first screen area in the second display mode is displayed in one of the two display areas, and a window that was displayed in the second screen area in the other display area is displayed.

[0016] In the information processing device, when the processor performs control to the third display mode by the display control process, the processor may control a display area including at least the predetermined screen area to be displayed in black or turned off.

[0017] In the information processing device, the display may be a single foldable display.

[0018] In the information processing device, the display may include a plurality of displays.

[0019] Furthermore, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a control method in an information processing device having a memory for temporarily storing an application program, a display, and a processor for controlling display of a window of the application on the display by executing the program of the application stored in the memory includes a placement detection step in which the processor detects placement of an external keyboard on a predetermined screen area of ​​the screen area of ​​the display, and a display control step in which the processor controls switching between a first display mode in which the entire screen area of ​​the display is controlled as a single display area, a second display mode in which the screen area of ​​the display is divided into a plurality of display areas and controlled for display, and a third display mode in which, when placement of the keyboard is detected by the placement detection step, a first screen area of ​​the screen area of ​​the display excluding the predetermined screen area is controlled as the display area, and in the display control step, when switching from the second display mode to the third display mode, a window that was displayed in a display area other than the first screen area in the second display mode is placed or minimized in the first screen area, and when placed in the first screen area, the window is placed in a layer lower than a window that was displayed in the topmost layer of the first screen area in the second display mode.

[0020] Furthermore, according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a control method in an information processing device having a memory for temporarily storing an application program, a display, and a processor for controlling display of a window of the application on the display by executing the program of the application stored in the memory includes a placement detection step in which the processor detects placement of an external keyboard on a predetermined screen area of ​​the screen area of ​​the display, and a display control step in which the processor controls switching between a first display mode in which the entire screen area of ​​the display is controlled as a single display area, a second display mode in which the screen area of ​​the display is divided into a plurality of display areas and displayed, and a third display mode in which, when placement of the keyboard is detected by the placement detection step, a first screen area of ​​the screen area of ​​the display excluding the predetermined screen area is controlled as the display area, and in which, when switching from the second display mode to the third display mode, if an active window was displayed in a display area other than the first screen area in the second display mode, a window that was displayed in the topmost layer of the first screen area in the second display mode is switched to the active window in the display control step.

[0021] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method for an information processing device including a memory for temporarily storing an application program, a display, and a processor for controlling display of a window of the application on the display by executing the application program stored in the memory, the method comprising the steps of: detecting placement of an external keyboard on a predetermined screen area of ​​a screen area of ​​the display; a first display mode for controlling display of the entire screen area of ​​the display as a single display area; and dividing the screen area of ​​the display into a first screen area not including the predetermined screen area and a second screen area including the predetermined screen area. and a display control step of controlling switching between a second display mode in which the display is divided into two display areas, a first screen area and a second screen area, and a third display mode in which the display is controlled with only the first screen area of ​​the second screen area as the display area when the placement of the keyboard is detected by the placement detection step, wherein in the display control step, in response to switching from the second display mode to the third display mode, the first screen area is divided into two display areas, and a window that was displayed in the first screen area in the second display mode is displayed in one of the two display areas, and a window that was displayed in the second screen area in the other display area is displayed. Effect of the Invention

[0022] According to the above aspects of the present invention, when the screen area of ​​a display is divided into a plurality of areas and the display is controlled, it is possible to appropriately control the display. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an information processing apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view showing an example of the information processing device according to the first embodiment in a bent state. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a side view showing an example of the information processing device according to the first embodiment in a flat state. [Figure 4]3A to 3C are views showing specific examples of various display modes of the information processing device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of operation specifications for a display mode switching operation according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 5A to 5C are diagrams showing an example of control from a full-screen mode to a half-screen mode according to the first embodiment; [Figure 7] 5A and 5B are diagrams showing an example of control from a dual-screen mode to a half-screen mode according to the first embodiment; [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware arrangement of the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional arrangement related to a display control process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a half-screen mode switching process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of operation specifications for a display mode switching operation according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing a first example of control from a triple-screen mode to a half-screen mode according to the second embodiment; [Figure 13] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing a second example of control from the triple-screen mode to the half-screen mode according to the second embodiment; [Figure 14] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing an example of control from a four-screen mode to a half-screen mode according to the second embodiment; [Figure 15] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing an example of control from a dual-screen mode to a half-screen mode according to the third embodiment. [Figure 16] 13 is a flowchart showing a first example of a half-screen mode switching process according to the third embodiment. [Figure 17] 13 is a flowchart showing a second example of the half-screen mode switching process according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. <First embodiment> FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an information processing device 10 according to this embodiment. The information processing device 10 according to this embodiment is a clamshell type (notebook type) PC (personal computer). The information processing device 10 includes a first housing 101, a second housing 102, and a hinge mechanism 103. The first housing 101 and the second housing 102 are substantially rectangular plate-shaped (for example, flat) housings. One side surface of the first housing 101 and one side surface of the second housing 102 are coupled (connected) via the hinge mechanism 103, and the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 can rotate relatively around a rotation axis formed by the hinge mechanism 103. A state in which the opening angle θ of the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 around the rotation axis is substantially 0° is a state in which the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 overlap and are closed. A state in which the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 are closed is referred to as a "closed state." In the closed state, the surfaces of the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 that face each other are referred to as the "inner surface," and the surface opposite to the inner surface is referred to as the "outer surface." The opening angle θ can also be said to be an angle formed by the inner surface of the first housing 101 and the inner surface of the second housing 102. A state in which the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 are open relative to the closed state is referred to as an "open state." The open state is a state in which the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 are rotated relatively until the opening angle θ becomes larger than a preset threshold value (for example, 10°).

[0025] The information processing device 10 also 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 outer side of the screen area DA of the display 150 on the inner surface of the first housing 101, and can capture an image of a user or the like present on the side facing the display 150. The display 150 is a flexible display that can be bent according to an opening angle θ due to relative rotation between the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). As the flexible display, an organic EL display or the like is used. The information processing device 10 can control the display as a single screen configuration with the entire screen area DA of the display 150 as one display area, or can control the display as a two-screen configuration with the screen area DA of the display 150 divided into two display areas, a first screen area DA1 and a second screen area DA2. The two display areas divided into the first screen area DA1 and the second screen area DA2 do not overlap each other because the screen area DA is divided. Here, the screen area of ​​the screen area DA of the display 150 that corresponds to the inner surface side of the first housing 101 is referred to as the first screen area DA1, and the screen area that corresponds to the inner surface side of the second housing 102 is referred to as the second screen area DA2. Hereinafter, the display mode that controls the display in a single screen configuration is referred to as the "single screen mode," and the display mode that controls the display in a dual screen configuration is referred to as the "dual screen mode."

[0026] A touch sensor is provided on (on) the screen area DA 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 and can perform a touch operation on the display 150, thereby enabling the use of the information processing device 10.

[0027] Next, the use form and the screen mode of the information processing device 10 will be described in detail. First, the use form of the information processing device 10 is divided into a state in which the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 are bent (Bent form) and a state in which the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 are not bent (Flat form) depending on the opening angle θ between the first housing 101 and the second housing 102. Hereinafter, the state in which the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 are bent (Bent form) is simply referred to as the "Bent form", and the state in which the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 are not bent (Flat form) is simply referred to as the "Flat form". In the bent form, the display 150 provided across the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 is also bent. In the flat form, the display 150 is also flat.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a side view showing an example of the information processing device 10 in a bent state (bent form). The display 150 is arranged across (straddling) the first housing 101 and the second housing 102. The screen area of ​​the display 150 (screen area DA shown in FIG. 1) can be bent (bent) at a crease at a portion corresponding to the hinge mechanism 103, and the screen area on the first housing 101 side with respect to the crease is shown as a first screen area DA1, and the screen area on the second housing 102 side is shown as a second screen area DA2. The display 150 bends according to the rotation (opening angle θ) of the first housing 101 and the second housing 102. The information processing device 10 determines whether or not it is in a bent state (bent form) according to the opening angle θ. For example, when 10°<θ<170°, the information processing device 10 determines that it is in a bent state (bent form). This state corresponds to a usage form called a clamshell mode or a book mode.

[0029] 3 is a side view showing an example of the information processing device 10 in a flat form. The information processing device 10 typically determines that it is in a flat form when the opening angle θ is 180°, but as an example, it may determine that it is in a flat form when 170°≦θ≦180°. 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 form. This state corresponds to a usage form called a tablet mode.

