Electronic equipment and control methods for electronic equipment

Abstract

The present invention provides an electronic device and a control method for the electronic device that can prevent the loss of input devices. [Solution] The electronic device comprises a first housing and a second housing. The first housing includes a display and a touch sensor. When the state of the first housing relative to the second housing is open, the controller detects the position where the input device is in contact with or approaching the display based on the output signals of a plurality of detection elements of the touch sensor. When the state of the first housing is closed, the controller determines whether the input device is housed in the first housing or the second housing based on the output signals of the plurality of detection elements. When the controller determines that the input device is not housed in the first housing or the second housing, it outputs a warning.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device and a method for controlling an electronic device.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, an information processing system including an input device, also called an electronic pen, a smart pen, or a stylus pen, and an electronic device such as a tablet terminal capable of handwriting input by the input device has been known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When it is possible to remove the input device from the electronic device, there is a possibility that the user may unintentionally lose the input device. Therefore, it is desirable to be able to monitor the state of the input device with respect to the electronic device. The following techniques for detecting the state of the input device with respect to the electronic device have been developed.

[0005] For example, a technology has been developed that uses an input device equipped with BLE (Bluetooth® Low Energy) functionality to monitor the RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) of the signal transmitted from the input device. However, this technology requires the input device to have BLE functionality. While this technology can estimate the approximate distance between the input device and the electronic device based on the RSSI, it cannot distinguish between the state in which the input device is attached to the electronic device and the state in which the input device is detached from the electronic device and placed in the vicinity of the electronic device. Other technologies have also been developed to detect the state of an input device equipped with BLE functionality, but similarly, the input device must have BLE functionality.

[0006] On the other hand, a technology has been developed that uses a connection mechanism called a pogo pin and detects changes in the state of the pogo pin. However, this technology requires that pogo pins be installed in the input device and electronic equipment.

[0007] The present invention aims to provide an electronic device and a control method for the electronic device that can prevent the loss of input devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is an electronic device comprising a first housing and a second housing, wherein the first housing includes a display and a touch sensor having a plurality of detection elements for detecting contact or proximity of an input device to the display, and the second housing includes a controller that, when the state of the first housing relative to the second housing is open, detects the position where the input device is in contact with or close to the display based on the output signals of the plurality of detection elements, and when the state of the first housing relative to the second housing is closed, determines whether the input device is housed in the first housing or the second housing based on the output signals of the plurality of detection elements, and outputs a warning when it is determined that the input device is not housed in the first housing or the second housing.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of detection elements may be arranged in a first region corresponding to the position in which the input device is housed in the first or second housing, and in a second region other than the first region, and when the state of the first housing relative to the second housing is the open state, the controller may detect the position in which the input device is in contact with or approaching the display based on the output signals of the plurality of detection elements arranged in the first and second regions, and when the state of the first housing relative to the second housing is the closed state, the controller may determine whether or not the input device is housed in the first or second housing based on the output signal of the detection element arranged in the first region among the plurality of detection elements.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the controller may acquire the output signals of the plurality of detection elements at a first rate when the state of the first housing relative to the second housing is the open state, and may acquire the output signals of the plurality of detection elements at a second rate lower than the first rate when the state of the first housing relative to the second housing is the closed state.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the controller may set the gain of the plurality of detection elements to a first value when the state of the first housing relative to the second housing is the open state, and may set the gain to a second value higher than the first value when the state of the first housing relative to the second housing is the closed state.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the controller may set a detection threshold to a first value, which is compared with the values ​​of the output signals of the plurality of detection elements in order to determine that the input device is in contact with or approaching the display, when the state of the first housing relative to the second housing is the open state, and may set the detection threshold to a second value smaller than the first value when the state of the first housing relative to the second housing is the closed state.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of detection elements may include a plurality of first detection elements for detecting the position in which the input device is in contact with the display, and a plurality of second detection elements for detecting the position in which the input device is approaching the display. The controller may acquire the output signals of the plurality of first detection elements and the plurality of second detection elements when the state of the first housing relative to the second housing is the open state, and may acquire the output signals of the plurality of second detection elements when the state of the first housing relative to the second housing is the closed state.

