Notebook computer, method for control, and program

Abstract

To properly move a cursor in response to an operation of a user.SOLUTION: A display 12 displays a first screen. A connection unit 14 is connectable to an external display 20 showing a second screen. A processing unit 11 receives an operation input that a user made using a pointer device 13 to move a cursor in the first screen or in the second screen. The processor unit 11 further disables a correction to be made on the operation, which is a correction of the movement direction of a cursor P1 according to rotations of the first screen or the second screen, on the basis of the usage state of the external display 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a notebook computer, a control method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Notebook computers equipped with a display and a keyboard are in use. Notebook computers are also referred to as notebook PCs (Personal Computers), laptop PCs, etc. There are so-called 2-in-1 type notebook computers that can be transformed into tablets. There are also notebook computers with a detachable keyboard.

[0003] Here, the screen on the display connected to the computer can be rotated according to the user's operation input. For example, there is a proposal for an information processing apparatus that displays a second display area where additional information can be input, inclined by a predetermined angle with respect to the first display area, within the first display area on the screen.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] A cursor that can be operated by a pointing device is displayed on the screen of the display. The computer may have a function of correcting the moving direction of the cursor with respect to the operation direction of the user on the pointing device according to the rotation of the screen. For example, when the screen rotates 180° around an axis perpendicular to the screen at the center of the screen, the moving direction of the cursor is also corrected in a direction rotated 180° with respect to the operation direction of the pointing device.

[0006] Incidentally, an external display may be connected to the notebook computer main body and used in combination with the display of the notebook computer main body. The external display is installed on a desk or the like, and the display panel housing itself supported by the stand of the external display can be rotated for use. In that case, the screen is also rotated in accordance with the rotation of the panel housing. At this time, if the moving direction of the cursor is corrected in accordance with the rotation of the screen, the cursor may be moved in a direction different from the operation direction of the user on the pointing device, making it difficult for the user to move the cursor.

[0007] On one aspect, the present invention aims to appropriately perform cursor movement in response to user operations.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] In one aspect, a notebook computer is provided. The notebook computer has a display, a connection part, and a processing part. The display displays a first screen. The connection part can be connected to an external display that displays a second screen. The processing part receives user operation input by a pointing device for moving a cursor included in the first screen or the second screen, and based on the usage state of the external display, invalidates the correction of the moving direction of the cursor corresponding to the rotation of the first screen or the second screen, which is performed for the operation input.

[0009] Also, in one aspect, a control method executed by a computer is provided. Also, in one aspect, a program executed by a computer is provided.

Effects of the Invention

[0010] On one aspect, cursor movement can be appropriately performed in response to user operations.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

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Figure 6

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Figure 8

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Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] [First Embodiment] The first embodiment will be described.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the notebook computer of the first embodiment.

[0015] The notebook computer 10 has a processing unit 11, a display 12, a pointing device 13, and a connection unit 14.

[0016] The processing unit 11 is a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). However, the processing unit 11 may include an electronic circuit for specific use such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The processor executes a program stored in a memory such as a RAM. A collection of multiple processors may be referred to as a "multiprocessor" or simply a "processor".

[0017] Although not shown in the figure, the notebook computer 10 has the storage unit that stores data used for the processing of the processing unit 11. As the storage unit, a volatile semiconductor memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), or a non-volatile storage such as an SSD (Solid State Drive), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or a flash memory is used.

[0018] The display 12 is a display device that displays an image. The display 12 is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (OEL: Organic Electro-Luminescence) display.

[0019] The pointing device 13 is an input device such as a touch pad, a mouse, and a digitizer.

[0020] The connection part 14 is a connection interface that can be connected to the external display 20. The external display 20 is a display device that displays images. For example, the external display 20 displays an extended screen that extends the screen area of the display 12. Here, the screen is an image displayed on the display 12 or the external display 20. The external display 20 is, for example, an LCD or an OEL display.

[0021] A cursor P1 operated by the pointing device 13 is displayed on the screen of the display 12 and the screen of the external display 20. When the display 12 and the external display 20 are used in combination, one cursor P1 is displayed on the screen of either the display 12 or the external display 20. The cursor P1 can move between the screens of the display 12 and the external display 20 according to the user's operation.

[0022] Here, the processing unit 11 corrects the moving direction of the cursor P1 with respect to the operation direction of the pointing device 13 according to the rotation of the screen of the display 12 and the rotation of the screen of the external display 20. In the table D1, for two rotation angles (0°, 90°) of the screen displayed on the external display 20 as a comparative example, the moving direction of the cursor P1 when cursor movement direction correction is effective is shown with respect to the operation direction of the user by the pointing device 13. When the screen rotation angle of the external display 20 is 90°, the display panel housing of the external display 20 is often rotated 90° in the direction of the arrow R1 for use. The direction of the arrow R1 is the direction opposite to the direction of screen rotation. For the sake of easy understanding, in the example where the screen rotation angle in the table D1 is 90°, the state where the panel housing of the external display 20 itself is also rotated 90° is illustrated.

