Patent Publication Number: US-2015067561-A1

Title: Electronic apparatus, method and storage medium

Description:
FIELD 
     Embodiments of the present invention relate to an electronic apparatus, a method, and a storage medium. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Generally, an electronic apparatus including a touch input module as a pointing device is known. Examples of such an electronic apparatus are a notebook personal computer including a touchpad on the top surface of a body housing, a tablet computer including a touchpanel display, a smartphone, etc. 
     In executing an application program on such an electronic apparatus, depending on the application program, it is sometimes required to perform a fine operation on a touch input module provided for the electronic apparatus. 
     Here, it is assumed that an application program for reproducing video or music content (hereinafter referred to as a content reproduction application program) on an electronic apparatus is executed. In this case, when a function concerning content reproduction (for example, volume adjustment) is used, a fine operation is often performed on a touch input module (touchpad or touchpanel display). 
     However, a fine operation on the touch input module as described above is complicated for a user. Further, in reproducing video content, etc., a user sometimes wishes to adjust display brightness. However, since the brightness (adjustment) is managed by an operating system (OS), performing brightness adjustment is also troublesome. 
     Therefore, a mechanism which enables a function in accordance with an application program executing on an electronic apparatus to be used easily with a touch input module is desired. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A general architecture that implements the various features of the embodiments will now be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrate the embodiments and not to limit the scope of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing an appearance of an electronic apparatus of an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram showing a system structure of a computer  10 . 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram for schematically explaining a relationship between an OS and a function assignment program of the present embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart showing procedure of function assignment processing of the present embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is an illustration for specifically explaining a function assigned to a touchpad  16 . 
         FIG. 6  is an illustration for specifically explaining a function assigned to the touchpad  16 . 
         FIG. 7  is an illustration for specifically explaining a function assigned to the touchpad  16 . 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart showing procedure of function cancellation processing of the present embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments will be hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     An electronic apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a touch input module, a display, a control module, a detection module, and a function assignment module. The control module is configured to make a selected window displayed on the display active. The detection module is configured to detect an application program corresponding to the active window. The function assignment module is configured to assign a function in accordance with an application program detected by the detection module to the touch input module. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing an appearance of an electronic apparatus according to the present embodiment. Here, it is assumed that the electronic apparatus is realized as a notebook personal computer (PC)  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the computer  10  is comprised of a computer main body  11  and a display unit  12 . A liquid crystal display (LCD)  17  is incorporated into the display unit  12 . The display unit  12  is attached to the computer main body  11  such that it is rotatably movable between an open position at which the top surface of the computer main body  11  is exposed and a closed position at which the top surface of the computer main body  11  is covered. 
     The computer main body  11  includes a thin box-like housing. On top of the housing, a keyboard  13 , a power button  14  for powering on/off the computer  10 , an input operation panel  15 , a touchpad  16 , speakers  18 A and  18 B, etc., are arranged. On the input operation panel  15 , various operation buttons are provided. 
     Further, on the right side surface of the computer main body  11 , a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector  19  is provided. Various peripheral devices, such as a USB memory, can be connected to the USB connector  19 . 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram showing a system structure of the computer  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the computer  10  includes a CPU  101 , a system controller  102 , a main memory  103 , a graphics processing unit (GPU)  104 , a video RAM (VRAM)  104 A, a sound controller  105 , a BIOS-ROM  106 , a LAN controller  107 , a hard disk drive (HDD)  108 , an optical disk drive (ODD)  109 , a USB controller  110 A, a card controller  110 B, a wireless LAN controller  111 , an embedded controller/keyboard controller (EC/KBC)  112 , an EEPROM  113 , etc. 
     The CPU  101  is a processor for controlling the operation of each component in the computer  10 . The CPU  101  executes an operating system (OS), various utility programs, and various application programs which are loaded into the main memory  103  from the HDD  108 . 
