INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS AND INPUT CONTROL METHOD

An information processing apparatus includes: a pressure detection unit that detects a contact pressure on an operation surface of a touchpad; an area detection unit that detects a contact area on the operation surface of the touchpad; a threshold setting unit that sets a pressure threshold that differs depending on the contact area on the operation surface of the touchpad; and a determination unit that determines an input operation as a predetermined input operation, in a case where the contact pressure on the operation surface of the touchpad is greater than or equal to the pressure threshold.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and an input control method.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Information processing apparatuses using force touch (pressure-sensitive touch), i.e. a technology of detecting the strength (pressure) with which a touch panel or a touchpad is touched and reflecting the detected strength (pressure) in the operation, have been proposed in recent years.

A capacitive touchpad is capable of detecting the position at which a finger or the like touches the touchpad and the position at which the finger or the like separates from the touchpad. A touch panel or a touchpad using force touch combines this with a pressure sensor, to be capable of detecting the strength of the pressure with which the surface is pressed. This makes it possible to change the operation between when the surface is lightly touched and when the surface is firmly pressed. Hence, various instructions can be input depending on the pressure strength of the touch.

When using a keyboard or a trackpoint on such a touchpad that uses the force touch technology, there is a possibility that a part of the hand, such as the side of the hand, unintentionally touches the touchpad and the touch is treated as input. It is desirable that such an input operation not intended by the user is determined as an input error and is not treated as input.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One or more embodiments of the present invention provide an information processing apparatus that can prevent an input error caused by an input operation not intended by a user on a touchpad capable of detecting contact pressure, and an input control method.

A first aspect of the present invention is an information processing apparatus including: a pressure detection unit configured to detect a contact pressure on an operation surface of a touchpad; an area detection unit configured to detect a contact area on the operation surface of the touchpad; a threshold setting unit configured to set a pressure threshold that differs depending on the contact area; and a determination unit configured to determine an input operation as a predetermined input operation, in the case where the contact pressure on the operation surface of the touchpad is greater than or equal to the pressure threshold.

A second aspect of the present invention is an information processing apparatus including: a touchpad; a trackpoint; a threshold setting unit configured to set a pressure threshold that differs depending on whether the trackpoint is in use; and a determination unit configured to determine an input operation as a predetermined input operation, in the case where a contact pressure on an operation surface of the touchpad is greater than or equal to the pressure threshold.

A third aspect of the present invention is an input control method for an information processing apparatus including a touchpad, the input control method including: a step of detecting a contact pressure on an operation surface of the touchpad; a step of detecting a contact area on the operation surface of the touchpad; a step of setting a pressure threshold that differs depending on the contact area; and a step of determining an input operation as a predetermined input operation, in the case where the contact pressure on the operation surface of the touchpad is greater than or equal to the pressure threshold.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is an input control method for an information processing apparatus including a touchpad and a trackpoint, the input control method including: a step of setting a pressure threshold that differs depending on whether the trackpoint is in use; and a step of determining an input operation as a predetermined input operation, in the case where a contact pressure on an operation surface of the touchpad is greater than or equal to the pressure threshold.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is an input control for use in an information processing apparatus including a touchpad, the input control causing a computer to execute: a process of detecting a contact pressure on an operation surface of the touchpad; a process of detecting a contact area on the operation surface of the touchpad; a process of setting a pressure threshold that differs depending on the contact area; and a process of determining an input operation as a predetermined input operation, in the case where the contact pressure on the operation surface of the touchpad is greater than or equal to the pressure threshold.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is an input control for use in an information processing apparatus including a touchpad and a trackpoint, the input control causing a computer to execute: a process of setting a pressure threshold that differs depending on whether the trackpoint is in use; and a process of determining an input operation as a predetermined input operation, in the case where a contact pressure on an operation surface of the touchpad is greater than or equal to the pressure threshold.

The above-described aspects of the present invention have an advantageous effect of preventing an input error caused by an input operation not intended by a user on a touchpad capable of detecting contact pressure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

First Embodiment

An information processing apparatus and an input control method according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below, with reference to drawings.

FIG. 1is a schematic external view of a laptop PC1according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated inFIG. 1, the laptop PC1includes a main body-side chassis2and a display-side chassis3each of which is approximately a rectangular parallelepiped.

