Information processing apparatus and control method

Abstract

To enable switching so that a user can perform appropriate processing with a simple operation.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus includes: a memory which temporarily stores a program of a system; a first processor which executes the program of the system; a second processor provided separately from the first processor to execute processing regardless of an operating state of the first processor; an operator for detecting a physical press; and an operation detection unit which acquires a detection signal detected by the operator and outputs, to the first processor, information for executing processing based on the acquired detection signal. The second processor controls whether to stop operation of the operation detection unit, and when stopping the operation of the operation detection unit, acquires the detection signal detected by the operator without using the operation detection unit, and executes processing based on the acquired detection signal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In a notebook personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a notebook PC), one side of a display housing provided with a display unit and one side of a device housing provided with an input such as a keyboard are coupled (connected) via a hinge mechanism, and the display housing and the device housing are relatively rotatable around the rotation axis formed by the hinge mechanism. Generally, it is used with the display housing and the device housing open, but it may also be used in a tablet mode in which the display housing and the device housing are opened up to 360° (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In addition, some information devices such as notebook PCs are equipped with a function of detecting the orientation of the display screen during use and automatically changing (rotating) the orientation of the display. This function is convenient because the user does not need to change the display settings every time the orientation of the display screen is changed during use.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, when using a notebook PC in tablet mode as described above, the display screen is assumed to face various directions more often than when it is placed on a desk or the like, such as when the user lies on the bed and uses the notebook PC or turns the display screen toward another user. In this case, the automatically changed display orientation may not always be an appropriate orientation for the user.

[0006] For example, when a user lies down on their side on the bed while looking at the display screen, the relative orientation between the user themselves and the display screen does not change. However, since the display screen itself is rotating, the display orientation automatically rotates as well, sometimes resulting in a display orientation that is not what the user expects. In this case, the user has to try changing the orientation of the notebook PC or their own posture to get the expected display orientation. Or, every time they want to correct or change the display orientation, they need to open the settings menu and disable the function that automatically changes (rotates) the display orientation, which is time-consuming. Also, when turning the display screen towards another user, the orientation of the display screen becomes unstable and it may take time for the display orientation to stabilize. Thus, even a function that basically performs convenient processing may not be appropriate for the user depending on how the notebook PC is used, and dealing with this requires time and effort.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and one of its objectives is to provide an information processing apparatus and a control method that can be switched so that a user can perform appropriate processing with a simple operation.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems. An information processing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a memory that temporarily stores a program of the system, a first processor that executes the program of the system, a second processor that is provided separately from the first processor and executes processing regardless of the operating state of the first processor, an operator for detecting a physical press, and an operation detection unit that acquires a detection signal from the operator and outputs information for causing the first processor to execute processing based on the acquired detection signal. The second processor controls whether to stop the operation of the operation detection unit. When the operation of the operation detection unit is stopped, the second processor acquires a detection signal from the operator without going through the operation detection unit and executes processing based on the acquired detection signal.

[0009] The information processing apparatus further includes a first housing provided with a display unit on one surface, a second housing provided with the operator on one surface, and a hinge mechanism that connects one end of the first housing and one end of the second housing and allows the first housing and the second housing to rotate about a connecting portion as an axis. The second processor may detect a rotation state of the first housing and the second housing by the hinge mechanism and stop the operation of the operation detection unit based on the detected rotation state.

[0010] In the information processing apparatus, when the second processor detects that the rotation state has ended with the other surface of the first housing and the other surface of the second housing facing each other and overlapping, the second processor may stop the operation of the operation detection unit.

[0011] In the information processing apparatus, the operator is provided in association with a touch pad that detects an operation position by a touch operation in a specific area of the surface of the second housing where the operator is provided. The operation detection unit may further acquire a detection signal from the touch pad in addition to the detection signal from the operator, and output information for executing processing based on the acquired detection signal to the first processor.

[0012] In the information processing apparatus, when the second processor stops the operation of the operation detection unit, the second processor may switch a specific process based on a detection signal acquired from the operator without passing through the operation detection unit.

[0013] The information processing apparatus further includes a sensor for detecting the orientation of the information processing apparatus. The first processor executes a display direction change process for changing the display direction of the display unit according to the orientation of the information processing apparatus detected by the sensor. When the second processor stops the operation of the operation detection unit, the second processor may switch the display direction change process based on a detection signal acquired from the operator without passing through the operation detection unit.

[0014] In the information processing apparatus, when the second processor stops the operation of the operation detection unit, it may switch whether to perform the display direction change process based on the detection signal acquired from the operator without going through the operation detection unit.

[0015] A control method in an information processing apparatus including: a memory that temporarily stores a program of a system; a first processor that executes the program of the system; a second processor that is provided separately from the first processor and executes processing regardless of the operating state of the first processor; an operator for detecting a physical depression; and an operation detection unit that acquires a detection signal from the operator and outputs information for causing the first processor to execute processing based on the acquired detection signal includes steps of: the second processor controlling whether to stop the operation of the operation detection unit; when stopping the operation of the operation detection unit, acquiring a detection signal from the operator without going through the operation detection unit; and executing processing based on the acquired detection signal.

Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the above aspect of the present invention, it is possible to switch so that a user can perform appropriate processing with a simple operation.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, an overview of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0019] [Overview of Information Processing Apparatus] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. The illustrated information processing apparatus 10 is a clamshell-type notebook PC (Personal Computer). The information processing apparatus 10 includes a display housing 101 provided with a display unit 14 (display) on one surface, a device housing 102 provided with a touch pad 21 and a keyboard 32 on one surface, and a hinge mechanism 103. The display housing 101 and the device housing 102 are substantially rectangular plate-shaped (for example, flat plate-shaped) housings.