     The various utility programs executed by the CPU  101  in the present embodiment includes a utility program for assignment functions (hereinafter referred to as a function assignment program) in accordance with the various application programs launched on the computer  10  to the touchpad (touch input module)  16 . Further, the touchpad  16  is generally used as a pointing device which can operate a pointer (mouse pointer) displayed on the display (LCD  17 ) in accordance with the user&#39;s finger sliding (swipe) operation. 
     The CPU  101  also executes a Basic Input Output System (BIOS) stored in the BIOS-ROM  106 . The BIOS is a program for hardware control. 
     The system controller  102  is a bridge device which connects between the CPU  101  and each component. The system controller  102  incorporates a serial ATA controller for controlling the HDD  108  and the ODD  109 . Further, the system controller  102  executes communication with each device on a Low PIN Count (LPC) bus. 
     The GPU  104  is a display controller for controlling the LCD  17  used as a display monitor of the computer  10 . The GPU  104  generates a display signal (LVDS signal) to be supplied to the LCD  17  from display data stored in the video RAM (VRAM)  104 A. The display signal generated by the GPU  104  is transmitted to the LCD  17 . 
     The sound controller  105  is a sound source device and outputs audio data to be reproduced to the speakers  18 A and  18 B. 
     The LAN controller  107  is a cable communication device which executes cable communication conforming to the IEEE 802.3 standard, for example. On the other hand, the wireless LAN controller  111  is a wireless communication device which executes wireless communication conforming to the IEEE 802.11 standard, for example. 
     The USB controller  110 A executes communication with an external device connected via the USB connector  19 . 
     The card controller  110 B executes writing of data in a memory card inserted into a card slot provided on the computer main body  11 , and reading of data from the memory card. The EC/KBC  112  is a one-chip microcomputer in which an embedded controller for power management and a keyboard controller for controlling the keyboard  13  and the touchpad  16  are integrated. The EC/KBC  112  has the function of powering on/off the computer  10  in accordance with the operation of the power button  14  by a user. 
     Next, with reference to  FIG. 3 , a relationship between the OS and the aforementioned function assignment program of the present embodiment will be described schematically. 
     Here, an OS  201  is software which provides functions used in common by various application programs  203  that run on the computer  10 , and manages the whole of computer system. 
     Further, in a broad sense, the OS  201  includes a window system. The window system assigns specific regions (windows) for application programs  203  launched on the computer  10 , respectively. That is, when one of the application programs  203  which needs to be displayed to a user is launched on the computer  10  as described above, a window corresponding to this application program  203  is displayed. Further, the window system executes the control of making the window displayed on the display and selected by the user active. 
     By such a window system, a user can operate each of the application programs which are simultaneously displayed in their own windows. Further, a window is generally a rectangular region. 
     A function assignment program  202  is a utility program (software) for causing the CPU  101  (computer) to be operated as a detection module  202   a , a function assignment module  202   b , a function cancellation module  202   c , and an operation instruction module  202   d.    
     The detection module  202   a  monitors a window in an active state (hereinafter referred to as an “active window”) of the windows displayed on the display. The active window is a window which is a target of input or operation by the user in a multi-window environment that a plurality of windows can be displayed simultaneously. 
     In this case, the detection module  202   a  sends an inquiry about the active window to the OS  201 , and acquires the type of application program  203  (application type) corresponding to the active window via the OS  201 . By doing so, the detection module  202   a  detects the (type of) application program  203  corresponding to the active window. 
     The function assignment module  202   b  holds information (hereinafter referred to as the “function information”) inside the module  202  in advance. The function information shows the function in accordance with the (type of) application program  203  that runs on the computer  10  (namely, the function assigned to the touchpad  16  in accordance with the executed application). 
     The function assignment module  202   b  assigns the function in accordance with the application program  203  to the touchpad  16  based on the application program  203  detected by the detection module  202   a  and the function information. 
     After the function in accordance with the application program  203  has been assigned to the touchpad  16  as stated above, the function cancellation module  202   c  cancels the function assigned to the touchpad  16  in accordance with a user&#39;s predetermined operation on the touchpad  16 . When the function assigned to the touchpad  16  is cancelled, the touchpad  16  is used as a pointing device having the function of operating a pointer displayed on a display monitor. 
