Patent Description:
In recent years, there has been known an information processing apparatus capable of inputting various information by touching on a display screen with an operation medium such as a pen (for example, see <CIT>).

However, in the information processing apparatus described above, for example, when application software (an application program, which is called an application below) is started, there is a need to select a list of applications to start an application after performing an operation to display the list of applications from an operation screen. Therefore, in the information processing apparatus described above, the operation to start the application is complicated and it is difficult to start the application quickly.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problem, and it is an object thereof to provide an information processing apparatus and a control method capable of simplifying an operation to start an application and starting the application quickly.

In order to solve the above problem, an information processing apparatus according to claim <NUM> and a control method according to claim <NUM> are provided.

The above aspect of the present invention can simplify an operation to start an application and start the application quickly.

<CIT> describes a control unit that determines a display region for displaying a list of applications from among a plurality of display regions of a display unit, on the basis of the structure of an information processing device, and displays the list of applications in the determined display region.

<CIT> describes dynamically positioned user interface controls. Subsequent to performing a calibration of a device, a post-calibration grip on the device is detected and at least one control element is displayed at a location of the display, wherein the location is based on the performed calibration and the detected post-calibration grip.

An information processing apparatus and a control method according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is an external view illustrating an example of a laptop PC <NUM> according to the present embodiment. Note that the laptop PC <NUM> will be described as an example of the information processing apparatus in the present embodiment.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the laptop PC <NUM> includes a first chassis <NUM>, a second chassis <NUM>, and a hinge mechanism <NUM>.

The first chassis <NUM> is a chassis having a display unit 14A and a touch sensor unit 33A, which is connected to the second chassis <NUM> through the hinge mechanism <NUM>. Note that a cover on one side of the first chassis <NUM> from which the display unit 14A is invisible (at the back of the display) is called A cover, and a cover on the other side of the first chassis <NUM> from which the display unit 14A is visible (on the display side) is called B cover.

The second chassis <NUM> is a chassis having a display unit 14B and a touch sensor unit 33B, which is connected to the first chassis <NUM> through the hinge mechanism <NUM>. A motherboard with main hardware of the laptop PC <NUM> mounted thereon is housed inside the second chassis <NUM>. Note that a cover on one side of the second chassis <NUM> from which the display unit 14B is visible (on the display side) is called C cover, and a cover on the other side of the second chassis <NUM> from which the display unit 14B is invisible (at the back of the display) is called D cover.

The hinge mechanism <NUM> (an example of a rotation mechanism) makes the first chassis <NUM> rotatable around a rotation axis AX relative to the second chassis <NUM> while coupling the first chassis <NUM> and the second chassis <NUM>.

The display unit 14A is a display unit placed on the first chassis <NUM> and having a display area AR1 (first display area). Further, the display unit 14B is a display unit placed on the second chassis <NUM> and having a display area AR2 (second display area).

In the present embodiment, the display unit 14A and the display unit 14B are collectively called a display unit <NUM>.

The touch sensor unit 33A is disposed to overlap the display unit 14A so as to detect that an operation medium such as an electronic pen <NUM> or a finger touches on a display screen (display area AR1) of the display unit 14A and to detect the touch position of the operation medium. Note that the touch sensor unit 33A can detect the position of the electronic pen <NUM> on the display screen (display area AR1) in a non-contact manner.

The touch sensor unit 33B is disposed to overlap the display unit 14B so as to detect that the operation medium such as the electronic pen <NUM> or the finger touches on a display screen (display area AR2) of the display unit 14B and to detect the touch position of the operation medium. Note that the touch sensor unit 33B can detect the position of the electronic pen <NUM> on the display screen (display area AR2) in a non-contact manner.

In the present embodiment, the touch sensor unit 33A and the touch sensor unit 33B are collectively called a touch sensor unit <NUM>.

Referring next to <FIG>, the main hardware configuration of the laptop PC <NUM> will be described.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of the main hardware configuration of the laptop PC <NUM> according to the present embodiment.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the laptop PC <NUM> includes a CPU <NUM>, a main memory <NUM>, a video subsystem <NUM>, the display unit <NUM>, a chipset <NUM>, a BIOS memory <NUM>, an HDD <NUM>, a USB connector <NUM>, an audio system <NUM>, a WLAN card <NUM>, the electronic pen <NUM>, an embedded controller <NUM>, a key input unit <NUM>, the touch sensor unit <NUM>, a power supply circuit <NUM>, and a sensor unit <NUM>.

The CPU (Central Processing Unit) <NUM> executes various kinds of arithmetic processing by program control to control the entire laptop PC <NUM>.

The main memory <NUM> is a writable memory used as reading areas of execution programs of the CPU <NUM> or working areas to which processing data of the execution programs are written. The main memory <NUM> is configured, for example, to include plural DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) chips. The execution programs include an OS (Operating System), various device drivers for hardware-operating peripheral devices, various services/utilities, application programs (application software), and the like.

The video subsystem <NUM> is a subsystem for realizing functions related to image display, which includes a video controller. This video controller processes a drawing command from the CPU <NUM>, writes processed drawing information into a video memory, and reads this drawing information from the video memory and outputs it to the display unit <NUM> as drawing data (display data).

The display unit <NUM> is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display to display a display screen based on the drawing data (display data) output from the video subsystem <NUM>. The display unit <NUM> includes the display unit 14A and the display unit 14B as illustrated in <FIG> described above, and has two or more display areas (AR1, AR2). In other words, the two or more display areas include the display area AR1 (first display area) and the display area AR2 (second display area).

The chipset <NUM> includes controllers, such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), serial ATA (AT Attachment), an SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) bus, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus, a PCI-Express bus, and an LPC (Low Pin Count) bus, and plural devices are connected to the chipset <NUM>. In <FIG>, the BIOS memory <NUM>, the HDD <NUM>, the USB connector <NUM>, the audio system <NUM>, the WLAN card <NUM>, and the embedded controller <NUM> are connected to the chipset <NUM> as examples of the devices.

The BIOS (Basic Input Output System) memory <NUM> is configured, for example, by an electrically rewritable nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) or a flash ROM. The BIOS memory <NUM> stores a BIOS and system firmware for controlling the embedded controller <NUM> and the like.

The HDD (Hard Disk Drive) <NUM> (an example of a nonvolatile storage device) stores the OS, various drivers, various services/utilities, application programs (which may be called applications below), and various data. The USB connector <NUM> is a connector for connecting peripheral devices using the USB.

The audio system <NUM> records, plays back, and outputs sound data.

The WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) card <NUM> is connected to a network by wireless LAN to perform data communication. For example, when receiving data from the network, the WLAN card <NUM> generates an event trigger indicating that data has been received.

The electronic pen <NUM> is a pen-like operation medium having a resonant circuit LC1. The electronic pen <NUM> is so configured that power is supplied to the electronic pen <NUM> by electromagnetic induction to a coil in the resonant circuit LC1 to be able to detect the position of the electronic pen <NUM> on the screen of the display unit <NUM> in a non-contact manner using the resonant circuit.

The embedded controller <NUM> is a one-chip microcomputer which monitors and controls various devices (peripheral devices, sensors, and the like) regardless of the system state of the laptop PC <NUM>. Further, the embedded controller <NUM> has a power management function to control the power supply circuit <NUM>. Note that the embedded controller <NUM> is composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, which are not illustrated, and equipped with multichannel A/D input terminal and D/A output terminal, a timer, and digital input/output terminals. To the embedded controller <NUM>, for example, the key input unit <NUM>, the touch sensor unit <NUM>, the power supply circuit <NUM>, the sensor unit <NUM>, and the like are connected through these input/output terminals, and the embedded controller <NUM> controls the operation of these units.