[0020] The hinge mechanism 103 connects one end (one of the side surfaces) of the display housing 101 and one end (one of the side surfaces) of the device housing 102, and using this connection part as an axis (the rotation axis formed by the hinge mechanism 103), the display housing 101 and the device housing 102 can rotate relative to each other around the rotation axis. A state where the opening angle θ around the rotation axis of the display housing 101 and the device housing 102 is approximately 0° is a state where the display housing 101 and the device housing 102 overlap and are closed (referred to as the "closed state"). A state where the display housing 101 and the device housing 102 are open with respect to the closed state is referred to as the "open state". The open state is a state where the display housing 101 and the device housing 102 are relatively rotated until the opening angle θ becomes larger than a preset threshold value (for example, 10°). The appearance of the information processing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 shows an example of the open state.

[0021] Here, the surface of the display housing 101 on which the display unit 14 is provided is referred to as the display surface 101a, and the surface opposite to the display surface 101a is referred to as the top surface 101b. Also, the surface of the device housing 102 on which the touch pad 21 and the keyboard 32 are provided is referred to as the keyboard surface 102a, and the surface opposite to the keyboard surface 102a is referred to as the bottom surface 102b. In the closed state, the display surface 101a and the keyboard surface 102a face each other. In the illustrated example, the keyboard 32 is a physical keyboard on which a plurality of keys (an example of an operator) for receiving user operations are arranged. Note that, in addition to the keyboard 32, a touch pad or the like may be provided on the keyboard surface 102a.

[0022] In the closed state, since the display surface 101a of the display housing 101 and the keyboard surface 102a of the device housing 102 face each other and overlap, the display unit 14 cannot be visually recognized, and operations on the touch pad 21 and the keyboard 32 cannot be performed. On the other hand, in the open state, the display unit 14 can be visually recognized, and operations on the touch pad 21 and the keyboard can be performed.

[0023] Also, in the information processing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1, a microphone 221 and a speaker 222 are provided on the display surface 101a of the display housing 101. The touch pad 21 detects an operation position by a touch operation in a detection area (the area indicated by reference numeral 21) on a flat plate for detecting a touch operation. The touch pad 21 includes a click switch 211 for detecting a physical depression with respect to the touch pad 21 (the area indicated by reference numeral 21). The click switch 211 is provided below the detection area (the area indicated by reference numeral 21) of the touch pad 21.

[0024] The information processing apparatus 10 is generally used in an open state in which the display housing 101 and the device housing 102 are opened, but there are different usage forms depending on the opening angle θ even in the open state. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a usage mode of the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2(A) shows a usage mode of a general notebook PC as shown in FIG. 1 in the open state. For example, the opening angle θ is often used at about 90° to 140°. This usage mode is referred to as the "clamshell mode". On the other hand, FIG. 2(B) shows a usage mode in a state where the display housing 101 and the device housing 102 are further opened until the opening angle θ reaches about 360°, and rotated until the top surface 101b of the display housing 101 and the bottom surface 102b of the device housing 102 face each other and overlap. Since the information processing apparatus 10 can be used in the same manner as a tablet PC in the usage mode shown in FIG. 2(B), it is referred to as the "tablet mode".

[0025] Further, the information processing apparatus 10 has a function of detecting the orientation of the information processing apparatus 10 and automatically rotating the display orientation when the orientation of the information processing apparatus 10 (that is, the orientation of the display screen of the display unit 14) is changed to vertical or horizontal (hereinafter referred to as the "automatic display rotation function").

[0026] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the automatic display rotation function according to the present embodiment. In this figure, the display orientations of the display screen of the display unit 14 of the information processing apparatus 10 when rotated 90°, 180°, and 270° to the right with 0° as a reference are indicated by arrows. The display orientation of the display screen (vertical screen) at 0° is the orientation in which the direction pointed by the arrow is upward. For example, the upward direction pointed by the arrow is the direction opposite to the vertical direction (gravity direction).

[0027] When the display screen rotates 90° to the right from 0° (portrait screen) to become a landscape screen, the information processing apparatus 10 rotates the display orientation 90° to the left so that the display orientation is the same as when it is at 0° (portrait screen) even in the landscape screen (the orientation in which the opposite direction of the vertical direction is the upward direction). Also, when the display screen rotates 180° to the right from 0° (portrait screen) to become a portrait screen with the top and bottom reversed, the information processing apparatus 10 rotates the display orientation 180° to the left so that the display orientation is the same as when it is at 0° (portrait screen) even in the portrait screen with the top and bottom reversed (the orientation in which the opposite direction of the vertical direction is the upward direction). Further, when the display screen rotates 270° to the right from 0° (portrait screen) and becomes a landscape screen with the top and bottom reversed from the landscape screen when rotated 90° to the right, the information processing apparatus 10 rotates the display orientation 270° to the left so that the display orientation is the same as when it is at 0° (portrait screen) (the orientation in which the opposite direction of the vertical direction is the upward direction). Note that the state where the display screen is rotated 270° to the right is the same as the state where the display screen is rotated 90° to the left.

[0028] This automatic display rotation function is convenient because the display settings do not need to be changed every time the user changes the orientation of the display screen during use. Especially when used in tablet mode, there are many scenes where the user changes the orientation of the display screen during use, so it is convenient. However, when used in tablet mode, compared with the case of using it on a desk in clamshell mode, the direction of the display screen becomes unstable, and the display orientation may change contrary to the user's intention. In this case, it may take time for the display orientation to stabilize to the one expected by the user. Also, in tablet mode, the user may lie on the bed horizontally and use it. In this case, although the relative orientation between the user himself and the display screen does not change compared to before lying down, since the display screen itself is rotated, the display orientation may automatically rotate and may not be the display orientation expected by the user.

