JP2013030026A - Electronic apparatus, control method of electronic apparatus and control program for electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To notify a display direction suitable for an application in the case where the application is displayed in an unsuitable display direction, since it is complicated for a user to display an application regardless of whether the display direction is suitable or not when "rotation" is executed in an electronic apparatus.SOLUTION: An electronic apparatus comprises a direction detection section which detects whether the apparatus itself is turned in a first direction or in a second direction. Furthermore, the electronic apparatus comprises a character detection section which detects whether characters are displayed in an application started by the apparatus itself and, if displaying characters, detects whether the number of characters in one line exceeds a predetermined value. Moreover, the electronic apparatus comprises an indication output section which outputs an indication calling switching of the direction of the apparatus itself to the first direction in the case where the apparatus itself is turned in the second direction and the number of characters in one line displayed in the application exceeds the predetermined value.

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an electronic device, an electronic device control method, and an electronic device control program.

  In recent years, electronic devices called tablet PCs and slate PCs have become widespread. These electronic devices are portable, and are used in the “horizontal direction” and / or the “vertical direction” as appropriate, depending on the user's use.

  In addition, some of these electronic devices can perform display in two directions of “horizontal direction” and “vertical direction”. For example, when the display is performed in “vertical direction”, Some electronic devices have a "rotation" function that causes the display screen to lie down when the main body of the electronic device is laid down.

  There are various types of application software (hereinafter referred to as applications) displayed on the display screen of the electronic device. For example, “horizontal” display is suitable, or “vertical” display is suitable. There is something.

  However, as described above, for example, when “rotation” is performed in an electronic device, the application is displayed regardless of the appropriate display direction or the unsuitable direction, which is complicated for the user.

  For this reason, for example, when a certain application is displayed in an unsuitable display direction, it has been a problem to notify the display direction suitable for the application.

JP 2005-18229 A

  For example, when “rotation” is executed in an electronic device, the application is displayed regardless of whether the display direction is appropriate or inappropriate, which is complicated for the user.

  For this reason, for example, when a certain application is displayed in an unsuitable display direction, it has been a problem to notify the display direction suitable for the application.

The electronic device of the embodiment includes an orientation detection unit that detects whether the orientation of the own device is the first orientation or the second orientation.
In addition, a character detection unit that detects whether a character is displayed in the application that is activated by the device and detects whether the number of characters in one line exceeds a predetermined value when the character is displayed.

  Further, when the device is in the second direction and the number of characters in one line of characters displayed in the application exceeds the predetermined value, the direction of the device is set to the first direction. A display output unit for outputting a display prompting the user is provided.

The figure explaining the horizontal direction (1st direction) of the electronic device (tablet PC) concerning embodiment. The figure explaining the vertical direction (2nd direction) of the electronic device (tablet PC) concerning embodiment. FIG. 6 is a view showing a state in which the vertical orientation (second orientation) of the electronic device (tablet PC) according to the embodiment is detected. The block diagram which shows the structure of the electronic device (tablet PC) concerning embodiment. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the electronic apparatus (tablet PC) according to the embodiment. The figure explaining the horizontal direction (1st direction) of the electronic device (smart phone) concerning other embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a lateral direction (first direction) of an electronic apparatus (tablet PC) according to the embodiment.
In this embodiment, the electronic device (tablet PC) 10 has a “rotation” function capable of performing display in two directions of “horizontal direction” and “vertical direction”.

  For example, when the display is performed in the “vertical direction”, a “rotation” function is provided in which the display of the video display unit 17 is also horizontal when the user lays the main body of the electronic device (tablet PC) 10 sideways. Yes.

  In this embodiment, an application for displaying characters (text) is activated on the electronic device (tablet PC) 10, and characters are displayed on the video display unit 17 as shown in FIG. 1.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the electronic device (tablet PC) 10 faces in a direction in which characters (text) are easily displayed, that is, in a direction in which many characters (text) are displayed. The direction is called sideways (first direction).

  Further, the orientation of the electronic device (tablet PC) 10 is determined by the acceleration sensor 30 configured in the electronic device (tablet PC) 10 such that the orientation of the own device (electronic device (tablet PC) 10) is landscape (first orientation). ) Or vertical orientation (second orientation).

