Patent Publication Number: US-2011076951-A1

Title: Information processing apparatus

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     The present disclosure relates to the subject matters contained in Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-228905 filed on Sep. 30, 2009, which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     One exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to an information processing apparatus having a wireless communication function. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Measures for preventing occurrence of human errors in making operations are taken in electronic apparatuses. 
     For example, a time taken from a request for staring a processing until starting the processing is controlled according to a level of risk. A related art requests a user to continue to press a button for a longer time than usual when the processing is considered riskier. For example, in an automated teller machine (ATM), when a large amount of money is to be handled, a transition to the next processing is prohibited unless the user continues to press an enter button for a given time. Setting a longer operation time for riskier processing gives the user an opportunity to reconsider whether the operations are proper and no error is made (For example, please see JP-A-2008-225839 (KOKAI)). 
     In recent years, electronic apparatuses having a short-range wireless communication function have become widely used. There are various standards that relate to the short-range wireless communication, and among them there is a standard in which a wireless communication is started when it is detected that a counterpart communication apparatus is entered into a communication range. In this scheme, it is not necessary to search for, select, or authenticate a communication partner and a communication can be established merely by bringing two communication apparatuses close to each other. 
     In the above-described wireless communication scheme, a wireless communication can be started easily. However, the wireless communication is started even when the user inadvertently brings two communication apparatuses close to each other. The wireless communication that is not intended by the user may cause leakage of data. Therefore, in the wireless communication scheme in which the wireless communication can be established when it is detected that the counterpart communication apparatus is entered into the communication range, it is necessary to impose another condition on establishment of the wireless communication. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A general configuration that implements the various features of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing an appearance of a personal computer according to exemplary embodiments; 
         FIG. 2  is a functional block diagram showing the personal computer according to the exemplary embodiments; 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart showing a communication control process according to a first exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart showing a communication control process according to a second exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing a communication control process according to a third exemplary embodiment; and 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing a communication control process according to a fourth exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be hereinafter described with reference to  FIGS. 1-6 . The exemplary embodiments are directed to a personal computer  1  which is an example information processing apparatus.  FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing an appearance of the personal computer  1  according to the exemplary embodiments. 
     The personal computer  1  is provided with a main unit  2  and a display unit  3  which are connected to each other by hinges  4  so as to be rotatable with respect to each other. For example, the display unit  3  incorporates a display device  3   a  which is a liquid crystal display (LCD). 
     The main unit  2  is provided with a main housing  2   a , a keyboard  5 , a touch pad  6 , a power switch  7 , a communication module  8 , and a button  9 . 
     The main housing  2   a  has a thin box shape and houses various electronic components, disc drives, etc. A top surface of the main housing  2   a  is provided with input devices such as the keyboard  5  and the touch pad  6 . 
     The keyboard  5  is an input device that is provided in the top surface of the main housing  2   a . A signal corresponding to an operation key of the keyboard  5  is output to individual units. A given key of the keyboard  5  is used for making an instruction to start a wireless communication that is to be performed by the communication module  8 . 
     The touch pad  6  is a pointing device that is provided in the top surface of the main housing  2   a . A signal corresponding to an operation of the touch pad  6  is output to individual units. 
     The power switch  7  generates a control signal for powering on or off the personal computer  1  in response to an operation by the user. 
     The communication module  8  is a module for performing the wireless communication with a communication apparatus  10  which is, for example, a digital camera or a cell phone having a wireless communication function. The communication module  8  performs data communication of a video, music, or the like with the communication apparatus  10  by the wireless communication. The wireless communication is established when the communication apparatus  10  is entered into a communication range and is detected. That is, the communication module  8  can establish the wireless communication without searching for, select, or authenticate a communication partner. A communication distance of the wireless communication is assumed to be several centimeters, and the wireless communication is performed with the communication apparatus  10  that is placed on a portion of the main housing  2   a  which corresponds to the communication module  8 . 
     The button  9  is an input device for making an instruction to start the wireless communication. 
       FIG. 2  is a functional block diagram showing the personal computer  1  according to the exemplary embodiments. The personal computer  1  is provided with the display device  3   a , the keyboard  5 , the touch pad  6 , the power switch  7 , the communication module  8 , the button  9 , a central processing unit (CPU)  14 , a northbridge  15 , a main memory  16 , a graphics controller  17 , a video random access memory (VRAM)  18 , a southbridge  19 , a hard disk drive (HDD)  20 , a basic input/output system read only memory (BIOS-ROM)  21 , an embedded controller/keyboard controller (EC/KBC)  22 , a power controller  23 , a battery  24 , and an alternating current (AC) adaptor  25 . 