The main body-side chassis2is provided with an input device4. The input device4is a user interface for a user to perform input operations. InFIG. 1, a keyboard5composed of various keys for inputting characters, commands, etc. is illustrated as an example of the input device4. The input device4also includes pointing devices such as a touchpad6and a trackpoint7.

The touchpad6is located, for example, in front of (i.e. on the user side of) a space key located approximately at the center of the keyboard5. The touchpad6is a touchpad having a pressure detection function. For example, a pressure sensor is provided below the operation surface of the touchpad6, to detect contact pressure on the contact surface. A specific structure for detecting pressure is not limited to a pressure sensor, and contact pressure by an indicator such as a finger on the contact surface may be detected by other sensors. The touchpad6may further include a capacitive, resistive, or electromagnetic induction type touch sensor, in addition to a pressure sensor.

The display-side chassis3is provided with a display8for displaying images.

For example, the main body-side chassis2and the display-side chassis3are connected by a pair of left and right connecting portions9aand9bat their respective edges. The connecting portions9aand9bare hinges, and support the main body-side chassis2and the display-side chassis3in an openable and closable state.

FIG. 2is a diagram schematically illustrating a hardware structure of the laptop PC1according to this embodiment. The laptop PC1includes a central processing unit (CPU)20, a read only memory (ROM)21, a memory22, a flash memory23, a graphics adapter24, the display8, a communication device25, a power circuit26, and an embedded controller (hereafter referred to as “EC”)27. These units are connected via a bus28.

The CPU20controls the whole laptop PC1according to an operating system (OS) stored in the flash memory23connected via the bus28, and performs processes based on information from the input device4according to various programs stored in the flash memory23.

The memory22includes a cache memory and/or a random access memory (RAM). The memory22is a rewritable memory used as a working area for reading an execution program of the CPU20and writing data processed according to the execution program.

The flash memory23stores a multi-window OS for controlling the whole laptop PC1, various drivers for operating peripheral equipment by hardware, utility programs, various application programs, etc. The laptop PC1may include other storage means such as a hard disk drive (HDD), instead of the flash memory23.

The display8is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), and displays a video signal from the graphics adapter24as an image according to control by the CPU20.

The graphics adapter24converts display information into a video signal and outputs the video signal to the display8, according to control by the CPU20.

The communication device25communicates with other devices.

The power circuit26includes an AC adapter, a battery, a charger for charging the battery, a DC/DC converter, and the like, and supplies power to each structure according to control by the CPU20.

The EC27is connected to the keyboard5and the trackpoint7. Operation information by the user on the keyboard5or the trackpoint7is output to the CPU20via the embedded controller27.

The touchpad6is directly connected to the bus28, without the embedded controller27being interposed therebetween.

The connections illustrated inFIG. 2are an example, and the present invention is not limited to such. For example, the touchpad6may be connected to the bus28via the EC27. A structure in which the keyboard5and/or the trackpoint7is directly connected to the bus28without the EC27being interposed therebetween is also applicable. A structure in which the touchpad6functions as a host device for the trackpoint7and a signal of the trackpoint7is output to the CPU20via the touchpad6is also applicable.

The keyboard5outputs information corresponding to each key.

The touchpad6outputs the position of a finger on the operation surface as matrix coordinates, and outputs the contact pressure and the contact area on the operation surface.

The trackpoint7outputs the operation amount of the trackpoint7, and outputs an active signal during a period in which an input operation is being performed.

FIG. 3is a functional block diagram schematically illustrating a functional structure relating to an input control function of the laptop PC1according to this embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, the laptop PC1according to this embodiment includes a pressure detection unit31, an area detection unit32, a threshold setting unit41, and a determination unit42. AlthoughFIG. 3illustrates the case where a controller of the touchpad6implements the functions of the pressure detection unit31and the area detection unit32and the CPU20implements the functions of the threshold setting unit41and the determination unit42, a specific structure implementing each function is not limited. For example, the controller of the touchpad6may implement the functions of the threshold setting unit41and the determination unit42, or the CPU20may implement all of these functions.