[0029] As described above, although the automatic display rotation function is basically a convenient function, when the user uses it in tablet mode, depending on the scene, the display may not always be in an appropriate orientation, and there may be cases where it is better for the automatic display rotation function not to work. Therefore, the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment allows the user to lock (fix) the display orientation with a simple operation and disable the automatic display rotation function. Specifically, when the user holds the information processing apparatus 10 in tablet mode, the click switch 211 of the touch pad 21 on the back side (the back side of the display screen) is used.

[0030] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is held in tablet mode. FIG. 4(A) shows the display surface 101a side when the user holds the information processing apparatus 10 in tablet mode. On the other hand, FIG. 4(B) shows the keyboard surface 102a side that becomes the back side of the display surface 101a when the user holds the information processing apparatus 10 in tablet mode. In tablet mode, while holding the information processing apparatus 10, the user can easily press the touch pad 21 provided on the back side keyboard surface 102a side with the held hand. For example, while the user is pressing the touch pad 21, that is, while the click switch 211 is being pressed, the information processing apparatus 10 controls to lock (fix) the display orientation and disable the automatic display rotation function. Here, in tablet mode, the touch pad 21 that is originally on the back side when held is prone to accidental operation, so its function is turned off. For example, in tablet mode, the information processing apparatus 10 turns off (stops the operation) the touch pad IC (Integrated Circuit) that detects touch operations on the touch pad 21 and detects the pressing of the click switch 211, and also proposes power consumption reduction.

[0031]

[0032] ​Therefore, when the information processing apparatus 10 detects the pressing of the click switch 211 in the tablet mode, it uses an EC (Embedded Controller). For example, in the tablet mode, the information processing apparatus 10 obtains, via the touch pad IC, a detection signal for detecting the pressing of the click switch 211 by the EC and controls to disable the automatic display rotation function. Thereby, in the tablet mode, when the user does not want the display orientation to change, the user can simply press the click switch 211 on the back side with the hand holding the information processing apparatus 10, and can disable the automatic display rotation function to lock the display orientation. Hereinafter, the configuration of the information processing apparatus 10 will be described in detail.

[0033] [Configuration of Information Processing Apparatus] First, with reference to FIG. 5, the main hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 10 will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. In this FIG. 5, the components corresponding to those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0034] The information processing apparatus 10 includes a main processing unit 11, a main memory 12, a video subsystem 13, a display unit 14, a touch panel 15, a communication unit 16, a storage unit 17, a direction sensor 18, a touch pad 21, an audio system 22, an EC 31, a keyboard 32, a power supply circuit 33, a battery 34, and a Lid sensor 35.

[0035] The main processing unit 11 is configured to include a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a chipset. The CPU executes various arithmetic processes under program control and controls the entire information processing apparatus 10. For example, the main processing unit 11 executes system programs such as an OS (Operating System). Further, the CPU executes processes based on various drivers, various services / utilities, applications, etc. that are executable on the OS. The chipset includes controllers for buses such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), Serial ATA (AT Attachment), SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) bus, PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus, PCI-Express bus, and LPC (Low Pin Count) bus, and a plurality of devices are connected thereto. For example, as the plurality of devices, a storage unit 17, an audio system 22, a communication unit 16, and an EC 31 are included.

[0036] The main memory 12 is a writable memory that is used as a loading area for the execution program of the main processing unit 11 or as a working area for writing the processing data of the execution program. The main memory 12 is composed of, for example, a plurality of DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) chips. This execution program includes an OS, various drivers for operating peripheral devices in hardware, various services / utilities, application programs, etc.

[0037] The video subsystem 13 is a subsystem for realizing functions related to image display and includes a video controller. This video controller processes the drawing commands from the main processing unit 11, writes the processed drawing information to the video memory, reads the drawing information from the video memory, and outputs it as drawing data (display data) to the display unit 14.

[0038] The display unit 14 is configured to include, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, and displays images and information on the display screen based on the drawing data (display data) output from the video subsystem 13.

[0039] The touch panel 15 is configured integrally with the display unit 14. The touch panel 15 includes a touch sensor that detects a touch operation (operation position) on the display screen of the display unit 14.

[0040] The communication unit 16 is connected to a network by a wired LAN connected using a wireless LAN such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or an Ethernet cable to perform data communication. For example, when the communication unit 16 receives data from the network, it generates an event trigger indicating that the data has been received. Further, the communication unit 16 may communicate with peripheral devices by short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0041] The storage unit 17 is configured to include an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), etc. For example, the storage unit 17 stores an OS, various drivers, various services / utilities, application programs, and various data.

[0042] The direction sensor 18 is a sensor for detecting the orientation of the information processing apparatus 10, that is, the orientation of the display screen of the display unit 14. For example, the direction sensor 18 includes at least one of an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, a gravity sensor, etc.

[0043] The touch pad 21 is an input device having the same functions as a mouse, and accepts operations such as cursor movement and clicking. For example, the touch pad 21 includes a touch sensor 210, a click switch 211, and a touch pad IC 212.

[0044] The touch sensor 210 has a detection area on the flat plate (the area of the touch pad 21 in FIG. 1), and outputs a detection signal according to the operation position by the touch operation. The click switch 211 is an operator for detecting a physical depression (a click operation by the user). The click switch 211 is provided below the touch sensor 210 (the area of the touch pad 21 in FIG. 1), and is physically depressed in conjunction with the physical depression of the touch pad 21 (touch sensor 210).