The key input unit <NUM> is an input device such as to include a power switch and the like.

The touch sensor unit <NUM> detects the position of the operation medium such as the electronic pen <NUM> or the finger on the screen of the display unit <NUM>, and a touch of the operation medium on the screen. For example, the touch sensor unit <NUM> detects that the electronic pen <NUM> (pen-like operation medium) has approached within a predetermined distance to the screen of the display unit <NUM>, and when the electronic pen <NUM> has approached within the predetermined distance to the screen, the touch sensor unit <NUM> can detect the position of the electronic pen <NUM> above the screen in a non-contact manner.

In the present embodiment, the touch sensor unit <NUM> includes the touch sensor unit 33A and the touch sensor unit 33B as illustrated in <FIG> described above. Further, the touch sensor unit <NUM> and the display unit <NUM> constitute a touch screen <NUM>.

Further, the touch sensor unit <NUM> includes a touch detection unit <NUM> and an electronic pen detection unit <NUM>.

The touch detection unit <NUM> is, for example, a capacitive touch sensor to detect the operation medium (such as the electronic pen <NUM> or the finger) touching on the screen of the display unit <NUM>, and detect the touch position of the operation medium.

The electronic pen detection unit <NUM> is, for example, an electromagnetic induction type touch sensor to detect the position of the electronic pen <NUM> on the screen of the display unit <NUM> in a non-contact manner by using the resonant circuit LC1 of the electronic pen <NUM>. For example, the electronic pen detection unit <NUM> can detect that the electronic pen <NUM> has approached within the predetermined distance to the screen of the display unit <NUM>.

Note that the touch sensor unit <NUM> can detect hovering as a state where the electronic pen <NUM> is stopped within the predetermined distance to the screen by having the touch detection unit <NUM> detect that the electronic pen <NUM> is not touching when the electronic pen detection unit <NUM> detects that the electronic pen <NUM> has approached within the predetermined distance to the screen of the display unit <NUM>.

The power supply circuit <NUM> includes, for example, a DC/DC converter, a charge/discharge unit, a battery unit, an AC/DC adapter, and the like to convert DC voltage supplied from the AC/DC adapter or the battery unit into plural voltages required to operate the laptop PC <NUM>. Further, the power supply circuit <NUM> supplies power to each unit of the laptop PC <NUM> under the control of the embedded controller <NUM>.

The sensor unit <NUM> is, for example, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, or the like to detect a screen display orientation indicative of a use state of the laptop PC <NUM>. For example, the sensor unit <NUM> detects the direction of gravitational acceleration to detect the screen display orientation of the laptop PC <NUM> (display unit <NUM>).

In the present embodiment, the CPU <NUM> and the chipset <NUM> described above correspond to a main control unit <NUM>. The main control unit <NUM> executes processing based on the OS (for example, Windows (registered trademark)).

Referring next to <FIG>, the functional configuration of the laptop PC <NUM> according to the present embodiment will be described.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the laptop PC <NUM> according to the present embodiment.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the laptop PC <NUM> includes the main control unit <NUM>, the touch screen <NUM>, the electronic pen <NUM>, the embedded controller <NUM>, the sensor unit <NUM>, and a storage unit <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the touch screen <NUM> includes the display unit <NUM> and the touch sensor unit <NUM>. Further, the display unit <NUM> has the display unit 14A and the display unit 14B illustrated in <FIG>, and the touch sensor unit <NUM> has the touch sensor unit 33A and the touch sensor unit 33B illustrated in <FIG>.

Note that only the main functional configuration related to the invention of the present embodiment is illustrated in <FIG> as the configuration of the laptop PC <NUM>. Further, since the touch screen <NUM>, the electronic pen <NUM>, the embedded controller <NUM>, and the sensor unit <NUM> are the same as those in <FIG> described above, the description thereof will be omitted here.

The storage unit <NUM> is, for example, a storage unit realized by the HDD <NUM>, which includes a settings menu storage unit <NUM> and a selection history storage unit <NUM>.

The settings menu storage unit <NUM> stores setting information on a menu of icons indicative of applications (hereinafter called an icon menu). The settings menu storage unit <NUM> stores, as setting information, a content of the icon menu to be displayed upon application startup processing using the electronic pen <NUM> to be described later. Referring here to <FIG>, a data example of the settings menu storage unit <NUM> will be described.

<FIG> is a table illustrating a data example of the settings menu storage unit <NUM> in the present embodiment.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the settings menu storage unit <NUM> stores display modes, display areas, menu information (applications) in association with one another.

In <FIG>, the display modes are modes indicative of use states of the laptop PC <NUM>. For example, a clamshell mode, a book mode, a tablet mode, and the like are included in the display modes. Further, each display area is information indicative of either one of the display area AR1 and the display area AR2 illustrated in <FIG>, and the display areas are stored as a B cover area, a C cover area, a right area, a left area, and the like depending on the display mode.

Here, the clamshell mode is a mode used in a state as illustrated in <FIG>, which is a mode where the orientation of the display screen is an orientation with the rotation axis AX of the hinge mechanism <NUM> and the horizontal axis of the display parallel to each other. Note that the displays of the display unit 14A and the display unit 14B in the clamshell mode are such that the longitudinal direction of each of the display unit 14A and the display unit 14B is the horizontal axis of the display, and the axis of the short direction of each of the display unit 14A and the display unit 14B is the vertical axis of the display.

Further, in the clamshell mode, the display area AR1 of the display unit 14A corresponds to the B cover area as an upper display area. Further, the display area AR2 of the display unit 14B corresponds to the C cover area as a lower display area.

Further, the book mode is a mode used in a state as illustrated in <FIG> to be described later, which is a mode where the orientation of the display screen is an orientation with the rotation axis AX of the hinge mechanism <NUM> and the vertical axis of the display parallel to each other. Note that the displays of the display unit 14A and the display unit 14B in the book mode are such that the longitudinal direction of each of the display unit 14A and the display unit 14B is the vertical axis of the display, and the axis of the short direction of each of the display unit 14A and the display unit 14B is the horizontal axis of the display.

Further, in the book mode, the display area AR1 of the display unit 14A corresponds to the left area as a left display area. Further, the display area AR2 of the display unit 14B corresponds to the right area as a right display area.

Further, the tablet mode is a mode where the laptop PC <NUM> is used in such a folded state that the hinge mechanism <NUM> is rotated <NUM> degrees to make the A cover and the D cover in contact with each other and the display unit 14A and the display unit 14B come to the front side.

Further, in <FIG>, the menu information is setting information indicative of a list of applications whose icons are displayed in the icon menu. The menu information includes plural application names (an example of identification information of applications), which are stored, for example, in order of priority.

For example, in the example illustrated in <FIG>, it is indicated that the menu information (setting information) when the display mode is "clamshell" and the display area is "B cover area" is "A browser," "B email software," "C word processor,". Further, it is indicated that the menu information (setting information) when the display mode is "clamshell" and the display area is "C cover area" is "pen input software," "D memo software," "E memo software,".

Further, when the display mode is "book," the menu information (setting information) is the same regardless of whether the display area is "right area" and "left area," and it is indicated that the menu information (setting information) is "A browser," "B email software," "C word processor,".

Returning to the description of <FIG>, the selection history storage unit <NUM> stores a selection history of applications selected by the user from the icon menu. Referring here to <FIG>, a data example of the selection history storage unit <NUM> will be described.