     The operation instruction module  202   d  provides an instruction based on a user&#39;s operation on the touchpad  16  to the OS  201  or various application  203 . 
     To be specific, when a function in accordance with the application program  203  is assigned to the touchpad  16  by the function assignment module  202   b  as stated above, the operation instruction module  202   d  converts the substance of operation on the touchpad  16  (namely, a trajectory of a user&#39;s finger sliding on the touchpad  16 ) into instruction information corresponding to the assigned function, and passes the instruction information to the OS  201  or the application program  203 . 
     When the function assigned to the touchpad  16  is cancelled by the function cancellation module  202   c  (namely, when the touchpad  16  is used as a pointing device which operates a pointer), the operation instruction module  202   d  passes the substance of operation on the touchpad  16  to the OS  201  or the application program  203 . 
     Next, an operation of the computer  10  according to the present embodiment will be explained. In the computer  10  according to the present embodiment, processing of assigning a function in accordance with the application program  203  launched on the computer  10  (hereinafter referred to as “function assignment processing”) and processing of cancelling a function assigned to the touchpad  16  (hereinafter referred to as “function cancellation processing”) are executed. These types of processing will now be explained. 
     Firstly, with reference to a flowchart of  FIG. 4 , the processing procedure of the function assignment processing of the present embodiment will be described. The function assignment processing is executed by the detection module  202   a  and the function assignment module  202   b  shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     The detection module  202   a  monitors an active window of the windows displayed on the display (step S 1 ). At this time, the detection module  202   a  sends an inquiry to the OS  201 . 
     When the application program  203  is launched on the computer  10  and an active window exists, the function assignment module  202   a  acquires the type of application program  203  corresponding to the active window via the OS  201  (step S 2 ). For convenience, the application program  203  corresponding to the active window is referred to as a target application program  203 . 
     Next, the function assignment module  202   b  acquires function information indicating the function corresponding to the type of acquired target application program  203  (hereinafter referred to as the “target function”) (step S 3 ). It is assumed that the function information is held inside the function assignment module  202   b  in advance as stated above. 
     The function assignment module  202   b  assigns the target function indicated by the acquired function information to the touchpad  16  (step S 4 ). Further, as will be described later, the target function to be assigned to the touchpad  16  (namely, the function in accordance with the target application program  203 ) may be more than one. 
     Once the target function is assigned to the touchpad  16 , the fact that the target function has been assigned to the touchpad  16  is stored (set) in a predetermined area of a memory, for example. 
     Here, with reference to  FIGS. 5 to 7 , the function to be assigned to the touchpad  16  will be explained specifically. Here, an explanation will be given assuming that the target application program  203  is an application program  203  for reproducing content including video (or music) (hereinafter referred to as a “content reproduction application program”). 
     In this case, a function for reproducing the content in the content reproduction application program  203  (hereinafter referred to as a “content reproduction function”), for example, is assigned to the touchpad  16 . In the content reproduction function, for example, the function of performing fast-forward reproduction and fast-rewind reproduction of content, volume adjustment during reproduction of the content, and brightness adjustment of a display during reproduction of the content is included. 
     More specifically, in an area  16   a  included in the touchpad  16  shown in  FIG. 5  (namely, the lower area of the upper and lower divided areas of the touchpad  16 ), the function of executing fast-forward reproduction of content in the content reproduction application program  203  in accordance with a left-to-right finger sliding operation by a user (operation of brushing the user&#39;s finger rightward), for example, is assigned. In the area  16   a  included in the touchpad  16  to which such a function is assigned, when an operation of sliding the user&#39;s finger from left to right is made, instruction information for instructing the fast-forward reproduction of the content is passed from the operation instruction module  202   d  to the OS  201  or the content reproduction application program  203 . In this way, fast-forward reproduction of content in the content reproduction application program  203  is performed. 