[0045] The touch pad IC 212 is an IC (for example, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit) as an operation detection unit for detecting an operation on the touch pad 21. The touch pad IC 212 detects an operation on the touch pad 21 and outputs information necessary for executing processing based on the operation to the main processing unit.

[0046] For example, the touch pad IC 212 acquires the detection signal output from the touch sensor 210, generates touch operation information indicating the operation position where the touch operation is performed, and outputs it to the main processing unit 11. Further, the touch pad IC 212 acquires a detection signal according to whether the click switch 211 is depressed, generates click operation information indicating whether a click operation is performed, and outputs it to the main processing unit 11.

[0047] The audio system 22 has a microphone 221 and a speaker 222 connected thereto, and records, plays back, and outputs audio data. For example, the audio system 22 converts the audio signal of the voice picked up by the microphone 221 into digital audio data and transmits it to the main processing unit 11. Further, the audio system 22 converts the audio data transmitted from the main processing unit 11 into an analog audio signal and outputs it as voice from the speaker 222.

[0048] The keyboard 32 is an input device on which a plurality of keys for receiving user operations are arranged. As shown in FIG. 1, the keyboard 32 is provided on the keyboard surface 102a of the device housing 102. The keyboard 32 outputs input information (for example, an operation signal indicating a key operated on the keyboard) input by a user operation to the EC 31.

[0049] The power supply circuit 33 converts the voltage of the DC power supplied from an external power supply such as an AC adapter (not shown) or the battery 34 into a plurality of voltages necessary for operating the information processing apparatus 10. Further, the power supply circuit 33 supplies power to each part of the information processing apparatus 10 based on the control from the EC 31.

[0050] The battery 34 is, for example, a lithium battery. When power is supplied to the information processing apparatus 10 from an external power supply, the battery 34 is charged via the power supply circuit 33. When power is not supplied to the information processing apparatus 10 from an external power supply, the charged power is output as the operating power of the information processing apparatus 10.

[0051] The Lid sensor 35 is a sensor for detecting the rotational state (for example, open state, closed state, opening angle θ, etc.) between the display housing 101 and the device housing 102. For example, as the Lid sensor 35, a hall sensor or an acceleration sensor or the like is used. The Lid sensor 35 outputs a detection signal corresponding to the rotational state between the display housing 101 and the device housing 102 to the EC 31.

[0052] The EC 31 is a processor such as an MCU (Micro Controller Unit) that monitors and controls various devices (peripheral devices, sensors, etc.) regardless of the state of the system of the information processing apparatus 10. The EC 31 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a plurality of channels of A / D input terminals, D / A output terminals, a timer, and digital input / output terminals (not shown). For example, the EC 31 is connected to the main processing unit 11, the touch pad 21, the keyboard 32, the power supply circuit 33, the Lid sensor 35, and the like.

[0053] Next, with reference to FIG. 6, a configuration in which the information processing apparatus 10 detects the pressing of the click switch 211 by the EC 31 instead of the touch pad IC 212 when in the tablet mode will be described in detail. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration for detecting the click switch according to the present embodiment. In this FIG. 6, components corresponding to those in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0054] In the example shown in this figure, within the touch pad 21, the click switch 211 is pulled up and connected to the input terminal of the touch pad IC 212. In a non-connected state where the click switch 211 is not pressed (the state where the click switch 211 is off), the detection signal of the click switch 211 (hereinafter referred to as the "switch signal") is High. On the other hand, when the click switch 211 is pressed and connected (the state where the click switch 211 is on), the switch signal of the click switch 211 becomes Low. In the clamshell mode, the touch pad IC 212 acquires the switch signal from the click switch 211, and determines whether or not the click switch 211 has been pressed based on the acquired switch signal. Then, the touch pad IC 212 generates click operation information indicating whether or not a click operation has been performed based on the determination result and outputs it to the main processing unit 11.

[0055] The main processing unit 11 is connected to the touch pad IC 212 via a serial bus such as I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit), and acquires click operation information (and touch operation information) from the touch pad IC 212. For example, the main processing unit 11 includes a touch pad information acquisition unit 111 and a display direction control unit 112 as functional configurations realized by executing a program.

[0056] In the clamshell mode, the touch pad information acquisition unit 111 acquires click operation information (and touch operation information) from the touch pad IC 212, and executes processing based on the acquired operation information. This processing is the same as the processing when acquiring operation information by a mouse.

[0057] The display direction control unit 112 executes processing of an automatic display rotation function that changes the display direction of the display unit 14 according to the orientation of the information processing apparatus 10 (the orientation of the display screen) detected by the direction sensor 18 (see FIG. 5) (see FIG. 3).

[0058] Also, the click switch 211 is pulled up and connected to the input terminal of the EC 31. The input to the EC 31, similar to the input to the touch pad IC 212, is High in a non-connected state where the click switch 211 is not pressed (the click switch 211 is in an off state), and becomes Low when the click switch 211 is pressed and connected (the click switch 211 is in an on state).

[0059] The EC 31, as a functional configuration realized by executing a program, includes a usage form determination unit 311, an input invalidation unit 312, and a function control unit 313.

[0060] The usage form determination unit 311 acquires a detection signal corresponding to the rotation state of the display housing 101 and the device housing 102 from the Lid sensor 35 (see FIG. 5), and detects the usage form of the information processing apparatus 10 based on the acquired detection signal. For example, the usage form determination unit 311 determines whether the usage form of the information processing apparatus 10 is in tablet mode.