Processes for achieving various functions described below are stored in a computer-readable recording medium in the form of a program, and the touchpad controller, the CPU20, or the like reads the program to the RAM and executes the program to achieve the various functions. The program may be, for example, preinstalled in the ROM or another storage medium, provided in a state of being stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or distributed through a wire or wireless communication means. Examples of the computer-readable storage medium include a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, and a semiconductor memory.

The pressure detection unit31detects the contact pressure on the operation surface of the touchpad6. Specifically, the pressure detection unit31detects the contact pressure based on an output signal from the pressure sensor included in the touchpad6. Herein, the “contact pressure” refers to the pressure when the user presses the touchpad6with an indicator such as a finger or a pen, that is, click down pressure.

For example, in the case where a plurality of pressure values is detected as a result of a plurality of locations being pressed simultaneously, the pressure detection unit31outputs a value obtained by statistically processing these values, e.g. an average value, a maximum value, or a minimum value, as a representative value. The contact pressure may be an instantaneous value, or a value obtained by temporally and spatially statistically processing pressure values output from the pressure sensor in a predetermined time.

The area detection unit32detects the contact area on the operation surface of the touchpad6. Specifically, the area detection unit32detects the contact area based on an output signal from the pressure sensor included in the touchpad6. For example, in the case where a plurality of locations is touched simultaneously or roughly simultaneously, the area detection unit32outputs a total value of these contact areas, as the contact area. The contact area may be an instantaneous value, or a value obtained by temporally and spatially statistically processing pressure values output from the pressure sensor in a predetermined time.

The threshold setting unit41sets a pressure threshold that differs depending on the contact area on the operation surface of the touchpad6. Specifically, the threshold setting unit41has pressure threshold information associating contact areas detected by the area detection unit32with pressure thresholds, and sets the pressure threshold corresponding to the contact area using this information.

FIG. 4is a diagram illustrating an example of the pressure threshold information. In the pressure threshold information illustrated inFIG. 4, the case where the contact area is less than a preset area threshold is associated with a first pressure threshold A, and the case where the contact area is greater than or equal to the area threshold is associated with a second pressure threshold B that is different from the first pressure threshold A. The second pressure threshold is higher than the first pressure threshold. The first pressure threshold is a pressure threshold (default value) normally used when determining a click operation.

The area threshold is set to, for example, about the area of a fingertip of a typical human hand. A click operation is normally performed by pressing the touchpad6with a fingertip. In the case where, for example, the side of the hand touches the touchpad6by mistake when the user is using the keyboard5, the contact area on the touchpad6is larger than the area of the fingertip. Therefore, by setting the area threshold to about the area of a typical fingertip, whether the part touching the touchpad6is approximately equivalent to the fingertip of the user or the side of the palm of the user can be easily determined first. Given that the area of the fingertip varies among users, the area threshold may be customizable.

Although the pressure threshold is set in two stages in the pressure threshold information illustrated inFIG. 4, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the pressure threshold may be set in three or more stages. Instead of setting the pressure threshold in stages, the pressure threshold may be defined as a value that changes linearly or according to a predetermined function. The pressure threshold information may be defined as a look-up table as illustrated inFIG. 4, or the relationship between the contact area and the pressure threshold may be defined in other forms. For example, the pressure threshold information may be defined as a function formula of the pressure threshold with the contact area as a variable. In any of these cases, the relationship between the contact area and the pressure threshold is basically such that the pressure threshold is higher when the contact area is larger.

Thus, in the case where the contact area is greater than or equal to the area threshold and there is a possibility of an operation error, the pressure threshold is set to be higher than normal, to decrease the input sensitivity. This makes it possible to prevent an input error resulting from an operation error.

The determination unit42determines that the input operation is a predetermined input operation, in the case where the contact pressure on the operation surface of the touchpad6, i.e. the contact pressure output from the pressure detection unit31, is greater than or equal to the pressure threshold set by the threshold setting unit41. In this case, an input signal corresponding to the input operation performed on the touchpad6is output to perform a process corresponding to the input signal. For example, the determination unit42determines that a click operation has been performed, and outputs a click signal which is an input signal relating to the click operation.