[0014] One aspect of the present invention is a control method for an electronic device comprising a first housing and a second housing, wherein when the state of the first housing relative to the second housing is open, the position in which an input device is in contact with or approaching a display located on the first housing is detected based on the output signals of a plurality of detection elements of a touch sensor located on the first housing; when the state of the first housing relative to the second housing is closed, the method determines whether the input device is housed in the first housing or the second housing based on the output signals of the plurality of detection elements, and outputs a warning when it is determined that the input device is not housed in the first housing or the second housing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the above-described aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the loss of input devices. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] This figure shows an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure shows an input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure shows the enclosure in the open position and the input device magnetically attached to the first attachment position. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of the main hardware configuration of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] It is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a touch sensor unit in an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] It is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a first magnetic adsorption portion 10, a second magnetic adsorption portion 20, and a housing 30. The housing 30 has a first housing 31 and a second housing 32. In the present embodiment, the first housing 31 and the second housing 32 are connected by a hinge mechanism 33.

[0019] The first housing 31 has a flat box shape. The first housing 31 has a first opposing surface 31a, a first back surface 31b, a first connection end portion 31c, a first free end portion 31d, and two first side end portions 31e (a first right side end portion 31eA and a first left side end portion 31eB). The first back surface 31b is located on the side opposite to the first opposing surface 31a (see also FIG. 3). The first connection end portion 31c, the first right side end portion 31eA, the first free end portion 31d, and the first left side end portion 31eB are arranged in this order along the outer peripheral edge of the first opposing surface 31a. The hinge mechanism 33 is connected to the first connection end portion 31c. The first free end portion 31d is located on the side opposite to the first connection end portion 31c. The two first side end portions 31e connect both ends of the first free end portion 31d and both ends of the first connection end portion 31c.

[0020] The first housing 31 according to the present embodiment is a display housing having a display 41 or the like. In the illustrated example, the display 41 is located on the first facing surface 31a of the first housing 31. The first housing 31 may be constituted by one member, or may be constituted by combining two or more members.

[0021] The second housing 32 has a flat box shape. The second housing 32 has a second facing surface 32a, a second back surface 32b, a second connecting end portion 32c, a second free end portion 32d, and two second side end portions 32e (a second right side end portion 32eA and a second left side end portion 32eB). The second back surface 32b is located on the side opposite to the second facing surface 32a (see also FIG. 3). The second connecting end portion 32c, the second right side end portion 32eA, the second free end portion 32d, and the second left side end portion 32eB are arranged in this order along the outer peripheral edge of the second facing surface 32a. A hinge mechanism 33 is connected to the second connecting end portion 32c. The second free end portion 32d is located on the side opposite to the second connecting end portion 32c. The two second side end portions 32e connect both ends of the second free end portion 32d and both ends of the second connecting end portion 32c.

[0022] The second housing 32 according to the present embodiment is a base housing having a keyboard 42, a touch pad 43, a motherboard (not shown), and the like. In the illustrated example, the keyboard 42 and the touch pad 43 are located on the second facing surface 32a of the second housing 32. The second housing 32 may be constituted by one member, or may be constituted by combining two or more members.

[0023] The hinge mechanism 33 connects the first housing 31 and the second housing 32 so as to be openable and closable. That is, the hinge mechanism 33 connects the first housing 31 and the second housing 32 so that the posture of the housing 30 can be switched between an open posture and a closed posture.

[0024] Specifically, the hinge mechanism 33 connects the first housing 31 and the second housing 32 in a state in which the angle θ (see Figure 3) between the first opposing surface 31a and the second opposing surface 32a can be changed. The "closed position" is the position in which the first opposing surface 31a of the first housing 31 and the second opposing surface 32a of the second housing 32 face each other. In the closed position, the first opposing surface 31a and the second opposing surface 32a are parallel, and θ = 0°. At this time, the state of the first housing 31 relative to the second housing 32 is closed. The "open position" is the position in which the first opposing surface 31a of the first housing 31 and the second opposing surface 32a of the second housing 32 do not face each other. In the open position, the first opposing surface 31a and the second opposing surface 32a are non-parallel, and 0° < θ (< 360°). In the open position, the first rear surface 31b and the second rear surface 32b do not face each other and are not parallel. At this time, the state of the first housing 31 relative to the second housing 32 is the open state.