[0023] In the comparative example, when the screen rotation angle is 0°, that is, when there is no rotation, correction of the operation direction of the pointing device 13 by the user and the movement direction of the cursor P1 is not performed. For this reason, the operation direction of the pointing device 13 by the user (for example, the direction from left to right) and the movement direction of the cursor P1 (for example, the direction from left to right) are the same.

[0024] Next, in the comparative example, when the screen rotation angle is 90°, correction of the cursor movement direction is performed. At this time, as shown in the drawing, it is assumed that the display panel housing of the external display 20 is rotated 90° in the direction of arrow R1. The plane to which arrow R1 belongs is the same plane as the screen of the external display 20. In this case, the movement direction of the cursor P1 is rotated 90° (for example, the direction from top to bottom) with respect to the operation direction of the pointing device 13 by the user (for example, the direction from left to right) by the correction. In the comparative example, correction of the cursor movement direction is effective when, for example, the screen displayed on at least one of the display 12 and the external display 20 is rotated. For example, the cursor movement direction correction function is set to be effective by default, and correction of the cursor movement direction is performed when the screen displayed on at least one of the display 12 and the external display 20 is rotated. Thus, in the comparative example, since the user operation direction and the cursor movement direction are different, it becomes difficult for the user to move the cursor.

[0025] Therefore, the processing unit 11 invalidates the correction of the movement direction of the cursor P1 based on the usage state of the external display 20. That is, the processing unit 11 controls so as not to correct the movement direction of the cursor P1 based on the usage state of the external display 20.

[0026] In the first example, the usage state of the external display 20 is a state indicating whether the external display 20 is connected to the notebook computer 10 via the connection part 14. In the "connected" state, it is only necessary that the notebook computer 10 recognizes the external display 20 via the connection part 14, regardless of whether a screen is being displayed on the external display 20. In the case of the first example, the processing unit 11 determines whether the external display 20 is connected to the notebook computer 10 via the connection part 14. When the external display 20 is connected to the notebook computer 10 via the connection part 14, the processing unit 11 invalidates the correction of the moving direction of the cursor P1 according to the rotation of at least one of the screens of the display 12 and the external display 20. On the other hand, when the external display 20 is not connected to the notebook computer 10 via the connection part 14, the processing unit 11 validates the correction of the moving direction of the cursor P1 according to the rotation of the screen of the display 12.

[0027] In the second example, the usage state of the external display 20 is a state indicating whether a screen is being displayed on the external display 20 connected via the connection part 14. In the case of the second example, the processing unit 11 determines whether a screen is being displayed on the external display 20 connected via the connection part 14. When a screen is being displayed on the external display 20, the processing unit 11 invalidates the correction of the moving direction of the cursor P1 according to the rotation of at least one of the screens of the display 12 and the external display 20. On the other hand, when a screen is not being displayed on the external display 20, the processing unit 11 validates the correction of the moving direction of the cursor P1 according to the rotation of the screen of the display 12. Note that the case of "not being displayed" may be a state where power is supplied to the external display 20 but the external display 20 is powered off. Further, the case of "not being displayed" may include the standby state (power save state) of the external display 20.

[0028] In the third example, the usage state of the external display 20 is a state indicating whether or not the cursor P1 exists on the screen being displayed on the external display 20 connected via the connection unit 14. In the case of the third example, the processing unit 11 determines whether or not the cursor P1 exists on the screen being displayed on the external display 20. When the cursor P1 exists on the screen being displayed on the external display 20, the processing unit 11 invalidates the correction of the moving direction of the cursor P1 according to the rotation of the screen of the external display 20. On the other hand, when the cursor P1 does not exist on the screen being displayed on the external display 20, that is, when the cursor P1 exists on the screen being displayed on the display 12, the processing unit 11 validates the correction of the moving direction of the cursor P1 according to the rotation of the screen of the display 12.

[0029] Thus, according to the notebook computer 10, the processing unit 11 receives a user operation input by the pointing device 13 for moving the cursor P1. Based on the usage state of the external display 20, the correction of the moving direction of the cursor P1 according to the rotation of the first screen of the display 12 or the second screen of the external display 20, which is performed on the user operation input, is invalidated.

[0030] Thereby, the notebook computer 10 can appropriately move the cursor in response to a user operation.

[0031] As shown in the comparative example of FIG. 1, for example, when the display housing of the external display 20 is rotated 90° in the direction of the arrow R1, if the cursor P1 is corrected in accordance with the 90° rotation of the screen, the user operation direction and the moving direction of the cursor P1 will be different.

[0032] Therefore, based on the usage state of the external display 20, the processing unit 11 disables the correction of the moving direction of the cursor P1. For example, when the external display 20 is used with its display housing rotated 90° in the direction of arrow R1, the moving direction of the cursor P1 displayed on the external display 20 is not corrected. Thus, the cursor P1 is appropriately moved so that the operation direction of the user and the moving direction of the cursor P1 coincide. Therefore, the user can intuitively understand the moving direction of the cursor with respect to the operation on the pointing device 13, and can easily perform the moving operation of the cursor.