[0030] Next, display modes according to various usage patterns of the information processing device 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 4 is a diagram showing specific examples of various display modes of the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment. The information processing device 10 has different display modes depending on the usage form classified by the opening angle θ between the first housing 101 and the second housing 102, the attitude (direction) of the information processing device 10, whether it is a single-screen mode or a dual-screen mode, etc. Note that one screen is also called a single screen, and two screens are also called a split screen or dual screen.

[0031] 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 form. For example, in this closed state, the information processing device 10 is in a standby state such as a sleep state or a hibernation state, and the display 150 is in a display-off state. This standby state such as a sleep state or a hibernation state corresponds to, for example, a system power state S3 or S4 defined by ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface).

[0032] The display mode (b) is a display mode in which the display 150 is in a bent state (bent form) and in a dual-screen mode in which the screen area DA of the display 150 is divided into two display areas, a first screen area DA1 and a second screen area DA2, and the display is controlled. The orientation of the information processing device 10 is such that the first screen area DA1 and the second screen area DA2 are arranged horizontally and vertically. The screen area is vertically oriented when 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 vertically oriented, the display orientation is also vertical, and the direction along the long side corresponds to the up-down direction and the direction along the short side corresponds to the left-right direction. This usage mode is such that the left and right pages of a book when it is opened correspond to the left and right screens, and corresponds to a so-called book mode. This usage form is also called "Fold Landscape" because the display is bent, the first screen area DA1 and the second screen area DA2 are arranged side by side, and the combined display area is horizontally long.

[0033] In this display mode (b), the information processing device 10, for example, in a normal operating state, is in a two-screen display mode in which the first screen area DA1 on the left side is used as the primary screen and the second screen area DA2 on the right side is used as the secondary screen. Note that in the display mode (b), the correspondence between the first screen area DA1 and the second screen area DA2 and the primary screen and secondary screen may be reversed.

[0034] The display mode (c-1), like the display mode (b), is a display mode in a bent state (bent form) and in a dual-screen mode in which the screen area DA of the display 150 is divided into two display areas, a first screen area DA1 and a second screen area DA2, for display control, but the orientation of the information processing device 10 is different. The orientation of the information processing device 10 is an orientation in which the first screen area DA1 and the second screen area DA2 are arranged horizontally and vertically above and below. The horizontal orientation of the screen area 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 orientation is also horizontal, and the direction along the short side corresponds to the vertical 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.

[0035] In this display mode (c-1), the information processing device 10, for example, in a normal operating state, is in a two-screen display mode with the first screen area DA1 as the primary screen and the second screen area DA2 as the secondary screen. Note that 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.

[0036] For example, the information processing device 10 automatically switches 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 attitude (orientation) of the information processing device 10 (Switch by Rotation). For example, since the display mode (c-1) is a state in which the display 150 is rotated 90 degrees to the right as shown in the figure with respect to the display mode (b), the information processing device 10 switches to display mode (c-1) when it detects that the display 150 has rotated a predetermined angle (for example, 45 degrees) or more to the right from the display mode (b) state. Also, since the display mode (b) is a state in which the display 150 is rotated 90 degrees to the left as shown in the figure with respect to the display mode (c-1), the information processing device 10 switches to display mode (b) when it detects that the display 150 has rotated a predetermined angle (for example, 45 degrees) or more to the left from the display mode (c-1) state.

[0037] The display mode (c-2) is the same as the display mode (c-1) in that the information processing device 10 is in the bent form and the orientation is the same, but it is different in that an external keyboard 30 (Dockable mini KBD: Keyboard) connectable to the information processing device 10 is connected. This usage mode is a state in which a physical keyboard 30 is connected to a general usage mode 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 able to be placed on the second screen area DA2. As an example, the keyboard 30 has a magnet on the inside (end) of the bottom surface, and when placed on the second screen area DA2, it is attracted to and fixed to a metal part at the end of the inner surface of the second housing 102. This results in a usage mode similar to that of a conventional clamshell type PC that is originally provided with a physical keyboard. In addition, when the keyboard 30 is placed on the second screen area DA2, the placed keyboard 30 and the information processing device 10 are connected for communication, for example, by Bluetooth (registered trademark). In this display mode (c-2), the information processing device 10 controls the second screen area DA2 to be displayed in black or turned off because the second screen area DA2 cannot be seen due to the keyboard. In other words, this 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"), and corresponds to a one-screen mode in which only the first screen area DA1 is the display target.

[0038] For example, when the information processing device 10 detects a connection to an external keyboard in the display mode (c-1), the display mode is automatically switched from the display mode (c-1) to the display mode (c-2) (Switch by Dock).

[0039] Display mode (d) is in a bent state (Bent form) like display mode (b), and the orientation of the information processing device 10 is also the same, but it is different in that it is a single screen mode in which the entire screen area DA of the display 150 is treated as a single display area and the display is controlled. This usage form is different from display mode (b) in that it is a single screen mode, but since it is in a bent state (Bent form) and the screen area DA is horizontally long, it is also called "Fold Landscape". The screen area DA is horizontal, and the display orientation is also horizontal.

[0040] Here, switching between the single screen mode and the dual screen mode in the bent state (Bent form) is performed, for example, by a user 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 display mode (b) to display mode (d) based on an operation on the operator (Switch by UI). A specific example of this display mode switching operation will be described later.

[0041] Display mode (e) is in a bent state (bent form) like display mode (c-1), and the orientation of the information processing device 10 is also the same, but it is different in that it is a single screen mode in which the display is controlled as a single display area over the entire screen area DA of the display 150. This usage mode differs from display mode (c-1) in that it is a single screen mode, but it corresponds to the usage mode of a clamshell type PC from the bent state (bent form) and the orientation of the information processing device 10. The screen area DA is vertical, and the display orientation is also vertical.

[0042] For example, the information processing device 10 automatically switches from display mode (d) to display mode (e) or from display mode (e) to display mode (d) by detecting a change in the attitude (orientation) of the information processing device 10 (Switch by Rotation). For example, since the display mode (e) is a state in which the display 150 is rotated 90 degrees to the right as shown in the figure compared to the display mode (d), the information processing device 10 switches to display mode (e) when it detects that the display 150 has rotated a predetermined angle (for example, 45 degrees) or more to the right from the display mode (d) state. Also, since the display mode (d) is a state in which the display 150 is rotated 90 degrees to the left as shown in the figure compared to the display mode (e), the information processing device 10 switches to display mode (d) when it detects that the display 150 has rotated a predetermined angle (for example, 45 degrees) or more to the left from the display mode (e) state.

[0043] The display mode (d') is a single screen mode similar to the display mode (d), and the orientation of the information processing device 10 is also a landscape orientation of the screen area DA, but is different in that it is in a flat state (Flat form). The flat state (Flat form) is a state in which the opening angle θ between the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 is approximately 180°. This usage form corresponds to the so-called tablet mode described with reference to FIG. 3, and is also called "Flat Landscape" because it is in a flat state (Flat form) and the screen area DA is landscape. This display mode (d') is different from the display mode (d) only in the opening angle θ between the first housing 101 and the second housing 102. Similar to the display mode (d), the screen area DA is landscape, and the display orientation is also landscape.

[0044] Like the display mode (e), the display mode (e') is a single screen mode in which the orientation of the information processing device 10 is such that the screen area DA is vertically long, but the display mode (e') is different in that the information processing device 10 is in a flat state (Flat form). This usage form is also called "Flat Portrait" because the information processing device 10 is in a flat state (Flat form) and the screen area DA is vertically long. The only difference between the display mode (e') and the display mode (e) is the opening angle θ between the first housing 101 and the second housing 102. Like the display mode (e), the screen area DA is vertically long, and the display orientation is also vertical.

[0045] For example, the information processing device 10 automatically switches from display mode (d') to display mode (e') or from display mode (e') to display mode (d') by detecting a change in the attitude (orientation) of the information processing device 10 (Switch by Rotation). For example, since the display mode (e') is a state in which the display 150 is rotated 90 degrees to the right as shown in the figure compared to the display mode (d'), the information processing device 10 switches to display mode (e') when it detects that the display 150 has rotated a predetermined angle (for example, 45 degrees) or more to the right from the display mode (d'). Also, since the display mode (d') is a state in which the display 150 is rotated 90 degrees to the left as shown in the figure compared to the display mode (e'), the information processing device 10 switches to display mode (d') when it detects that the display 150 has rotated a predetermined angle (for example, 45 degrees) or more to the left from the display mode (e').

[0046] In addition, in display mode (d') and display mode (e'), it is also possible to switch to dual screen mode while remaining in flat form by the user operating the display mode switching icon described above. For example, when switching from display mode (d') to dual screen mode, the display state in flat form becomes the same as display mode (b). Also, when switching from display mode (e') to dual screen mode, the display state in flat form becomes the same as display mode (c-1).