<FIG> is a table illustrating the data example of the selection history storage unit <NUM> in the present embodiment.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the selection history storage unit <NUM> stores display modes, display areas, dates and times of selection, and selected apps (selected applications) in association with one another.

For example, in the example illustrated in <FIG>, when the display mode is "clamshell" and the display area is "B cover area," it is indicated that "A browser" is selected by the user as a selected app on "<NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM><NUM>:<NUM>:<NUM>" as the date and time of selection (at <NUM>:<NUM>:<NUM>, on December <NUM>, <NUM>).

Returning to the description of <FIG> again, the main control unit <NUM> is a functional unit implemented by the CPU <NUM> and the chipset <NUM> executing programs stored in the main memory <NUM> to execute various processing based on the OS. The main control unit <NUM> includes, for example, an input control unit <NUM>, a state detection unit <NUM>, a display control unit <NUM>, a setting processing unit <NUM>, and a startup control unit <NUM>.

The input control unit <NUM> is, for example, a device driver to control input by the touch sensor unit <NUM>, which detects the position and touch of the operation medium on the screen of the display unit <NUM>. For example, when the touch sensor unit <NUM> detects that the electronic pen <NUM> has approached within the predetermined distance to the screen of the display unit <NUM>, the input control unit <NUM> acquires detection information indicating that the electronic pen <NUM> has approached within the predetermined distance, and the position coordinates of the electronic pen <NUM> on the screen (display area) of the display unit <NUM>.

The state detection unit <NUM> acquires, for example, gravitational acceleration information from the sensor unit <NUM> to detect the mode indicative of the use state of the laptop PC <NUM>, such as the clamshell mode, the book mode, or the tablet mode.

The display control unit <NUM> is, for example, a device driver to control a display provided to the display unit <NUM> so as to display various information (such as images, the icon menu, and the like) in the display area (AR1, AR2) of the display unit <NUM>.

The setting processing unit <NUM> is a functional unit to set the setting information of the icon menu so as to store the setting information of the icon menu in the settings menu storage unit <NUM> according to a request from the user. The setting processing unit <NUM> registers and changes the setting information in the settings menu storage unit <NUM>, for example, as illustrated in <FIG>, according to the user's request.

The startup control unit <NUM> executes processing to start an application using the icon menu. When a predetermined operation is executed on the screen of the display unit <NUM> with the operation medium, the startup control unit <NUM> displays the icon menu in a display area in which the operation medium is detected. Here, the operation medium is, for example, the electronic pen <NUM>, and the predetermined operation on the screen of the display unit <NUM> is an operation (hovering operation) to keep the electronic pen <NUM> hovering as a state where the electronic pen <NUM> is stopped within the predetermined distance to the screen for a certain period of time (for example, stopped for one second). For example, when the hovering operation of the electronic pen <NUM> is detected through the input control unit <NUM>, the startup control unit <NUM> displays, in a display area with the electronic pen <NUM> detected therein, an icon menu different depending on the display area with the electronic pen <NUM> detected therein and the screen display orientation of the display unit <NUM>.

The startup control unit <NUM> acquires, from the settings menu storage unit <NUM>, setting information of an icon menu corresponding to a combination of the display area with the electronic pen <NUM> detected therein and a display orientation mode (display mode) detected by the state detection unit <NUM> to display the icon menu based on the acquired setting information of the icon menu. Note that the startup control unit <NUM> displays the icon menu in the display area (AR1, AR2) of the display unit <NUM> through the display control unit <NUM>.

For example, in the clamshell mode, when the hovering operation of the electronic pen <NUM> is detected and when the detected display area is the B cover area (display area AR1), the startup control unit <NUM> displays an icon menu mainly including display related applications such as a browser. Further, for example, in the clamshell mode, when the hovering operation of the electronic pen <NUM> is detected and when the detected display area is the C cover area (display area AR2), the startup control unit <NUM> displays an icon menu mainly including input related applications such as memo software. Referring here to <FIG> and <FIG>, display examples of icon menus in the clamshell mode will be described.

<FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams illustrating display examples of icon menus in the clamshell mode of the present embodiment.

As illustrated in <FIG>, when the hovering operation of the electronic pen <NUM> at a distance D to the screen is detected in the display area AR1 (B cover area), the startup control unit <NUM> displays an icon menu M1 including icon I1 to icon <NUM> around the position of the electronic pen <NUM>. Here, the distance D is a length equal to or less than a threshold value at which the touch sensor unit <NUM> can detect the electronic pen <NUM>. The startup control unit <NUM> uses the touch sensor unit <NUM> to detect such a hovering operation that the electronic pen <NUM> is kept for the certain period of time in a state of being stopped within the threshold value (within the predetermined distance) at which the electronic pen <NUM> is detectable with respect to the screen. Further, the icon I1 to icon <NUM> are display related applications such as a browser, email software, document display software, and an editor, which are icons corresponding to applications stored in the settings menu storage unit <NUM> as setting information of the B cover area in the clamshell mode.

Further, as illustrated in <FIG>, when the hovering operation of the electronic pen <NUM> at the distance D to the screen is detected in the display area AR2 (C cover area), the startup control unit <NUM> displays an icon menu M2 including icon I5 to icon <NUM> around the position of the electronic pen <NUM>. Here, the icon I5 to icon <NUM> are input related applications such as memo software, pen input software, and memo software, which are icons corresponding to applications stored in the settings menu storage unit <NUM> as setting information of the C cover area in the clamshell mode.

Thus, when the display mode is the clamshell mode in which the screen display orientation is the orientation with the rotation axis AX of the hinge mechanism <NUM> and the horizontal axis of the display parallel to each other, the startup control unit <NUM> displays an icon menu different between whether the display area with the electronic pen <NUM> detected therein is the display area AR1 (first display area) or the display area AR2 (second display area).

Returning to the description of <FIG> again, when the hovering operation of the electronic pen <NUM> is detected, for example, in the book mode, the startup control unit <NUM> displays an identical icon menu in both display areas, that is, in the left area (display area AR1) and the right area (display area AR2). Referring here to <FIG> and <FIG>, a display example of an icon menu in the book mode will be described.

<FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams illustrating a display example of an icon menu in the book mode of the present embodiment.

As illustrated in <FIG>, when the hovering operation of the electronic pen <NUM> at the distance D to the screen is detected in the display area AR1 (left area), the startup control unit <NUM> displays an icon menu M3 including icon I1 to icon I5 around the position of the electronic pen <NUM>. Further, the icon I1 to icon I5 are icons corresponding to applications stored in the settings menu storage unit <NUM> as setting information in the book mode.

Further, as illustrated in <FIG>, when the hovering operation of the electronic pen <NUM> at the distance D to the screen is detected in the display area AR2 (right area), the startup control unit <NUM> displays the icon menu M3 including the same icon I1 to icon I5 as those in <FIG> around the position of the electronic pen <NUM>.

Thus, when the display mode is the book mode in which the screen display orientation is the orientation with the rotation axis AX of the hinge mechanism <NUM> and the vertical axis of the display parallel to each other, the startup control unit <NUM> displays an identical icon menu regardless of whether the display area with the electronic pen <NUM> detected therein is the display area AR1 (first display area) or the display area AR2 (second display area).

Returning to the description of <FIG> again, the startup control unit <NUM> starts an application, corresponding to an icon selected by touching the screen with the electronic pen <NUM> (by a touch on the screen) in the displayed icon menu, in the display area with the electronic pen <NUM> detected therein.