[0033] [Second Embodiment] Next, the second embodiment will be described.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a hardware example of the notebook PC according to the second embodiment.

[0035] The notebook PC 100 includes a processor 101, a RAM 102, an SSD 103, a media reader 104, a communication interface 105, a GPU 106, a connection interface 107, a sensor 108, an input interface 109, an LCD 110, a keyboard 120, and a touch pad 130. The processor 101 corresponds to the processing unit 11 of the first embodiment.

[0036] The processor 101 is an arithmetic unit that executes program instructions. The processor 101 is, for example, a CPU. The processor 101 loads at least a part of the programs and data stored in the SSD 103 into the RAM 102 and executes the programs. Note that the processor 101 may include a plurality of processor cores. Also, the notebook PC 100 may have a plurality of processors. The processes described below may be executed in parallel using a plurality of processors or processor cores. Also, a set of a plurality of processors may be referred to as a "multiprocessor" or simply a "processor". Also, the processor may be referred to as a "processor circuitry".

[0037] The RAM 102 is a volatile semiconductor memory that temporarily stores programs executed by the processor 101 and data used by the processor 101 for calculations. Note that the notebook PC 100 may be equipped with memory of other types than RAM, or may be equipped with a plurality of memories.

[0038] The SSD 103 is a non-volatile storage device that stores software programs such as an OS (Operating System), middleware, and application software, as well as data. Note that the notebook PC 100 may be equipped with other types of storage devices such as an HDD, or may be equipped with a plurality of non-volatile storage devices.

[0039] The media reader 104 is a reading device that reads programs and data recorded on the recording medium 30. As the recording medium 30, for example, a semiconductor memory can be used. The recording medium 30 may be a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk (MO: Magneto-Optical disk), or the like. Magnetic disks include flexible disks (FD: Flexible Disk) and HDDs. Optical disks include CDs (Compact Discs) and DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs).

[0040] The media reader 104 copies, for example, programs and data read from the recording medium 30 to other recording media such as the RAM 102 and the SSD 103. The read program is executed, for example, by the processor 101. Note that the recording medium 30 may be a portable recording medium and may be used for distributing programs and data. Also, the recording medium 30 and the SSD 103 are sometimes referred to as computer-readable recording media.

[0041] The communication interface 105 is connected to the network 40 and communicates with other information processing devices via the network 40. The communication interface 105 may be a wired communication interface connected to a wired communication device such as a switch or a router, or may be a wireless communication interface connected to a wireless communication device such as a base station or an access point.

[0042] The GPU 106 outputs an image to the LCD 110 according to instructions from the processor 101. The LCD 110 is a display device that displays images. The LCD 110 may be other types of displays such as an OEL display.

[0043] The connection interface 107 is connected to the external display 200. The connection interface 107 outputs the image output by the GPU 106 to the external display 200. Interfaces such as HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface, registered trademark), DisplayPort, and VGA (Video Graphics Array) are used for the connection interface 107.

[0044] The sensor 108 is provided in the first housing including the LCD 110 among the first housing and the second housing of the notebook PC 100. The sensor 108 is an acceleration sensor that detects the inclination angle of the first housing or the LCD 110. The second housing of the notebook PC 100 includes a keyboard 120 and a touch pad 130.

[0045] Note that each of the processor 101, the RAM 102, the SSD 103, the media reader 104, the communication interface 105, the GPU 106, the connection interface 107, and the input interface 109 may be provided in the first housing or the second housing.

[0046] The input interface 109 is connected to the keyboard 120 and the touch pad 130. The keyboard 120 and the touch pad 130 are input devices that receive the user's operation inputs. The input interface 109 acquires input signals from the keyboard 120 and the touch pad 130 and outputs them to the processor 101. The notebook PC 100 may be provided with a pointing device other than the touch pad 130, such as a touch panel or a trackball. Further, the input interface 109 may be connected to a mouse, a digitizer, etc., and may acquire input signals from the mouse, the digitizer, etc.

[0047] Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of use of the notebook PC.

[0048] The notebook PC 100 has a first housing 100a, a second housing 100b, and a hinge 140. The first housing 100a includes a sensor 108 and an LCD 110. The second housing 100b includes a keyboard 120 and a touch pad 130. The hinge 140 is a member that connects the first housing 100a and the second housing 100b. The first housing 100a and the second housing 100b are rotatable around the rotation axis of the hinge 140. The inclination angle of the first housing 100a and the second housing 100b corresponds to the rotation angle around the rotation axis.

[0049] Note that the first housing 100a and the second housing 100b may be detachable via the hinge 140. Further, the notebook PC 100 is a so-called 2-in-1 type computer and can also be used as a tablet.

[0050] The sensor 108 detects the rotation angle of the first housing 100a around the rotation axis of the hinge 140. Further, the notebook PC 100 may be provided with a detection mechanism other than the sensor 108 that detects the rotation angle of the first housing 100a around the rotation axis of the hinge 140.