[0047] Furthermore, when the information processing device 10 detects a connection to the keyboard 30 in the display mode (e'), it automatically switches from the display mode (e') to the display mode (c-2') (Switch by Dock). The display mode (c-2') is a flat state (Flat form), and differs from the display mode (c-2) only in the opening angle θ between the first housing 101 and the second housing 102. In this display mode (c-2'), the information processing device 10 controls the second screen area DA2 to be displayed in black or turned off, since it cannot be seen by the keyboard. In other words, this display mode (c-2') is a half screen mode in which only the first screen area DA1 is the display target, similar to the display mode (c-2).

[0048] Furthermore, the information processing device 10 can also switch from the single screen mode to the dual screen mode when detecting a change from a flat state (flat form) to a bent state (bent form). For example, when the information processing device 10 detects a change to a bent state (bent form) in the display mode (d') based on the opening angle θ between the first housing 101 and the second housing 102, the information processing device 10 automatically switches from the display mode (d') to the display mode (b). Furthermore, when the information processing device 10 detects a change to a bent state (bent form) in the display mode (e') based on the opening angle θ between the first housing 101 and the second housing 102, the information processing device 10 automatically switches from the display mode (e') to the display mode (c-1).

[0049] (Display mode switching operation) Next, a specific example of operation specifications when the display mode is switched by a user operation will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the operation specifications of the display mode switching operation according to the present embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 5(A), an icon C1 for displaying a display mode switching menu is displayed in a task bar B2. The task bar B2 is displayed somewhere in the screen area DA of the display 150. For example, whether in the single screen mode or the dual screen mode, the task bar B2 is displayed only in one place (for example, at the bottom of the screen area DA) in the screen area DA of the display 150. Note that in the dual screen mode, the task bar B2 may be displayed in each of the first screen area DA1 and the second screen area DA2 (for example, at the bottom of each).

[0050] When an operation is performed on the icon C1 that displays the switching menu, the display mode switching menu is displayed as a pop-up screen. The display mode switching menu may be displayed as a pop-up screen when the display mode changes from a bent form to a flat form. The display mode switching menu may be displayed as a pop-up screen when the display mode changes from a flat form to a bent form.

[0051] In the switching menu, display mode switching icons are displayed as display mode options, allowing the user to instruct switching between single screen mode and dual screen mode, and switching between display data to be displayed in the first screen area DA1 and the second screen area DA2 in the dual screen mode (for example, switching between the primary screen and the secondary screen). In the switching menu, options of display modes that the user can select depending on the usage mode (the orientation of the display 150) at that time are displayed.

[0052] FIG. 5B shows a switching menu M1 displayed when the usage mode is "Landscape" (display mode (b), display mode (d), display mode (d'), etc.). Note that "1" and "2" in the figure are added to distinguish the display areas in the dual screen mode, and will be referred to as display area "1" and display area "2" below. The switching menu M1 displays a display mode switching icon C11, a display mode switching icon C12, and a display mode switching icon C13. The display mode switching icon C11 is displayed as an operator for selecting the display mode (d) or the display mode (d') in the single screen mode. The display mode switching icon C12 and the display mode switching icon C13 are displayed as operators for selecting the display mode (b) in the dual screen mode, and the arrangement of the display area "1" and the display area "2" is different between the display mode switching icon C12 and the display mode switching icon C13.

[0053] The display mode switching icon corresponding to the current display mode is displayed in a manner that allows it to be distinguished from the 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 can be seen that the display mode switching icon C11 is the current display mode.

[0054] FIG. 5(C) shows a switching menu M2 that is displayed when the usage mode is "Clamshell" (display mode (c-1), display mode (e), display mode (e'), etc.). In the switching menu M2, a display mode switching icon C21, a display mode switching icon C22, and a display mode switching icon C23 are displayed. The display mode switching icon C21 is displayed as an operator for selecting the display mode (e) or the display mode (e') in the single-screen mode. The display mode switching icon C22 and the display mode switching icon C23 are displayed as operators for selecting the display mode (c-1) in the dual-screen mode, and the arrangement of the display area "1" and the display area "2" is different between the display mode switching icon C22 and the display mode switching icon C23.

[0055] 5B, the display mode switching icon corresponding to the current display mode is displayed in a manner that allows it to be distinguished from the 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 can be seen that the display mode switching icon C21 is the current display mode.

[0056] 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 any one of the display mode switching icons, the display of the switching menu is terminated. Alternatively, when the user does not select any of the display mode switching icons even after a predetermined time (e.g., 3 to 5 seconds) has elapsed since the switching menu M1 or the switching menu M2 was displayed, the display of the switching menu is terminated. In addition, when the user operates the close button "x" in the upper right of the switching menu, when the user operates outside the screen of the popped-up switching menu, or when the orientation of the information processing device 10 is changed, the display of the switching menu is terminated. Note that, when the keyboard 30 is connected, the display is fixed to the half screen mode (display mode (c-2)) in which only the first screen area DA1 is to be displayed, and therefore the switching menu is not displayed.

[0057] Note that the UI for switching between the single-screen mode and the dual-screen mode is not limited to the example shown in Fig. 5, and any UI can be used. For example, an icon that alternates between the single-screen mode and the dual-screen mode each time it is operated, or an icon that alternates between the single-screen mode, the dual-screen mode, and the inverted dual-screen mode each time it is operated may be displayed on the task bar B2.

[0058] 5, the display mode switching menu is displayed as a pop-up screen by an operation on the icon C1 displayed on the taskbar B2, but the switching menu may be displayed as a pop-up screen by a drag operation on the application window, etc. Also, the display mode may be switched by a drag operation on the application window, etc. When the switching menu is popped up by a drag operation on the application window, it is possible to select not only the screen mode but also the screen area by dragging onto one of the divided areas of the screen area displayed in the switching menu, and to place the dragged application in the selected area. Also, the switching menu may be displayed as a pop-up screen by an operation on a specific location of the application window.

[0059] (Display control in half-screen mode) Next, the control when the information processing device 10 transitions to the half screen mode in response to the placement of the keyboard 30 will be described. The keyboard 30 can be placed and connected only on the second screen area DA2 on the second housing 102 side where the camera 16 is not provided. When the keyboard 30 is placed on the second screen area DA2, the information processing device 10 transitions to the half screen mode. In the half screen mode, the information processing device 10 controls the display so that only the first screen area DA1 is the valid display area, and controls the second screen area DA2 to be displayed in black or to be turned off.

[0060] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of control from the single screen mode to the half screen mode according to the present embodiment. In the single screen mode, the information processing device 10 controls the display of the screen area DA as one display area "1", but when transitioning to the half screen mode, the information processing device 10 controls the display by reducing the display area "1" to half with only the first screen area DA1 as the display target. At this time, the information processing device 10 rearranges the windows (hereinafter simply referred to as "windows") of the running applications that were displayed in the screen area DA in the single screen mode to the first screen area DA1 while maintaining the hierarchical 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 be displayed in black or turned off.

[0061] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of control from the dual screen mode to the half screen mode according to the present embodiment. In the dual screen mode, the information processing device 10 controls the display by dividing the screen area DA into two display areas, the first screen area DA1 and the second screen area DA2 (display area "1" and display area "2"). When the information processing device 10 transitions to the half screen mode, it sets only the first screen area DA1 (display area "1") as the display object and maintains the windows that were displayed in the first screen area DA1 (display area "1") in the dual screen mode. In addition, the information processing device 10 arranges the windows that were displayed in the second screen area DA2 (display area "2") in the dual screen mode in a layer lower than the windows that were displayed in the topmost layer of the first screen area DA1 (display area "1").

[0062] Furthermore, when the information processing device 10 has displayed an active window in the second screen area DA2 (display area "2") in the dual screen mode, the information processing device 10 may switch a window that has been displayed in the top layer of the first screen area DA1 (display area "1") in the dual screen mode to the active window in response to switching to the half screen mode. When the information processing device 10 has displayed an active window in the first screen area DA1 (display area "1") in the dual screen mode, the information processing device 10 maintains the display of the active window even after switching to the half screen mode. That is, the information processing device 10 may set a window that has been displayed in the top layer of the first screen area DA1 (display area "1") to the active window after switching to the half screen mode, regardless of whether the active window is displayed in the first screen area DA1 (display area "1") or the second screen area DA2 (display area "2") in the dual screen mode.

[0063] When the information processing device 10 transitions from the dual-screen mode to the half-screen mode, the information processing device 10 may minimize, in the first screen area DA1, windows that were displayed in the second screen area DA2 (display area "2") in the dual-screen mode.