Further, according to a selection history indicative of the icon being selected in the past, the startup control unit <NUM> changes the icon menu to be displayed. The startup control unit <NUM> stores, for example, information on the selected icon in the selection history storage unit <NUM> as a selection history as illustrated in <FIG>. Further, for example, based on the selection history stored in the selection history storage unit <NUM>, the startup control unit <NUM> sums up the selection frequency of each icon to change setting information (menu information) of the settings menu storage unit <NUM> so as to preferentially display an application corresponding to an icon having a higher selection frequency.

For example, when part of the menu information of the settings menu storage unit <NUM> is displayed in the icon menu, the startup control unit <NUM> displays, in the icon menu, the part of the menu information with a higher selection frequency.

Next, the operation of the laptop PC <NUM> according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an example of icon menu setting processing of the laptop PC <NUM> according to the present embodiment.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the setting processing unit <NUM> of the laptop PC <NUM> first acquires information on a display mode and a display area (step S101). The setting processing unit <NUM> acquires the information on the display mode and the display area input based on an operation of the touch sensor unit <NUM> by the user through the input control unit <NUM>.

Next, the setting processing unit <NUM> acquires menu information (step S102). The setting processing unit <NUM> acquires the menu information input based on an operation of the touch sensor unit <NUM> by the user through the input control unit <NUM>. Here, the menu information is information on applications to be displayed in the icon menu. The menu information may also be such that the applications are selected with operations of the touch sensor unit <NUM> from the list of applications held in the laptop PC <NUM>.

Next, the setting processing unit <NUM> stores, in the settings menu storage unit <NUM>, the acquired display mode and display area, and the acquired menu information in association with one another (step S103). For example, the setting processing unit <NUM> stores, in the settings menu storage unit <NUM>, the display mode and the display area, and the menu information in association with one another as illustrated in <FIG>. After the process of step S103, the setting processing unit <NUM> ends the icon menu setting processing.

Referring next to <FIG>, application startup processing of the laptop PC <NUM> according to the present embodiment will be described.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an example of application startup processing of the laptop PC <NUM> according to the present embodiment.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the startup control unit <NUM> of the laptop PC <NUM> first determines whether or not hovering of the electronic pen <NUM> is detected (step S201). The startup control unit <NUM> determines whether or not the touch sensor unit <NUM> detects hovering of the electronic pen <NUM> through the input control unit <NUM>. Note that the touch sensor unit <NUM> has the electronic pen detection unit <NUM> detect hovering, as a stopped state of the screen of the display unit <NUM> and the electronic pen <NUM> within the predetermined distance therebetween, from a load variation due to the supply of power to the resonant circuit LC1 of the electronic pen <NUM> by electromagnetic induction. When hovering of the electronic pen <NUM> is detected (step S201: YES), the startup control unit <NUM> proceeds to step S202. On the other hand, when hovering of the electronic pen <NUM> is not detected (step S201: NO), the startup control unit <NUM> returns to step S201.

In step S202, the startup control unit <NUM> detects a hovering position P (X, Y). The startup control unit <NUM> acquires the hovering position P (X, Y) of the electronic pen <NUM> on the screen of the display unit <NUM> detected by the touch sensor unit <NUM> through the input control unit <NUM>.

Next, the startup control unit <NUM> determines whether the electronic pen <NUM> is undetected or a touch event is detected (step S203). The startup control unit <NUM> determines whether the electronic pen <NUM> is undetected by the touch sensor unit <NUM> through the input control unit <NUM> or such an event that the screen of the display unit <NUM> is touched with the operation medium such as the finger or the electronic pen <NUM> has occurred. When the electronic pen <NUM> is undetected or the touch event is detected (step S203: YES), the startup control unit <NUM> returns to step S201. On the other hand, when the electronic pen <NUM> is detected and the touch event is not detected (step S203: NO), the startup control unit <NUM> proceeds to step S204.

In step S204, the startup control unit <NUM> determines whether or not the hovering state has passed for one second. In other words, the startup control unit <NUM> determines whether or not hovering is kept for one second (an example of the certain period of time). When the hovering state has passed for one second (step S204: YES), the startup control unit <NUM> proceeds to step S205. On the other hand, when the hovering state has not passed for one second (step S204: NO), the startup control unit <NUM> returns to step S202.

In step S205, the startup control unit <NUM> detects the display mode. The startup control unit <NUM> detects the display mode (display orientation mode) as a use state through the state detection unit <NUM>. Note that the state detection unit <NUM> detects the display mode based, for example, on the direction of gravitational acceleration detected by the sensor unit <NUM>.

Next, the startup control unit <NUM> determines whether or not the display mode is the clamshell mode (step S206). The startup control unit <NUM> acquires the display mode (display orientation mode) as a use state detected by the state detection unit <NUM>, and determines whether or not the display mode is the clamshell mode. When the display mode is the clamshell mode (step S206: YES), the startup control unit <NUM> proceeds to step S207. On the other hand, when the display mode is not the clamshell mode (for example, when the display mode is the book mode) (step S206: NO), the startup control unit <NUM> proceeds to step S208.

In step S207, the startup control unit <NUM> determines whether or not it is hovering above the B cover (step S207). Based on the hovering position P (X, Y), the startup control unit <NUM> determines whether the hovering position is in the display area AR1 (B cover area) or in the display area AR2 (C cover area). When it is hovering above the B cover (in the display area AR1 (B cover area)) (step S207: YES), the startup control unit <NUM> proceeds to step S210. On the other hand, when it is not hovering above the B cover (it is in the display area AR2 (C cover area)) (step S207: NO), the startup control unit <NUM> proceeds to step S209.

Further, in step S208, the startup control unit <NUM> acquires an icon menu corresponding to any other display mode (book mode/tablet mode). For example, the startup control unit <NUM> acquires, from the settings menu storage unit <NUM>, the display mode and menu information (setting information) corresponding to the right area or the left area. After the process of step S208, the startup control unit <NUM> proceeds to step S211.

Further, in step S209, the startup control unit <NUM> acquires an icon menu corresponding to the clamshell mode and the C cover area. The startup control unit <NUM> acquires, from the settings menu storage unit <NUM>, menu information (setting information) corresponding to the clamshell mode and the C cover area. Here, the menu information (setting information) is an icon menu mainly including input related applications such as memo software as illustrated in <FIG>. After the process of step S209, the startup control unit <NUM> proceeds to step S211.

Further, in step S210, the startup control unit <NUM> acquires an icon menu corresponding to the clamshell mode and the B cover area. The startup control unit <NUM> acquires, from the settings menu storage unit <NUM>, menu information (setting information) corresponding to the clamshell mode and the B cover area. Here, the menu information (setting information) is an icon menu mainly including display related applications such as a browser as illustrated in <FIG>. After the process of step S210, the startup control unit <NUM> proceeds to step S211.

In step S211, the startup control unit <NUM> displays the icon menu around the hovering position P (X, Y). The startup control unit <NUM> displays, around the hovering position P (X, Y), the icon menu based on the menu information (setting information) acquired from the settings menu storage unit <NUM> (see <FIG>).

Next, the startup control unit <NUM> determines whether or not an icon in the menu is selected within a certain period of time (steps S212 and S213). The startup control unit <NUM> determines whether or not an icon in the icon menu is selected by the user, for example, with the electronic pen <NUM> or the finger through the input control unit <NUM>. When an icon in the menu is selected within the certain period of time (for example, within three seconds) (step S212: YES), the startup control unit <NUM> proceeds to step S214. On the other hand, when any icon within the menu is not selected within the certain period of time (for example, within three seconds) or some other event occurs (step S213: YES), the startup control unit <NUM> returns to step S201.

Next, the startup control unit <NUM> starts an application corresponding to the selected icon (step S214).