     The display device  3   a  displays a video based on a video signal that is input from the graphics controller  17 . 
     The CPU  14 , which is a processor provided for controlling the operations of the personal computer  1 , performs an operating system and various application programs that are loaded into the main memory  16  from the HDD  20 . The CPU  14  also performs a system BIOS which is stored in the BIOS-ROM  21  after the system BIOS is loaded into the main memory  16 . The system BIOS is a program for hardware control. In the exemplary embodiments, the CPU  14  performs an application relating to the wireless communication and controls the wireless communication that is performed by the communication module  8 . 
     The northbridge  15  is a bridge device that connects a local bus of the CPU  14  and the southbridge  19 . The northbridge  15  incorporates a memory controller which access-controls the main memory  16 . The northbridge  15  also has a function of performing a communication with the graphics controller  17  via an accelerated graphics port (AGP) bus or the like. 
     The main memory  16  is a working memory for developing the operating system and the various application programs stored in the HDD  20  and the system BIOS stored in the BIOS-ROM  21 . 
     The graphics controller  17  is a display controller for controlling the display device  3   a  which is used as a display monitor of the personal computer  1 . The graphics controller  17  generates a video signal of a display image to be displayed on the display device  3   a  based on display data that is stored in the VRAM  18  by the operating system and the application program. 
     The southbridge  19  controls access to the BIOS-ROM  21  and also controls the disc drives (I/O devices) such as the HDD  20  and an optical disc drive (ODD). In the exemplary embodiments, the communication module  8  which performs the wireless communication with an external apparatus is connected to the southbridge  19 . 
     The HDD  20  is a storage device for storing the operating system, the various application programs, etc. In the exemplary embodiments, the application program relating to the wireless communication is stored in the HDD  20 . 
     The BIOS-ROM  21  is a rewritable nonvolatile memory for storing the system BIOS which is a program for the hardware control. 
     The EC/KBC  22  is a one-chip microcomputer for monitoring and controlling various devices (peripheral devices, sensors, a power circuit, etc.) irrespective of a system status of the personal computer  1 . That is, the EC/KBC  22  controls the input devices such as the keyboard  5  and the touch pad  6 . 
     When external power is supplied via the AC adaptor  25 , the power controller  23  generates system power to be supplied to the individual components of the personal computer  1  using the external power. When the external power is not supplied via the AC adaptor  25 , the power controller  23  generates system power to be supplied to the individual components of the personal computer  1  using the battery  24 . 
     Next, a first exemplary embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
     In the first exemplary embodiment, a wireless communication is started when a given time has elapsed in a state that the communication module  8  continues to detect the communication apparatus  10 . For example, when the user inadvertently brings the communication apparatus  10  close to the communication module  8 , usually the user immediately moves the communication apparatus  10  away from the communication module  8 . Accordingly, it is determined whether the user brings the communication apparatus  10  close to the communication module  8  to perform the wireless communication by determining whether a state that the communication apparatus  10  and the communication module  8  are close to each other continues for more than or equal to the given time. 
     That is, if the time for detecting the communication apparatus  10  in the communication module  8  is shorter than the given time, the wireless communication is not started by determining that the wireless communication is not intended. On the other hand, the time for detecting the communication apparatus  10  in the communication module  8  is longer than or equal to the given time, the wireless communication is started by determining that the communication apparatus  10  is kept close to the communication module  8  to perform the wireless communication. 
       FIG. 3  is a flowchart showing a communication control process according to the first exemplary embodiment. In the communication control process, the CPU  14  performs the application program relating to the wireless communication. 
     First, in step S 11 , the CPU  14  determines whether the communication module  8  detects the communication apparatus  10 , that is, whether the communication apparatus  10  exists within the communication distance of the communication module  8 . If it is determined that the communication apparatus  10  is not detected (NO in step S 11 ), the process returns to step S 11 . On the other hand, if it is determined that the communication module  8  detects the communication apparatus  10  (YES in step S 11 ), the CPU  14  determines in step S 12  whether the given time has elapsed in a state that the communication apparatus  10  continues to be detected. Time measurement is performed by, for example, a clock that is incorporated in the CPU  14 . 
     If it is determined that the given time has not elapsed yet in a state that the communication apparatus  10  continues to be detected (No in step S 12 ), the communication control process is finished. That is, the wireless communication is not performed by determining that the communication apparatus  10  is brought close to the communication module  8  accidentally by an erroneous action of the user rather than for the wireless communication. 