[0064] In this way, when the information processing device 10 transitions from the dual screen mode to the half screen mode due to the placement of the keyboard 30, the display state of the windows (particularly the windows in the top layer) in the first screen area DA1 (display area "1") on the side where the keyboard 30 is not placed is maintained, so that the user does not feel uncomfortable.

[0065] (Hardware configuration of information processing device 10) The specific configuration of the information processing device 10 will be described below. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing device 10 according to 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 so as to be able to communicate with each other via a bus or the like.

[0066] The communication unit 11 includes, for example, a plurality of Ethernet (registered trademark) ports, a plurality of digital input / output ports such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), and a communication device that performs wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and Wi-Fi (registered trademark). For example, the communication unit 11 can communicate with the above-mentioned external keyboard 30, etc., using Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0067] In the RAM 12, programs and data for processing executed by the control unit 18 are deployed, and various data are appropriately saved or erased. For example, the RAM 12 also functions as a video memory (V-RAM) for display of the display 150. As an example, the RAM 12 functions as a video memory for data displayed in the screen area DA when the display 150 is controlled in the single screen mode. The RAM 12 also 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 the dual screen mode. The RAM 12 also stores information on running apps, apps in use (active window apps) among the running apps, information on other inactive window apps, information on which screen area each window is displayed in, and the like. Note that the RAM 12 is a volatile memory, and therefore does not hold data when power supply to the RAM 12 is stopped. Data that needs to be held when power supply to the RAM 12 is stopped is transferred to the storage unit 13.

[0068] The storage unit 13 is configured to include one or more of an SSD (Solid State Drive), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a ROM (Residual Only Memory), a Flash-ROM, etc. For example, the storage unit 13 stores programs and setting data for a BIOS (Basic Input Output System), an OS (Operating System), programs for applications that run on the OS, and various data used by the applications. The speaker 14 outputs electronic sounds, voices, and the like.

[0069] The display unit 15 includes a display 150 and a touch sensor 155. As described above, the display 150 is a flexible display that can be bent according to the opening angle θ caused by the relative rotation of the first housing 101 and the second housing 102. The display 150 performs display corresponding to each display mode described with reference to FIG. 4 according to the control of the control unit 18. The touch sensor 155 is provided on the screen of the display 150 and detects a touch operation on the screen. For example, the touch sensor 155 detects a touch operation on the screen area DA in the single screen mode. Also, the touch sensor 155 detects a touch operation on one or both of the first screen area DA1 and the second screen area DA2 in the dual screen mode. The touch operation includes a tap operation, a slide operation, a flick operation, a swipe operation, a pinch operation, and the like. The touch sensor 155 detects the touch operation and outputs operation information based on the detected operation to the control unit 18.

[0070] Camera 16 includes a lens, an imaging element, etc. Camera 16 captures an image (still image or video) according to the control of control unit 18, and outputs data of the captured image.

[0071] First acceleration sensor 161 is provided inside first housing 101, and detects the orientation and changes in orientation of first housing 101. For example, if a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of first screen area DA1 is defined as an X1 direction, a direction parallel to the lateral direction is defined as a Y1 direction, and a direction perpendicular to the X1 and Y1 directions is defined as a Z1 direction, first acceleration sensor 161 detects acceleration in each of the X1, Y1, and Z1 directions, and outputs the detection results to control unit 18.

[0072] The second acceleration sensor 162 is provided inside the second housing 102, and detects the orientation and changes in orientation of the second housing 102. For example, if the direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the second screen area DA2 is the X2 direction, the direction parallel to the lateral direction is the Y2 direction, and the direction perpendicular to the X2 and Y2 directions is the Z2 direction, the second acceleration sensor 162 detects acceleration in each of the X2, Y2, and Z2 directions, and outputs the detection results to the control unit 18.

[0073] The hall sensor 17 is provided to detect the connection of the keyboard 30. For example, when the keyboard 30 is placed on the second screen area DA2 of the second housing 102, a magnet provided inside the bottom surface of the keyboard 30 approaches, changing the magnetic field, and the detection value (output value) of the hall sensor 17 changes. In other words, the hall sensor 17 outputs a different detection result depending on whether the keyboard 30 is placed. Note that, although the hall sensor 17 is used here to detect whether the keyboard 30 is placed, the detection method is not limited to this, and any detection method can be used.

[0074] The control unit 18 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphic Processing Unit), and a microcomputer, and realizes various functions by executing programs (various programs such as a BIOS, an OS, and applications that run on the OS) stored in the storage unit 13, etc. For example, the control unit 18 detects the attitude (direction) of the information processing device 10 based on the detection results of the first acceleration sensor 161 and the second acceleration sensor 162. Furthermore, the control unit 18 detects whether the information processing device 10 is in an open state or a closed state, and if in an open state, whether the information processing device 10 is in a bent form or a flat form, based on the detection results of the first acceleration sensor 161 and the second acceleration sensor 162.

[0075] Furthermore, the control unit 18 detects a display mode switching operation by the user (for example, an operation on a display mode switching icon shown in FIG. 5). Furthermore, the control unit 18 detects a connection with the keyboard 30 based on the detection result of the hall sensor 17. Note that this connection with the keyboard 30 refers to placing the keyboard 30 on the second screen area DA2, and does not refer to a communication connection. The control unit 18 detects the communication connection with the keyboard 30 using a function such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0076] In addition, the control unit 18 detects the system state, the attitude (orientation) of the information processing device 10, whether it is in an open or closed state, and if in an open state, whether it is in a bent form or a flat form, a display mode switching operation by the user, connection to the keyboard 30, etc., to thereby perform display mode switching control of the display 150 described with reference to Figures 4 and 5, and display control when switching to the half screen mode described with reference to Figures 6 and 7.

[0077] (Functional configuration of information processing device 10) Next, a functional configuration related to the display control process among the processes executed by the control unit 18 will be described. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration related to the display control process according to the present 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 a functional configuration in which a CPU executes processing based on, for example, an OS or a BIOS. The detection processing unit 182 is a functional configuration in which a microcomputer other than the CPU that executes processing such as an OS or a BIOS executes various detection processes. The display processing unit 183 is a functional configuration in which a CPU executes processing based on, for example, an OS or a program that runs on the OS.

[0078] The system processing unit 181 executes various programs such as the OS and drivers and applications that run on the OS. The system processing unit 181 also includes, for example, an active application information generating unit 1811. The active application information generating unit 1811 generates application information including identification information (for example, an application ID) of an active application and information indicating an application being used by the user among the active applications (i.e., an application whose window is active). The active application information generating unit 1811 stores and holds the generated application information in the RAM 12.

[0079] The detection processing unit 182 includes an open / close detection unit 1821, a posture detection unit 1822, and a connection detection unit 1823 as functional configurations for detecting the state of the information processing device 10. The detection processing unit 182 outputs detection results by the open / close detection unit 1821, the posture detection unit 1822, and the connection detection unit 1823 to the display processing unit 183.

[0080] The open / close 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. When the information processing device 10 is in an open state, the open / close detection unit 1821 detects an open angle θ between 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. Then, the open / close detection unit 1821 detects whether the information processing device 10 is in a bent form or a flat form based on the detected open angle θ.

[0081] The attitude detection unit 1822 detects the attitude (direction) of the information processing device 10 based on the detection results of the first acceleration sensor 161 and the second acceleration sensor 162.

[0082] The connection detection unit 1823 performs a connection detection process to detect a connection with the keyboard 30. For example, the connection detection unit 1823 detects whether or not the keyboard 30 is placed on the second screen area DA2 based on the detection result of the hall sensor 17, thereby detecting the connection with the keyboard 30. In other words, the connection detection process to detect the connection with the keyboard 30 corresponds to a placement detection process to determine whether or not the keyboard 30 is placed on the second screen area DA2. In a state in which the keyboard 30 is placed on the second screen area DA2, the connection detection unit 1823 detects that the keyboard 30 is connected.

[0083] The detection processing unit 182 also includes an operation detection unit 1824 as a functional configuration for detecting an operation on the information processing device 10. The operation detection unit 1824 detects a user's operation based on operation information output from a touch sensor 155 provided on the screen of the display 150. For example, the operation detection unit 1824 acquires operation information based on a user's operation on switching menus M1 and M2 (see FIG. 5) that can switch the display mode, and detects a display mode switching operation by the user to switch the display mode based on the acquired operation information. The detection processing unit 182 outputs the detected user's operation information to the display processing unit 183.

[0084] The display processing unit 183 determines and switches the display mode based on the open / closed state and attitude (direction) of the information processing device 10 acquired from the detection processing unit 182, a user operation, and the like. Furthermore, the display processing unit 183 controls the display of windows (active windows and inactive windows) of the running application according to the display mode based on application information acquired 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.