Next, the startup control unit <NUM> adds the selection history to change the setting information of the icon menu according to the selection information (step S215). The startup control unit <NUM> adds the selection history corresponding to the selected icon to the selection history storage unit <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. Further, based on the selection history stored in the selection history storage unit <NUM>, the startup control unit <NUM> sums up the selection frequency of each icon to change the setting information (menu information) of the settings menu storage unit <NUM> so as to preferentially display an application corresponding to an icon having a higher selection frequency. After the process of step S215, the startup control unit <NUM> returns to step S201.

Referring next to <FIG>, a modification of application startup processing of the laptop PC <NUM> according to the present embodiment will be described.

In the application startup processing illustrated in <FIG> described above, the example in which the operation medium is the electronic pen <NUM> and the predetermined operation as a trigger to display an icon menu is the operation to keep the electronic pen <NUM> hovering for the certain period of time is described, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the operation medium may also be a pen-like operation medium or a finger of the user instead of the electronic pen <NUM>, and the predetermined operation may be an operation to keep a state of stopping the operation medium while touching on the screen for the certain period of time. Referring here to <FIG>, a modification in the case of an operation to keep a state of stopping the operation medium, such as a pen-like operation medium or a finger of the user, while touching on the screen for the certain period of time will be described.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a modification of application startup processing of the laptop PC <NUM> according to the present embodiment.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the startup control unit <NUM> of the laptop PC <NUM> first determines whether or not a touch on the display unit <NUM> is detected (step S301). The startup control unit <NUM> determines whether or not the touch sensor unit <NUM> detects a touch of the operation medium on the screen of the display unit <NUM> through the input control unit <NUM>. Note that the touch sensor unit <NUM> has the touch detection unit <NUM> detect a touch of the operation medium from a capacitance variation. When a touch on the display unit <NUM> is detected (step S301: YES), the startup control unit <NUM> proceeds to step S302. On the other hand, when no touch on the display unit <NUM> is detected (step S301: NO), the startup control unit <NUM> returns to step S301.

In step S302, the startup control unit <NUM> detects a touch position P (X, Y). The startup control unit <NUM> acquires the touch position P (X, Y) of the operation medium on the screen of the display unit <NUM> detected by the touch sensor unit <NUM> through the input control unit <NUM>.

Next, the startup control unit <NUM> determines whether no touch is detected or any other event is detected (step S303). The startup control unit <NUM> determines whether no touch is detected or any other event has occurred through the input control unit <NUM>. When no touch is detected or any other event has occurred (step S303: YES), the startup control unit <NUM> returns to step S301. On the other hand, when the detection of the touch is kept and any other event is not detected (step S303: NO), the startup control unit <NUM> proceeds to step S304.

In step S304, the startup control unit <NUM> determines whether or not the touching state of the operation medium has passed for one second. In other words, the startup control unit <NUM> determines whether or not the touching state of the operation medium is kept for one second (the example of the certain period of time). When the touching state of the operation medium has passed for one second (step S304: YES), the startup control unit <NUM> proceeds to step S305. On the other hand, when the touching state of the operation medium has not passed for one second (step S304: NO), the startup control unit <NUM> returns to step S302.

Since subsequent processes from step S305 to step S310 are the same as the processes from step S205 to step S210 illustrated in <FIG> described above, the description thereof will be omitted here.

In step S311, the startup control unit <NUM> displays an icon menu around the touch position P (X, Y). The startup control unit <NUM> displays, around the touch position P (X, Y), an icon menu based on the menu information (setting information) acquired from the settings menu storage unit <NUM> (see <FIG>).

Since subsequent processes from step S312 to step S315 are the same as the processes from step S212 to step S215 illustrated in <FIG> described above, the description thereof will be omitted here.

Thus, the finger of the user or the pen-like operation medium can also be the operation medium instead of the electronic pen <NUM>.

When the predetermined operation is executed on the screen with the finger of the user or the pen-like operation medium, the startup control unit <NUM> may also display a different icon menu in a display area with the finger of the user or the pen-like operation medium detected therein depending on the display area with the finger of the user or the pen-like operation medium detected therein and the screen display orientation of the display unit <NUM>.

As described above, the laptop PC <NUM> (information processing apparatus) according to the present embodiment includes the display unit <NUM> having two or more display areas, the touch sensor unit <NUM>, and the startup control unit <NUM>. The touch sensor unit <NUM> detects the position of the operation medium (for example, the electronic pen <NUM>) on the screen of the display unit <NUM>, and a touch of the operation medium on the screen. When the predetermined operation is executed on the screen with the operation medium, the startup control unit <NUM> displays, in a display area with the operation medium detected therein, a menu of icons (icon menu) different depending on the display area, in which the operation medium is detected among the two or more display areas, and the screen display orientation of the display unit <NUM>. In the display area with the operation medium detected therein, the startup control unit <NUM> starts an application program corresponding to an icon selected with a touch of the operation medium from among the displayed icons in the menu.

Thus, for example, the laptop PC <NUM> according to the present embodiment does not need to perform an operation to display a list of applications from the operation screen, and the user can execute the predetermined operation on the screen with the operation medium to easily display the icon menu so as to select and start an application. Therefore, the laptop PC <NUM> according to the present embodiment can simplify the operation to start an application, and hence can start the application quickly.

Further, since the laptop PC <NUM> according to the present embodiment displays an icon menu different depending on the display area with the operation medium detected therein and the screen display orientation of the display unit <NUM>, an appropriate icon menu corresponding to the use state and the display area can be displayed, and the appropriate application corresponding to the use state and the display area can be started quickly.

Further, in the present embodiment, the two or more display areas include the display area AR1 (first display area) and the display area AR2 (second display area). Further, the laptop PC <NUM> includes the first chassis <NUM>, the second chassis <NUM>, and the hinge mechanism <NUM> (rotation mechanism). The first chassis <NUM> has at least the display area AR1 (first display area). The second chassis <NUM> has at least the display area AR2 (second display area). When the screen display orientation is an orientation with the rotation axis AX of the hinge mechanism <NUM> and the horizontal axis of the display parallel to each other (for example, when the display mode is the clamshell mode), the startup control unit <NUM> displays an icon menu different between whether the display area with the electronic pen <NUM> detected therein is the display area AR1 (first display area) or the display area AR2 (second display area).

Thus, since the laptop PC <NUM> according to the present embodiment displays an icon menu different depending on the display area with the operation medium detected therein, an appropriate icon menu corresponding to the display area can be displayed. When the laptop PC <NUM> according to the present embodiment is used, for example, in the clamshell mode, icon menus different between the B cover area and the C cover area can be displayed, and hence convenience can be improved.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the screen display orientation is an orientation with the rotation axis AX of the hinge mechanism <NUM> and the vertical axis of the display parallel to each other, the startup control unit <NUM> displays an identical icon menu regardless of whether the display area with the electronic pen <NUM> detected therein is the display area AR1 (first display area) or the display area AR2 (second display area).

Thus, for example, when the laptop PC <NUM> according to the present embodiment is used in the book mode, the same icon menu can be displayed both in the left area and in the right area, and hence convenience can be improved.

Further, in the present embodiment, the startup control unit <NUM> changes the icon menu to be displayed according to a selection history indicative of each icon being selected in the past. For example, the startup control unit <NUM> changes the icon menu to preferentially display a frequently used application according to the selection history.

Thus, for example, the laptop PC <NUM> according to the present embodiment can preferentially display the frequently used application in the icon menu, and hence convenience can further be improved.