In the case where the contact pressure on the operation surface of the touchpad6is less than the pressure threshold, the determination unit42determines that the input operation performed on the touchpad6is not a click operation, and does not output an input signal (click signal) corresponding to the input operation.

An input control method performed by the laptop PC1will be described below, with reference toFIG. 5.FIG. 5is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of the input control method according to this embodiment. For example, the start of this process is triggered by the start of the laptop PC1.

First, whether a touch on the operation surface of the touchpad6is detected is determined (SA1). In the case where a touch is not detected (SA1: NO), step SA1is repeated until a touch is detected. In the case where a touch is detected (SA1: YES), whether the contact area is greater than or equal to the preset area threshold is determined (SA2). In the case where the contact area is less than the area threshold (SA2: NO), that is, in the case where the contact area is approximately the contact area of a fingertip, the first pressure threshold A (default value) is set (SA3), and whether the contact pressure is greater than or equal to the first pressure threshold A is determined (SA4). In the case where the contact pressure is greater than or equal to the first pressure threshold A (SA4: YES), e.g. in the case where the touchpad6is pressed with a pressure greater than or equal to the first pressure threshold A as a result of the user performing a click operation intentionally, it is determined that the input operation is a click operation, and a click signal is output (SA5). The process then returns to step SA1. In the case where it is determined in step SA4that the contact pressure is less than the first pressure threshold A, it is determined that the input operation is an input operation due to cursor movement or the like and is not a click operation, and the process returns to step SA1without outputting a click signal.

In the case where the contact area is greater than or equal to the area threshold in step SA2(SA2: YES), the second pressure threshold B higher than the first pressure threshold A (default value) is set (SA6). Following this, whether the contact pressure is greater than or equal to the second pressure threshold B is determined (SA7). In the case where the contact pressure is less than the second pressure threshold B (SA7: NO), it is determined that the input operation is an operation error, and the process returns to step SA1without outputting an input signal (click signal) corresponding to the input operation. In the case where the contact pressure is greater than or equal to the second pressure threshold B in step SA7(SA7: YES), it is determined that the input operation is a click operation intentionally performed by the user using the palm or the like, and a click signal is output (SA8). The process then returns to step SA1.

As described above, with the information processing apparatus and the input control method according to this embodiment, whether the input operation by the user is an input error is determined using the pressure threshold corresponding to the contact area on the touchpad6. Specifically, the pressure threshold is set to be higher in the case where the contact area on the operation surface of the touchpad6is greater than or equal to the predetermined area threshold than in the case where the contact area is less than the area threshold.

In the case where the contact area is greater than or equal to the predetermined contact area, it can be estimated that a part other than a fingertip is touching the touchpad6. In the case where it can be estimated that a part other than a fingertip is touching the touchpad6, a pressure threshold higher than in the case where the contact area is less than the predetermined contact area is set to decrease the input sensitivity. This makes it possible to prevent an input error caused by an erroneous input operation not intended by the user, such as a part of the hand unintentionally touching the touchpad6when the user is using the keyboard.

Although the pressure threshold is uniform throughout the operation surface of the touchpad6in this embodiment, for example, the operation surface may be virtually divided into a plurality of regions, and a pressure threshold may be set for each of the regions. For example, the base of the thumb may unintentionally touch the touchpad6when the user is performing key input with the hands being placed at the home position of the keyboard5, as illustrated inFIG. 6. In such a case, the load of each hand is exerted more on the chassis part near the touchpad6than on the touchpad6, so that the load on the touchpad6is likely to be less than in the case where an operation error occurs in the central part.

In view of this, the following structure may be used: The operation surface of the touchpad6is divided into a central part P2and both end parts P1and P3as illustrated inFIG. 7, and the pressure threshold information is set so that the pressure threshold in the central part P2is higher than the pressure threshold in the end parts P1and P3as illustrated inFIG. 8. By virtually dividing the operation surface of the touchpad6into a plurality of regions and setting a pressure threshold for each region depending on the load on the touchpad6during typing in this way, an input error by the user is expected to be further prevented.