Here, it is detected that the direction of the own device (electronic device (tablet PC) 10) is the horizontal direction (first direction).
Here, the acceleration sensor will be described. The acceleration sensor is a sensor that measures acceleration based on the principle of capturing a change in the position of a weight (mass, mass) due to acceleration. Generally, it is classified into three types: mechanical, optical, and semiconductor.

In this embodiment, the electronic device (tablet PC) 10 constitutes a camera 20 and is provided side by side on the video display unit 17.
Examples of the application software include a word processor, spreadsheet software, a database management system (DBMS), and a media player for reproducing video and audio.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the vertical orientation (second orientation) of the electronic apparatus (tablet PC) according to the embodiment.
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the direction in which the electronic device (tablet PC) 10 is oriented in the direction in which characters (text) are difficult to display, that is, the direction in which many characters (text) are not displayed, is vertical. Called the direction (second direction).

  Similarly to the above, the orientation (vertical orientation (second orientation)) of the electronic device (tablet PC) 10 is detected by the acceleration sensor 30 configured in the electronic device (tablet PC) 10.

In addition, here, the application display “Notification from T Company Direct PC” shown in FIG. 2 is displayed in a display direction not suitable for the application.
In this embodiment, when an application is displayed in an unsuitable display direction, a display direction suitable for the application is notified.
In other words, in this embodiment, the notification display 21 that is a display prompting the electronic device (tablet PC) 10 to be in the horizontal direction (first direction) is displayed on the video display unit 17.

For example, when the user looks at the notification display 21 and changes the orientation of the electronic device (tablet PC) 10 to the vertical orientation (second orientation), the display of the notification display 21 is stopped.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating detection of the vertical direction (second direction) of the electronic apparatus (tablet PC) according to the embodiment.
In the electronic device (tablet PC) 10, for example, in FIG. 3, the right side (arrow 18) in FIG. 3 is high and the left side is low with respect to the table 60.
In this case, the acceleration sensor 30 detects that the electronic device (tablet PC) 10 is in the vertical direction (second direction).
In this embodiment, for example, when the acceleration sensor 30 cannot detect either the horizontal orientation (first orientation) or the vertical orientation (second orientation), the self-device (electronic device (tablet PC) ) The direction of 10) is detected as the horizontal direction (first direction).

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic apparatus (tablet PC) according to the embodiment.
The electronic device (tablet) 10 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 101, a north bridge 102, a main memory 103, a south bridge 104, a graphics processing unit (GPU) 105, a random access memory (VRAM) 105A, a sound controller. 106, BIOS-ROM (basic input / output system-read only memory) 107, LAN (local area network) controller 108, hard disk drive (HDD (storage device)) 109, optical disk drive (ODD) 110, USB controller 111A, card A controller 111B, a wireless LAN controller 112, an embedded controller / keyboard controller (EC / KBC) 113, an EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable ROM) 114, and the like are provided.

The CPU 101 is a processor that controls the operation of each unit in the electronic device (tablet) 10.
The CPU 101 executes the BIOS stored in the BIOS-ROM 107. The BIOS is a program for hardware control.
The north bridge 102 is a bridge device that connects the local bus of the CPU 101 and the south bridge 104. The north bridge 102 also includes a memory controller that controls access to the main memory 103. The north bridge 102 also has a function of executing communication with the GPU 105 via, for example, a PCI EXPRESS serial bus.

The GPU 105 is a display controller that controls a video display unit (LCD) 17 used as a display monitor of the electronic device (tablet) 10.
A display signal generated by the GPU 105 is sent to a video display unit (LCD) 17. The GPU 105 can also send a digital video signal to the external display 1 via the HDMI control circuit 3 and the HDMI terminal 2.

  The HDMI terminal 2 is the aforementioned external display connection terminal. The HDMI terminal 2 can send an uncompressed digital video signal and a digital audio signal to the external display 1 such as a television with a single cable. The HDMI control circuit 3 is an interface for sending a digital video signal to an external display 1 called an HDMI monitor via the HDMI terminal 2.

  The south bridge 104 controls each device on a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus and each device on a low pin count (LPC) bus. Further, the south bridge 104 includes an IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) controller for controlling the HDD 109 and the ODD 110.