Further, in the present embodiment, the operation medium is a pen-like operation medium (for example, the electronic pen <NUM>). The touch sensor unit <NUM> detects that the pen-like operation medium has approached within the predetermined distance to the screen of the display unit <NUM>, and when the pen-like operation medium has approached within the predetermined distance to the screen, the touch sensor unit <NUM> can detect the position of the pen-like operation medium above the screen in a non-contact manner. The startup control unit <NUM> uses the touch sensor unit <NUM> to detect, as the predetermined operation, an operation (hovering operation) to keep a state where the pen-like operation medium is stopped within the predetermined distance to the screen for the certain period of time (for example, to keep the state for one second).

Thus, since the laptop PC <NUM> according to the present embodiment can display an icon menu easily by hovering of the pen-like operation medium, the operation to start an application can be simplified, and hence the application can be started quickly.

Further, in the present embodiment, the pen-like operation medium is the electronic pen <NUM> including the resonant circuit LC1. The touch sensor unit <NUM> detects, by electromagnetic induction, that the electronic pen <NUM> has approached within the predetermined distance to the screen, and the position of the electronic pen <NUM> above the screen.

Thus, the laptop PC <NUM> according to the present embodiment can easily detect hovering of the electronic pen <NUM> by electromagnetic induction.

Further, in the present embodiment, the finger of the user is included in operation mediums. When the predetermined operation is executed on the screen with the finger of the user, the startup control unit <NUM> displays, in a display area with the finger of the user detected therein, a menu of icons different depending on the display area with the finger of the user detected therein and the screen display orientation of the display unit <NUM>.

Thus, when the finger of the user is used as the operation medium without using the electronic pen <NUM>, the laptop PC <NUM> according to the present embodiment can use a touch device with the finger to touch on the screen to easily display an appropriate icon menu corresponding to the use state and the display area, and hence an appropriate application corresponding to the use state and the display area can be started quickly.

Further, the laptop PC <NUM> according to the present embodiment includes the setting processing unit <NUM> to change menu information (setting information) stored in the settings menu storage unit <NUM> according to a request from the user.

Thus, the laptop PC <NUM> according to the present embodiment can display an appropriate icon menu customized according to the request from the user. Therefore, since the laptop PC <NUM> according to the present embodiment can customize the icon menu for each user, convenience can further be improved.

Further, the laptop PC <NUM> according to the present embodiment includes the display unit <NUM> having display areas, the touch sensor unit <NUM>, and the startup control unit <NUM>. The touch sensor unit <NUM> detects the position of the operation medium (electronic pen <NUM>) as the pen-like operation medium on the screen of the display unit <NUM>, and a touch of the pen-like operation medium on the screen to detect the touch of the pen-like operation medium on the screen. The touch sensor unit <NUM> also detects that the pen-like operation medium has approached within the predetermined distance to the screen of the display unit <NUM>, and when the pen-like operation medium has approached within the predetermined distance to the screen, the touch sensor unit <NUM> can detect the position of the pen-like operation medium above the screen in a non-contact manner. When using the touch sensor unit <NUM> to detect, as the predetermined operation, an operation (hovering operation) to keep the state where the pen-like operation medium is stopped within the predetermined distance to the screen for the certain period of time, the startup control unit <NUM> displays a menu of icons in a display area in which the pen-like operation medium is detected. The startup control unit <NUM> starts an application program corresponding to an icon selected with a touch of the pen-like operation medium from among the displayed icons in the menu.

Thus, the laptop PC <NUM> according to the present embodiment can easily display an icon menu to select and start an application, for example, by the user executing a hovering operation above the screen with the pen-like operation medium (for example, the electronic pen <NUM>). Therefore, the laptop PC <NUM> according to the present embodiment can simplify the operation to start the application, and hence the application can be started quickly.

Further, a control method according to the present embodiment is a control method for the laptop PC <NUM> including the display unit <NUM> having two or more display areas, and the touch sensor unit <NUM> which detects the position of the operation medium on the screen of the display unit <NUM> and a touch of the operation medium on the screen, the control method including a menu display step and an application startup step. In the menu display step, when the predetermined operation is executed on the screen with the operation medium, the startup control unit <NUM> displays, in a display area with the operation medium detected therein, a menu of icons different depending on the display area with the operation medium detected therein among the two or more display areas and the screen display orientation of the display unit <NUM>. In the application startup step, the startup control unit <NUM> starts, in the display area with the operation medium detected therein, an application program corresponding to an icon selected with a touch of the operation medium from among the displayed icons in the menu.

Thus, the control method according to the present embodiment has the same effect as the laptop PC <NUM> according to the present embodiment described above, which can simplify the operation to start the application, and hence can start the application quickly.

Further, the control method according to the present embodiment is a control method for the laptop PC <NUM> including the display unit <NUM> having display areas, the touch sensor unit <NUM> described above, and the touch sensor unit <NUM> which can detect that the pen-like operation medium has approached within the predetermined distance to the screen of the display unit <NUM>, and when the pen-like operation medium has approached within the predetermined distance to the screen, which can detect the position of the pen-like operation medium above the screen in a non-contact manner, the control method includes a menu display step and an application startup step. In the menu display step, when using the touch sensor unit <NUM> to detect, as the predetermined operation, an operation to keep a state where the pen-like operation medium is stopped within the predetermined distance to the screen for the certain period of time, the startup control unit <NUM> displays a menu of icons in a display area with the pen-like operation medium detected therein. In the application startup step, the startup control unit <NUM> starts an application program corresponding to an icon selected with a touch of the pen-like operation medium from among the displayed icons in the menu.

Next, a laptop PC 1a according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the laptop PC 1a according to the second embodiment.

In the present embodiment, a modification to change the icon menu depending on the time slot to use will be described.

Note that since the appearance and hardware configuration of the laptop PC 1a according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> described above, the description thereof will be omitted here.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the laptop PC 1a includes a main control unit 10a, the touch screen <NUM>, the electronic pen <NUM>, the embedded controller <NUM>, the sensor unit <NUM>, and a storage unit 40a.

In <FIG>, the same components as those in <FIG> described above are given the same reference numerals to omit the description thereof here.

The storage unit 40a is, for example, a storage unit realized by the HDD <NUM>, which includes a settings menu storage unit 41a and the selection history storage unit <NUM>.

The settings menu storage unit 41a stores setting information on each menu of icons indicative of applications (hereinafter called an icon menu). The settings menu storage unit 41a stores, as setting information, a content of the icon menu to be displayed upon application startup processing. Referring here to <FIG>, a data example of the settings menu storage unit 41a will be described.

<FIG> is a table illustrating a data example of the settings menu storage unit 41a in the present embodiment.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the settings menu storage unit 41a stores display modes, display areas, time slots, and menu information (applications) in association with one another.

The settings menu storage unit 41a is different from that of the first embodiment described above in that data is stored in association with the time slots.

In this table, the time slots are time slots in which the laptop PC 1a is used, and menu information (applications) in the settings menu storage unit 41a in the present embodiment can be changed depending on the time slot.

For example, in the example illustrate in <FIG>, it is indicated that, when the display mode is "clamshell" and the display area is "B cover area," menu information (setting information) in a time slot from "<NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>" is "C word processor," "B email software," "A browser,". Further, it is indicated that menu information (setting information) in a time slot from "<NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>" is "A browser," "B email software," "C word processor,".

Returning to the description of <FIG>, the main control unit 10a is a functional unit implemented by the CPU <NUM> and the chipset <NUM> executing programs stored in the main memory <NUM> to execute various processing based on the OS. The main control unit 10a includes, for example, the input control unit <NUM>, the state detection unit <NUM>, the display control unit <NUM>, a setting processing unit 114a, and a startup control unit 115a.