[0051] The user can place the notebook PC 100 on a table or the like, open the first housing 100a so that the screen of the LCD 110 of the notebook PC 100 and the key surface of the keyboard 120 are flat, and show the screen displayed on the LCD 110 to the person facing it. At this time, the notebook PC 100 can make the screen easier for the other person to view by rotating the screen displayed on the LCD 110 by 180° around the rotation axis H. The rotation axis H is an axis passing through the center M1 of the screen of the LCD 110 and perpendicular to the screen. The rotation of the screen may be automatically performed according to the detection of the inclination angle of the first housing 100a by the sensor 108, or may be performed by manual setting by the user. Further, the second housing 100b may further include an acceleration sensor, and the rotation of the screen of the LCD 110 may be automatically performed based on the difference between the detection angle of the acceleration sensor and the detection angle of the sensor 108.

[0052] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example when the screen rotation angle is 0°.

[0053] For example, the user can place the notebook PC 100 on the table with the second housing 100b of the notebook PC 100 facing down, and open the first housing 100a to about 100° to 120° with respect to the horizontal plane from the state where the first housing 100a and the second housing 100b are closed (when the angle formed by the first housing 100a and the horizontal plane is 0°) and use it. In this case, the rotation axis of the hinge 140 is in a direction parallel to the x-axis in FIG. 4, and the sensor 108 can detect the angle around the rotation axis of the hinge 140 as the inclination angle of the first housing 100a.

[0054] In this way, for the user operating the notebook PC 100 to easily view the screen from the front direction, the vertically upward direction corresponds to the upper direction of the screen, and the vertically downward direction corresponds to the lower direction of the screen. Without screen rotation, that is, the screen is displayed on the LCD 110 at a screen rotation angle of 0°. The screen rotation angle of the external display 200 is the same as that of the LCD 110.

[0055] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of cursor movement direction correction.

[0056] 5A shows an example of a case where the movement direction of cursor C1 is corrected when first housing 100a is opened approximately 180° as shown in FIG. 3. In the upside-down screen mode, notebook PC 100 accepts a user's operation input in the direction of arrow A1 on touchpad 130 for cursor C1 displayed on the screen of LCD 110. Then, notebook PC 100 moves cursor C1 in the direction of arrow B1, which indicates the same direction as arrow A1.

[0057] Fig. 5(B) shows an example in which the movement direction of cursor C1 is not corrected when first housing 100a is opened approximately 180° as in Fig. 3. If the movement direction of cursor C1 is not corrected, in response to a user's operation input on touchpad 130 in the direction of arrow A1, cursor C1 will be moved in the direction of arrow B2, which is opposite to arrow A1.

[0058] In this way, the notebook PC 100 corrects the direction of cursor movement using the touchpad 130, mouse, etc., thereby helping the user to operate the cursor C1 without any discomfort even when the screen of the LCD 110 is rotated 180 degrees.

[0059] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of using an external display.

[0060] The external display 200 has a stand 210 that is placed on a desk or the like, and a panel housing 220 that is supported by the stand 210. The external display 200 is connected to the notebook PC 100 via a cable that corresponds to the connection interface 107, for example.

[0061] Fig. 6(A) shows an example of how the external display 200 is used when the rotation angle of the panel housing 220 is 0° and the screen rotation angle is 0°. Fig. 6(B) shows an example of how the external display 200 is used when the rotation angle of the panel housing 220 is 90° and the screen rotation angle is 90°.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 6(B), when the panel housing 220 is rotated by 90° for use, the screen displayed on the panel housing 220 is rotated by 90° in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the panel housing 220 so that the screen can be easily viewed from the front according to user settings or the like.

[0063] When the panel housing 220 is rotated by 90°, if the cursor movement direction is corrected according to the screen rotation by the notebook PC 100, it becomes difficult for the user to move the cursor C1. Therefore, the notebook PC 100 provides a function to disable the correction function of the movement direction of the cursor C1 under specific conditions.

[0064] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a functional example of the notebook PC.

[0065] The notebook PC 100 includes a storage unit 150 and a display control unit 160. The storage areas of the RAM 102 and the SSD 103 are used as the storage unit 150. The display control unit 160 is realized by the program stored in the RAM 102 being executed by the processor 101.

[0066] The storage unit 150 stores various data used for the processing of the display control unit 160.

[0067] The display control unit 160 controls the display of images on the LCD 110 and the external display 200. The display control unit 160 includes a screen rotation unit 161, a cursor correction control unit 162, and a cursor correction unit 163.

[0068] The screen rotation unit 161 rotates the screen displayed on the LCD 110 and the external display 200 according to the manual setting of the user. The screen rotation unit 161 may automatically rotate the screen displayed on the LCD 110 according to the detection of the opening angle of the first housing 100a by the sensor 108.

[0069] The cursor correction control unit 162 controls whether the cursor movement direction correction function executed by the cursor correction unit 163 is enabled or disabled based on the usage state of the external display 200. When the cursor movement direction correction function is enabled, if a predetermined condition is satisfied, the cursor correction unit 163 corrects the cursor movement direction. When the cursor movement direction correction function is disabled, even if the predetermined condition is satisfied, the cursor correction by the cursor correction unit 163 is suppressed. In the default setting of the notebook PC 100, the cursor movement direction correction function may be set to be enabled.