[0085] The display mode determination unit 1831 performs a determination process for determining a display mode based on a detection result of the state of the information processing device 10 or a user's operation detected by the detection processing unit 182. For example, the display mode determination unit 1831 acquires from the detection processing unit 182 a detection result of the open / closed state of the information processing device 10, a detection result of whether the information processing device 10 is in a bent form or a flat form when in an open state, a detection result of the attitude (direction) of the information processing device 10, and operation information based on a user's operation on the switching menus M1 and M2 shown in Fig. 5. Then, the display mode determination unit 1831 determines the display mode described with reference to Fig. 4 based on each detection result and operation information acquired from the detection processing unit 182.

[0086] 4 based on the display mode determined by the display mode determination unit 1831. For example, the display mode switching unit 1832 sets a display mode such as switching between single-screen mode and dual-screen mode (or inverted dual-screen mode), the orientation of each screen area, and the display contents of each screen area based on the display mode determined by the display mode determination unit 1831.

[0087] Furthermore, when the connection detection unit 1823 detects a connection with the keyboard 30, the display mode switching unit 1832 switches to the half screen mode (see FIGS. 6 and 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 the display target. Furthermore, in the half screen mode, the display mode switching unit 1832 controls the display to a preset display orientation regardless of the orientation of the display 150. The preset display orientation is, for example, an orientation in which the side where the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 are connected in the first screen area DA1 is downward (i.e., an orientation in which the first screen area DA1 is on the upper side and the second screen area DA2 on which the keyboard 30 is placed is on the lower side).

[0088] The display control unit 1834 controls the display of the display 150. For example, the display control unit 1834 controls the on / off (display / non-display) of the display 150, and outputs and displays display data such as application windows to be displayed in each screen area according to the display mode set by the display mode switching unit 1832. Furthermore, when transitioning from a standby state or a stopped state to a normal operation state, and in the normal operation state, the display control unit 1834 controls the display orientation within the screen area of ​​the display 150 according to the orientation of the information processing device 10 (the orientation of the screen area of ​​the display 150).

[0089] In addition, when the connection detection unit 1823 detects a connection to the keyboard 30, if the display orientation within the screen area is changed in accordance with a change in the orientation of the screen area of ​​the display 150, the display control unit 1834 controls the display orientation to the above-mentioned previously set orientation after the change.

[0090] In addition, when the connection detection unit 1823 detects that the keyboard 30 has been placed, the display control unit 1834 does not perform control to change the display orientation within the screen area in response to a change in the orientation of the screen area of ​​the display 150, but instead controls the display orientation to the previously set orientation.

[0091] Here, the display control when switching from the dual screen mode described with reference to Fig. 7 to the half screen mode will be described. When switching from the dual screen mode to the half screen mode, the display control unit 1834 arranges or minimizes the window that was displayed in the display area "2" of the second screen area DA2 in the dual screen mode in the first screen area DA1. Here, when the display control unit 1834 arranges the window that was 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 that was displayed in the topmost layer of the first screen area DA1 in the dual screen mode.

[0092] In addition, the display control unit 1834 may place a window that was displayed in the display area "2" of the second screen area DA2 in the dual screen mode in a layer one layer below the topmost layer of the first screen area DA1, or in a layer lower than all windows placed in the first screen area DA1.

[0093] In addition, when the display control unit 1834 has displayed the active window in the display area "2" of the second screen area DA2 in the dual-screen mode, in response to switching from the dual-screen mode to the half-screen mode, the display control unit 1834 may switch the window that was displayed in the top layer of the first screen area DA1 in the dual-screen mode to the active window.

[0094] (Half screen mode switching process) Next, the operation of the half-screen mode switching process in which the control unit 18 switches from the single-screen mode or dual-screen mode to the half-screen mode will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the half screen mode switching process according to the present embodiment.

[0095] (Step S101) The control unit 18 determines whether or not the keyboard 30 is placed on the second screen area DA2 based on the detection result of the hall sensor 17. If the control unit 18 determines that the keyboard 30 is not placed (NO), it performs the process of step S101 again. On the other hand, if the control unit 18 determines that the keyboard 30 is placed (YES), it proceeds to the process of step S103.

[0096] (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 control unit 18 proceeds to the process of 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 control unit 18 proceeds to the process of step S109.

[0097] (Step S105) The control unit 18 switches to a half screen mode in which only the first screen area DA1 is the display target. For example, the control unit 18 rearranges the windows that were arranged in the screen area DA in the single screen mode in the first screen area DA1 while maintaining the hierarchical relationship of the layers. Then, the process proceeds to step S107.

[0098] (Step S107) The control unit 18 controls the second screen area DA2 to be displayed in black or to be turned off, and ends the half screen mode switching process.

[0099] (Step S109) Control unit 18 determines the screen area in which the active window is displayed in the dual screen mode before keyboard 30 is placed. If control unit 18 determines that the screen area in which the active window is displayed is the second screen area DA2, control unit 18 proceeds to processing of step S111. On the other hand, if control unit 18 determines that the screen area in which the active window is displayed is the first screen area DA1, control unit 18 proceeds to processing of step S115.

[0100] (Step S111) When the active window is displayed in the second screen area DA2, the control unit 18 determines whether or not 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 control unit 18 proceeds to the process of 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 control unit 18 proceeds to the process of step S117.

[0101] (Step S113) The control unit 18 controls the window arranged in the top 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.

[0102] (Step S115) The control unit 18 switches to a half screen mode in which only the first screen area DA1 is the display target. For example, the control unit 18 arranges or minimizes a window that was arranged in the second screen area DA2 to a layer below the first screen area DA1. Then, the process proceeds to step S119.

[0103] (Step S117) If no window is displayed in the first screen area DA1, the control unit 18 switches to a half screen mode in which only the first screen area DA1 is the display target, and places or minimizes the window that was placed in the second screen area DA2 in the first screen area DA1. Then, the process proceeds to step S119.

[0104] (Step S119) The control unit 18 controls the second screen area DA2 to be displayed in black or to be turned off, and ends the half screen mode switching process.

[0105] As described above, the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment includes a RAM 12 (an example of a memory) that temporarily stores an application program, a display 150, and a control unit 18 (an example of a configuration including a processor) that performs control to display a window of the application on the display 150 by executing the application program stored in the RAM 12. The control unit 18 performs a placement detection process (connection detection process) that detects placement (connection) of an external keyboard 30 in a second screen area DA2 (an example of a predetermined screen area) of the screen area of ​​the display 150. The control unit 18 also performs a display control process that controls switching between a single screen mode (an example of a first display mode) in which the entire screen area DA of the display 150 is controlled to be displayed as a single display area, a dual screen mode (an example of a second display mode) in which the screen area DA of the display 150 is divided into a plurality of display areas (e.g., two display areas "1" and "2") and the display is controlled, and a half screen mode (an example of a third display mode) in which, when the placement of the keyboard 30 is detected by the placement detection process, a portion of the screen area DA of the display 150, the first screen area DA1 excluding the second screen area DA2, is controlled to be displayed as a display area (e.g., display area "1"). Then, in the display control process, when switching from dual-screen mode to half-screen mode, the control unit 18 places or minimizes in the first screen area DA1 any windows that were displayed in a display area other than the first screen area DA1 in dual-screen mode (for example, the display area "2" of the second screen area DA2), and when placing them in the first screen area DA1, places them in a layer lower than the windows that were displayed in the topmost layer of the first screen area DA1 in dual-screen mode.

[0106] As a result, when the information processing device 10 transitions 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 uncomfortable. Therefore, the information processing device 10 can appropriately control the display when controlling the display by dividing the screen area of ​​the display 150 into a plurality of display areas.

[0107] Furthermore, in the display control process, if the control unit 18 has displayed an active window in a display area other than the first screen area DA1 in the dual-screen mode (for example, display area "2" of the second screen area DA2), then in response to switching from the dual-screen mode to the half-screen mode, the control unit 18 switches the window that was displayed in the top layer of the first screen area DA1 in the dual-screen mode to the active window.

[0108] As a result, when the information processing device 10 transitions 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 in which it can be used preferentially, so that the user does not feel uncomfortable. Therefore, the information processing device 10 can appropriately control the display when controlling the display by dividing the screen area of ​​the display 150 into a plurality of display areas.

[0109] Furthermore, when the control unit 18 performs control to switch to the half screen mode through the display control process, it 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.

[0110] Thereby, when the information processing device 10 is controlled to the half screen mode, the screen area on which the external keyboard 30 is placed can be made an invalid display area.

[0111] Furthermore, the control method in the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment includes a placement detection step in which the control unit 18 detects the placement (connection) of an external keyboard 30 on a second screen area DA2 (an example of a specified screen area) of the screen area of ​​the display 150, and a display control step in which the control unit 18 controls switching between a single screen mode (an example of a first display mode) in which the entire screen area DA of the display 150 is controlled to be displayed as a single display area, a dual screen mode (an example of a second display mode) in which the screen area DA of the display 150 is divided into a plurality of display areas (e.g., two display areas "1" and "2") and the display is controlled, and a half screen mode (an example of a third display mode) in which, when placement of the keyboard 30 is detected by the placement detection process, a part of the screen area DA of the display 150, the first screen area DA1, excluding the second screen area DA2, is controlled to be displayed as a display area (e.g., display area "1"). Then, in the display control step, when switching from the dual-screen mode to the half-screen mode, the control unit 18 places or minimizes in the first screen area DA1 any windows that were displayed in a display area other than the first screen area DA1 in the dual-screen mode (for example, the display area "2" of the second screen area DA2), and when placing them in the first screen area DA1, places them in a layer lower than the windows that were displayed in the topmost layer of the first screen area DA1 in the dual-screen mode.

[0112] As a result, when the information processing device 10 transitions 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 uncomfortable. Therefore, the information processing device 10 can appropriately control the display when controlling the display by dividing the screen area of ​​the display 150 into a plurality of display areas.

[0113] <Second embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment, the control when transitioning from the single-screen mode or the dual-screen mode to the half-screen mode was described, but in the present embodiment, the control when transitioning from the triple-screen mode or the quadruple-screen mode to the half-screen mode will be described. For example, the information processing device 10 may have not only the dual-screen mode but also the triple-screen mode or the quadruple-screen mode by dividing one or both of the first screen area DA1 and the second screen area DA2 into two display areas.

[0114] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the operation specifications for the display mode switching operation according to this embodiment. This diagram shows an example of a switching menu M3 that is displayed by operating the icon C1 shown in Fig. 5(A), for example. The switching menu M3 is displayed when the usage mode is "Clamshell" (display mode (c-1), display mode (e), display mode (e'), etc.), and differs from Fig. 5(C) in that it allows switching to triple-screen mode and quadruple-screen mode.

[0115] The switching menu M3 displays display mode switching icons C31, C32, C33, C34, and C35. The display mode switching icon C31 is displayed as an operator for selecting the display mode (e) or display mode (e') of the single screen mode. The display mode switching icon C32 is displayed as an operator for selecting the display mode (c-1) of the dual screen 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 triple screen mode. The display mode switching icon C33 and the display mode switching icon C34 differ in that the second screen area DA2 is divided into two display areas "2" and "3" or the first screen area DA1 is divided into two display areas "2" and "3". The display mode switching icon C35 is displayed as an operator for selecting the display mode of the quadruple screen mode.

[0116] When the user performs an operation to select 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 triple-screen mode. When the user performs an operation to select the display mode switching icon C35, the display of the switching menu ends and the display is controlled to the quadruple-screen mode.

[0117] Note that FIG. 11 is an example in which an operator for selecting between triple-screen mode and quadruple-screen mode has been added to the switching menu M2 shown in FIG. 5(C), but an operator for selecting between triple-screen mode and quadruple-screen mode may also be added to the switching menu M1 shown in FIG. 5(B) in a similar manner.

[0118] 12 is a diagram showing a first example of control from triple-screen mode to half-screen mode according to this embodiment. In the triple-screen mode shown in the figure, the control unit 18 of the information processing device 10 controls display in three display areas, namely, display area "1" of the first screen area DA1 and two display areas "2" and "3" of the second screen area DA2, by further dividing the second screen area DA2 into two display areas in the dual-screen mode in which the screen area DA is divided into two display areas, a first screen area DA1 and a second screen area DA2.

[0119] When the control unit 18 transitions to the half-screen mode, it sets only the first screen area DA1 (display area "1") as the display target and maintains the windows that were displayed in the first screen area DA1 (display area "1") in the triple-screen mode. Also, the control unit 18 arranges the windows that were displayed in each of the two display areas "2" and "3" of the second screen area DA2 in the triple-screen mode in a layer lower than the windows that were displayed in the topmost layer of the first screen area DA1 (display area "1").

[0120] Furthermore, when the control unit 18 has displayed an active window in either of the two display areas "2" and "3" of the second screen area DA2 in the triple screen mode, the control unit 18 may switch the window that has been displayed in the top layer of the first screen area DA1 (display area "1") in the triple screen mode to the active window in response to switching to the half screen mode. Note that, when the control unit 18 has displayed an active window in the first screen area DA1 (display area "1") in the triple screen mode, the control unit 18 maintains the display of the active window even after switching to the half screen mode. That is, the control unit 18 may set the window that has been displayed in the top layer of the first screen area DA1 (display area "1") to the active window after switching to the half screen mode, regardless of whether the active window is displayed in the first screen area DA1 (display area "1") or the second screen area DA2 (display area "2" or display area "3") in the triple screen mode.

[0121] In addition, when transitioning from triple-screen mode to half-screen mode, the control unit 18 may minimize, in the first screen area DA1, the windows that were displayed in the two display areas "2" or "3" of the second screen area DA2 in the triple-screen mode.

[0122] Thus, in the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment, when the control unit 18 controls the display by dividing the display area of ​​the second screen area DA2 (an example of a display area other than the first screen area DA1) into a plurality of display areas (e.g., two display areas "2" and "3") in the triple-screen mode (an example of the second display mode), in response to switching from the triple-screen mode to the half-screen mode (an example of the third display mode), the control unit 18 places or minimizes the windows that were displayed in each of the two display areas "2" and "3" of the second screen area DA2 in the triple-screen mode in a layer lower than the windows that were displayed in the topmost layer of the first screen area DA1 (display area "1") in the triple-screen mode.

[0123] As a result, when the information processing device 10 transitions from the triple 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 uncomfortable. Therefore, the information processing device 10 can appropriately control the display when controlling the display by dividing the screen area of ​​the display 150 into a plurality of display areas.

[0124] 13 is a diagram showing a second example of control from triple-screen mode to half-screen mode according to this embodiment. In the information processing device 10, in the triple-screen mode shown in the figure, the control unit 18 controls display in 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, by further dividing the first screen area DA1 into two display areas in the dual-screen mode in which the screen area DA is divided into two display areas, a first screen area DA1 and a second screen area DA2.

[0125] When the control unit 18 transitions to the half-screen mode, it sets only the first screen area DA1 (display areas "2", "3") as the display target and maintains the windows that were displayed in each of the two display areas "2" and "3" of the first screen area DA1 in the triple-screen mode. Also, the control unit 18 places the windows that were displayed in the second screen area DA2 (display area "1") in the triple-screen mode in a layer lower than the windows that were displayed in the topmost layers of the display areas "2" and "3" in the first screen area DA1.

[0126] Furthermore, when the control unit 18 has displayed an active window in the display area "1" of the second screen area DA2 in the triple screen mode, the control unit 18 may switch the window that has been displayed in the top layer of the display areas "2" and "3" in the first screen area DA1 in the triple screen mode to the active window in response to switching to the half screen mode. Note that when the control unit 18 has displayed an active window in the first screen area DA1 (display area "2" or display area "3") in the triple screen mode, the control unit 18 maintains the display of the active window even after switching to the half screen mode. That is, the control unit 18 may set a window that has been displayed in the top layer of the first screen area DA1 (display area "2" and "3") to the active window after switching to the half screen mode, 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 triple screen mode.

[0127] In addition, when transitioning from triple-screen mode to half-screen mode, the control unit 18 may minimize a window that was displayed in the second screen area DA2 (display area "1") in the triple-screen mode into either display area "2" or "3" of the first screen area DA1.

[0128] In this way, when the information processing device 10 controls the display by dividing the first screen area DA1 into a plurality of display areas (for example, two display areas "2" and "3") in triple-screen mode in the display control process, in response to switching from triple-screen mode to half-screen mode, the windows that were displayed in display area "1" (an example of a display area other than the first screen area DA1) of the second screen area DA2 in triple-screen mode are placed or minimized in a layer lower than the windows that were displayed in the topmost layer of each display area in the first screen area DA1 in triple-screen mode.

[0129] As a result, when the information processing device 10 transitions from the triple 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 uncomfortable. Therefore, the information processing device 10 can appropriately control the display when controlling the display by dividing the screen area of ​​the display 150 into a plurality of display areas.

[0130] 14 is a diagram showing an example of control from the four-screen mode to the half-screen mode according to this embodiment. In the four-screen mode shown in the figure, the control unit 18 of the information processing device 10 further divides each of the first screen area DA1 and the second screen area DA2 into two display areas in comparison with the two-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 display in four display areas: the two display areas "1" and "2" in the first screen area DA1 and the two display areas "3" and "4" in the second screen area DA2.

[0131] When the control unit 18 transitions to the half-screen mode, it sets only the first screen area DA1 (display areas "1", "2") as the display target and maintains the windows that were displayed in each of the two display areas "1" and "2" of the first screen area DA1 in the quad-screen mode. Also, the control unit 18 arranges the windows that were displayed in the second screen area DA2 (display areas "3", "4") in the quad-screen mode in a layer lower than the windows that were displayed in the topmost layers of the display areas "1" and "2" in the first screen area DA1.

[0132] Furthermore, when the control unit 18 has displayed an active window in the display area "3" or display area "4" of the second screen area DA2 in the four-screen mode, the control unit 18 may switch the window that has been displayed in the top layer of the display areas "1" and "2" in the first screen area DA1 in the four-screen mode to the active window in response to switching to the half-screen mode. Note that, when the control unit 18 has displayed an active window in the first screen area DA1 (display area "1" or display area "2") in the four-screen mode, the control unit 18 maintains the display of the active window even after switching to the half-screen mode. That is, the control unit 18 may set a window that has been displayed in the top layer of the first screen area DA1 (display area "1" or display area "2") to the active window after switching to the half-screen mode, regardless of whether the active window is displayed in the first screen area DA1 (display area "1" or display area "2") or the second screen area DA2 (display area "3" or display area "4") in the four-screen mode.

[0133] In addition, when transitioning from 4-screen mode to half-screen mode, the control unit 18 may minimize a window that was displayed in the second screen area DA2 (display areas "3", "4") in the 4-screen mode into either of the display areas "1" and "2" of the first screen area DA1.

[0134] 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 process, in response to switching from the four-screen mode to the half-screen mode, the control unit 18 places or minimizes the windows that were displayed in each of the two display areas "3" and "4" of the second screen area DA2 in the four-screen mode in a layer lower than the windows that were displayed in the topmost layers of the respective display areas "1" and "2" in the first screen area DA1 in the four-screen mode.

[0135] As a result, when the information processing device 10 transitions from the 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 uncomfortable. Therefore, the information processing device 10 can appropriately control the display when controlling the display by dividing the screen area of ​​the display 150 into a plurality of display areas.

[0136] <Third embodiment> Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment, control was described for maintaining the display of the first screen area DA1 when switching from dual-screen mode to half-screen mode, but in this embodiment, control is described for dividing the first screen area DA1 into two display areas in half-screen mode, and arranging windows that were displayed in each of the first screen area DA1 and second screen area DA2 in dual-screen mode in each of the two display areas of the first screen area DA1.

[0137] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of control from the dual screen mode to the half screen mode according to 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, the first screen area DA1 and the second screen area DA2 (display area "1" and display area "2") in the dual screen mode. When transitioning to the half screen mode, the control unit 18 divides the first screen area DA1 into two display areas "1" and "2" with only the first screen area DA1 as the display object. Then, the control unit 18 arranges the windows that were displayed in the first screen area DA1 (display area "1") in the dual screen mode and the windows that were displayed in the second screen area DA2 (display area "2") in the two display areas "1" and "2" of the first screen area DA1 in the half screen mode.

[0138] At this time, the control unit 18 may maintain the active window in the dual screen mode even after switching to the half screen mode, or may make the window that was 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.

[0139] Next, the operation of the half-screen mode switching process in which the control unit 18 switches from the dual-screen mode to the half-screen mode in this embodiment will be described. First, the operation of the half-screen mode switching process in the case where the active window in the dual-screen mode is maintained even after switching to the half-screen mode will be described with reference to FIG.

[0140] Fig. 16 is a flow chart showing a first example of the half screen mode switching process according to this embodiment. In this figure, the processes of steps S109 and S103 are similar to those of steps S109 and S103 in Fig. 10, and the description thereof will be 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.

[0141] (Step S215) The control unit 18 switches to a half screen mode in which only the first screen area DA1 is the display target. For example, the control unit 18 divides the first screen area DA1 into two display areas "1" and "2", and places the window that was displayed in the first screen area DA1 in the dual screen mode in one display area "1", and places the window that was 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.

[0142] (Step S217) The control unit 18 controls the second screen area DA2 to be displayed in black or to be turned off, and ends the half screen mode switching process.

[0143] Next, with reference to FIG. 17, we will explain the operation of the half-screen mode switching process when a window that was displayed in the top layer of the display area "1" of the first screen area DA1 in the dual-screen mode is made the active window after switching to the half-screen mode.

[0144] Fig. 17 is a flow chart showing a second example of the half screen mode switching process according to this embodiment. In this figure, the processes of steps S109 and S103 are similar to those of steps S109 and S103 in Fig. 10, and their description will be 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.

[0145] (Step S209) Control unit 18 determines the screen area in which the active window is displayed in the dual screen mode before keyboard 30 is placed. If control unit 18 determines that the screen area in which the active window is displayed is the second screen area DA2, control unit 18 proceeds to processing of step S211. On the other hand, if control unit 18 determines that the screen area in which the active window is displayed is the first screen area DA1, control unit 18 proceeds to processing of step S215.

[0146] (Step S211) When the active window is displayed in the second screen area DA2, the control unit 18 determines whether or not 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 control unit 18 proceeds to the process of step S213. On the other hand, when the control unit 18 determines that a window is not displayed in the first screen area DA1 (NO), the control unit 18 proceeds to the process of step S215.

[0147] (Step S213) The control unit 18 controls the window arranged in the top 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 S215, and the mode is switched to the half screen mode. Note that the process after step S215 is the same as the process in FIG. 16, and therefore the description is omitted.

[0148] In this way, when an active window is displayed in the second screen area DA2 in the dual screen mode, the window located in the top layer in the first screen area DA1 becomes the active window and the mode is switched to the half screen mode. In other words, in the half screen mode, the active window is displayed on the display area "1" side in the first screen area DA1 shown in FIG.

[0149] In the dual-screen mode, even if an active window is displayed in the second screen area DA2, if no window is displayed in the first screen area DA1, the mode switches to the half-screen mode without changing the active window. In other words, in the half-screen mode, the active window is displayed on the display area "2" side in the first screen area DA1 shown in FIG.

[0150] As described above, in the information processing device 10 according to the present embodiment, the control unit 18 performs a placement detection process for detecting placement (connection) of the external keyboard 30 in the second screen area DA2 (an example of a predetermined screen area) of the screen area of ​​the display 150. The control unit 18 also performs a display control process for controlling switching between a one-screen mode (an example of a first display mode) in which the entire screen area DA of the display 150 is controlled as one display area, a two-screen mode (an example of a second display mode) in which the screen area DA of the display 150 is divided into two display areas, a first screen area DA1 (a screen area not including the second screen area DA2) and a second screen area DA2, and a half-screen mode (an example of a third display mode) in which, when placement of the keyboard 30 is detected by the placement detection process, only the first screen area DA1 of the first screen area DA1 and the second screen area DA2 is controlled as a display area. Then, in the display control process, the control unit 18 divides the first screen area DA1 into two display areas "1" and "2" in response to switching from the dual-screen mode to the half-screen mode, and displays the windows that were displayed in the first screen area DA1 in the dual-screen mode in one of the two display areas, display area "1," and displays the second screen area DA2 (windows that were displayed outside the first screen area DA1) in the other display area, display area "2."

[0151] As a result, when the information processing device 10 transitions from the dual screen mode to the half screen mode due to the placement of the keyboard 30, not only the window of the first screen area DA1 on the side where the keyboard 30 is not placed but also the window 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. Therefore, the information processing device 10 can appropriately control the display when controlling the display by dividing the screen area of ​​the display 150 into a plurality of display areas.

[0152] Furthermore, the control method in the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment includes a placement detection step in which the control unit 18 detects the placement (connection) of an external keyboard 30 on a second screen area DA2 (an example of a specified screen area) of the screen area of ​​the display 150, and a display control step in which the control unit 18 controls switching between a single screen mode (an example of a first display mode) in which the entire screen area DA of the display 150 is controlled to be displayed as a single display area, a dual screen mode (an example of a second display mode) in which the screen area DA of the display 150 is divided into two display areas, a first screen area DA1 (a screen area not including the second screen area DA2) and a second screen area DA2, and a half screen mode (an example of a third display mode) in which, when placement of the keyboard 30 is detected by the placement detection step, 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. Then, in a display control step, the control unit 18 divides the first screen area DA1 into two display areas "1" and "2" in response to switching from the dual-screen mode to the half-screen mode, and displays the windows that were displayed in the first screen area DA1 in the dual-screen mode in one of the two display areas, display area "1," and displays the second screen area DA2 (windows that were displayed outside the first screen area DA1) in the other display area, display area "2."