     On the other hand, in the area  16   a  included in the touchpad  16 , the function of executing fast-rewind reproduction of content in the content reproduction application program  203  in accordance with a right-to-left finger sliding operation by a user (operation of brushing the user&#39;s finger leftward), for example, is assigned. In the area  16   a  included in the touchpad  16  to which such a function is assigned, when an operation of sliding the user&#39;s finger from right to left is made, instruction information for instructing the fast-rewind reproduction of the content is passed from the operation instruction module  202   d  to the OS  201  or the content reproduction application program  203 . In this way, fast-rewind reproduction of content in the content reproduction application program  203  is performed. 
     Further, in an area  16   b  included in the touchpad  16  shown in  FIG. 6  (namely, the right area of the right and left divided areas of the touchpad  16 ), the function of lowering a volume in reproducing the content in the content reproduction application program  203  in accordance with a top-to-bottom finger sliding operation by a user (operation of brushing the user&#39;s finger downward), for example, is assigned. In the area  16   b  included in the touchpad  16  to which such a function is assigned, when an operation of sliding the user&#39;s finger from top to bottom is made, instruction information for instructing the lowering of the volume in content reproduction is passed from the operation instruction module  202   d  to the OS  201  or the content reproduction application program  203 . In this way, a volume in reproducing content in the content reproduction application program  203  is lowered. 
     On the other hand, in the area  16   b  included in the touchpad  16 , the function of increasing a volume in reproducing the content in the content reproduction application program  203  in accordance with a bottom-to-top finger sliding operation by a user (operation of brushing the user&#39;s finger upward), for example, is assigned. In the area  16   b  included in the touchpad  16  to which such a function is assigned, when an operation of sliding the user&#39;s finger from bottom to top is made, instruction information for instructing the increasing of the volume in content reproduction is passed from the operation instruction module  202   c  to the OS  201  or the content reproduction application program  203 . In this way, a volume in reproducing content in the content reproduction application program  203  is increased. 
     Further, in an area  16   c  included in the touchpad  16  shown in  FIG. 7  (namely, the left area of the right and left divided areas of the touchpad  16 ), the function of lowering (dimming) brightness of a display monitor (dimming the display monitor) in reproducing the content in the content reproduction application program  203  in accordance with a top-to-bottom finger sliding operation by a user (operation of brushing the user&#39;s finger downward), for example, is assigned. In the area  16   c  included in the touchpad  16  to which such a function is assigned, when an operation of sliding the user&#39;s finger from top to bottom is made, instruction information for instructing the lowering of brightness of the display monitor in content reproduction is passed from the operation instruction module  202   d  to the OS  201  or the content reproduction application program  203 . In this way, brightness of the display in reproducing the content in the content reproduction application program  203  is lowered. 
     On the other hand, in the area  16   c  included in the touchpad  16 , the function of increasing brightness of a display monitor (brightening the display monitor) in reproducing the content in the content reproduction application program  203  in accordance with a bottom-to-top finger sliding operation by a user (operation of brushing the user&#39;s finger upward), for example, is assigned. In the area  16   c  included in the touchpad  16  to which such a function is assigned, when an operation of sliding the user&#39;s finger from bottom to top is made, instruction information for instructing the increasing of brightness of the display monitor in content reproduction is passed from the operation instruction module  202   d  to the OS  201  or the content reproduction application program  203 . In this way, brightness of the display in reproducing the content in the content reproduction application program  203  is increased. 
     As stated above, in the examples shown in  FIGS. 5 to 7 , instruction information corresponding to the user&#39;s finger sliding operation related to the function assigned to (each of the areas  16   a  to  16   c  included in) the touchpad  16  is passed to the OS  201  or the content reproduction application program  203 . By this structure, the user can use the content reproduction function with the touchpad  16 . 
     Further, in the examples shown in  FIGS. 5 to 7 , by assigning a plurality of functions (different functions) in accordance with the content reproduction application program  203  to the areas  16   a  to  16   c  included in the touchpad  16 , it is possible to use several functions on the touchpad  16 . 