There are cases where the touchpad6has a haptic function of producing vibration in response to an input operation and notifying the user of a click operation through a tactile sense, in order to improve operability and user satisfaction. In the case where the touchpad6has such a haptic function, a pressure threshold when producing vibration is set for each of click down and click up. If the pressure threshold for click down determined as a click operation is changed as described above, it is preferable to also change the pressure threshold for click up along with the change of the pressure threshold for click down. By changing the pressure threshold for determining click up along with the pressure threshold for determining click down, natural vibration can be produced even in the case where the user performs a click operation with a large contact area such as the side of the palm.

Second Embodiment

An information processing apparatus and an input control method according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below, with reference to drawings.

In the first embodiment described above, the pressure threshold differs depending on the contact area on the operation surface of the touchpad6. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the pressure threshold differs depending on whether the trackpoint7is in use.

The differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described below, while omitting description for the same structures and functions as those in the first embodiment.

FIG. 9is a functional block diagram schematically illustrating a functional structure relating to an input control function of a laptop PC according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated inFIG. 9, the laptop PC according to this embodiment includes a pressure detection unit31, a threshold setting unit41′, and a determination unit42. AlthoughFIG. 9illustrates the case where the controller of the touchpad6implements the function of the pressure detection unit31and the CPU20implements the functions of the threshold setting unit41′ and the determination unit42, a specific processing section implementing each function is not limited, as in the first embodiment.

The pressure detection unit31detects the contact pressure on the operation surface of the touchpad6.

The trackpoint7outputs an active signal in the case where the trackpoint7is being operated.

The threshold setting unit41′ sets a pressure threshold that differs depending on whether the trackpoint7is in use. Specifically, the threshold setting unit41′ has pressure threshold information in which a different pressure threshold is registered depending on whether the active signal indicating that the trackpoint7is in use is input, and sets the pressure threshold using this information.

FIG. 10is a diagram illustrating an example of the pressure threshold information. In the pressure threshold information illustrated inFIG. 10, the case where the trackpoint7is not in use, i.e. the case where the active signal is not input, is associated with a third pressure threshold C, and the case where the trackpoint7is in use, i.e. the case where the active signal is input, is associated with a fourth pressure threshold D that is different from the third pressure threshold C. The fourth pressure threshold D is higher than the third pressure threshold C. The third pressure threshold C is, for example, a pressure threshold (default value) normally used when determining a click operation. The third pressure threshold C may be the same value as or a different value from the foregoing first pressure threshold A. The fourth pressure threshold D may be the same value as or a different value from the foregoing second pressure threshold B.

The determination unit42is the same as that in the foregoing first embodiment, and outputs an input signal (e.g. click signal) corresponding to the input operation performed on the touchpad6in the case where the contact pressure on the operation surface of the touchpad6, i.e. the contact pressure output from the pressure detection unit31, is greater than or equal to the pressure threshold set by the threshold setting unit41′. In the case where the contact pressure on the operation surface of the touchpad6is less than the pressure threshold, the determination unit42determines that the input operation is an operation error, and does not output the input signal corresponding to the input operation.

An input control method performed by the laptop PC will be described below, with reference toFIG. 11. For example, the start of this process is triggered by the start of the laptop PC.

First, whether a touch on the operation surface of the touchpad6is detected is determined (SB1). In the case where a touch is not detected (SB1: NO), step SB1is repeated until a touch is detected. In the case where a touch is detected (SB1: YES), whether the trackpoint is in use is determined (SB2). In the case where the trackpoint is not in use (SB2: NO), the third pressure threshold C (e.g. default value) is set (SB3), and whether the contact pressure is greater than or equal to the third pressure threshold C is determined (SB4). In the case where the contact pressure is greater than or equal to the third pressure threshold C (SB4: YES), e.g. in the case where the touchpad6is pressed with a pressure greater than or equal to the third pressure threshold C as a result of the user performing a click operation intentionally, it is determined that the input operation is a click operation, and a click signal is output (SB5). The process then returns to step SB1.

In the case where it is determined in step SB4that the contact pressure is less than the third pressure threshold C, it is determined that the input operation is an input operation due to cursor movement or the like and is not a click operation, and the process returns to step SB1without outputting a click signal.

