Information processing apparatus and control method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11513680-B2
Application number	US-202117490090-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 30, 2021
Priority date	Oct 9, 2020
Publication date	Nov 29, 2022
Grant date	Nov 29, 2022

Abstract

An information processing apparatus includes a display unit, a touch sensor disposed on the display unit and detects contact with an object on the display unit, a main system, and an embedded system. The embedded system generates image data of an input area for a virtual input device, output image data of the input area to the main system by using a first general-purpose interface protected by the main system, and output input information, which is based on detection information detected in the input area by the touch sensor, via the virtual input device to the main system by using a second general-purpose interface protected by the main system. The main system displays, on the display unit, the image data of the input area output by the embedded system.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An information processing apparatus comprising:
a display unit;
a touch sensor that is disposed on the display unit and that detects contact with an object on the display unit;
a main system that:
comprises:
a main processor; and
a main memory, and

executes an Operating System (OS); and

an embedded system that is separate from the main system, comprising:
an embedded processor, and
an embedded memory, wherein

the embedded system:
generates image data of an input area for a virtual input device, wherein
the image data includes an image of at least a portion of the virtual input device, outputs, to the main system, the image data of the input area,
wherein
the embedded system outputs the image data using a first general-purpose interface protected by the main system, and

outputs, to the main system, input information based on detection information detected in the input area by the touch sensor, via the virtual input device, wherein
the embedded system outputs the input information using a second general-purpose interface protected by the main system, and

the main system displays, on the display unit, the image data of the input area output by the embedded system.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the embedded system:
outputs the input information accepted by the virtual input device to the main system by using a Human Interface Device (HID) class of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, and
outputs the image data of the input area to the main system by using a USB Video Class (UVC).

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
the main system:
sends display position information indicating a display position of the input area in the display unit to the embedded system, and
displays image data of the input area output by the embedded system at a display position of the input area in the display unit, and

the embedded system sets the input area on the basis of the display position information sent from the main system.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the main system sends type information indicating a type of the virtual input device to the embedded system, and the embedded system sets a type of the input area on the basis of the type information sent from the main system.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the embedded system changes the image data of the input area according to feedback based on input information accepted by the virtual input device.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the display unit comprises a first display area displaying a main screen of the main system and a second display area displaying the image data of the input area.

7. A control method for controlling an information processing apparatus including: a display unit, a touch sensor that is disposed on the display unit and that detects contact with an object on the display unit, a main system that: includes a main processor and a main memory, and executes an Operating System (OS), and an embedded system separate from the main system, including an embedded processor and an embedded memory, the method comprising:
generating, by the embedded system, image data of an input area for a virtual input device, wherein the image data includes an image of at least a portion of the virtual input device;
outputting, by the embedded system, the image data of the input area, wherein
the image data is output to the main system using a first general-purpose interface protected by the main system;

outputting, by the embedded system, input information based on detection information detected in the input area by the touch sensor, via the virtual input device, wherein
the input information is output to the main system using a second general-purpose interface protected by the main system; and

displaying, by the main system on the display unit, the image data of the input area output by the embedded system.

Assignees

• Lenovo Singapore Pte Ltd

Inventors

• Imanishi Yoshimitsu
• Kawano Seiichi
• Yamamura Kazunori
• Suzuki Yoshitsugu
• Yamazaki Mitsuhiro
• Nomura Ryohta

Classifications

• G06F3/0488

  using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures · CPC title

• G06F3/1423 Primary

  controlling a plurality of local displays, e.g. CRT and flat panel display · CPC title

• G06F3/04886 Primary

  by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus · CPC title

• G06F3/0416

  Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers · CPC title

• G06F3/14

  Digital output to display device {; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units} · CPC title