     Here, it has been explained that a different function is assigned to each of the areas  16   a  to  16   c  included in the touchpad  16 . However, the areas  16   a  to  16   c  may be structured such that the function is assigned to only one or two of those areas. 
     Further, with reference to  FIGS. 5 to 7 , it has been explained that fast-forward reproduction and fast-rewind reproduction of content, volume adjustment, and adjustment of display brightness are merely carried out in accordance with right and left or up and down slide operation. However, it is also possible to configure to vary the degree of fast-forward reproduction and fast-rewind reproduction, volume adjustment, and display brightness adjustment according to a distance of slide operation (finger sliding distance), for example. 
     The functions to be assigned to (areas  16   a  to  16   c  included in) the touchpad  16  are not limited to the above. For example, the functions of reproducing or stopping content and changing the window sizes may be assigned. 
     Further, while the content reproduction application program  203  has been explained, the same holds true for an application program  203  which differs in a type from the content reproduction application program  203 . That is, by storing function information indicating the function in accordance with the application program  203  in the function assignment module  202   b , the function in accordance with the application program  203  can be used by the touchpad  16 . Specifically, in the case of an application program  203  for reading an electronic book, it is possible to assign the function of turning a page or the like to the touchpad  16  in accordance with the user&#39;s slide operation. In addition, in an application program  203  which displays a still image, it is possible to assign the function of making enlarged display or reduced display, etc., of the still image to the touchpad  16  in accordance with the user&#39;s slide operation. 
     If the function information indicating the function corresponding to the type of the target application program  203  is not stored in the function assignment module  202   b  (for example, when the target application program  203  is not a content reproduction application program), the function of operating a pointer displayed on a display monitor (hereinafter referred to as the “pointer operation function”) is assigned to the touchpad  16  (namely, the function of the touchpad  16  is not changed). 
     Further, the function assignment processing described above (monitoring of an active window of step S 1  shown in  FIG. 4 ) is executed for each predetermined period (certain period). By doing so, it is possible to switch the function assigned to the touchpad  16  every time (the application program corresponding to) the active window is switched. More specifically, after the content reproduction function has been assigned to the touchpad  16  as stated above, if the application program  203  corresponding to the active window is switched to an application program  203  other than a content reproduction application program, it is possible to automatically switch the function assigned to the touchpad  16  to a pointer operation function, for example (or the function in accordance with the switched application program  203 ). 
     Next, with reference to a flowchart of  FIG. 8 , procedure of a function cancellation processing in the present embodiment will be described. The function cancellation processing is executed by the function cancellation module  202   c  shown in  FIG. 3 . Here, in step S 4  shown in  FIG. 4  mentioned above, it is assumed that the target function (for example, the content reproduction function) is assigned to the touchpad  16 . 
     In the above situation, it is assumed that a predetermined operation for cancelling the content reproduction function assigned to the touchpad  16  (hereinafter referred to as the “function cancellation operation”) has been carried out by a user on the touchpad  16 . The function cancellation operation is defined in advance, and includes an operation of tapping a predetermined area of the touchpad  16 , for example. 
     In this case, the function cancellation module  202   c  detects a user&#39;s function cancellation operation for the touchpad  16  (step S 11 ). 
     When the function cancellation operation is detected, the function cancellation module  202   c  cancels the content reproduction function assigned to the touchpad  16  (step S 12 ). If the content reproduction function is cancelled as described above, the touchpad  16  is used as a pointing device having the function of operating a pointer displayed on a display (the pointer operation function). (Namely, the function of the touchpad  16  is returned to the pointer operation function from the content reproduction function.) 
     Meanwhile, if the function cancellation operation is not detected, the processing of step S 12  is not executed, and the content reproduction function assigned to the touchpad  16  is maintained. 