[0070] The cursor correction unit 163 corrects the movement direction of the cursor C1 displayed on the screen according to the rotation of the screens displayed on the LCD 110 and the external display 200. For example, the cursor correction unit 163 corrects the operation direction by the touch pad 130 so that the direction rotated by the same angle as the rotation angle of the screen in the direction opposite to the rotation of the screen becomes the movement direction of the cursor C1.

[0071] Here, examples of the usage state of the external display 200 determined by the cursor correction control unit 162 include, for example, the following three examples.

[0072] The first example of the usage state is whether the external display 200 is connected to the notebook PC 100 via the connection interface 107. The cursor correction control unit 162 determines whether the external display 200 is connected to the notebook PC 100 via the connection interface 107. When the external display 200 is connected to the notebook PC 100 via the connection interface 107, the cursor correction control unit 162 disables the correction function by the cursor correction unit 163. On the other hand, when the external display 20 is not connected to the notebook PC 100 via the connection interface 107, the cursor correction control unit 162 enables the correction function by the cursor correction unit 163.

[0073] An example of the second usage state is whether a screen is being displayed on the external display 200 connected via the connection interface 107. The cursor correction control unit 162 determines whether a screen is being displayed on the external display 200 connected via the connection interface 107. When a screen is being displayed on the external display 200 connected via the connection interface 107, the cursor correction control unit 162 disables the correction function by the cursor correction unit 163. On the other hand, when a screen is not being displayed on the external display 200 connected via the connection interface 107, the cursor correction control unit 162 enables the correction function by the cursor correction unit 163. Note that the case of "when not displaying" may be a state where power is supplied to the external display 200 but the external display 200 is powered off. Furthermore, the case of "when not displaying" may include the standby state (power save state) of the external display 200.

[0074] An example of the third usage state is whether the cursor C1 exists on the screen being displayed on the external display 200 connected via the connection interface 107. The cursor correction control unit 162 determines whether the cursor C1 exists on the screen being displayed on the external display 200 connected via the connection interface 107. When the cursor C1 exists on the screen being displayed on the external display 200 connected via the connection interface 107, the cursor correction control unit 162 disables the correction function by the cursor correction unit 163. When the cursor C1 does not exist on the screen being displayed on the external display 200 connected via the connection interface 107, that is, when the cursor C1 exists on the screen of the LCD 110, the cursor correction control unit 162 enables the correction function by the cursor correction unit 163.

[0075] In the examples of the first to third usage states, the cursor correction control unit 162 switches the enable / disable of the correction function by the cursor correction unit 163 at the following timings. The first timing is the timing when the setting of whether to use the LCD 110 or the external display 200 is changed. The second timing is when the notebook PC 100 is started up. The third timing is when the notebook PC 100 resumes from the suspended or hibernated state.

[0076] In the example of the third usage state, the cursor correction control unit 162 also switches the enable / disable of the correction function by the cursor correction unit 163 at the following fourth timing. The fourth timing is the timing when the cursor C1 moves between the screen of the LCD 110 and the screen of the external display 200. Also, in the example of the third usage state, when the cursor C1 moves between the screen of the LCD 110 and the screen of the external display 200, the cursor correction unit 163 also corrects the position of the cursor C1 as will be described later.

[0077] Next, the processing procedure of the notebook PC 100 will be described. First, the case where the cursor correction control unit 162 determines the first usage state of the external display 200 will be exemplified.

[0078] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a first control example of cursor movement direction correction.

[0079] (S10) The cursor correction control unit 162 determines whether a screen is being displayed on the built-in LCD, that is, the LCD 110. If a screen is being displayed on the LCD 110, the process proceeds to step S11. If a screen is not being displayed on the LCD 110, the process proceeds to step S12.

[0080] (S11) The cursor correction control unit 162 determines whether an external display 200 is connected via the connection interface 107. If the external display 200 is connected, the process proceeds to step S12. If the external display 200 is not connected, the process proceeds to step S13. Here, the cursor correction control unit 162 can determine whether the external display 200 is connected by detecting a predetermined signal from the external display 200 via the connection interface 107.

[0081] (S12) The cursor correction control unit 162 sets the cursor movement direction correction function by the cursor correction unit 163 to be invalid. Then, the processing of the first control ends.

[0082] (S13) The cursor correction control unit 162 determines whether there is a screen rotation of the built-in LCD (LCD110), that is, whether the screen being displayed on the LCD110 is rotated. If there is a screen rotation of the LCD110 (the screen being displayed on the LCD110 is rotated), the process proceeds to step S14. If there is no screen rotation of the LCD110 (the screen being displayed on the LCD110 is not rotated), the process proceeds to step S12.

[0083] (S14) The cursor correction control unit 162 sets the cursor movement direction correction function by the cursor correction unit 163 to be valid. Then, the processing of the first control ends.

[0084] In this way, the cursor correction control unit 162 may switch the validity of the cursor movement direction correction function based on whether the external display 200 is connected to the notebook PC 100.