[0025] Furthermore, the hinge mechanism 33 may connect the first housing 31 and the second housing 32 so that the housing 30 can assume not only an open position and a closed position but also a fully open position. The "fully open position" is the position in which the first rear surface 31b of the first housing 31 and the second rear surface 32b of the second housing 32 face each other. That is, in the fully open position, the first rear surface 31b and the second rear surface 32b are parallel, and θ = 360°. However, the housing 30 does not have to assume a fully open position. That is, the maximum value of θ may be less than 360°.

[0026] The electronic device 1 in this embodiment is a clamshell-type or 2-in-1-type notebook PC, but other types of electronic devices 1 may also be used. For example, the electronic device 1 may be a foldable smartphone or a game console, etc.

[0027] The first magnetic adsorption part 10 is provided on the first housing 31. The first magnetic adsorption part 10 may be, for example, a permanent magnet. The first magnetic adsorption part 10 may be housed in the first housing 31. In the illustrated example, the first magnetic adsorption part 10 is located at the first right end 31eA of the first housing 31. In the illustrated example, two first magnetic adsorption parts 10 are arranged at intervals along the first right end 31eA.

[0028] The second magnetic adsorption part 20 is provided on the second housing 32. The second magnetic adsorption part 20 may be, for example, a permanent magnet. The second magnetic adsorption part 20 may be housed in the second housing 32. In the illustrated example, the second magnetic adsorption part 20 is located at the second right end 32eA of the second housing 32. In the illustrated example, two second magnetic adsorption parts 20 are arranged at intervals along the second right end 32eA. The distance between the second magnetic adsorption parts 20 is approximately equal to the distance between the first magnetic adsorption parts 10. The phrase "approximately equal" includes cases where the distances can be considered equal excluding manufacturing tolerances. The same applies to the following description.

[0029] The electronic device 1 according to this embodiment is configured to allow the input device 2 to be attached to either the first attachment position P1 or the second attachment position P2 by the magnetic attraction force generated by the first magnetic attraction part 10 and the second magnetic attraction part 20 described above. Specifically, the first magnetic attraction part 10 magnetically attracts the input device 2 to the first attachment position P1. The second magnetic attraction part 20 magnetically attracts the input device 2 to the second attachment position P2. The first attachment position P1 is located at the first housing 31 (the first right end 31eA in the illustrated example). The second attachment position P2 is located at the second housing 32 (the second right end 32eA in the illustrated example). The input device 2 may be attached to only one of the first attachment position P1 or the second attachment position P2.

[0030] Input device 2 is a device for inputting information into electronic device 1. Input device 2 may be, for example, a stylus pen.

[0031] As shown in Figure 2, the input device 2 has a pen housing 2b. The pen housing 2b houses various components (not shown) of the input device 2. The pen housing 2b is also the part of the input device 2 that the user holds. A pen tip 2c is provided at the tip of the pen housing 2b. The pen tip 2c inputs information corresponding to the user's operation to the display 41 of the electronic device 1, for example, by static electricity.

[0032] The input device 2 according to this embodiment has a pen-side magnetic attachment portion 2a. The pen-side magnetic attachment portion 2a is housed, for example, in the pen housing 2b. The pen-side magnetic attachment portion 2a may be, for example, a permanent magnet. In the illustrated example, the pen-side magnetic attachment portions 2a of the two input devices are spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of the input device 2. The spacing between the pen-side magnetic attachment portions 2a is approximately equal to the spacing between the first magnetic attachment portions 10 and the spacing between the second magnetic attachment portions 20. The magnetic force acting between the pen-side magnetic attachment portion 2a and the first magnetic attachment portion 10 causes the input device 2 to be magnetically attached to the first attachment position P1 of the first housing 31. The magnetic force acting between the pen-side magnetic attachment portion 2a and the second magnetic attachment portion 20 causes the input device 2 to be magnetically attached to the second attachment position P2 of the second housing 32.

[0033] Figure 4 shows an example of the main hardware configuration of the electronic device 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 4, the electronic device 1 includes a CPU 11, main memory 12, video subsystem 13, display 41, chipset 21, BIOS memory 22, SSD 23, USB connector 24, audio system 25, WLAN card 26, embedded controller 34, input unit 35, touch sensor unit 36, power supply circuit 37, and sensor unit 38.