Further, the south bridge 104 has a function of executing communication with the sound controller 106.
The sound controller 106 is a sound source device, and outputs audio data to be reproduced to the speakers 18A and 18B or the HDMI control circuit 3. The LAN controller 108 is a wired communication device that executes IEEE 802.3 standard wired communication, for example, while the wireless LAN controller 112 is a wireless communication device that executes IEEE 802.11g standard wireless communication, for example. The USB controller 111A executes communication with an external device (connected via the USB connector 19) that supports, for example, the USB 2.0 standard.

  For example, the USB controller 111A is used for receiving an image data file stored in a digital camera, for example. The card controller 111B executes writing and reading of data with respect to a memory card such as an SD card inserted into a card slot provided in the computer (notebook PC) main body 11.

  The EC / KBC 113 is a one-chip microcomputer in which an embedded controller for power management and a keyboard controller for controlling the keyboard 13 and the touch pad 16 are integrated. The EC / KBC 113 has a function of turning on / off the electronic device (tablet) 10 in accordance with the operation of the power button 14 by the user.

The display control in this embodiment is performed, for example, by causing the CPU 101 to execute a program recorded in the main memory 103, the HDD 109, or the like.
That is, the electronic device (tablet PC) 10 according to the present embodiment is, for example, the acceleration sensor 30, and whether the orientation of the device is horizontal (first) or vertical (second). Is detected.

  Further, for example, the CPU 101 detects whether or not a character is displayed in an application activated by the own device. When the character is displayed, it is detected whether or not the number of characters in one line exceeds a predetermined value. This predetermined value is, for example, 10 characters. Here, this information is stored in, for example, an HDD (storage device) 109.

  If the device is in the vertical (second) orientation and the number of characters in one line of characters displayed by the application exceeds the predetermined value, the orientation of the device in FIG. A display (notification display 21) that prompts the user to be in the horizontal (first) direction is output.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the electronic apparatus (tablet PC) according to the embodiment.
Step S100 is a start step here. Then, it progresses to step S101.
Step S101 is a step of turning on the power of the electronic device (tablet PC) 10. Then, it progresses to step S102.
Step S102 is, for example, a step of detecting the orientation (lateral (first) or longitudinal (second)) of the electronic device 10 with the acceleration sensor 30. For example, the orientation of the electronic device 10 with the acceleration sensor 30 is detected. If it cannot be detected, it can be set in the horizontal (first) direction, and the process proceeds to step S103.

  Step S103 is a step of starting an application. Here, the application shown in FIG. 1 or 2 is displayed. Then, it progresses to step S104.

  Step S104 is a step of determining whether characters are displayed in the application. This determination is performed by the CPU 101, for example, as described above. Then, it progresses to step S105.

  Step S105 is a step of determining whether or not the number of characters per line displayed in the application is greater than a specified value (predetermined value). This determination is also performed by the CPU 101, for example. The predetermined value is, for example, 10 characters. Then, it progresses to step S106.

  Step S106 is a step of detecting whether the electronic device 10 is in the vertical (second) direction, for example. As described above, the orientation of the electronic device 10 is detected by the acceleration sensor 30, for example. If it is detected that the electronic device 10 is in the vertical (second) orientation, the process proceeds to step S109 (Yes). If it is detected that the electronic device 10 is not in the vertical (second) orientation, the process proceeds to step S107 (No).

  In step S107, as shown in FIG. 2, the notification display 21 for prompting the horizontal (first) direction is displayed on the video display unit 17, and the application is displayed. Then, it progresses to step S108.

  Step S108 is a step of detecting whether the electronic device 10 is in the horizontal (first) orientation. Similarly to the above, the direction of the electronic device 10 is detected by, for example, the acceleration sensor 30. If it is detected that the electronic device 10 is in the horizontal (first) direction, the process proceeds to step S109 (Yes). If it is not detected that the electronic device 10 is in the horizontal (first) direction, the process proceeds to step S107 and the above process is repeated (No).

  Step S109 is a step of displaying the application on the video display unit 17 without displaying the notification display 21 for prompting the horizontal (first) orientation as shown in FIG. Then, it progresses to step S110.

Step S110 is an end step, and the process here ends.
In this embodiment, the character detection of the application may be performed in response to the activation of the application.
Further, when the device (electronic device 10) is in the horizontal (first) direction and the number of characters in one line of characters displayed on the application exceeds the predetermined value, the device (electronic device 10) The display prompting the device 10) to be in the horizontal (first) direction may not be output.

  By configuring as described above, in this embodiment, when a certain application is displayed in a display direction that is not suitable, it is possible to notify a display direction suitable for the application.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a lateral direction (first direction) of an electronic device (smart phone) according to another embodiment.
In this embodiment, similarly to the above, the electronic device (smartphone) 60 has a “rotation” function capable of performing display in two directions of “horizontal direction” and “vertical direction”. ing.

  For example, when the display is performed in the “vertical direction”, when the user lays the main body of the electronic device (smart phone) 60, the display of the video display unit 17 is also provided with a “rotation” function. Yes.

  In this embodiment, an application for displaying characters (text) is activated on the electronic device (smart phone) 60, and characters are displayed on the video display unit 17, as shown in FIG.

  Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the electronic device (smart phone) 60 is oriented in a direction in which characters (text) are easily displayed, that is, in a direction in which many characters (text) are displayed. The direction is called sideways (first direction).

  The direction of the electronic device (smart phone) 60 is determined by the acceleration sensor 30 configured in the electronic device (smart phone) 60 so that the direction of the own device (electronic device (smart phone) 60) is horizontal (first direction). ) Or vertical orientation (second orientation).

Here, it is detected that the direction of the own device (electronic device (smart phone) 60) is horizontal (first direction).
Also in this embodiment, when a certain application is displayed in an unsuitable display direction, it becomes possible to notify the display direction suitable for the application.

  As described above, generally, the video display unit of an electronic device (slate PC or tablet PC) has a different vertical and horizontal screen ratio. By rotating the electronic device ("rotation" function), it follows it. It is possible to change the display direction of the application. The application to be executed can be displayed both vertically and horizontally. However, this does not consider the optimal screen display direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, an appropriate display direction is notified to the user.

As described above, by notifying the user of the appropriate screen direction, the application can be displayed with an appropriate screen layout.
In the above description, a tablet PC or a smart phone is used as an example of an electronic device. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and is applied to an electronic device such as a portable television or a playback device. It is also possible.

  By configuring as described above, in this embodiment, when a certain application is displayed in an unsuitable display direction, it is possible to notify a display direction suitable for the application.

  Note that all the control processing procedures of the above-described embodiment can be executed by software. For this reason, it is possible to easily realize the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment only by installing and executing this program on a normal computer through a computer-readable storage medium storing the program for executing the control processing procedure. it can.

  Note that the above embodiment is not limited to the description itself, and in the implementation stage, the constituent elements can be variously modified and embodied without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Further, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment.
For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, you may combine suitably the component covering different embodiment.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Electronic device (tablet PC), 17 ... Image | video display part (LCD), 20 ... Camera, 30 ... Acceleration sensor.

Claims (9)

An orientation detection unit for detecting whether the orientation of the device is the first orientation or the second orientation;
Detecting whether a character is displayed in the application started by the device, and if the character is displayed, a character detection unit that detects whether the number of characters in one line exceeds a predetermined value;
If the device is in the second direction and the number of characters in one line of characters displayed in the application exceeds the predetermined value, the device is prompted to turn the device in the first direction. An electronic device including a display output unit that outputs a display.   The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit that displays the output display.   2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein, when neither the first direction nor the second direction can be detected, the direction of the device is the first direction.   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein an acceleration sensor is used for detecting the orientation of the device itself.   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the character detection of the application is performed in response to activation of the application.   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined value is 10 characters.   If the device is in the first direction and the number of characters in one line of characters displayed in the application exceeds the predetermined value, the device is urged to turn the device in the first direction. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein no display is output. Detecting whether the direction of the device is the first direction or the second direction;
Detecting whether or not characters are displayed in the application started by the device, and detecting whether or not the number of characters in one line exceeds a predetermined value when characters are displayed;
If the device is in the second direction and the number of characters in one line of characters displayed in the application exceeds the predetermined value, the device is prompted to turn the device in the first direction. An electronic device control method comprising a step of outputting a display. Detecting whether the direction of the device is the first direction or the second direction;
Detecting whether or not characters are displayed in the application started by the device, and detecting whether or not the number of characters in one line exceeds a predetermined value when characters are displayed;
If the device is in the second direction and the number of characters in one line of characters displayed in the application exceeds the predetermined value, the device is prompted to turn the device in the first direction. An electronic device control program comprising a step of outputting a display.

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