The setting processing unit 114a is a functional unit to set setting information of each icon menu so as to store the setting information of the icon menu in the settings menu storage unit 41a according to a request from the user. The setting processing unit 114a registers and changes the setting information in the settings menu storage unit 41a, for example, as illustrated in <FIG> according to the request from the user.

The startup control unit 115a executes processing to start an application using the icon menu. Since the basic functionality of the startup control unit 115a is the same as that of the startup control unit <NUM> of the first embodiment described above, only a function different from that of the startup control unit <NUM> will be described here.

The startup control unit 115a changes the menu of icons to be displayed according to the time at which the predetermined operation was executed.

For example, when the hovering operation of the electronic pen <NUM> is detected through the input control unit <NUM>, the startup control unit 115a displays, in a display area with the electronic pen <NUM> detected therein, an icon menu different depending on the display area with the electronic pen <NUM> detected therein, the screen display orientation of the display unit <NUM>, and the time slot. For example, the startup control unit 115a refers to the settings menu storage unit 41a to acquire menu information (setting information) corresponding to the time slot in which the hovering operation was detected so as to display an icon menu based on the acquired menu information (setting information).

Referring next to <FIG>, application startup processing of the laptop PC 1a according to the present embodiment will be described.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an example of application startup processing of the laptop PC 1a according to the present embodiment.

In <FIG>, since processes from step S401 to step S407 are the same as the processes from step S201 to step S207 illustrated in <FIG> described above, the description thereof will be omitted here.

In step S408, the startup control unit 115a acquires an icon menu corresponding to any other display mode (book mode/tablet mode) and the time slot. For example, the startup control unit 115a acquires, from the settings menu storage unit 41a, menu information (setting information) corresponding to the display mode, the right area or the left area, and the time slot. After the process of step S408, the startup control unit 115a proceeds to step S411.

Further, in step S409, the startup control unit 115a acquires an icon menu corresponding to the clamshell mode, the C cover area, and the time slot. The startup control unit 115a acquires, from the settings menu storage unit 41a, menu information (setting information) corresponding to the clamshell mode, the C cover area, and the time slot. After the process of step S409, the startup control unit 115a proceeds to step S411.

Further, in step S410, the startup control unit 115a acquires an icon menu corresponding to the clamshell mode, the B cover area, and the time slot. The startup control unit 115a acquires, from the settings menu storage unit 41a, menu information (setting information) corresponding to the clamshell mode, the B cover area, and the time slot. After the process of step S410, the startup control unit 115a proceeds to step S411.

Since processes from step S411 to step S414 are the same as the processes from step S211 to step S214 illustrated in <FIG> described above, the description thereof will be omitted here.

In step S415, the startup control unit 115a adds a selection history to change the setting information of the icon menu according to selection information. The startup control unit 115a adds, to the selection history storage unit <NUM>, a selection history corresponding to a selected icon as illustrated in <FIG>. Further, based on the selection history stored in the selection history storage unit <NUM>, the startup control unit 115a sums up the selection frequency of each icon in each time slot to change the setting information (menu information) of the settings menu storage unit 41a so as to preferentially display an application corresponding, for example, to an icon having a higher selection frequency. After the process of step S415, the startup control unit 115a returns to step S401.

As described above, in the laptop PC 1a according to the present embodiment, the startup control unit 115a changes the menu of icons to be displayed according to the time at which the predetermined operation was executed.

Thus, for example, the laptop PC 1a according to the present embodiment can display an icon menu suitable for work in a time slot at work and display an icon menu suitable for private time in a private time slot during a break or after returning home. Therefore, the laptop PC 1a according to the present embodiment can simplify an operation to start an application, and can quickly start an appropriate application according to the time slot.

Next, a laptop PC 1b according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the laptop PC 1b according to the third embodiment.

In the present embodiment, a modification to change the icon menu according to different types of operation mediums and a pointing device will be described.

Note that since the appearance and hardware configuration of the laptop PC 1b according to the third embodiment are basically the same as those of the first embodiment illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> described above, the description thereof will be omitted here. In the present embodiment, a pointing device <NUM> is added.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the laptop PC 1b includes a main control unit 10b, the touch screen <NUM>, the electronic pen <NUM>, the embedded controller <NUM>, the sensor unit <NUM>, the pointing device <NUM>, and a storage unit 40b.

The pointing device <NUM> is, for example, a mouse or a touch pad, which is a pointing input device different from the touch screen <NUM>.

The storage unit 40b is a storage unit realized, for example, by the HDD <NUM>, which includes a settings menu storage unit 41b and the selection history storage unit <NUM>.

The settings menu storage unit 41b stores setting information of a menu of icons indicative of applications (hereinafter called an icon menu). The settings menu storage unit 41b stores, as setting information, a content of the icon menu to be displayed upon application startup processing. Referring here to <FIG>, a data example of the settings menu storage unit 41b will be described.

<FIG> is a table illustrating a data example of the settings menu storage unit 41b in the present embodiment.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the settings menu storage unit 41b stores display modes, display areas, operation mediums/devices, and menu information (applications) in association with one another.

Here, the operation mediums/devices indicate the types of operation mediums such as the electronic pen <NUM> and a finger of the user, and types of input devices such as the mouse and the touch pad.

The settings menu storage unit 41b is different from that in the first embodiment described above in that data is stored in association with the operation mediums/devices. The settings menu storage unit 41b in the present embodiment can change the menu information (applications) according to the operation medium/device.

For example, in the example illustrated in <FIG>, when the display mode is "clamshell" and the display area is "B cover area," it is indicated that menu information (setting information) in a case where the operation medium/device is "electronic pen" is "C word processor," "B email software," "A browser,". Further, it is indicated that menu information (setting information) in a case where the operation medium/device is "finger" is "A browser," "B email software," "C word processor,". Further, it is indicated that menu information (setting information) in a case where the operation medium/device is "touch pad" is "C word processor," "B email software," "A browser,".

Returning to the description of <FIG>, the main control unit 10b is a functional unit implemented by the CPU <NUM> and the chipset <NUM> executing programs stored in the main memory <NUM> to execute various processing based on the OS. The main control unit 10b includes, for example, the input control unit 111a, the state detection unit <NUM>, the display control unit <NUM>, a setting processing unit 114b, and a startup control unit 115b.

The setting processing unit 114b is a functional unit to set setting information of each icon menu so as to store the setting information of the icon menu in the settings menu storage unit 41b according to a request from the user. The setting processing unit 114b registers and changes the setting information in the settings menu storage unit 41b, for example, as illustrated in <FIG> according to the request from the user.

The startup control unit 115b executes processing to start an application using the icon menu. Since the basic functionality of the startup control unit 115b is the same as that of the startup control unit <NUM> of the first embodiment described above, only a function different from that of the startup control unit <NUM> will be described here.

In the present embodiment, the operation mediums include two or more different types of operation mediums (such as the electronic pen <NUM> and a finger of the user), and predetermined operations include different types of predetermined operations. For example, predetermined operations with a finger of the user include operations such as to keep the finger stopped for the certain period of time while touching on the screen, and to tap on the screen with the finger plural times.

The startup control unit 115b displays an icon menu different depending on the type of operation medium or type of predetermined operation executed.

For example, when the hovering operation (first predetermined operation) of the electronic pen <NUM> is detected through the input control unit <NUM>, the startup control unit 115b displays, in a display area with the electronic pen <NUM> detected therein, an icon menu different depending on the display area with the electronic pen <NUM> detected therein, the screen display orientation of the display unit <NUM>, and the operation medium/input device (pointing device). For example, the startup control unit 115b refers to the settings menu storage unit 41b to acquire menu information (setting information) corresponding to the electronic pen <NUM> so as to display an icon menu based on the acquired menu information (setting information).

