(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2005/0122318A1
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Jun. 9, 2005
`Tonouchi et al.
`
`US 2005O12231.8A1
`
`(54) DATA PROCESSING DEVICE
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(75) Inventors: Yojiro Tonouchi, Kanagawa (JP); Kei
`Sakamoto, Tokyo (JP); Tomohiro
`Hanyu, Tokyo (JP)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`OBLON, SPIVAK, MCCLELLAND, MAIER &
`NEUSTADT, P.C.
`1940 DUKE STREET
`ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314 (US)
`(73) Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA,
`Tokyo (JP)
`(21) Appl. No.:
`10/986,098
`(22) Filed:
`Nov. 12, 2004
`(30)
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Nov. 14, 2003 (JP)...................................... 2003-385340
`
`(51) Int. Cl." ....................................................... G09G 5/00
`(52) U.S. Cl. .............................................................. 345/179
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A data processing device includes plural input modes which
`is capable of, for instance, automatically determining
`whether the device is in a notebook mode or a tablet mode,
`thereby enabling a user to use the data processing device by
`use of an interface Suitable for the mode without performing
`any particular operation for choosing the interface.
`The data processing device includes a display which is
`integrally configured with a tablet, a mode determination
`Section which determines an input mode on basis of the
`tablet, and a mode controller which Switches a user interface
`on basis of the result of determination of the mode deter
`mination Section. When configured as described above, the
`convertible data processing device can automatically deter
`mine whether the device is in a notebook mode or a tablet
`mode, and provide a user with an interface Suitable for the
`mode. Accordingly, comfortable operability can be realized.
`
`
`
`NOTEBOOKMODE
`ROTATION SWITCH: 0
`RECLOSABLE SWITCH: OPEN
`
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`Patent Application Publication Jun. 9, 2005 Sheet 1 of 6
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`US 2005/0122318A1
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`EHOW
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`ET8WSOTOBB
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`Patent Application Publication Jun. 9, 2005 Sheet 2 of 6
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`US 2005/0122318 A1
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`FIG. 2A
`
`
`
`NOTEBOOKMODE
`ROTATION SWITCH: 0
`RECLOSABLE SWITCH: OPEN
`
`FIG. 2B
`
`
`
`TABLET MODE
`ROTATIONSWITCH: 180°
`RECLOSABLE SWITCH: CLOSED
`
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`Patent Application Publication Jun. 9, 2005 Sheet 3 of 6
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`US 2005/0122318 A1
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`S. RECLOSABLE SWITCH
`
`ROTATION
`SWITCH
`
`
`
`
`
`or
`
`OPEN
`CLOSED
`NOTEBOOKMODE | NOTEBOOKMODE
`NOTEBOOKMODE
`TABLET MODE
`
`
`
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`Patent Application Publication Jun. 9, 2005 Sheet 4 of 6
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`US 2005/0122318A1
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`FIG. A
`
`as4
`
`/ SWITCH. O'
`
`RECLOSABLE SWITCH: CLOSED
`
`FIG. 4B
`NOTEBOOKMODE
`
`OPEN/CLOSE
`
`
`
`7. SWITCH:0
`
`RECLOSABLE SWITCH: OPEN
`
`1 C
`
`
`
`FIG. 4C
`NOTEBOOKMODE
`
`or? 2 ROTATIONSWITCH: 180°
`
`45%. SWITCH: OPEN
`
`FIG. 4D
`
`TABLET MODE 4 / ROTATIONSWITCH: 180°
`
`- RECLOSABLE SWITCH: CLOSED
`
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`Patent Application Publication Jun. 9, 2005 Sheet 6 of 6
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`US 2005/0122318 A1
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`FIG. 6A
`
`
`
`FIG. 6C
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`US 2005/O122318 A1
`
`Jun. 9, 2005
`
`DATA PROCESSING DEVICE
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`0001. This application is based upon and claims the
`benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Applica
`tions No. 2003-385340 filed on Nov. 14, 2003; the entire
`contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`0002) 1. Field of the Invention
`0003. The present invention relates to a data processing
`device, Such as a computer, a personal digital assistant, or a
`word processor, having two or more input modes including
`a mode where a keyboard or a touch-pad is used while the
`device is in an open State (notebook mode) as is the case with
`a normal notebook PC, and a mode where a pen is used
`while the device is in a collapsed State (tablet mode).
`0004 2. Description of the Related Art
`0005 Conventional data processing devices having a
`plurality of input modes has two modes, e.g., a mode (a
`notebook mode) where input is effected by a keyboard and
`a mouse and a mode (a tablet mode) where input is effected
`by handwriting with a pen, or the like. In a data processing
`device having a plurality of input modes, the type of input
`means to be employed and direction thereof during use, and
`the like, change greatly from one mode to another. For
`instance, in the notebook mode, there are many situations
`where a keyboard and a touch-pad are used from the front as
`in the case of a normal notebook PC. In contrast, in the tablet
`mode, a device is Supposed to be used on a device from
`desired directions thereof.
`0006 AS described above, in consideration of the fact
`that the direction-in which the user uses the data proceSS
`ing device-differs in many cases between, e.g., the note
`book mode and the tablet mode, the user Switches the
`direction of a Screen display or that of input means in
`accordance with directions assigned respectively to the
`notebook mode and the tablet mode, in a data processing
`device having a plurality of input modes (see, e.g., JP2003
`296033 (kokai) (0.019), FIG. 4)).
`0007 Adata processing device typified by a notebook PC
`assumes usage by use of a keyboard and a mouse. Accord
`ingly, many data processing devices having a plurality of
`input modes adopt a user interface for a notebook mode,
`which users often find to be inconvenient, especially in a
`tablet mode.
`0008 For this reason, in many data processing devices
`having a plurality of input modes, input means as well as the
`direction of a Screen display used by the user often change
`between, e.g., the notebook mode and the tablet mode.
`Accordingly, the user himself/herself Switches the mode.
`Furthermore, in addition to the direction of the Screen
`display, there also arises a problem of the user feeling
`inconvenience when a single input means is employed for
`both the notebook mode and the tablet mode.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`0009. The present invention has been conceived in view
`of the above circumstances and provides a data processing
`
`device having a plurality of input modes which is capable of,
`for instance, automatically determining whether the device
`is in a notebook mode or a tablet mode, thereby enabling a
`user to use an interface Suitable for the current mode.
`0010. According to first aspect of the present invention,
`a data processing device includes a display integrally con
`figured with a tablet, a mode determination unit to determine
`whether or not a current mode is an input mode employing
`the tablet, and a mode controller to Switch a user interface
`on basis of a result of determination of the mode determi
`nation unit.
`0011. According to second aspect of the present inven
`tion, a data processing device includes a display integrally
`configured with a tablet, an input unit, an input controller to
`control input information input by the input unit, a mode
`determination unit to determine whether or not a current
`mode is an input mode employing the tablet, and a mode
`controller to Switch whether or not to accept the input
`information in accordance with a result of determination of
`the mode determination unit.
`0012. According to third aspect of the present invention,
`a data processing device includes a display integrally con
`figured with a tablet, an input unit, a mode determination
`unit to determine whether or not a current mode is an input
`mode employing the tablet, and a mode controller to Switch
`an operation mode to be performed by way of the input unit
`in accordance with a result of determination of the mode
`determination unit.
`0013. According to fourth aspect of the present invention,
`a data processing device includes a display integrally con
`figured with a tablet, an input unit, a mode determination
`unit to determine whether or not a current mode is an input
`mode employing the tablet, and a mode controller to Switch
`a mode of displaying information input by way of the input
`unit in accordance with a result of determination of the mode
`determination unit.
`0014. According to fifth aspect of the present invention,
`a data processing device includes a display integrally con
`figured with a tablet, a mode determination unit to determine
`whether or not a current mode is an input mode employing
`the tablet, and a mode controller to Switch Software to be
`operated on basis of a result of determination of the mode
`determination unit.
`0015 According to sixth aspect of the present invention,
`a data processing device includes a display integrally con
`figured with a tablet, an authenticator to logon, a mode
`determination unit to determine whether or not a current
`mode is an input mode employing the tablet, and a mode
`controller to Switch an authentication mode in accordance
`with a result of determination of the mode determination
`unit.
`0016. According to seventh aspect of the present inven
`tion, a portable device includes a display integrally config
`ured with a input in a tablet mode, a input unit to input in a
`notebook mode, a mode determination unit to determine
`whether a current mode is the notebook mode or the tablet
`mode, and a mode controller to Switch a user input interface
`on basis of a result of determination of the mode determi
`nation unit.
`0017 According to the present invention, in a data pro
`cessing device having a plurality of input modes, an inter
`
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`US 2005/O122318 A1
`
`Jun. 9, 2005
`
`face Suitable for the current mode can be automatically
`provided to a user. Accordingly, operation efficiency of the
`user can be enhanced. Particularly, there is automatically
`performed Switching to an appropriate interface in the tablet
`mode without causing the user to perform a special opera
`tion, and hence the user can operate the data processing
`device with comfort.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0.018
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration
`of a data processing apparatus according to an embodiment
`of the present invention;
`0019 FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams showing a note
`book mode and a tablet mode,
`0020 FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example mode
`determination;
`0021
`FIGS. 4A to 4D are diagrams showing Switching
`between modes,
`0022 FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of pro
`cessing pertaining to Switching between a notebook mode
`and a tablet mode, and
`0023 FIGS. 6A to 6C are diagrams showing examples of
`trails displayed on Screens.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will
`0024.
`be described by reference to the drawings.
`0.025
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a data process
`ing device of the present invention. The data processing
`device shown in FIG. 1 includes a screen display 101, a
`Screen controller 102, a reclosable Switch 103, a rotation
`Switch 104, a mode determination section 105, a keyboard
`106, a keyboard input controller 107, a to touch-pad 108, a
`tablet 109, a mouse 110, a coordinate input controller 111, a
`password authenticator 112, a mode controller 113, and a
`Signature authenticator 114.
`0.026
`FIG. 2A shows a notebook mode of a data pro
`cessing device, such as a convertible notebook PC, and FIG.
`2B shows a tablet mode thereof.
`0027. The reclosable switch 103 is a switch for detecting
`an open State and a collapsed State of, e.g., a convertible data
`processing device. The rotation Switch 104 is a Switch for
`detecting a rotation in a direction different from that open
`ing/closing action of the display Screen of the convertible
`data processing device. The Screen controller 102 controls
`on-Screen displayed components, Such as a mouse cursor, a
`button, a menu, and a Scroll bar. The keyboard input
`controller 107 accepts input from the keyboard 106, how
`ever, when the mode controller 113 determines that the input
`from the keyboard 106 cannot be accepted, the keyboard
`input controller 107 does not output the input from the
`keyboard 106. The coordinate input controller 111 accepts
`inputs from the mouse 110, the tablet 109, and the touch-pad
`108. However, when the mode controller 113 determines
`that input from an arbitrary one of the mouse 110, the tablet
`109, and the touch-pad 108 is unacceptable, the coordinate
`input controller 111 does not output that input.
`0028. The signature authenticator 114 checks similarity
`between a signature input at the time of logon and a
`Signature which has been registered in advance, by use of a
`
`Signature collation processing technique (see, e.g., “Study
`on Identification of Signature by Tree-Matching.” Shingaku
`Giho, D-II, Vol. J75-D-II, No. 1, pp. 31-38, 1992), and when
`the Signature is authenticated, the Signature authenticator
`114 permits the logon. Meanwhile, the password authenti
`cator checks whether a password (a character String) coin
`cides with the password which has been registered in
`advance, when the passwords coincide, the password
`authenticator 114 permits the logon.
`0029. As shown in FIG. 3, the mode determination
`Section 105 determines whether or not the device is in the
`tablet mode, on the basis of the states of the reclosable
`Switch 103 and the rotation Switch 104. In the illustrated
`example, the device is determined to be in the tablet mode
`when the reclosable Switch is open, and the rotation Switch
`104 is at 180.
`0030 FIGS. 4A to 4D show mode switching from a
`power-off mode through the tablet mode. FIG. 4A shows a
`power-off state where the screen display 101 is folded so as
`to face the keyboard 106 and the touch-pad 108. When the
`Screen display 101 is opened, a view Such as that shown in
`FIG. 4B is acquired, so that the device enters the notebook
`mode. When the display 101 is rotated about the reclosable
`section by 180° (FIG. 4C), and the display 101 is closed
`Such that the Surface opposite the Screen faces the keyboard
`106 and the touch-pad 108, the device enters the tablet mode
`as shown in FIG. 4D.
`0031
`FIG. 5 shows an example of processing pertaining
`to Switching between the notebook mode and the tablet
`mode. With regard to a cursor displayed on a Screen, in the
`notebook mode a normal mouse cursor is displayed. In
`contrast, in the tablet mode, the cursor is not displayed, So
`that the user will not be distracted with parallax or time
`delay, or a dedicated cursor different from that of the normal
`cursor is displayed, for instance, as shown in FIG. 6A.
`Displayed components, Such as a mouse cursor, a button, a
`menu, and a Scroll bar, in the tablet mode are displayed in a
`magnified manner as compared to those in the normal
`notebook mode. With regard to operation modes typified in
`click operation, in the notebook mode a double click is
`adopted. In contrast, in the tablet mode, a Single click is
`chiefly adopted, because input is mainly performed by a pen
`on the tablet.
`0032. Furthermore, with regard to display of a pointer
`trail on the Screen, in the notebook mode where input is
`mainly performed by the mouse 110, cursor motion caused
`by dragging of the mouse 110 is displayed as shown in FIG.