In the case where the trackpoint is in use in step SB2(SB2: YES), the fourth pressure threshold D higher than the third pressure threshold C (e.g. default value) is set to decrease the input sensitivity (SB6). Following this, whether the contact pressure is greater than or equal to the fourth pressure threshold D is determined (SB7). In the case where the contact pressure is less than the fourth pressure threshold D (SB7: NO), it is determined that the input operation is an operation error, and the process returns to step SB1without outputting an input signal (click signal) corresponding to the input operation. In the case where the contact pressure is greater than or equal to the fourth pressure threshold D in step SB7(SB7: YES), it is determined that the input operation is a click operation, and a click signal is output (SB8). The process then returns to step SB1.

As described above, with the information processing apparatus and the input control method according to this embodiment, a different pressure threshold is set depending on whether the trackpoint is in use, so that the input sensitivity can be changed depending on whether the trackpoint is in use. Specifically, the probability of an operation error tends to be higher in the case where the trackpoint is in use than in the case where the trackpoint is not in use. Accordingly, in the case where the trackpoint is in use, the pressure threshold of the contact pressure is set to be higher than in the case where the trackpoint is not in use, to decrease the input sensitivity. This makes it possible to prevent an input error caused by use of the trackpoint.

In the second embodiment, the operation surface of the touchpad6may be virtually divided into a plurality of regions and the pressure threshold may be set for each of the regions, as in the first embodiment. In this case, at least one of the regions may be selected and a higher pressure threshold may be set in the selected region than in the other regions.

In the case where the trackpoint7is in use, for example, a region in which the user unintentionally touches the touchpad6differs depending on the dominant hand of the user, as illustrated inFIG. 12. For example, in the case where the user is left-handed, the user tends to use the trackpoint7with the left hand as illustrated inFIG. 12, so that the probability of an input error is higher in the left region from the center on the operation surface of the touchpad6. It is therefore preferable to set, in the case where the user is left-handed, the pressure threshold in the left region to be higher than the pressure threshold in the right region. Likewise, it is preferable to set, in the case where the user is right-handed, the pressure threshold in the right region to be higher than the pressure threshold in the left region. By setting the pressure threshold in the region corresponding to the dominant hand of the user to be higher than the pressure threshold in the region not corresponding to the dominant hand in the case where the trackpoint7is in use in this way, an input error by the user is expected to be further prevented.FIG. 13illustrates an example of virtual division of the operation surface of the touchpad6in such a case.FIG. 14illustrates an example of pressure threshold information in the case where the operation surface is divided as illustrated inFIG. 13.

As a dominant hand determination method, for example, dominant hand information set by the user may be stored in a storage unit and used to determine the dominant hand.

Alternatively, the dominant hand may be determined based on the operation history of the trackpoint7. As an example, the dominant hand may be determined based on the tendency of a strain value detected by a strain sensor included in the trackpoint7. For example, the feature of the strain value acquired by the strain sensor differs between a right-handed person, i.e. a person who mainly operates the trackpoint7with the right hand, and a left-handed person, i.e. a person who mainly operates the trackpoint7with the left hand. Hence, the dominant hand may be determined depending on whether the history information of the strain value acquired by the strain sensor indicates history of strain value specific to a right-handed person or history of strain value specific to a left-handed person.

Moreover, the dominant hand may be determined based on the contact distribution of the touchpad6during the time when the user is operating the trackpoint7. For example, while the user is operating the trackpoint7, a distribution of contact corresponding to an area greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold on the touchpad6is acquired, and the side on which such contact has occurred a larger number of times is determined as the dominant hand. After determining the dominant hand in this way, the pressure threshold in the region corresponding to the dominant hand is set to be higher than the pressure threshold in the region not corresponding to the dominant hand as described above.

The present invention is not limited to these dominant hand determination methods, and other methods may be used.

While the present invention has been described by way of the foregoing embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments. Various changes or modifications can be made to the foregoing embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention, and such changes or modifications are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. The foregoing embodiments may also be combined as appropriate.

The processing flows illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 11in the foregoing embodiments are examples, and omission of unnecessary steps, addition of new steps, and change of processing order may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Although the foregoing embodiments describe the case where the information processing apparatus is a laptop PC, the present invention is not limited to such, and the information processing apparatus may be a desktop PC, a tablet PC, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS