JP2003280798A - Information processing apparatus and information processing apparatus control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input interface easy for a user to use without complicating an input device. <P>SOLUTION: A clocking device 107 clocks time in response to input from an input device 108 of the user. Item selection-determination control is executed according to the time value clocked by the clocking device 107 and the operation of the input device 108. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, and more particularly, to an interface for input command selection and input command decision control for the information processing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, information processing apparatuses such as personal computers and servers have been remarkably popularized, and their uses and installation locations are wide-ranging. When using these information processing apparatuses, the user may input various settings or commands. Usually, a device such as a keyboard or tablet is often used for this input. However, these devices are often used by being externally connected to a computer by a cable or the like. In a computer such as a server, once a setting is made, the setting is not changed for a while, and it is inconvenient to use a wired external connection device only for such a setting.

Instead of using an external connection device, an input device such as a button may be provided on the main body casing or the like. For example, a switch for simply turning on / off the power is provided. Conventionally, in order to perform a setting operation with an input device provided in the main body, many buttons are often provided, and the buttons are often provided with a plurality of functions.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-318126 discloses an example of an invention in which a plurality of buttons are provided on a main body casing, the buttons are provided with a plurality of functions, and the buttons are switched to display the function. The inventions made are listed. The present invention is an example applied to button input of a scientific calculator.

[0005]

As described above, it has been difficult to realize an information processing apparatus that realizes multiple functions without excessively increasing the number of input devices. The present invention can solve these problems and provide an information processing apparatus having a user-friendly user interface.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is an information processing apparatus having at least one input device and a display device for outputting a display signal, wherein time is set according to an input from the one input device. A time measuring device for measuring, and a control device for selecting an input command and controlling the determination of the input command according to an input from the one input device and a time measured by the time measuring device. To do.

With such a configuration, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus having a user interface that is easy to use.

Further, the present invention is an information processing apparatus having at least one input device and a display device for outputting a display signal, wherein the time measuring device measures time according to an input from the one input device. Then, it is determined whether a predetermined time has passed from the first input to the second input from the one input device, and if the predetermined time has not elapsed, the input command is selected and the predetermined time is passed. And a control device for determining the input command selected at that time.

With such a configuration, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus having a user interface that is easy to use.

Further, the present invention is an information processing apparatus having at least one input device and a display device for outputting a display signal, the time measuring device measuring time according to an input from the one input device. Then, it is determined whether a first predetermined time has elapsed from the first input from the one input device to the second input, and if the first predetermined time has not elapsed, the input command When the first predetermined time has elapsed, the time is further determined,
And a control device for canceling the input command when the second predetermined time has elapsed, and for determining the input command selected at that time when the second predetermined time has not elapsed. It is characterized by

With such a configuration, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus having a user interface that is easy to use.

Further, the present invention is an information processing apparatus having at least one input device and a display device for outputting a display signal, the time measuring device measuring time according to an input from the one input device. And determining whether a first predetermined time has elapsed from the first input from the one input device to the second input, and when the first predetermined time has elapsed, selecting an input command And performing a remeasurement by clearing the time measurement, and when the first predetermined time has not elapsed, a control device for determining the input command selected at that time is provided. Characterize.

With such a configuration, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus having a user interface that is easy to use.

Further, the present invention is a control method of an information processing apparatus having at least one input device and a display device for outputting a display signal, the first method detecting an input from the one input device. In the detection step, when an input is detected in the detection step, a measurement step of measuring time, an input from the one input device, and selection of an input command according to the time measurement result of the measurement step, , A control step for controlling the determination of the input command.

With such a configuration, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus having a user interface that is easy to use.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. An information processing apparatus that is one of the embodiments of the present invention has a configuration as shown in FIG. The information processing device 1 has a built-in CPU 101,
The CPU 101 controls the operation of the information processing device. C
The PU 101 is connected to the bridge unit 102. The bridge unit 102 includes the CPU 101, the memory 103, and the display device 1.
04, connected to the bus 105, the CPU 101 and the bus 1
It bridges between various circuits and devices connected to 05. The memory 103 is a memory device used as a working memory of this information processing device. An operating system and various application programs are expanded on the memory 103. The memory 103 also stores various data. The display device 104 is the bridge unit 104.
And is for displaying various data processed by the CPU 101. Although shown as one of the constituent elements in FIG. 1, it is possible to provide the information processing apparatus in an external form. In that case, the display device 10
Instead of 4, the interface for connecting the display device will be provided.

The bus 105 includes a bridge unit 102, a storage device 106 described later, a clock device 107, an input device 108, and L.
A bus for exchanging data and commands with the CD 109. PCI (Peripheral Comp)
One-ent interconnect bus can be used. The storage device 106 is a storage device for storing an operating system, various application software, user settings described later, and the like. A hard disk drive or the like can be used. The clock device 107 is a timer device that measures time according to an input from an input device 108 described later. Various operations are performed according to the time measured by the clock device 107 and the input operation from the input device 108. The input device 108 is a device for input from a user. Buttons and key switches can be used. As will be described later, in the present invention, the number of buttons and key switches operated by the user may be one, but a plurality of buttons and key switches may be provided. The LCD 109 is a display device which is one of the user interfaces in the present invention, and is incorporated in the main body of the information processing device. Items that the user wants to set,
Information such as the current configuration settings of the information processing device can be displayed. In particular, even when the display device 104 is not near the information processing device, such as a server, the user can refer to it. As an initial display, the current time can be displayed based on the information from the time counting device 107. This information processing apparatus has an I / O interface (not shown), and can exchange data by connecting to a network or a public line by wireless connection or wire connection.

Information stored in the storage device 106 of the information processing apparatus according to each embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. The storage device 106 is used in advance in each of the embodiments described below, and is set in advance regarding time,
The values of the set time T1 and the set time T2 are stored. In the example of FIG. 2, values of 0.5 seconds as T1 and 3 seconds as T2 are stored. Hereinafter, also in the description of each embodiment, the value of T1 is 0.5 seconds and the value of T2 is 3 seconds. The storage device 106 also stores items of configuration settings of the information processing apparatus and setting contents. In the example shown in FIG. 2, automatic printing when receiving mail from the network, F
An example of settings relating to automatic printing upon receiving an AX is given.

The operation of the information processing apparatus and the display operation of the LCD 109 in each embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. Each rectangle shown in FIG. 3 is an LCD 1
09 schematically shows each menu display. The left column shows the configuration setting screen that is displayed in response to the next display instruction from the initial display state,
The screen for mode setting, which is the screen when the user inputs the next display instruction from the screen for configuration setting, is shown. In addition to this, it is possible to introduce various setting screens, and the user returns to the configuration setting screen by repeating the next display instruction. Here, the next display instruction corresponds to command selection.
Hereinafter, the operation of selecting a command will be referred to as a “next display instruction”.

Here, for example, when the user performs a decision operation from the screen for configuration setting, a menu relating to configuration setting is displayed as shown in the right column. The first is the setting screen for automatic printing when receiving mail, and the setting is "Yes". If the user performs the determination operation here, the program stores this setting in the storage device 106 so that the automatic printing is performed when the mail is received.

When the user inputs the next display instruction without performing the determination operation, the setting relating to the automatic printing when the mail is received shifts to "No". After that, if you input the next display instruction in the same way, “Auto print when FAX is received” and “FAX”
The display will change to "No automatic printing when receiving mail," and other items will be displayed, and then the screen will return to the first "Automatic printing when receiving mail Yes." If the user makes a decision operation during these operations, the settings displayed by the user are stored in the storage device 106 by the program.

How to execute the operation shown in FIG. 3 according to the operation of the input device 108 by the user, each embodiment will be described below with reference to a flowchart. Here, in the description of each embodiment, the input device 108 is a button. The first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. In the first embodiment, the user switches the menu by pressing the button of the input device 108 for a short time, and when the user reaches a desired menu, the user performs a decision operation by pressing the button of the input device 108 for a long time. , Is.

First, the user depresses the button of the input device 108 (step S101). The input device 108 that has received the pressing operation notifies the CPU 101, and the CPU 101 receives the notification and then receives the notification.
To start time measurement (step S102). Here, the CPU 101 monitors the elapsed time measured by the time measuring device 107 and checks whether the set time T1 is exceeded (step S103). If the elapsed time is less than or equal to T1, the CPU 101 continues to the input device 1
It is checked whether a notification that the user has released the button has been received from the 08 button (No from step S103 to step S104). When the notification that the button has been released has not been received, the CPU 101 determines that the button has been pressed down and checks the elapsed time (No in step S104 to step S103). When the notification that the button has been released is received, the CPU 101 displays the menu displayed on the LCD 109 as the next display instruction (YES from step S104 to step S105).
After performing the next display, the information processing device waits for an input from the user (step S106). When the button is pressed down, the same processing is performed again from step S101.

In step S103, the elapsed time is T
If it is more than 1, that is, if the user has pressed the button for longer than the predetermined time, the CPU 101 subsequently determines whether or not the notification that the button has been released is received (Yes from step S103 to step S10).
6). If the notification that the button has been released is not received here, the CPU 101 waits until the notification is received (step S
From No of 107 to the loop of step S107). When the notification that the button has been released is received, the CPU 101 determines that a determination instruction has been issued for the menu displayed on the LCD 109 at this point (step S108).
Subsequently, the CPU 101 processes the menu for which the determination instruction has been issued (step S109).