`6B. In the tablet mode, a trail traced by pen input is
`displayed in a form of a stroke as shown in FIG. 6C. In the
`notebook mode, input by the keyboard 106 and input by the
`touch-pad 108 are accepted. However, in the tablet mode,
`input by the keyboard 108 and input by the touch-pad 108
`are not accepted. Meanwhile, in the notebook mode, input
`by a pen (tablet) is not accepted, whereas Such input is
`accepted in the tablet mode.
`0033. Furthermore, at the time of Switching from the
`notebook mode to the tablet mode, Software pertaining to the
`tablet stays resident. In contrast, at the time of Switching to
`the notebook mode, the Software pertaining to the tablet is
`Stopped. With regard to logon to the data processing device,
`in the notebook mode, authentication is processed with use
`of a password, in the tablet mode, authentication is pro
`cessed by input of a signature.
`0034. As described above, in the notebook mode, input
`and operations are mainly performed by the keyboard 106,
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`US 2005/O122318 A1
`
`Jun. 9, 2005
`
`the touch-pad 108, and the mouse 110. In the tablet mode,
`input and operations are mainly performed by a pen. Accord
`ingly, upon acceptance of the result determined by the mode
`determination section 105, the mode controller 113 Switches
`a user interface to a Suitable one for the mode So as to
`provide the user with a Suitable interface for the operation
`method.
`0035. By virtue of the above configuration, operation
`efficiency of the user can be enhanced. Particularly, there is
`automatically performed Switching to an appropriate inter
`face in the tablet mode without causing the user to perform
`a special operation, and hence the user can operate the data
`processing device with comfort.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A data processing device comprising:
`a display integrally configured with a tablet,
`a mode determination unit to determine whether or not a
`current mode is an input mode employing the tablet,
`and
`a mode controller to Switch a user interface on basis of a
`result of determination of the mode determination unit.
`2. The data processing device according to claim 1,
`wherein the mode determination unit makes a determination
`on basis of opening/closing and rotation of on the display.
`3. The data processing device according to claim 1,
`wherein the mode controller changes a mouse cursor dis
`played on the display.
`4. The data processing device according to claim 1,
`wherein the mode controller changes sizes of an item
`displayed on the display.
`5. A data processing device comprising:
`a display integrally configured with a tablet,
`an input unit;
`an input controller to control input information input by
`the input unit;
`a mode determination unit to determine whether or not a
`current mode is an input mode employing the tablet,
`and
`a mode controller to Switch whether or not to accept the
`input information in accordance with a result of deter
`mination of the mode determination unit.
`6. A data processing device comprising:
`a display integrally configured with a tablet,
`an input unit;
`a mode determination unit to determine whether or not a
`current mode is an input mode employing the tablet,
`and
`a mode controller to Switch an operation mode to be
`performed by way of the input unit in accordance with
`a result of determination of the mode determination
`unit.
`7. A data processing device comprising:
`a display integrally configured with a tablet,
`an input unit;
`a mode determination unit to determine whether or not a
`current mode is an input mode employing the tablet,
`and
`
`a mode controller to Switch a mode of displaying infor
`mation input by way of the input unit in accordance
`with a result of determination of the mode determina
`tion unit.
`8. A data processing device comprising:
`a display integrally configured with a tablet,
`a mode determination unit to determine whether or not a
`current mode is an input mode employing the tablet,
`and
`a mode controller to Switch Software to be operated on
`basis of a result of determination of the mode deter
`mination unit.
`9. A data processing device comprising:
`a display integrally configured with a tablet,
`an authenticator to logon;
`a mode determination unit to determine whether or not a
`current mode is an input mode employing the tablet,
`and
`
`a mode controller to Switch an authentication mode in
`accordance with a result of determination of the mode
`determination unit.
`10. A portable device comprising:
`a display integrally configured with a input in a tablet
`mode,
`a input unit to input in a notebook mode,
`a mode determination unit to determine whether a current
`mode is the notebook mode or the tablet mode; and
`a mode controller to Switch a user input interface on basis
`of a result of determination of the mode determination
`unit.
`11. The portable device according to claim 10, wherein
`the mode determination unit makes a determination on basis
`of opening/closing and rotation of the display.
`12. The portable device according to claim 10, further
`comprising:
`a reclosable Switch configured to detect an opening/
`closing of the display; and
`a rotation Switch configured to detect a rotation angle of
`the display, wherein
`the mode determination unit makes a determination on
`basis of combination of the opening/closing and the
`rotation angle.
`13. The portable device according to claim 10, wherein
`the mode controller changes a mouse cursor displayed on the
`display.
`14. The portable device according to claim 10, wherein
`the mode controller changes sizes of an item displayed on
`the display.
`15. The portable device according to claim 10, wherein
`the input unit is at least one of keyboard, touch-pad and
`mouse; and
`the input in the tablet mode is inputted by handwriting
`with a pen.
`
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