[0034] The CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 controls the entire electronic device 1 by executing various arithmetic processes under program control. The main memory 12 is a writable memory used as a reading area for the CPU 11's executable program, or as a work area for writing processing data for the executable program. The main memory 12 is composed of, for example, multiple DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) chips. This executable program includes the OS, various device drivers for hardware operation of peripheral devices, various services / utilities, application programs (application software), etc.

[0035] The video subsystem 13 is a subsystem for implementing functions related to image display and includes a video controller. This video controller processes drawing instructions from the CPU 11, writes the processed drawing information to video memory, reads this drawing information from video memory, and outputs it to the display 41 as drawing data (display data).

[0036] The display 41 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, and displays an image based on drawing data (display data) output from the video subsystem 13.

[0037] The chipset 21 includes controllers for 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 multiple devices are connected to it. In Figure 2, as examples of devices, the BIOS memory 22, SSD 23, USB connector 24, audio system 25, WLAN card 26, and embedded controller 34 are connected to the chipset 21.

[0038] The BIOS (Basic Input Output System) memory 22 consists of electrically rewritable non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) or flash ROM. The BIOS memory 22 stores the BIOS and system firmware for controlling the embedded controller 34, etc.

[0039] The SSD (Solid State Drive) 23 (an example of a non-volatile storage device) stores the OS, various drivers, various services / utilities, application programs (hereinafter sometimes referred to as applications), and various data. The USB connector 24 is a connector for connecting peripheral devices that use USB.

[0040] The audio system 25 records, plays back, and outputs sound data. The WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) card 26 connects to the network via wireless LAN and performs data communication. For example, when the WLAN card 26 receives data from the network, it generates an event trigger indicating that data has been received.

[0041] The embedded controller 34 is a one-chip microcomputer that monitors and controls various devices (peripheral devices or sensors, etc.) regardless of the system state of the electronic device 1. The embedded controller 34 also has a power management function that controls the power supply circuit 37. The embedded controller 34 is composed of a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. (not shown), and is equipped with multiple channels of A / D input terminals, D / A output terminals, a timer, and digital input / output terminals. The embedded controller 34 is connected to, for example, the input unit 35, the touch sensor unit 36, the power supply circuit 37, and the sensor unit 38 via these input / output terminals, and the embedded controller 34 controls the operation of these components.

[0042] The input unit 35 is, for example, an input device such as a power switch or a pointing device. The touch sensor unit 36 ​​detects, for example, when the input device 2 (pen-shaped medium) approaches the screen of the display 41 within a predetermined distance (within a threshold distance), and when the input device 2 approaches the screen within a predetermined distance, it can detect the position of the input device 2 on the screen in a non-contact state. In other words, the touch sensor unit 36 ​​can detect a hovering state in which the input device 2 maintains a non-contact state and approaches within a threshold distance on the screen of the display 41 for a certain period of time.

[0043] Furthermore, the touch sensor unit 36 ​​includes a contact detection unit 361 and a pen detection unit 362. The contact detection unit 361 is, for example, a capacitive touch sensor that detects an operating medium (an input device 2 or an object such as a finger) that has come into contact with the screen of the display 41, and also detects the position where the operating medium is in contact.

[0044] The pen detection unit 362 is, for example, an electromagnetic induction type touch sensor, and uses the resonant circuit LC1 of the input device 2 to detect the position of the input device 2 on the screen of the display 41 without contact. The pen detection unit 362 can, for example, detect when the input device 2 has come within a threshold distance of the screen of the display 41. In this way, the touch sensor unit 36 ​​can detect both touch input caused by contact of an object (for example, the input device 2 or a finger) on the screen of the display 41 and pen input caused by contact of the input device 2.

[0045] Furthermore, the touch sensor unit 36 ​​can detect the hovering of the input device 2 by detecting when the pen detection unit 362 detects that the input device 2 has come within a threshold distance of the display 41 screen, and the contact detection unit 361 detects that the input device 2 is not making contact.

[0046] The input device 2 includes a resonant circuit LC1. The input device 2 is powered by electromagnetic induction to the coil of the resonant circuit LC1 and is configured to detect the position of the input device 2 on the screen of the display 41 using the resonant circuit.