In the first embodiment, the user depresses the button for a time within T1 to give the next display instruction, and when the desired menu is reached, the button is pushed to T1.
The determination instruction can be given by pressing down for the above time. The operation can be easily controlled by operating only one predetermined input device.

Next, a second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. The second embodiment is common with the first embodiment, but after pressing the button for a long time,
It is possible to cancel the operation by further pressing down.

First, the user depresses the button of the input device 108 (step S201). The input device 108 that has received the pressing operation notifies the CPU 101, and the CPU 101 receives the notification and then receives the notification.
To start time measurement (step S202). Here, the CPU 101 monitors the elapsed time measured by the time measuring device 107 and checks whether the set time T1 is exceeded (step S203). If the elapsed time is less than or equal to T1, the CPU 101 continues to the input device 1
It is checked whether or not a notification that the user has released the button has been received from the 08 button (No from step S203 to step S204). If the notification that the button has been released has not been received, the CPU 101 determines that the button has been pressed down and checks the elapsed time (No from step S204 to step S203). When the notification that the button has been released is received, the CPU 101 performs the next display regarding the menu displayed on the LCD 109 as having received the next display instruction (Yes from step S204 to step S205).
After performing the next display, the information processing device waits for an input from the user (step S206). When the button is pressed down, the same processing is performed again from step S201.

In step S203, the elapsed time is T
If it is more than 1, that is, if the user has pressed the button down for longer than the predetermined time, the CPU 101 subsequently determines whether or not the notification that the button has been released is received (Yes from step S203 to step S20).
7). If the notification that the button has been released is not received here, the CPU 101 waits until the notification is received (step S
(No of 207 to loop of step S207). When the notification that the button has been released is received, the CPU 101 checks the elapsed time after the button is pushed down in step S201 at this point (step S208).

If the elapsed time is less than T2, CPU1
01 determines that the determination instruction has been issued for the menu displayed on the LCD 109 (No in step S208).
To step S209). Subsequently, the CPU 101 processes the menu for which the determination instruction has been issued (step S210). If the elapsed time exceeds T2, CPU1
01 determines that a cancel instruction has been issued for the menu displayed on the LCD 109, and performs cancel processing (Yes from step S208 to step S21).
1). Here, “cancel” means to return the display of the LCD 109 to the initial display without storing the selection result of the menu. The cancel element is further introduced to the first embodiment, and there is an advantage that the initial display can be promptly restored when the user enters an involuntary menu by selecting the menu.

Note that in step S208, Yes
An embodiment is also conceivable in which the branches No. and No are reversed.
That is, the embodiment is such that when the button is held down for a long time, a determination instruction is given, and when the button is released within T2, the instruction is cancelled. It can be appropriately selected and set according to the user's request.

Next, a third embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. In the third embodiment, after the user depresses the button, the user releases the button within a predetermined time T1 to instruct the next display of the menu, and after the next display,
By pressing the button again before the predetermined time T2 elapses, the decision instruction is given. It is similar to double-clicking with a mouse, which is one of the input devices of a computer.

First, the user depresses the button of the input device 108 (step S301). The input device 108 that has received the pressing operation notifies the CPU 101, and the CPU 101 receives the notification and then receives the notification.
To start time measurement (step S302). Here, the CPU 101 monitors the elapsed time measured by the time measuring device 107 and checks whether the set time T1 is exceeded (step S303). When the elapsed time exceeds T1, the CPU 101 does not change the menu any more and waits for the next button depression (Yes in step S303 to step S304). here,
The display of the LCD 109 may be set to be returned to the initial display.

When the elapsed time is T1 or less, the CPU 101
Then, it is checked whether or not a notification that the user has released the button is received from the button of the input device 108 (No in step S303 to step S305).
If you have not received a notification that you have released the button, CP
U101 determines that the button is held down and checks the elapsed time (step S3).
From No of 05, step S303). When the notification that the button has been released is received, the CPU 101 causes the LCD 109 to
The next display is performed for the menu to be displayed on the assumption that the next display instruction has been received (Yes from step S305 to step S306). After the next display, CPU 101
Checks the elapsed time from step S302 (step S307). Here, if the elapsed time exceeds T2, the CPU 101 does not make any further menu changes and waits for the next button depression (step S
From Yes of 307 to step S304).

If the elapsed time does not exceed T2, CP
U101 continues to determine whether or not the user has pressed the button of the input device 108 (No from step S307 to step S308). When the CPU 101 has not received the notification of pressing the button of the input device 108,
When it is determined that the button has not been pressed down, step S3
07 (from No in step S308 to step S3)
07). When the notification of the depression is received, the CPU 10
1 determines that this depression is a decision instruction (step S3).
09). Subsequently, the CPU 101 performs processing based on this determination instruction (step S310).