Further, when a second predetermined operation different from the hovering operation (first predetermined operation) is executed on the screen by the pointing device <NUM>, the startup control unit 115b displays, in a display area with the second predetermined operation detected therein, an icon menu different from that when the hovering operation (first predetermined operation) is executed. Here, the second predetermined operation is, for example, an operation to point to a display area using the touch pad and press a right button.

When the second predetermined operation with the pointing device <NUM> is detected, the startup control unit 115b refers to the settings menu storage unit 41b to acquire menu information (setting information) corresponding, for example, to the touch pad (pointing device <NUM>) so as to display an icon menu based on the acquired menu information (setting information).

Further, when an application corresponding to a selected icon is started, the startup control unit 115b adds a selection history to change setting information of the icon menu according to selection information. The startup control unit 115b adds, to the selection history storage unit <NUM>, the selection history corresponding to the selected icon. On this occasion, the type of operation medium or input device may also be included in the selection history.

Further, based on the selection history stored in the selection history storage unit <NUM>, the startup control unit 115b sums up the selection frequency of each icon for each type of operation medium or input device to change the setting information (menu information) of the settings menu storage unit 41b so as to preferentially display an application corresponding, for example, to an icon having a higher selection frequency.

As described above, in the laptop PC 1b according to the present embodiment, plural operation mediums different in type (for example, the electronic pen <NUM>, the finger of the user, and the like) are included in the operation mediums. In the predetermined operations, predetermined operations different in type (for example, the hovering operation, the operation to touch the screen with the finger for the certain period of time, and the like) are included. The startup control unit 115b displays a menu of icons different depending on the type of operation medium, or the type of predetermined operation executed.

Thus, the laptop PC 1b according to the present embodiment can display icon menus different, for example, between the electronic pen <NUM> and the finger of the user, and can display an icon menu different depending on the hovering operation or the touch operation with the finger. Therefore, the laptop PC 1b according to the present embodiment can simplify an operation to start an application, and can quickly start an appropriate application according to the operation medium or the predetermined operation.

Further, in the present embodiment, the hovering operation is the first predetermined operation, and the laptop PC 1b further includes the pointing device <NUM> different from the touch sensor unit <NUM>. When a second predetermined operation (for example, an operation to press the right button of the touch pad by using the pointing device <NUM> or the like) different from the first predetermined operation (hovering operation) is executed on the screen by using the pointing device <NUM>, the startup control unit 115b displays, in a display area with the second predetermined operation detected therein, a menu of icons different from the case when the first predetermined operation is executed.

Thus, since the laptop PC 1b according to the present embodiment displays a menu of icons different depending on the predetermined operation (second predetermined operation) using the pointing device <NUM> different from the touch sensor unit <NUM>, an appropriate application according to the input device and the predetermined operation can be started quickly.

Note that the present invention is not limited to each of the aforementioned embodiments, and changes are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention.

For example, in each of the aforementioned embodiments, the example in which the information processing apparatus is the laptop PC <NUM> (1a, 1b) is described, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the information processing apparatus may also be any other information processing apparatus such as a tablet terminal, a desktop PC, a smartphone, or the like.

Further, in each of the aforementioned embodiments, the example in which the laptop PC <NUM> (1a, 1b) includes the settings menu storage unit <NUM> (41a, 41b) and the selection history storage unit <NUM> is described, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, a server apparatus on a network may include either or both of the settings menu storage unit <NUM> (41a, 41b) and the selection history storage unit <NUM>. By having the server apparatus include either or both of the settings menu storage unit <NUM> (41a, 41b) and the selection history storage unit <NUM>, the same icon menu can be displayed on two or more information processing apparatuses, and hence convenience can further be improved.

Further, in each of the aforementioned embodiments, the example in which the startup control unit <NUM> (115a, 115b) displays a common (identical) icon menu both in the left area and in the right area of the book mode is described, but different icon menus may also be displayed based on the menu information stored in the settings menu storage unit <NUM> (41a, 41b).

Further, in each of the aforementioned embodiments, the example in which the display unit <NUM> includes two display units, that is, the display unit 14A and the display unit 14B, is described, but three or more display units and display areas may also be included. Further, the display unit <NUM> may be one display unit including two or more display areas.

Further, in each of the aforementioned embodiments, the example in which the display modes are the clamshell mode and the book mode/tablet mode is described, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the present invention may also be applied to any other display mode such as a tent mode in which the display surfaces are folded outward. In other words, the laptop PC <NUM> (1a, 1b) may also change the content of the icon menu according to the display modes including any other display mode.

Note that each configuration of the laptop PC <NUM> (1a, 1b) described above has a computer system therein. Then, a program for implementing the function of each component included in the laptop PC <NUM> (1a, 1b) described above may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium so that the program recorded on this recording medium is read into the computer system and executed to perform processing in each component included in the laptop PC <NUM> (1a, 1b) described above. Here, the fact that "the program recorded on the recording medium is read into the computer system and executed" includes installing the program on the computer system. It is assumed that the "computer system" here includes the OS and hardware such as peripheral devices and the like.

Further, the "computer system" may also include two or more computers connected through a network including the Internet, WAN, LAN, and a communication line such as a dedicated line. Further, the "computer-readable recording medium" means a storage medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a portable medium like a CD-ROM, or a hard disk incorporated in the computer system. Thus, the recording medium with the program stored thereon may be a non-transitory recording medium such as the CD-ROM.

Further, a recording medium internally or externally provided to be accessible from a delivery server for delivering the program is included as the recording medium. Note that the program may be divided into plural pieces, downloaded at different timings, respectively, and then united in each component included in the laptop PC <NUM> (1a, 1b), or delivery servers for delivering respective divided pieces of the program may be different from one another. Further, the "computer-readable recording medium" includes a medium on which the program is held for a given length of time, such as a volatile memory (RAM) inside a computer system as a server or a client when the program is transmitted through the network. The above-mentioned program may also be to implement some of the functions described above. Further, the program may be a so-called differential file (differential program) capable of implementing the above-described functions in combination with a program(s) already recorded in the computer system.

Claim 1:
An information processing apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
a display unit (<NUM>) having a plurality of display areas that include a first display area (14A) disposed on a first chassis (<NUM>) and a second display area (14B) disposed on a second chassis (<NUM>);
a rotation mechanism (<NUM>) arranged to allow the first chassis (<NUM>) to rotate relative to the second chassis (<NUM>) while coupling the first chassis (<NUM>) to the second chassis (<NUM>);
a touch sensor unit (<NUM>) configured to detect a predetermined operation by an operation medium on one of the plurality of display areas (<NUM>) and to detect a position of the operation medium during the predetermined operation; and
a startup control unit (<NUM>) configured to display a menu of icons in the plurality of display areas upon the touch sensor unit (<NUM>) sensing the predetermined operation, the menu of icons being different depending on a combination of:
an orientation of the display unit (<NUM>), and
which of the plurality of display areas the predetermined operation occurred in, wherein
the startup control unit (<NUM>) is further configured to launch an application program corresponding to an icon selected by the operation medium from among the displayed icons in the menu; wherein
depending on a rotation axis of the rotation mechanism (<NUM>) relative to an orientation of contents displayed on the display unit (<NUM>), the startup control unit (<NUM>) is configured to display one of a group consisting of:
different menus of icons depending on which of the plurality of display areas the predetermined operation occurred in; and
the same menu of icons regardless of which of the plurality of display areas the predetermined operation occurred in.