[0047] The power supply circuit 37 includes, for example, a DC / DC converter, a charge / discharge unit, a battery unit, and an AC / DC adapter, and converts the DC voltage supplied from the AC / DC adapter or battery unit into multiple voltages necessary to operate the electronic device 1. The power supply circuit 37 also supplies power to each part of the electronic device 1 based on control from the embedded controller 34.

[0048] The sensor unit 38 is, for example, an acceleration sensor or a gyroscope sensor, and detects the screen display orientation that indicates the usage status of the electronic device 1. The sensor unit 38 detects the direction of gravitational acceleration to detect the screen display orientation of the electronic device 1 (display 41).

[0049] In this embodiment, the CPU 11 and chipset 21 described above correspond to the controller 40. The controller 40 executes processing based on the OS (for example, Windows®).

[0050] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the electronic device 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 5, the electronic device 1 comprises a controller 40, a touch sensor unit 36, and a display 41. Note that in Figure 5, only the main functional configurations related to the invention of this embodiment are shown as the configuration of the electronic device 1.

[0051] The controller 40 is a functional unit realized by the CPU 11 and chipset 21 executing programs stored in the main memory 12, and it performs various processes based on the OS. The touch sensor unit 36 ​​and the display 41 have already been described, so their descriptions will be omitted.

[0052] The controller 40 displays various information on the display 41. The controller 40 also sets the operating mode of the electronic device 1 according to the state of the first housing 31 relative to the second housing 32. The operating mode of the electronic device 1 is set to either normal mode or pen detection mode, and the normal mode and pen detection mode can be switched between.

[0053] When the first housing 31 is in the open state, it is assumed that the input device 2 has been removed from the first suction position P1 or the second suction position P2 and is being used by the user. At this time, the controller 40 sets the operating mode of the electronic device 1 to normal mode and detects the user's operating position according to the output signal of the touch sensor unit 36. The user's operating position indicates the position on the screen of the display 41 where the input device 2 has been in contact with or approached.

[0054] When the first housing 31 is in a closed state, it is assumed that the input device 2 is attached to the first suction position P1 or the second suction position P2, that is, housed in the first housing 31 or the second housing 32. At this time, the controller 40 sets the operating mode of the electronic device 1 to pen detection mode to prevent the loss of the input device 2, and determines whether or not the input device 2 is housed in the first housing 31 or the second housing 32 according to the output signal of the touch sensor unit 36.

[0055] If input device 2 approaches within a predetermined distance, controller 40 determines that input device 2 is housed in the first housing 31 or the second housing 32. If input device 2 is not approaching within the predetermined distance, controller 40 determines that input device 2 is not housed in the first housing 31 or the second housing 32. When it is determined that input device 2 is not housed in the first housing 31 or the second housing 32, controller 40 executes a control to output a beep sound as a warning.

[0056] Figure 6 shows an example of the configuration of the touch sensor unit 36. The touch sensor unit 36 ​​is positioned to overlap with the display 41. The touch sensor unit 36 ​​comprises a plurality of detection elements 36a arranged in two dimensions. The plurality of detection elements 36a are arranged in a first region R1 and a second region R2 that are adjacent to each other.

[0057] One or more detection elements 36a are arranged in the first region R1. The first region R1 is near the first right end 31eA (side surface) of the first housing 31 and near the first suction position P1. When the first housing 31 is in a closed state, the first region R1 is near the second right end 32eA (side surface) of the second housing 32 and near the second suction position P2. When the input device 2 is attached to the first suction position P1 or the second suction position P2, at least some of the one or more detection elements 36a arranged in the first region R1 are capable of detecting that the input device 2 has approached within a predetermined distance. As shown in Figure 6, each of the plurality of detection elements 36a is a combination of the first detection element 361a of the contact detection unit 361 and the second detection element 362a of the pen detection unit 362.

[0058] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of electronic device 1 regarding the switching of operating modes. The operation of electronic device 1 will be explained with reference to Figure 7.

[0059] (Step S100) The controller 40 can determine the state of the first housing 31 based on signals output from sensors located, for example, in the first housing 31 or the second housing 32. The controller 40 determines whether the state of the first housing 31 relative to the second housing 32 is closed or not. If the state of the first housing 31 is closed, step S105 is executed. If the state of the first housing 31 is open, step S120 is executed.