Next, referring to FIG. 7, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described as follows. In the fourth embodiment, the user keeps pressing the button of the input device 108 to give a next display instruction, and when the desired display is reached, the user releases the button to give a determination instruction.

First, the user depresses the button of the input device 108 (step S401). The input device 108 that has received the pressing operation notifies the CPU 101, and the CPU 101 receives the notification and then receives the notification.
To start time measurement (step S402). Here, the CPU 101 monitors the elapsed time measured by the time counting device 107 and checks whether the set time T1 is exceeded (step S403). When the elapsed time exceeds T1, the CPU 101 determines that it is the next display instruction, and switches the display on the LCD 109 to the next display (Yes from step S403 to step S404). Subsequently, the CPU 101 clears the counter of the timing device 107 and restarts the measurement (step S405 to step S405).
403).

When the elapsed time is T1 or less, the CPU 101
Determines whether or not the button of the input device 108 has been released, as in the above-described embodiment (step S406). When the button is not released, the elapsed time is continuously monitored and checked (No in step S406 to step S403). When the button is released, CPU10
1 determines that the determination instruction has been issued for the menu displayed on the LCD 109 at this time (step S4).
From Yes in 06 to step S407). Then CPU1
01 executes the process related to the menu for which the determination instruction has been issued (step S408).

Although the respective embodiments have been described above, the value of T1 and the value of T2 can be appropriately changed. In addition to the next display, it is possible to introduce a previous display instruction. For example, an application is conceivable in which T3 is provided between T1 and T2, and the instruction within the period of T1 to T3 is discriminated from the instruction of the previous display.

Further, although each of the above-described embodiments assumes a stationary type information processing apparatus such as a server, it can be applied to a portable information processing apparatus. It is possible to provide an easy-to-use information processing device while reducing the number of buttons.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus having a user interface that is easy to use.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing apparatus according to each embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a storage device 106.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a flow of display switching and setting control according to each embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the information processing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the information processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information processing apparatus, 101 ... CPU, 102 ... Bridge part, 103 ... Memory, 104 ... Display device, 105 ... Bus, 106 ... Storage device, 107 ... Timing device, 108 ... Input device, 109 ... LCD

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An information processing device having at least one input device and a display device for outputting a display signal, comprising: a time measuring device for measuring time in accordance with an input from the one input device; An information processing apparatus, comprising: a control device that selects an input command and controls the determination of the input command according to an input from one input device and a time measured by the time counting device. 2. The information according to claim 1, wherein the control device further controls the cancellation of the input command according to an input from the one input device and a time measured by the clock device. Processing equipment. 3. An information processing apparatus having at least one input device and a display device for outputting a display signal, the timer device measuring time according to an input from the one input device; If the predetermined time has elapsed from the first input to the second input from the two input devices, and if the predetermined time has not elapsed, select the input command, and if the predetermined time has elapsed An information processing device, comprising: a control device that determines the input command selected at that time. 4. An information processing apparatus having at least one input device and a display device for outputting a display signal, the clock device measuring time according to an input from the one input device; It is determined whether the first predetermined time has elapsed from the first input to the second input from the two input devices, and if the first predetermined time has not elapsed, the input command is selected. When the first predetermined time has elapsed, the time elapse is further determined, and when the second predetermined time has elapsed, the input command cancel operation is performed, and when the second predetermined time has not elapsed. An information processing device, comprising: a control device that determines the input command selected at that time. 5. An information processing device having at least one input device and a display device for outputting a display signal, comprising: a time measuring device for measuring a time in response to an input from the one input device; It is determined whether a first predetermined time has elapsed from the first input to the second input from the two input devices, and if the first predetermined time has elapsed, wait for the next input, and If the second input is made before the one predetermined time has elapsed, the input command is selected, and after the selection of the command,
It is determined whether the second predetermined time has elapsed before the third input, and if the second predetermined time has elapsed, wait for the next input,
An information processing apparatus, comprising: a control device that, when the second predetermined time has not elapsed, determines the input command selected at that time. 6. An information processing apparatus having at least one input device and a display device for outputting a display signal, the clocking device measuring time according to an input from the one input device; It is determined whether a first predetermined time has elapsed from the first input to the second input from the two input devices, and if the first predetermined time has elapsed, the input command is selected and the time And a re-measurement is performed to clear the measurement of No. 1, and when the first predetermined time has not elapsed, a control device for determining the input command selected at that time is provided. Processing equipment. 7. A method of controlling an information processing device, comprising at least one input device and a display device for outputting a display signal, the first detection step of detecting an input from the one input device, In the detection step, when an input is detected, a measurement step of performing time measurement, an input from the one input device, and a selection of an input command according to the time measurement result of the measurement step and an input command And a control step for controlling the determination.