[0061] Also, the EC 31 is connected to the touch pad IC 212 by a control signal line for controlling the touch pad IC 212 to be on or off. The input invalidation unit 312 outputs a control signal for turning off (stopping the operation) the touch pad IC 212 to the touch pad IC 212 in order to invalidate the touch pad 21 so that it is not erroneously operated when a predetermined condition is satisfied or by a predetermined trigger.

[0062] For example, when the usage mode determination unit 311 determines that it is in the tablet mode, the input disabling unit 312 outputs a control signal to turn off the touch pad IC 212 to the touch pad IC 212. When the touch pad IC 212 acquires a control signal to turn off the touch pad IC 212 from the EC 31, it stops operating. Also, when the usage mode determination unit 311 determines that the mode has transitioned from the tablet mode to the clamshell mode, the input disabling unit 312 outputs a control signal to turn on (start operation) the touch pad IC 212 to the touch pad IC 212. When the touch pad IC 212 acquires a control signal to turn on the touch pad IC 212 from the EC 31, it resumes operation.

[0063] Also, as described above, since the click switch 211 is also connected to the input terminal of the EC 31, when the input disabling unit 312 turns off the touch pad IC 212 in the tablet mode, the function control unit 313 directly acquires the switch signal of the click switch 211 without passing through the touch pad IC 212, and executes processing based on the acquired switch signal. For example, the function control unit 313 switches specific processing depending on whether the click switch 211 is pressed based on the acquired switch signal.

[0064] As an example, while the click switch 211 is pressed, the function control unit 313 controls to lock (fix) the display orientation of the display unit 14 and disable the automatic display rotation function by instructing the display direction control unit 112. That is, while the click switch 211 is pressed, the function control unit 313 controls to lock (fix) the display orientation of the display unit 14 and not perform the automatic display rotation function by instructing the display direction control unit 112.

[0065] Further, when the click switch 211 is no longer pressed, the function control unit 313 controls to enable the automatic display rotation function by releasing the lock on the display direction of the display unit 14 by instructing the display direction control unit 112. That is, when the click switch 211 is no longer pressed, the function control unit 313 controls to perform the automatic display rotation function by releasing the lock on the display direction of the display unit 14 by instructing the display direction control unit 112.

[0066] [Operation of the process] Next, the operation of the function control process in which the information processing apparatus 10 switches the automatic display rotation function according to the usage form will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the function control process according to the present embodiment. Here, it is assumed that the usage form of the information processing apparatus 10 is the clamshell mode and the automatic display rotation function is set to be valid.

[0067] (Step S101) Based on the detection signal acquired from the Lid sensor 35, the EC 31 detects the usage form of the information processing apparatus 10 and determines whether it is in the tablet mode. If the EC 31 determines that it is not in the tablet mode (NO), the process of step S101 is performed again. On the other hand, if the EC 31 determines that it is in the tablet mode (YES), the process proceeds to step S103.

[0068] (Step S103) The EC 31 outputs a control signal for turning off (stopping the operation) the touch pad IC 212 to the touch pad IC 212 to turn off the touch pad IC 212. Then, the process proceeds to step S105.

[0069] (Step S105) The EC 31 acquires the switch signal of the click switch 211 and starts monitoring whether the click switch 211 has been pressed. Then, the process proceeds to step S107.

[0070] (Step S107) Based on the switch signal acquired from the click switch 211, the EC 31 determines whether the click switch 211 has been pressed. If the EC 31 determines that the click switch 211 has been pressed (YES), it proceeds to the process of step S109. On the other hand, if the EC 31 determines that the click switch 211 has not been pressed (NO), it proceeds to the process of step S115.

[0071] (Step S109) The EC 31 locks (fixes) the display orientation of the display unit 14 and controls to disable the automatic display rotation function. That is, while the click switch 211 is pressed, the EC 31 instructs the display direction control unit 112 to lock (fix) the display orientation of the display unit 14 and control not to perform the automatic display rotation function. Then, it proceeds to the process of step S111.

[0072] (Step S111) Based on the switch signal acquired from the click switch 211, the EC 31 determines whether the click switch 211 is being pressed. If the EC 31 determines that the click switch 211 is continuously being pressed (YES), it proceeds to the process of step S115. On the other hand, if the EC 31 determines that the click switch 211 is not being pressed (NO), it proceeds to the process of step S113.

[0073] (Step S113) The EC 31 releases the lock on the display orientation of the display unit 14 and controls to enable the automatic display rotation function. That is, when the click switch 211 is no longer pressed, the EC 31 instructs the display direction control unit 112 to release the lock on the display orientation of the display unit 14 and control to perform the automatic display rotation function. Then, it proceeds to the process of step S115.

[0074] (Step S115) Based on the detection signal acquired from the Lid sensor 35, the EC31 determines whether it is in the tablet mode. If the EC31 continues to determine that it is in the tablet mode (YES), it returns to the process of step S107. On the other hand, if the EC31 determines that it is not in the tablet mode (NO), it proceeds to the process of step S117.

[0075] (Step S117) When the tablet mode is no longer in effect (for example, when it switches to the clamshell mode), the EC31 terminates the monitoring of whether the click switch 211 has been pressed and proceeds to the process of step S119.

[0076] (Step S119) If the EC31 has not locked (fixed) the display orientation of the display unit 14 and disabled the automatic display rotation function, it releases the lock on the display orientation and enables the automatic display rotation function. Then, it proceeds to the process of step S121.

[0077] (Step S121) The EC31 outputs a control signal to turn on (start the operation of) the touch pad IC212 to turn on the touch pad IC212. Then, it returns to the process of step S101.