[0060] (Step S105) When it is determined in step S100 that the state of the first housing 31 is closed, the controller 40 sets the operating mode of the electronic device 1 to pen detection mode.

[0061] (Step S110) The controller 40 scans the touch sensor unit 36 ​​and acquires signals output from all or some of the multiple detection elements 36a.

[0062] (Step S115) The controller 40 determines the state of the input device 2 based on the signal acquired in step S110. If the input device 2 is housed in the first housing 31 or the second housing 32, step S100 is executed. If the input device 2 is not housed in the first housing 31 or the second housing 32, step S135 is executed.

[0063] (Step S135) If it is determined in step S115 that the input device 2 is not housed in the first housing 31 or the second housing 32, the controller 40 outputs a beep to prompt the user to check the input device 2. If the electronic device 1 has a display other than the display 41, the controller 40 may display a warning message or the like on that display. If the electronic device 1 has a lamp such as an LED, the controller 40 may indicate a warning by turning on or flashing that lamp.

[0064] (Step S120) When it is determined in step S100 that the state of the first enclosure 31 is open, the controller 40 sets the operating mode of the electronic device 1 to normal mode.

[0065] (Step S125) The controller 40 scans the touch sensor unit 36 ​​and acquires signals output from multiple detection elements 36a.

[0066] (Step S130) The controller 40 detects the user's operating position based on the signal acquired in step S125 and executes processing according to that operating position.

[0067] The following explains the differences between control in normal mode and control in pen detection mode.

[0068] First, a first example of control in normal mode and control in pen detection mode will be described. In normal mode, the controller 40 scans the first region R1 and the second region R2 of the touch sensor unit 36. The controller 40 acquires signals output from all detection elements 36a of the touch sensor unit 36. On the other hand, in pen detection mode, the controller 40 scans only the first region R1 of the touch sensor unit 36. The controller 40 acquires signals output from the detection elements 36a located in the first region R1. In this first example, power consumption in pen detection mode is reduced.

[0069] Next, a second example relating to control in normal mode and control in pen detection mode will be described. In normal mode, the controller 40 scans the first region R1 and the second region R2 of the touch sensor unit 36 ​​at a first rate. The controller 40 acquires the signals output from all detection elements 36a of the touch sensor unit 36 ​​at a first rate. On the other hand, in pen detection mode, the controller 40 scans the first region R1 and the second region R2 of the touch sensor unit 36 ​​at a second rate lower than the first rate. The controller 40 acquires the signals output from all detection elements 36a of the touch sensor unit 36 ​​at a second rate. In this second example, power consumption in pen detection mode is reduced.

[0070] Next, a third example relating to control in normal mode and control in pen detection mode will be described. In normal mode, the controller 40 sets the gain of all detection elements 36a of the touch sensor unit 36 ​​to a first value. On the other hand, in pen detection mode, the controller 40 sets the gain of all detection elements 36a of the touch sensor unit 36 ​​to a second value, which is higher than the first value. In both normal mode and pen detection mode, the controller 40 scans the first region R1 and the second region R2 of the touch sensor unit 36 ​​and acquires the signals output from all detection elements 36a of the touch sensor unit 36. In this third example, the detection sensitivity of the input device 2 is increased in pen detection mode.

[0071] Next, a fourth example relating to control in normal mode and control in pen detection mode will be described. The controller 40 determines whether the input device 2 is in contact with or approaching the screen of the display 41 by comparing the value of the signal output from the detection element 36a with a predetermined threshold (detection threshold). When the value of the signal output from the detection element 36a is greater than or equal to the detection threshold, the controller 40 determines that the input device 2 is in contact with or approaching the screen of the display 41. When the value of the signal output from the detection element 36a is less than the detection threshold, the controller 40 determines that the input device 2 is not in contact with or approaching the screen of the display 41. In normal mode, the controller 40 sets the detection threshold to a first value. On the other hand, in pen detection mode, the controller 40 sets the detection threshold to a second value, which is lower than the first value. In both normal mode and pen detection mode, the controller 40 scans the first region R1 and the second region R2 of the touch sensor unit 36 ​​and acquires signals output from all detection elements 36a of the touch sensor unit 36. In the fourth example, the detection sensitivity of input device 2 in pen detection mode is increased.