[0085] Next, an example in which the cursor correction control unit 162 determines the second usage state of the external display 200 is illustrated.

[0086] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a second control example of cursor movement direction correction.

[0087] In the second control example, the difference from the first control example is that step S11a is executed instead of step S11 among steps S10 to S14 in FIG. 8. Therefore, step S11a will be mainly described, and the descriptions of steps S10, S12 to S14 will be omitted. Step S11a is executed when the answer to step S10 is Yes.

[0088] (S11a) The cursor correction control unit 162 determines whether a screen is being displayed on the external display 200 connected via the connection interface 107. If a screen is being displayed on the external display 200, the process proceeds to step S12. If a screen is not being displayed on the external display 200, the process proceeds to step S13.

[0089] In this way, the cursor correction control unit 162 may switch the enable or disable of the cursor movement direction correction function based on whether a screen is being displayed on the external display 200.

[0090] Next, an example in which the cursor correction control unit 162 determines the third usage state of the external display 200 will be illustrated.

[0091] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a third control example of cursor movement direction correction.

[0092] In the third control example, the difference from the first control example is that steps S11b and S11c are executed instead of step S11 among steps S10 to S14 in FIG. 8. Therefore, steps S11b and S11c will be mainly described, and the descriptions of steps S10, S12 to S14 will be omitted. Step S11b is executed when the answer to step S10 is Yes.

[0093] (S11b) The cursor correction control unit 162 determines whether a screen is being displayed on the external display 200 connected via the connection interface 107. If a screen is being displayed on the external display 200, the process proceeds to step S11c. If a screen is not being displayed on the external display 200, the process proceeds to step S13.

[0094] (S11c) The cursor correction control unit 162 determines whether the current position of the cursor C1, that is, whether the cursor position is on the screen of the external display 200. If the cursor position is on the screen of the external display 200, the process proceeds to step S12. If the cursor position is not on the screen of the external display 200, the process proceeds to step S13. Note that the cursor correction control unit 162 can determine whether the cursor position is on the screen of the external display 200 based on whether the current coordinates of the cursor C1 are included in the coordinate range corresponding to the screen of the external display 200.

[0095] Thus, the cursor correction control unit 162 may switch the enable or disable of the cursor movement direction correction function based on whether the current position of the cursor C1 is on the screen of the external display 200.

[0096] Here, as described above, in the third control example, the cursor correction unit 163 corrects not only the cursor movement direction but also the cursor position. Next, the correction of the cursor position by the cursor correction unit 163 will be described.

[0097] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of cursor position correction.

[0098] FIG. 11(A) shows an example of the display number setting on the OS of the notebook PC 100. For example, the display number of the LCD 110 is "1". The display number of the external display 200 is "2". Assume that the screen of the LCD 110 is set to be located on the right side of the screen of the external display 200. In this case, the left end of the screen of the LCD 110 is connected to the right end of the screen of the external display 200. Therefore, when the screen of the LCD 110 is not rotated, the cursor C1 can move from the left end of the screen of the LCD 110 to the right end of the screen of the external display 200, or vice versa.

[0099] FIG. 11(B) shows an example in which the screen displayed on the LCD 110 is rotated by 180° in the arrangement of the LCD 110 and the external display 200 as shown in FIG. 11(A). When the screen displayed on the LCD 110 is rotated by 180°, if the cursor position is not corrected, the right end of the rotated screen of the LCD 110 will be connected to the left end of the external display 200, making it difficult for the user to move the cursor C1 between the two screens.

[0100] Therefore, in the third control example of FIG. 10, the cursor correction unit 163 also corrects the cursor position as follows in accordance with the rotation of the screen of the LCD 110, together with the cursor movement direction correction.

[0101] First, the cursor correction unit 163 designates the end of the screen of the LCD 110 on the side opposite to the external display 200 as the area end E1 of the screen, and prohibits the cursor C1 from moving in a direction out of the screen from the area end E1. In the example of FIG. 11(B), the area end E1 is the right end of the screen of the LCD 110.

[0102] Second, the cursor correction unit 163 designates the end of the screen of the LCD 110 on the side of the external display 200 as the adjacent end E2 adjacent to the screen of the external display 200. Also, the cursor correction unit 163 designates the end of the screen of the external display 200 on the side of the LCD 110 as the adjacent end E3 adjacent to the screen of the LCD 110. Then, when the cursor C1 reaches the adjacent end E2, the cursor correction unit 163 moves the cursor C1 to the adjacent end E3.

[0103] Third, when the cursor C1 reaches the adjacent end E3, the cursor correction unit 163 moves the cursor C1 to the adjacent end E2.

[0104] In the example of FIG. 11(B), the adjacent end E2 is the left end of the screen of the LCD 110. Also, in the example of FIG. 11(B), the adjacent end E3 is the right end of the screen of the external display 200.

[0105] The cursor correction unit 163 enables the movement of the cursor C1 between the screens, as indicated by the cursor movable direction B3, by correcting the cursor C1 as described above. Thereby, when the screen of the LCD 110 is rotated and displayed, the notebook PC 100 can assist the user in easily moving the cursor C1 between the screen of the LCD 110 and the screen of the external display 200. Also, the user can easily move the cursor C1 between the two screens.