     On the other hand, if it is determined that the given time has elapsed in a state that the communication apparatus  10  continues to be detected (YES in step S 12 ), in step S 13  the CPU  14  establishes the wireless communication with the communication apparatus  10 . That is, the wireless communication is started by determining that the communication apparatus  10  is brought close to the communication module  8  for the wireless communication. It step S 13 , the user may be informed of starting the wireless communication by outputting a sound from speakers or lighting an indicator. 
     In step S 14 , the CPU  14  performs data communication with the communication apparatus  10 . For example, data stored in a specified folder of the communication apparatus  10  is transmitted to the personal computer  1  and the personal computer  1  stores the received data in the HDD  20 . 
     In step S 15 , the CPU  14  determines whether the data communication completes or not, that is, whether the data communication of all the data stored in the specified folder completes or not. 
     If it is determined that the data communication has not completed yet (No in step S 15 ), the process returns to step S 15 . On the other hand, if it is determined that the data communication has completed (YES in step S 15 ), the CPU  14  terminates the wireless communication. The communication control process according to the first exemplary embodiment is thus finished. 
     According to the first exemplary embodiment, since it is determined whether a state that the communication apparatus  10  is brought close to the communication module  8  is maintained for the given time, an event that the wireless communication with the communication apparatus  10  is started by an erroneous action of the user can be prevented. Therefore, it is possible to prevent data leakage due to execution of the wireless communication that is not intended by the user. 
     Next, a second exemplary embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 4  is a flowchart showing a communication control process according to the second exemplary embodiment. 
     In the second exemplary embodiment, a wireless communication is performed only during a period when a given key of the keyboard  5  or the button  9  is pressed in a state that the communication apparatus  10  is brought close to the communication module  8 . 
     First, in step S 21 , the CPU  14  determines whether the communication module  8  detects the communication apparatus  10 . If it is determined that the communication apparatus  10  is not detected (No in step S 21 ), the process returns to step S 21 . On the other hand, if it is determined that the communication module  8  detects the communication apparatus  10  (YES in step S 21 ), the CPU  14  determines in step S 22  whether a given key of the keyboard  5  or the button  9  is pressed or not. The user may be either caused to recognize in advance that the wireless communication is performed only during a period when the given key of the keyboard  5  or the button  9  is pressed or caused to recognize that each time by displaying a screen that prompts pressing of the given key or the button  9 . 
     If it is determined that the given key or the button  9  is not pressed (No in step S 22 ), the communication control process is finished. That is, the wireless communication is not performed by determining that the communication apparatus  10  is brought close to the communication module  8  accidentally by an erroneous action of the user rather than for the wireless communication. 
     On the other hand, if it is determined that the given key or the button  9  is pressed (YES in step S 22 ), in step S 23  the CPU  14  establishes the wireless communication with the communication apparatus  10 . 
     In step S 24 , the CPU  14  performs data communication with the communication apparatus  10 . In step S 25 , the CPU  14  determines whether the given key or the button  9  continues to be pressed. That is, continuous pressing of the given key or the button  9  is a condition for continuation of the wireless communication. The wireless communication is performed only during a period when the given key or the button  9  is pressed. 
     If it is determined that the continuation of the pressing of the given key or the button  9  has finished (No in step S 25 ), the process moves to step S 27 . On the other hand, if it is determined that the given key or the button  9  continues to be pressed (YES in step S 25 ), in step S 26  the CPU  14  determines whether the data communication has completed or not. 
     If it is determined that the data communication has not completed yet (NO in step S 26 ), the process returns to step S 24 . On the other hand, if it is determined that the data communication has completed (YES in step S 26 ), the CPU  14  terminates the wireless communication. The communication control process according to the second exemplary embodiment is thus finished. 
     According to the second exemplary embodiment, since pressing of the given key of the keyboard  5  or the button  9  in a state that the communication apparatus  10  is brought close to the communication module  8  is employed as a condition for continuation of the wireless communication, an event that the wireless communication is performed by an erroneous action of the user can be prevented. That is, according to the second exemplary embodiment, execution of the wireless communication requires the user to perform two actions, that is, bringing the communication apparatus  10  close to the communication module  8  and continuing to press the given key or the button  9 . Therefore, it is possible to prevent the wireless communication that is not intended by the user. 
     Next, a third exemplary embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing a communication control process according to the third exemplary embodiment. 
     In the third exemplary embodiment, a wireless communication is performed only for a given time after a given key of the keyboard  5  or the button  9  is pressed in a state that the communication apparatus  10  is brought close to the communication module  8 . 