[0078] As described above, the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes a main memory 12 (an example of a memory) that temporarily stores a system program, a main processing unit 11 (an example of a first processor) that executes the system program, an EC 31 (an example of a second processor) that is provided separately from the main processing unit 11 and executes processing regardless of the operating state of the main processing unit 11, a click switch 211 (an example of an operator) for detecting a physical depression, and a touch pad IC 212 (an example of an operation detection unit) that acquires a switch signal (an example of a detection signal) from the click switch 211 and outputs information for causing the main processing unit 11 to execute processing based on the acquired switch signal. The EC 31 controls whether to stop the operation of the touch pad IC 212. When the touch pad IC 212 is turned off (operation stopped), the EC 31 acquires a switch signal from the click switch 211 without going through the touch pad IC 212 and executes processing based on the acquired switch signal.

[0079] Thereby, when the information processing apparatus 10 turns off (stops the operation of) the touch pad IC 212 to invalidate the touch pad 21, the EC 31 can acquire the switch signal of the click switch 211 and perform processing without going through the touch pad IC 212, so that the user can switch to perform appropriate processing with a simple operation on the click switch 211. Further, since the information processing apparatus 10 can acquire the switch signal of the click switch 211 and perform processing while keeping the touch pad IC 212 turned off (operation stopped), there is also an advantage that power consumption can be suppressed.

[0080] Further, the information processing apparatus 10 includes a display housing 101 (an example of a first housing) provided with a display unit 14 on one surface, an equipment housing 102 (an example of a second housing) provided with a click switch 211 on one surface, a hinge mechanism 103 that connects one end of the display housing 101 and one end of the equipment housing 102 and enables the display housing 101 and the equipment housing 102 to rotate about the connection portion as an axis. And the EC 31 detects the rotation state of the display housing 101 and the equipment housing 102 by the hinge mechanism 103, and turns off (stops the operation) the touch pad IC 212 based on the detected rotation state.

[0081] Thereby, when the touch pad 21 of the information processing apparatus 10 is likely to be erroneously operated depending on the usage form (the rotation state of the display housing 101 and the equipment housing 102), the function of the touch pad 21 can be disabled.

[0082] For example, when the EC 31 detects that the rotation state has changed to a state where the other surface of the display housing 101 and the other surface of the equipment housing 102 face each other and overlap (for example, tablet mode), the EC 31 turns off (stops the operation) the touch pad IC 212.

[0083] Thereby, when the information processing apparatus 10 is used in tablet mode, the touch pad 21 on the back side when being held is likely to be erroneously operated, so that the function can be disabled.

[0084] Further, the click switch 211 is provided in association with a touch pad 21 that detects an operation position by a touch operation in a detection area (an example of a specific area) of the touch sensor 210 on the surface of the equipment housing 102 where the click switch 211 is provided. The touch pad IC 212 acquires, in addition to the switch signal from the click switch 211, a detection signal from the touch pad 21, and outputs information for executing processing based on the acquired detection signal to the main processing unit 11.

[0085] As a result, even when the information processing apparatus 10 disables the function of the touch pad 21, the EC 31 can acquire and process the switch signal of the click switch 211 provided in association with the touch pad 21. Therefore, the user can switch to perform appropriate processing with a simple operation on the click switch 211.

[0086] Also, when the EC 31 turns off (stops the operation of) the touch pad IC 212, it switches specific processing based on the switch signal acquired from the click switch 211 without going through the touch pad IC 212.

[0087] As a result, for example, when the information processing apparatus 10 is used in the tablet mode, even if the touch pad 21 on the back side that is easily misoperated when being held is disabled, the EC 31 can acquire the switch signal of the click switch 211 and switch specific processing. Therefore, the user can switch to perform appropriate processing with a simple operation on the click switch 211.

[0088] The information processing apparatus 10 also includes a direction sensor 18 (an example of a sensor) for detecting the orientation of the information processing apparatus 10 (display screen). The main processing unit 11 executes processing of an automatic display rotation function (an example of display direction change processing) for changing the display orientation of the display unit 14 according to the orientation of the information processing apparatus 10 (display screen) detected by the direction sensor 18. When the EC 31 turns off (stops the operation of) the touch pad IC 212, it switches the processing of the automatic display rotation function (an example of display direction change processing) based on the switch signal acquired from the click switch 211 without going through the touch pad IC 212.

[0089] As a result, when the information processing apparatus 10 is used in, for example, the tablet mode, even if the touch pad 21 that becomes the back side when being held is likely to be accidentally operated and its function is disabled, since the EC 31 can acquire the switch signal of the click switch 211 and switch the process of the automatic display rotation function, the user can switch to perform appropriate processing with a simple operation on the click switch 211.

[0090] Further, when the EC 31 turns off (stops the operation of) the touch pad IC 212, the EC 31 switches whether to perform the process of the automatic display rotation function (an example of the display direction change process) based on the switch signal acquired from the click switch 211 without passing through the touch pad IC 212.

[0091] As a result, when the information processing apparatus 10 is used in, for example, the tablet mode, even if the touch pad 21 that becomes the back side when being held is likely to be accidentally operated and its function is disabled, since the EC 31 can acquire the switch signal of the click switch 211 and disable the automatic display rotation function to lock (fix) the display, the user can switch to perform appropriate processing with a simple operation on the click switch 211.