[0072] Next, a fifth example relating to control in normal mode and control in pen detection mode will be described. As mentioned above, each of the multiple detection elements 36a is a combination of the first detection element 361a of the contact detection unit 361 and the second detection element 362a of the pen detection unit 362. In normal mode, the controller 40 scans the first region R1 and the second region R2 of the touch sensor unit 36 ​​and acquires the signal output from the first detection element 361a and the signal output from the second detection element 362a. On the other hand, in pen detection mode, the controller 40 scans the first region R1 and the second region R2 of the touch sensor unit 36 ​​and acquires the signal output only from the second detection element 362a. In the fifth example, power consumption in pen detection mode is reduced.

[0073] The controller 40 may perform control that combines the control in two of the first to fifth examples described above.

[0074] In this embodiment, a mechanism is used to attach the input device 2 to the end (side) of the first housing 31 or the second housing 32 using a magnet or the like. However, a holder or the like for housing the input device 2 may be placed in the first housing 31 or the second housing 32.

[0075] As described above, the electronic device 1 comprises a first housing 31 and a second housing 32. The first housing 31 comprises a display 41 and a touch sensor unit 36. The touch sensor unit 36 ​​has a plurality of detection elements 36a that detect contact or proximity of the input device 2 to the display 41. The second housing 32 comprises a controller 40. When the state of the first housing 31 relative to the second housing 32 is open, the controller 40 detects the position where the input device 2 is in contact with or close to the display 41 based on the output signals of the plurality of detection elements 36a. When the state of the first housing 31 relative to the second housing 32 is closed, the controller 40 determines whether the input device 2 is housed in the first housing 31 or the second housing 32 based on the output signals of the plurality of detection elements 36a. When it is determined that the input device 2 is not housed in the first housing 31 or the second housing 32, the controller 40 outputs a warning.

[0076] In this embodiment, the loss of the input device 2 can be prevented. Furthermore, there is no need to provide a new mechanism in the electronic device 1 or the input device 2 to detect the status of the input device 2 relative to the electronic device 1.

[0077] As described above, the multiple detection elements 36a are arranged in a first region R1 corresponding to the position where the input device 2 is housed in the first housing 31 or the second housing 32, and in a second region R2 other than the first region R1. When the state of the first housing 31 relative to the second housing 32 is open, the controller 40 detects the position where the input device 2 is in contact with or approaching the display 41 based on the output signals of the multiple detection elements 36a arranged in the first region R1 and the second region R2. When the state of the first housing 31 relative to the second housing 32 is closed, the controller 40 determines whether the input device 2 is housed in the first housing 31 or the second housing 32 based on the output signal of the detection element 36a located in the first region R1 among the multiple detection elements 36a. This reduces the power consumption required to detect the state of the input device 2.

[0078] As described above, when the state of the first enclosure 31 relative to the second enclosure 32 is open, the controller 40 acquires the output signals of the multiple detection elements 36a at a first rate. When the state of the first enclosure 31 relative to the second enclosure 32 is closed, the controller 40 acquires the output signals of the multiple detection elements 36a at a second rate lower than the first rate. This reduces the power consumption required to detect the state of the input device 2.

[0079] As described above, when the state of the first housing 31 relative to the second housing 32 is open, the controller 40 sets the gain of the multiple detection elements 36a to a first value. When the state of the first housing 31 relative to the second housing 32 is closed, the controller 40 sets the gain of the multiple detection elements 36a to a second value, which is higher than the first value. This increases the sensitivity for detecting the state of the input device 2.

[0080] As described above, when the state of the first housing 31 relative to the second housing 32 is open, the controller 40 sets a detection threshold to a first value, which is compared with the output signal values ​​of the multiple detection elements 36a to determine whether the input device 2 is in contact with or close to the display 41. When the state of the first housing 31 relative to the second housing 32 is closed, the controller 40 sets the detection threshold to a second value, which is smaller than the first value. This increases the sensitivity for detecting the state of the input device 2.

