Patent ID: 7002554
Filing Date: 2006-02-21
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A portable computer including a hardware button that is provided on a main body of the portable computer and to which a program is assigned, comprising: means for executing the program in response to an operation of the hardware button; means for inhibiting the program from being executed, when an authority level of a user who has operated the hardware button is lower than a first authority level with which the user is allowed to use the hardware button; means for executing a button function setting process based on a request for setting of a button function for executing the program, the button function setting process including a process to assign a program to the hardware button and a process to change the program assigned to the hardware button to another program; and means for inhibiting the button function setting process from being executed, when an authority level of a user who has made the request for the setting of the button function is lower than a second authority level with which the user is allowed to use the button function setting process.