[0092] Also, the control method in the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes a main memory 12 (an example of a memory) that temporarily stores a system program, a main processing unit 11 (an example of a first processor) that executes the system program, an EC 31 (an example of a second processor) that is provided separately from the main processing unit 11 and executes processing regardless of the operating state of the main processing unit 11, a click switch 211 (an example of an operator) for detecting a physical press, and a touch pad IC 212 (an example of an operation detection unit) that acquires a switch signal (an example of a detection signal) from the click switch 211 and outputs information for causing the main processing unit 11 to execute processing based on the acquired switch signal. The control method in the information processing apparatus 10 includes a step in which the EC 31 controls whether to stop the operation of the touch pad IC 212, a step in which when the touch pad IC 212 is turned off (operation is stopped), the switch signal from the click switch 211 is acquired without passing through the touch pad IC 212, and a step in which processing based on the acquired switch signal is executed.

[0093] Accordingly, in the control method of the information processing apparatus 10, when the touch pad IC 212 is turned off (operation is stopped) and the touch pad 21 is disabled, the EC 31 can acquire the switch signal of the click switch 211 and perform processing without passing through the touch pad IC 212, so that the user can switch to perform appropriate processing by a simple operation on the click switch 211. Further, in the control method of the information processing apparatus 10, since the switch signal of the click switch 211 can be acquired and processing can be performed while the touch pad IC 212 is turned off (operation is stopped), there is also an advantage that power consumption can be suppressed.

[0094] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to the above, and various design changes and the like can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0095] In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the click switch 211 is disposed below the touch pad 21 (touch sensor 210) has been described. However, the position where the click switch 211 is provided and the form of the switch are not limited to this example. For example, the click switch 211 may be disposed at a position that does not overlap with the touch sensor 210 which is the detection area of the touch pad 21. Also, the number of click switches 211 is not limited to one, and a plurality of click switches may be provided.

[0096] Further, in the above-described embodiment, in the tablet mode, while the click switch 211 is being pressed (i.e., while it is being long-pressed), the display orientation of the display unit 14 is locked (fixed) to control the automatic display rotation function to be invalid, and when the click switch 211 is no longer pressed, the lock on the display orientation of the display unit 14 is released to control the automatic display rotation function to be valid. However, the operation method of the click switch 211 is not limited to this. For example, each time the click switch 211 is pressed, a configuration may be adopted in which the locking (fixing) and unlocking of the display orientation are switched. In this case, the type of operation on the click switch 211 may be any operation such as a single click, a double click, or a triple click.

[0097] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which when the EC 31 turns off (halts the operation of) the touch pad IC 212, the automatic display rotation function is switched between enabled and disabled based on the switch signal obtained from the click switch 211 without going through the touch pad IC 212. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the information processing apparatus 10 may control to disable the automatic display rotation function in the tablet mode, and control the display orientation to a preset display orientation depending on whether the click switch 211 is pressed or not. For example, while the click switch 211 is being pressed, the information processing apparatus 10 may lock (fix) the display orientation when the display screen shown in FIG. 3 is at 0°, and when the click switch 211 is not being pressed, lock (fix) the display orientation when the display screen shown in FIG. 3 is rotated 90° to the right. Also, the preset display orientation depending on whether the click switch 211 is pressed or not may be settable by the user.

[0098] Also, when the click switch 211 is not being pressed, the information processing apparatus 10 may lock (fix) the display orientation when the display screen shown in FIG. 3 is at 0°, and each time the click switch 211 is pressed, transition such as locking the display orientation when the display screen is rotated 90° to the right, locking the display orientation when the display screen is rotated 180° to the right, and locking the display orientation when the display screen is rotated 270° to the right. Also, for each type of operation of the click switch 211 (long press, single click, double click, triple click), a display orientation to be locked in advance may be set. Also, the setting of the type of operation of the click switch 211 and the display orientation may be settable by the user.

[0099] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which when the EC 31 turns off (halts the operation of) the touch pad IC 212, the automatic display rotation function is switched based on the switch signal obtained from the click switch 211 without going through the touch pad IC 212. However, the function to be switched is not limited to the automatic display rotation function, and any arbitrary specific function may be switched.

[0100] For example, when the touch pad IC 212 is turned off (operation stopped), the EC 31 may switch the function of the touch panel 15 for detecting a touch operation on the display screen of the display unit 14 to be enabled or disabled based on the switch signal obtained from the click switch 211 without passing through the touch pad IC 212.

[0101] Also, when the touch pad IC 212 is turned off (operation stopped), the EC 31 may switch the on and off of the display of the display unit 14 based on the switch signal obtained from the click switch 211 without passing through the touch pad IC 212.

[0102] Also, when the touch pad IC 212 is turned off (operation stopped), the EC 31 may switch whether to mute the microphone 221 or the speaker 222 based on the switch signal obtained from the click switch 211 without passing through the touch pad IC 212.

[0103] Also, when the touch pad IC 212 is turned off (operation stopped), the EC 31 may switch whether to turn on or off the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) function of the communication unit 16 based on the switch signal obtained from the click switch 211 without passing through the touch pad IC 212.

[0104] Also, a switching function may be assigned for each type of operation (long press, single click, double click, triple click) of the click switch 211. For example, in the case of a long press, the automatic display rotation function is switched; in the case of a single click, the touch panel 15 is switched; in the case of a double click, the on and off of the display is switched; in the case of a triple click, the mute of the microphone 221 or the speaker 222 is switched, etc. A switching function may be assigned for each type of operation. Also, the user may be able to set the assignment of functions for each type of operation.

[0105] Also, in the above-described embodiment, when the information processing apparatus 10 is in the tablet mode, the touch pad IC 212 is turned off (operation is stopped). However, the touch pad IC 212 may be turned off (operation is stopped) due to other factors (for example, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, or a predetermined trigger). In that case, the EC 31 may acquire the switch signal of the click switch 211 and perform processing. Also, the predetermined condition and the predetermined trigger may be based on the rotation state of the display housing 101 and the device housing 102, or may have nothing to do with the rotation state.

[0106] Also, the EC 31 is an example of a microcomputer as a processor different from the main processing unit 11, but is not limited thereto.

[0107] Also, the above-described information processing apparatus 10 has a computer system inside. Then, a program for realizing the functions of each configuration provided in each of the above-described information processing apparatuses 10 is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on this recording medium is read into the computer system and executed, thereby performing the processing in each configuration provided in each of the above-described information processing apparatuses 10 (10A). Here, "reading the program recorded on the recording medium into the computer system and executing it" includes installing the program in the computer system. The "computer system" as used herein is assumed to include hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. Also, the "computer system" may include a plurality of computer devices connected via a network including a communication line such as the Internet, WAN, LAN, or dedicated line. Also, the "computer-readable recording medium" refers to a portable medium such as a flexible disk, magneto-optical disk, ROM, CD-ROM, or a storage device such as a hard disk built into the computer system. Thus, the recording medium storing the program may be a non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

[0108] In addition, the recording medium also includes an internal or external recording medium that can be accessed from a distribution server for distributing the program. Note that the program may be divided into multiple parts and downloaded at different timings, and then combined by each component included in the information processing apparatus 10, or the distribution servers that distribute each of the divided programs may be different. Furthermore, the "computer-readable recording medium" includes those that hold a program for a certain period of time, such as a volatile memory (RAM) inside a computer system that serves as a server or a client when the program is transmitted via a network. Also, the above program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above. Furthermore, it may be a so-called difference file (difference program) that can realize the above functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

[0109] Also, a part or all of each function included in the information processing apparatus 10 in the above-described embodiment may be realized as an integrated circuit such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration). Each function may be made into a processor individually, or a part or all of them may be integrated and made into a processor. Also, the method of integrating into an integrated circuit is not limited to LSI, and it may be realized by a dedicated circuit or a general-purpose processor. Also, when a technology for integrating into an integrated circuit that replaces LSI appears due to the progress of semiconductor technology, an integrated circuit using such technology may be used.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0110] 10 Information processing apparatus, 101 Display housing, 101a Display surface, 101b Top surface, 102 Equipment housing, 102a Keyboard surface, 102b Bottom surface, 103 Hinge mechanism, 11 Main processing unit, 12 Main memory, 13 Video subsystem, 14 Display unit, 15 Touch panel, 16 Communication unit, 17 Storage unit, 18 Direction sensor, 21 Touch pad, 210 Touch sensor, 211 Click switch, 212 Touch pad IC, 22 Audio system, 221 Microphone, 222 Speaker, 31 EC, 32 Keyboard, 33 Power circuit, 34 Battery, 35 Lid sensor, 111 Touch pad information acquisition unit, 112 Display direction control unit, 311 Usage form determination unit, 312 Input invalidation unit, 313 Function control unit

Claims

1. A memory for temporarily storing a program of the system; A first processor for executing the program of the system; A second processor provided separately from the first processor and executing processing regardless of the operating state of the first processor; An operator for detecting a physical press; An operation detection unit that acquires a detection signal from the operator and outputs information for executing processing based on the acquired detection signal to the first processor; Comprising; The second processor: Controls whether to stop the operation of the operation detection unit. When the operation of the operation detection unit is stopped, it acquires a detection signal from the operator without passing through the operation detection unit and executes processing based on the acquired detection signal. An information processing apparatus.

2. A first housing provided with a display unit on one surface; A second housing provided with the operator on one surface; A hinge mechanism that connects one end of the first housing and one end of the second housing and allows the first housing and the second housing to rotate about the connecting portion as an axis; Comprising; The second processor: Detects the rotation state of the first housing and the second housing by the hinge mechanism, and stops the operation of the operation detection unit based on the detected rotation state. The information processing apparatus according to Claim 1.

3. The second processor: When it detects that the rotation state is not present in a state where the other surface of the first housing and the other surface of the second housing face each other and overlap, it stops the operation of the operation detection unit. The information processing apparatus according to Claim 2.

4. The operator is provided in association with a touch pad that detects an operation position by a touch operation in a specific area of the surface of the second housing where the operator is provided; The operation detection unit: In addition to the detection signal from the operator, further acquires a detection signal from the touch pad and outputs information for executing processing based on the acquired detection signal to the first processor. The information processing apparatus according to Claim 2.

5. The second processor: When the operation of the operation detection unit is stopped, it switches specific processing based on the detection signal acquired from the operator without passing through the operation detection unit. The information processing apparatus according to Claim 1.

6. A sensor for detecting the orientation of the information processing apparatus; Comprising; The first processor: Execute a display direction change process for changing the display direction of the display unit according to the orientation of the information processing apparatus detected by the sensor. The second processor When stopping the operation of the operation detection unit, switches the display direction change process based on a detection signal acquired from the operator without passing through the operation detection unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.

7. The second processor When stopping the operation of the operation detection unit, switches whether to perform the display direction change process based on a detection signal acquired from the operator without passing through the operation detection unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6.

8. A control method in an information processing apparatus including a memory for temporarily storing a program of a system, a first processor for executing the program of the system, a second processor provided separately from the first processor and executing processing regardless of the operating state of the first processor, an operator for detecting a physical depression, and an operation detection unit for acquiring a detection signal from the operator and outputting information for causing the first processor to execute processing based on the acquired detection signal, the method comprising: The second processor Controlling whether to stop the operation of the operation detection unit; When stopping the operation of the operation detection unit, acquiring a detection signal from the operator without passing through the operation detection unit; Executing processing based on the acquired detection signal; A control method including the above steps.

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