[0106] Here, the necessity of the cursor movement direction correction function according to the rotation of each screen of the LCD 110 and the external display 200 will be described.

[0107] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the necessity of the cursor movement direction correction function.

[0108] Table 70 exemplifies the necessity of cursor movement direction correction according to the position where the cursor C1 exists (cursor position) and the rotation angle of the screen on which the cursor is located.

[0109] For example, when the cursor position is on the screen of the LCD 110 (built-in LCD) and the rotation angle of the screen is 0°, the cursor movement direction correction function is "unnecessary".

[0110] Also, when the cursor position is on the screen of the LCD 110 (built-in LCD) and the rotation angle of the screen is 90°, 180°, and 270°, the cursor movement direction correction function is "necessary".

[0111] Furthermore, when the cursor position is on the screen of the external display 200 and the rotation angle of the screen is 0°, 90°, 180°, and 270°, the cursor movement direction correction function is "unnecessary".

[0112] Next, an example of the cursor movement direction when cursor movement direction correction is not performed with respect to the rotation of the screen of the LCD 110 will be described.

[0113] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the movement direction of the cursor without correction.

[0114] Table 80 illustrates, regarding the screen rotation direction of the LCD 110, the cursor movement direction without correction with respect to the operation direction of the touch pad 130, and the necessity of cursor movement direction correction. Assume that the operation direction of the touch pad 130 by the user is the direction going to the right.

[0115] When the screen rotation angle is 0°, with respect to the operation direction of the touch pad 130 going to the right, the cursor movement direction without correction is the direction of moving to the right. Since the operation direction and the cursor movement direction are the same, cursor movement direction correction is "not required".

[0116] When the screen rotation angle is 90°, with respect to the operation direction of the touch pad 130 going to the right, the cursor movement direction without correction is the direction of moving upward. Since the operation direction and the cursor movement direction do not match, cursor movement direction correction is "required".

[0117] When the screen rotation angle is 180°, with respect to the operation direction of the touch pad 130 going to the right, the cursor movement direction without correction is the direction of moving to the left. Since the operation direction and the cursor movement direction do not match, cursor movement direction correction is "required".

[0118] When the screen rotation angle is 270°, with respect to the operation direction of the touch pad 130 going to the right, the cursor movement direction without correction is the direction of moving downward. Since the operation direction and the cursor movement direction do not match, cursor movement direction correction is "required".

[0119] On the other hand, in the case of the external display 200, as illustrated in FIG. 6(B), the panel housing 220 often rotates according to the screen rotation and is used. Therefore, for the external display 200, cursor movement direction correction is "not required". This is because, due to the rotation of the panel housing 220, the operation direction of the user and the cursor movement direction match without performing cursor movement direction correction.

[0120] Therefore, in the above-described third control example, when the cursor C1 exists on the screen of the external display 200, the cursor correction control unit 162 invalidates the cursor movement correction. When the cursor C1 exists on the screen of the LCD 110 and the screen of the LCD 110 is rotated, the cursor correction control unit 162 validates the cursor movement correction.

[0121] When the cursor C1 exists on the screen of the LCD 110 and the screen of the LCD 110 is not rotated, the cursor correction control unit 162 may either validate or invalidate the cursor movement correction. When the cursor C1 exists on the screen of the LCD 110 and the screen of the LCD 110 is not rotated, since the rotation angle of the screen is 0°, even if the user's operation direction is corrected at the rotation angle of 0°, the cursor movement direction will be the same as the operation direction.

[0122] As described above, the notebook PC 100 executes the following processing, for example.

[0123] The LCD 110 displays the first screen. The connection interface 107 can be connected to the external display 200 that displays the second screen. The processor 101 receives a user operation input from a pointing device such as the touchpad 130 to move the cursor included in the first screen or the second screen. Then, based on the usage state of the external display 200, the processor 101 invalidates the correction of the cursor movement direction corresponding to the rotation of the first screen or the second screen, which is performed for the user operation input.

[0124] As a result, the notebook PC 100 can appropriately perform cursor movement in response to a user operation. For example, the notebook PC 100 can suppress the situation where the operation direction of the user and the cursor movement direction do not match on the second screen of the external display 200, and can assist the user in easily performing the cursor movement operation on the external display 200. Also, the user can easily perform the cursor movement operation. The LCD 110 is an example of the display 12 of the first embodiment. The connection interface 107 is an example of the connection unit 14 of the first embodiment. The cursor may be referred to as a mouse cursor.

[0125] As a determination of the usage state of the external display 200, the processor 101 may determine whether the external display 200 is connected via the connection interface 107. When the external display 200 is connected, the processor 101 may disable the correction of the cursor movement direction.

[0126] As a result, the notebook PC 100 can appropriately perform cursor movement in response to a user operation. For example, the notebook PC 100 can suppress the situation where the operation direction of the user and the cursor movement direction do not match on the second screen of the external display 200, and can assist the user in easily performing the cursor movement operation on the external display 200. Also, the user can easily perform the cursor movement operation.