     Further, as described above, the function assignment processing (monitoring of an active window) is executed for each predetermined period. Therefore, even when the content reproduction function was cancelled by the function cancellation processing, for example, if the active window is not switched, the content reproduction function (the function in accordance with the content reproduction application program corresponding to the active window) is to be assigned again as the function assignment processing is executed after a lapse of predetermined time. Accordingly, even if the content reproduction function has been cancelled, it is possible to use the content reproduction function on the touchpad  16  once again. 
     As described above, in the present embodiment, by a structure which detects the application program  203  corresponding to the active window and assigns the function in accordance with the detected application program  203  to the touchpad  16 , it becomes possible to easily use the function in accordance with the application program  203  executed on the computer  10  with the touchpad  16 . 
     Further, in the present embodiment, by assigning a plurality of functions to respective areas in the touchpad  16 , it becomes possible to use a plurality of functions by using the touchpad  16 . 
     That is, according to the present embodiment, if the application program  203  is the content reproduction application program  203  (application program for reproducing content including video or music, etc.), for example, it becomes possible to easily perform fast-forward reproduction and fast-rewind reproduction, volume adjustment, brightness adjustment, etc., with the touchpad  16  while reproducing the content (during media reproduction). 
     Further, in the present embodiment, by cancelling the function assigned to the touchpad  16  in accordance with a user&#39;s predetermined operation (function cancellation operation) for the touchpad  16 , even if the function in accordance with the application program  203  was assigned to the touchpad  16 , it is possible to cancel the assigned function and use the pointer operation function (the function of operating a pointer displayed on a display) on the touchpad  16 . Accordingly, it is possible to use a function which a user desires on the touchpad  16 . 
     In the present embodiment, it has been described that a function according to the type of application program  203  corresponding to the active window is automatically assigned to the touchpad  16 . However, the electronic apparatus may be structured such that a function according to the type of application program  203  is assigned to the touchpad  16  only when the application program  203  corresponding to the active window is the application program set in advance. In contrast, the electronic apparatus may be structured such that a function according to the type of application program  203  is not assigned to the touchpad  16  when the application program  203  corresponding to the active window is the application program set in advance. By setting the application program  203  as such by a user, it is possible to prevent the function of the touchpad  16  from being switched without the user&#39;s intent. 
     It is also possible to adopt a structure such that a user can customize the function assigned to the touchpad  16  for each (type of) application program  203 . In this case, a plurality of functions to be assigned to the touchpad  16  are prepared for each application program  203 , and a user is allowed to select a desired function from the plurality of functions. 
     Further, as has been explained with reference to  FIGS. 5 to 7 , in the present embodiment, different functions can be assigned to areas  16   a  to  16   c , respectively. However, it is also possible to adopt a structure such that a user adjusts (sets) the range of each of the areas  16   a  to  16   c . By adopting such a structure, the function assigned to the touchpad  16  can be serviceable for a user. 
     Furthermore, the electronic apparatus according to the present embodiment has mainly been described to be the notebook personal computer  10  including the touchpad  16 . However, the electronic apparatus according to the present embodiment may be any type of apparatus as long as it includes a touch input module. More specifically, the electronic apparatus may be devices such as a smartphone or a tablet computer including a touchpanel display as a touch input module. In this case, a function in accordance with the application program  203  is assigned to (a predetermined area included in) a touchpanel display, and a user can use that function by operating the touchpanel display in the same way as that explained with reference to  FIGS. 5 to 7 , for example. By this feature, a user can similarly use the function in accordance with the application program  203  without performing a fine operation in a device such as a smartphone or a tablet. 
     In addition, if an electronic apparatus includes both the touchpanel display and the touchpad  16 , for example, it is possible to realize a structure in which a function in accordance with the application program  203  is assigned to the touchpad  16  as described in the present embodiment, and the other functions can be used on the touchpanel display. 
     Since the processing of the present embodiment can be realized by a computer program, it is possible to easily realize an advantage similar to that of the present embodiment by installing a computer program on a computer by way of a computer-readable storage medium storing the computer program, and executing this computer program. 
     While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiment described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.