[0081] As described above, the plurality of detection elements 36a include a plurality of first detection elements 361a for detecting the position where the input device 2 is in contact with the display 41, and a plurality of second detection elements 362a for detecting the position where the input device 2 is approaching the display 41. When the state of the first housing 31 relative to the second housing 32 is open, the controller 40 acquires the output signals of the plurality of first detection elements 361a and the plurality of second detection elements 362a. When the state of the first housing 31 relative to the second housing 32 is closed, the controller 40 acquires the output signals of the plurality of second detection elements 362a. This reduces the power consumption required to detect the state of the input device 2.

[0082] While embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to the embodiments described above, and may include design changes and the like that do not depart from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0083] 1 Electronic device, 2 Input device, 10 First magnetic adsorption unit, 11 CPU, 12 Main memory, 13 Video subsystem, 20 Second magnetic adsorption unit, 21 Chipset, 22 BIOS memory, 23 SSD, 24 USB connector, 25 Audio system, 26 WLAN card, 30 Chassis, 31 First chassis, 32 Second chassis, 33 Hinge mechanism, 34 Embedded controller, 35 Input unit, 36 Touch sensor unit, 36a Detection element, 37 Power supply circuit, 38 Sensor unit, 41 Display, 361 Contact detection unit, 361a First detection element, 362a Second detection element, 362 Pen detection unit

Claims

1. It comprises a first enclosure and a second enclosure, The first enclosure is, The display and A touch sensor having a plurality of detection elements for detecting contact or proximity of an input device to the display, Equipped with, The aforementioned second enclosure is The controller includes the following: when the state of the first housing relative to the second housing is open, it detects the position where the input device is in contact with or close to the display based on the output signals of the plurality of detection elements; when the state of the first housing relative to the second housing is closed, it determines whether the input device is housed in the first housing or the second housing based on the output signals of the plurality of detection elements; and when it determines that the input device is not housed in the first housing or the second housing, it outputs a warning. electronic equipment.

2. The plurality of detection elements are arranged in a first region corresponding to the position in which the input device is housed in the first or second housing, and in a second region other than the first region. The aforementioned controller, When the state of the first housing relative to the second housing is the open state, the input device detects the position where it is in contact with or approaching the display based on the output signals of the plurality of detection elements arranged in the first and second regions. When the state of the first housing relative to the second housing is the closed state, it is determined whether the input device is housed in the first housing or the second housing based on the output signal of the detection element among the plurality of detection elements arranged in the first region. The electronic device according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned controller, When the state of the first housing relative to the second housing is the open state, the output signals of the plurality of detection elements are acquired at the first rate. When the state of the first housing relative to the second housing is the closed state, the output signals of the plurality of detection elements are acquired at a second rate lower than the first rate. The electronic device according to claim 1.

4. The aforementioned controller, When the state of the first housing relative to the second housing is the open state, the gains of the plurality of detection elements are set to a first value. When the state of the first housing relative to the second housing is the closed state, the gain is set to a second value which is higher than the first value. The electronic device according to claim 1.

5. The aforementioned controller, When the state of the first housing relative to the second housing is the open state, a detection threshold is set to a first value, which is compared with the output signal values ​​of the plurality of detection elements in order to determine that the input device is in contact with or close to the display. When the state of the first housing relative to the second housing is the closed state, the detection threshold is set to a second value which is smaller than the first value. The electronic device according to claim 1.

6. The plurality of detection elements are, A plurality of first detection elements for detecting the position where the input device has come into contact with the display, A plurality of second detection elements for detecting the position of the input device when it approaches the display, Includes, The aforementioned controller, When the state of the first housing relative to the second housing is the open state, the output signals of the plurality of first detection elements and the output signals of the plurality of second detection elements are acquired. When the state of the first housing relative to the second housing is the closed state, the output signals of the plurality of second detection elements are acquired. The electronic device according to claim 1.

7. A control method for an electronic device comprising a first housing and a second housing, When the state of the first housing relative to the second housing is open, the position where the input device has contact with or is approaching the display located on the first housing is detected based on the output signals of a plurality of detection elements of a touch sensor located on the first housing. When the state of the first housing relative to the second housing is closed, it is determined whether the input device is housed in the first housing or the second housing based on the output signals of the plurality of detection elements. When it is determined that the input device is not housed in the first or second housing, a warning is output. A method for controlling electronic devices.

Images