[0153] As a result, when the information processing device 10 transitions from the dual screen mode to the half screen mode due to the placement of the keyboard 30, not only the window of the first screen area DA1 on the side where the keyboard 30 is not placed but also the window 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. Therefore, the information processing device 10 can appropriately control the display when controlling the display by dividing the screen area of ​​the display 150 into a plurality of display areas.

[0154] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configurations are not limited to those described above, and various design changes and the like are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, the configurations described in the above embodiments may be combined in any desired manner.

[0155] In the half screen mode, the display orientation of the first screen area DA1 is controlled to a preset display orientation regardless of the orientation of the screen area of ​​the display 150. The preset display orientation is an orientation in which the side where the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 are connected in the first screen area DA1 is downward, in other words, an orientation in which the side opposite to the side where the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 are connected in the first screen area DA1 is upward. The connection between the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 is a portion where the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 are joined (connected) via the hinge mechanism 103, and corresponds to a portion where the first screen area DA1 and the second screen area DA2 are divided in the dual screen mode. That is, in the half screen mode, the display orientation of the first screen area DA1 is controlled so that the first housing 101 on which the camera 16 is provided can be used in a state where it is located above the second housing 102 on which the keyboard 30 is placed.

[0156] In the above embodiment, the Hall sensor 17 is used to detect the connection (placement) with the keyboard 30, but the detection method is not limited to this. For example, a photo sensor, a mechanical switch, or the like may be used to detect the connection (placement) with the keyboard 30.

[0157] In the above-described embodiment, the display 150 is a single foldable display, and an example has been described in which the single display is used in a single screen mode, a multi-screen mode (a double screen mode, a triple screen mode, a quadruple screen mode), or a half screen mode. However, the display 150 may be configured to include a plurality of displays (for example, two). For example, a single screen mode in which the screen areas of the two displays are combined into one and the display is controlled as a screen area DA, and a double screen mode in which the display of the screen areas of the two displays is controlled individually, may be used. Also, the processing in each of the above-described embodiments may be applied as a half screen mode in which only one of the two displays is set as a display target and the other is controlled to be displayed in black or to be turned off. Furthermore, one or both of the two displays may be divided into two display areas so that the display can be used as a triple screen mode or a quadruple screen mode.

[0158] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, an example of touch operation on a plurality of touch panel type displays in which the input unit (touch sensor) and the display unit are integrally configured has been described, but this is not limited to touch operation, and may also be a click operation using a mouse, an operation using a gesture, or the like.

[0159] The information processing device 10 described above has a computer system inside. A program for implementing the functions of each component of the information processing device 10 described above may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium may be read into a computer system and executed to perform processing in each component of the information processing device 10 described above. Here, "reading a program recorded on a recording medium into a computer system and executing it" includes installing the program into a computer system. The "computer system" here includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. The "computer system" may also include multiple computer devices connected via a network including a communication line such as the Internet, a WAN, a LAN, or a dedicated line. The "computer-readable recording medium" refers to a portable medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, or a CD-ROM, and a storage device such as a hard disk built into a computer system. In this way, the recording medium storing the program may be a non-transient recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

[0160] The recording medium also includes a recording medium installed inside or outside and accessible from a distribution server to distribute the program. The program may be divided into a plurality of parts, downloaded at different times, and then combined by each component of the information processing device 10, or each divided program may be distributed by a different distribution server. Furthermore, the "computer-readable recording medium" includes a recording medium that holds a program for a certain period of time, such as a volatile memory (RAM) in a computer system that becomes a server or a client when a program is transmitted via a network. The program may be a recording medium for implementing part of the above-mentioned functions. Furthermore, the program may be a recording medium that can realize the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system, that is, a so-called difference file (difference program).

[0161] In addition, some or all of the functions of the information processing device 10 in the above-mentioned embodiment may be realized as an integrated circuit such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration). Each function may be individually processed, or some or all of the functions may be integrated into a processor. The integrated circuit method is not limited to LSI, and may be realized by a dedicated circuit or a general-purpose processor. In addition, when an integrated circuit technology that replaces LSI appears due to the progress of semiconductor technology, an integrated circuit based on that technology may be used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0162] 10 information processing device, 101 first housing, 102 second housing, 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 / closing detection unit, 1822 attitude 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

Claims

1. A memory for temporarily storing application programs; A display and a processor that controls displaying a window of the application on the display by executing a program of the application stored in the memory; Equipped with The processor, a placement detection process for detecting placement of an external keyboard on a predetermined screen area of ​​the screen area of ​​the display; a display control process for controlling switching between a first display mode in which the entire screen area of ​​the display is controlled as a single display area, a second display mode in which the screen area of ​​the display is divided into a plurality of display areas and controlled for display, and a third display mode in which, when the placement of the keyboard is detected by the placement detection process, a first screen area, which is a part of the screen area of ​​the display excluding the predetermined screen area, is controlled as the display area; Do the following: in the display control process, when switching from the second display mode to the third display mode, if an active window is displayed in a display area other than the first screen area in the second display mode, the window that is displayed in the uppermost layer of the first screen area in the second display mode is switched to the active window. Information processing device.

2. The processor, In the display control process, if the screen area of ​​the display is controlled by dividing the screen area of ​​the display into two display areas in the second display mode, in response to switching from the second display mode to the third display mode, the first screen area is divided into two display areas, a window that was displayed in the first screen area in the second display mode is displayed in one of the two display areas, and a window that was displayed in a display area other than the first screen area is displayed in the other display area. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. A memory for temporarily storing application programs; A display and a processor that controls displaying a window of the application on the display by executing a program of the application stored in the memory; Equipped with The processor, a placement detection process for detecting placement of an external keyboard on a predetermined screen area of ​​the screen area of ​​the display; a display control process for controlling switching between a first display mode in which the entire screen area of ​​the display is controlled as a single display area, a second display mode in which the screen area of ​​the display is divided into two display areas, a first screen area not including the specified screen area and a second screen area including the specified screen area, and a third display mode in which, when placement of the keyboard is detected by the placement detection process, only the first screen area of ​​the first and second screen areas is controlled as a display area; Do the following: In the display control process, in response to switching from the second display mode to the third display mode, the first screen area is divided into two display areas, a window that has been displayed in the first screen area in the second display mode is displayed in one of the two display areas, and a window that has been displayed in the second screen area is displayed in the other display area. Information processing device.

4. The processor, When the display control process controls the display mode to the third display mode, a display area including at least the predetermined screen area is controlled to be displayed in black or turned off.

4. The information processing device according to claim 1.

5. The display is a foldable display.

4. The information processing device according to claim 1.

6. The display includes a plurality of displays.

4. The information processing device according to claim 1.

7. 1. A control method for an information processing device including a memory for temporarily storing an application program, a display, and a processor for controlling display of a window of the application on the display by executing the application program stored in the memory, comprising: The processor, a placement detection step of detecting placement of an external keyboard on a predetermined screen area of ​​the screen area of ​​the display; a display control step of controlling switching between a first display mode in which the entire screen area of ​​the display is treated as a single display area and display is controlled, a second display mode in which the screen area of ​​the display is divided into a plurality of display areas and display is controlled, and a third display mode in which, when the placement of the keyboard is detected by the placement detection step, a first screen area, which is a part of the screen area of ​​the display excluding the predetermined screen area, is controlled as a display area and display is controlled; Including, in the display control step, when switching from the second display mode to the third display mode, if an active window is displayed in a display area other than the first screen area in the second display mode, the window that is displayed in the uppermost layer of the first screen area in the second display mode is switched to the active window. Control methods.

8. 1. A control method for an information processing device including a memory for temporarily storing an application program, a display, and a processor for controlling display of a window of the application on the display by executing the application program stored in the memory, comprising: The processor, a placement detection step of detecting placement of an external keyboard on a predetermined screen area of ​​the screen area of ​​the display; a display control step of controlling switching between a first display mode in which the entire screen area of ​​the display is treated as a single display area, a second display mode in which the screen area of ​​the display is divided into two display areas, a first screen area not including the specified screen area and a second screen area including the specified screen area, and a third display mode in which, when placement of the keyboard is detected by the placement detection step, only the first screen area of ​​the first and second screen areas is used as a display area; Including, In the display control step, in response to switching from the second display mode to the third display mode, the first screen area is divided into two display areas, a window that has been displayed in the first screen area in the second display mode is displayed in one of the two display areas, and a window that has been displayed in the second screen area is displayed in the other display area. Control methods.

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