     First, in step S 31 , the CPU  14  determines whether the communication module  8  detects the communication apparatus  10 . If it is determined that the communication apparatus  10  is not detected (NO in step S 31 ), the process returns to step S 31 . On the other hand, if it is determined that the communication module  8  detects the communication apparatus  10  (YES in step S 31 ), the CPU  14  determines in step S 32  whether the given key of the keyboard  5  or the button  9  is pressed or not. 
     If it is determined that the given key or the button  9  is not pressed (NO in step S 32 ), the communication control process is finished. 
     On the other hand, if it is determined that the given key or the button  9  is pressed (YES in step S 32 ), in step S 33  the CPU  14  establishes the wireless communication with the communication apparatus  10 . A sound for notifying the user of the establishment of the wireless communication may be output. In step S 34 , the CPU  14  performs data communication with the communication apparatus  10 . 
     In step S 35 , the CPU  14  determines whether a given time has elapsed or not. Time measurement is performed by, for example, a clock that is incorporated in the CPU  14 . If it is determined that the given time has not elapsed yet (NO in step S 35 ), the process returns to step S 35 . On the other hand, if it is determined that the given time has elapsed (YES in step S 35 ), in step S 36  the CPU  14  determines whether the data communication has completed or not. If it is determined that the data communication has not completed yet (NO in step S 36 ), the process returns to step S 32 . On the other hand, if it is determined that the data communication has completed (YES in step S 36 ), the CPU  14  terminates the wireless communication. That is, the wireless communication is performed only for the given time after pressing the given key or the button  9 . The communication control process according to the third exemplary embodiment is thus finished. 
     According to the third exemplary embodiment, the wireless communication is enabled only for the given time after pressing the given key or the button  9 . That is, to start the wireless communication, the user is required to perform an action of pressing the given key or the button  9 . Therefore, it is possible to prevent the wireless communication that is not intended by the user. 
     Next, a fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing a communication control process according to the fourth exemplary embodiment. 
     In the fourth exemplary embodiment, a wireless communication is performed when execution of the wireless communication is selected in a screen displayed on the display unit  3  in a state that the communication apparatus  10  is brought close to the communication module  8 . 
     First, in step S 41 , the CPU  14  determines whether the communication module  8  detects the communication apparatus  10 . If it is determined that the communication apparatus  10  is not detected (NO in step S 41 ), the process returns to step S 41 . On the other hand, if it is determined that the communication module  8  detects the communication apparatus  10  (YES in step S 41 ), in step S 42  the CPU  14  displays a wireless communication start screen on the display unit  3 . More specifically, the CPU  14  displays the wireless communication start screen by controlling the graphics controller  17  to generate a video signal and outputting the generated video signal in the display device  3   a . The wireless communication start screen includes a button to be used for selecting whether the wireless communication is started or not. 
     In step S 43 , the CPU  14  determines whether a start of the wireless communication is selected in the wireless communication start screen. If it is determined that the start of the wireless communication is not selected (NO in step S 43 ), the communication control process is finished. That is, the wireless communication is not performed unless the start of the wireless communication is selected in the wireless communication start screen. 
     On the other hand, if it is determined that the start of the wireless communication is selected in the wireless communication start screen (YES in step S 43 ), in step S 44  the CPU  14  establishes the wireless communication with the communication apparatus  10 . In step S 45 , the CPU  14  performs data communication with the communication apparatus  10 . 
     In step S 46 , the CPU  14  determines whether the data communication has completed or not. If it is determined that the data communication has not completed yet (NO in step S 46 ), the process returns to step S 46 . On the other hand, if it is determined that the data communication has completed (YES in step S 46 ), the CPU  14  terminates the wireless communication with the communication apparatus  10 . The communication control process according to the fourth exemplary embodiment is thus finished. 
     According to the fourth exemplary embodiment, the wireless communication is enabled only when the start of the wireless communication is selected in the wireless communication start screen. That is, employing an operation on a screen displayed on the display device  3   a  as a condition that is necessary for the start of the wireless communication prevents execution of an unintended wireless communication and thereby prevents leakage of information. 
     Although in the fourth exemplary embodiment the wireless communication is performed when the button displayed on the display device  3   a  is operated, the invention is not limited to such a case. For example, a wireless communication may be performed while the button displayed on the display device  3   a  is kept operated or for a given time after operation of the button. 
     The present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments but various modifications of its component may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Also, the components disclosed in the embodiments may be assembled in any combination for embodying the present invention. For example, some of the components may be omitted from all the components disclosed in the embodiments. Further, components in different embodiments may be appropriately combined.