[0127] As a determination of the usage state of the external display 200, the processor 101 may determine whether a second screen is being displayed on the externally connected external display 200 via the connection interface 107. When a second screen is being displayed on the external display 200, the processor 101 may disable the correction of the cursor movement direction.

[0128] As a result, the notebook PC 100 can appropriately perform cursor movement in response to a user's operation. For example, the notebook PC 100 can suppress the situation where the operation direction of the user and the cursor movement direction do not match on the second screen of the external display 200, and can assist the user in easily performing the cursor movement operation on the external display 200. Also, the user can easily perform the cursor movement operation.

[0129] As a determination of the usage state of the external display 200, the processor 101 may determine whether a second screen is being displayed on the external display 200 connected via the connection interface 107 and whether the cursor is on the second screen. The processor 101 may disable the correction of the cursor movement direction when the second screen is being displayed on the external display 200 and the cursor is on the second screen.

[0130] As a result, the notebook PC 100 can appropriately perform cursor movement in response to a user's operation. For example, the notebook PC 100 can suppress the situation where the operation direction of the user and the cursor movement direction do not match on the second screen of the external display 200, and can assist the user in easily performing the cursor movement operation on the external display 200. Also, the user can easily perform the cursor movement operation.

[0131] Furthermore, in an example where the processor 101 disables the correction of the cursor movement direction when the second screen is displayed on the external display 200 and the cursor is on the second screen, the processor 101 may correct the cursor position as follows. The processor 101 sets the first end of the first screen to an adjacent end adjacent to the second end of the second screen in a state where the first screen is not rotated. The processor 101 performs the following processing according to the rotation of the first screen. First, the processor 101 changes the third end of the rotated first screen to an adjacent end and prohibits the cursor from moving from the first end to the outside of the first screen. Second, when the cursor comes to the third end by the user's operation input, the processor 101 moves the cursor to the second end. Third, when the cursor comes to the second end by the user's operation input, the processor 101 moves the cursor to the third end.

[0132] As a result, as shown in FIG. 11, the notebook PC 100 can appropriately move the cursor in response to the user's operation. The area end E1 in FIG. 11 is an example of the first end. The adjacent end E3 is an example of the second end. The adjacent end E2 is an example of the third end.

[0133] Note that the information processing of the first embodiment can be realized by causing the processing unit 11 to execute a program. Also, the information processing of the second embodiment can be realized by causing the processor 101 to execute a program. The program can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium 30.

[0134] For example, the program can be distributed by distributing the recording medium 30 on which the program is recorded. Also, the program may be stored in another computer and distributed via a network. The computer may store (install) the program recorded on the recording medium 30 or the program received from another computer in a storage device such as the RAM 102 or the SSD 103, and read and execute the program from the storage device.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0135] 10 Notebook computer 11 Processing unit 12 Display 13 Pointing device 14 Connection part 20 External display D1 Table P1 Cursor

Claims

1. A display for displaying a first screen, A connection part connectable to an external display for displaying a second screen, Receiving a user's operation input by a pointing device for moving a cursor included in the first screen or the second screen, and based on the usage state of the external display, correcting the moving direction of the cursor according to the rotation of the first screen or the second screen, and a processing unit for invalidating the correction performed on the operation input, A notebook computer having the above.

2. The processing unit determines whether the external display is connected via the connection part, and invalidates the correction when the external display is connected. The notebook computer according to Claim 1.

3. The processing unit determines whether the second screen is displayed on the external display connected via the connection part, and invalidates the correction when the second screen is displayed on the external display. The notebook computer according to Claim 1.

4. The processing unit determines whether the second screen is displayed on the external display connected via the connection part and whether the cursor is on the second screen. When the second screen is displayed on the external display and the cursor is on the second screen, the correction is invalidated. The notebook computer according to Claim 1.

5. The processing unit, In a state where the first screen does not rotate, the first end of the first screen is set as an adjacent end adjacent to the second end of the second screen, According to the rotation of the first screen, the third end of the first screen is changed to the adjacent end, the movement of the cursor from the first end to the outside of the first screen is prohibited, when the cursor comes to the third end by the user's operation input, the cursor is moved to the second end, and when the cursor comes to the second end by the user's operation input, the cursor is moved to the third end. The notebook computer according to Claim 4.

6. A computer, Receiving a user's operation input by a pointing device for moving a cursor included in a first screen displayed on a display or a second screen displayed on an external display connected to a connection part of the computer. Based on the usage state of the external display, a correction of the moving direction of the cursor according to the rotation of the first screen or the second screen, which invalidates the correction performed on the operation input. Control method. **Claim 7** A computer, Receives a user's operation input by a pointing device for moving a cursor included in a first screen displayed on a display or a second screen displayed on an external display connected to a connection part of the computer. Based on the usage state of the external display, a correction of the moving direction of the cursor according to the rotation of the first screen or the second screen, which invalidates the correction performed on the operation input. A program for executing processing.

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