JP2024154444A - Information processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention makes it possible to improve the convenience of keyboard input.
[Solution] An information processing device 10 has a storage unit 11 and a processing unit 12. The storage unit 11 can be referenced by firmware in which processing before the operating system is started is described. The storage unit 11 stores a setting value indicating a type of keyboard layout that indicates settings for input contents to be input when each key on a keyboard 1 is pressed. The processing unit 12 updates the setting value to a value corresponding to the keyboard layout applied while the operating system is being executed, in accordance with software that runs on the operating system. The processing unit 12 applies the keyboard layout corresponding to the setting value while the firmware is being executed, in accordance with the firmware.
[Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device.

A computer accepts input of letters, numbers, symbols, etc. from a keyboard. Symbols are displayed on each key of the keyboard, and some keys have different symbols displayed depending on the corresponding language.

As an example of keyboard-related technology, it makes it easy to disable the keyboard.

JP 2022-083217 A

The keyboard layout, which indicates the settings for symbols and other items that are entered when each key on the keyboard is pressed, may be changed to something that is easier for users to use. For example, the keyboard layout is changed by software on the OS (Operating System) so that the display of each key on the keyboard matches the letters, numbers, symbols, and other items that are entered when the key is pressed. However, even if the software on the OS changes the keyboard layout, the changed keyboard layout is not applied to input on firmware before the OS is executed, such as the BIOS (Basic Input Output System), which is inconvenient.

In one aspect, the present invention aims to improve the convenience of keyboard input.

In one proposal, an information processing device is provided that has a storage unit and a processing unit. The storage unit can be referenced by firmware that describes processing before the operating system is started, and stores a setting value indicating a type of keyboard layout that indicates the setting of the input content to be entered when each key on the keyboard is pressed. The processing unit updates the setting value to a value corresponding to the keyboard layout that is applied while the operating system is being executed, in accordance with software that runs on the operating system, and applies the keyboard layout that corresponds to the setting value while the firmware is being executed, in accordance with the firmware.

According to one embodiment, the convenience of keyboard input can be improved.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an information processing apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a PC according to a second embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a PC. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of functions of a PC; FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of correspondence information. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for a keyboard layout setting process.

Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that each embodiment can be implemented in combination with a plurality of other embodiments within a range that does not cause inconsistency.
First Embodiment
First, a first embodiment will be described. The first embodiment is for setting a keyboard layout.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an information processing device according to a first embodiment. The information processing device 10 is a computer operated by a user. The information processing device 10 is connected to a keyboard 1. When a key on the keyboard 1 is pressed, the information processing device 10 accepts an input corresponding to the pressed key according to the keyboard layout. The keyboard layout indicates the settings of the input content to be input when each key on the keyboard 1 is pressed. The input content to be input when each key on the keyboard is pressed includes, for example, letters, numbers, symbols, and instructions for a specific process such as deleting a character.

The information processing device 10 has a storage unit 11 and a processing unit 12. The storage unit 11 stores data used in processing executed by the information processing device 10. The storage unit 11 can be referenced by firmware describing processing before the operating system is started. In the following, firmware describing processing before the operating system is started may be simply referred to as firmware. The firmware is, for example, BIOS or UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface). The storage unit 11 is, for example, a memory possessed by the information processing device 10 or a non-volatile storage area accessible when the firmware is executed. The storage unit 11 stores a setting value 11a. The setting value 11a indicates the type of keyboard layout. For example, the setting value 11a is the name of any keyboard layout or a value corresponding to any keyboard layout.

The processing unit 12 controls the information processing device 10 and is capable of executing required processing. The processing unit 12 is, for example, a processor or arithmetic circuit included in the information processing device 10. The processing unit 12 starts the operating system by executing firmware. When a key on the keyboard 1 is pressed while the started operating system is running, the processing unit 12 accepts input of a symbol or the like that corresponds to the pressed key in the keyboard layout applied in the operating system. The processing unit 12 may change the keyboard layout applied while the operating system is running.

The processing unit 12 updates the setting value 11a to the setting value corresponding to the keyboard layout applied while the operating system is running, in accordance with the software running on the operating system. For example, the processing unit 12 updates the setting value 11a to the setting value corresponding to the keyboard layout applied while the operating system is running, at the time of shutdown.

In addition, the processing unit 12 executes the following processes according to the firmware when the information processing device 10 is started. The processing unit 12 applies a keyboard layout corresponding to the setting value 11a while the firmware is running. Note that the processing unit 12 applies a keyboard layout corresponding to the setting value 11a before accepting input of a password.

The processing unit 12 accepts the input of a password. For example, when a key on the keyboard 1 is pressed, the processing unit 12 accepts the letter, number, or symbol corresponding to the pressed key in the applied keyboard layout as the password input. Then, if the processing unit 12 succeeds in matching the password, it starts the operating system.

According to the first embodiment, the storage unit 11 of the information processing device 10 can be referenced by firmware in which processing before the operating system is started is described. The storage unit 11 stores a setting value 11a indicating a type of keyboard layout that indicates the setting of the input contents to be input when each key of the keyboard 1 is pressed. The processing unit 12 of the information processing device 10 updates the setting value 11a to the keyboard layout that is applied while the operating system is being executed, in accordance with software that runs on the operating system. The processing unit 12 applies the keyboard layout that corresponds to the setting value 11a while the firmware is being executed, in accordance with the firmware.

As a result, the information processing device 10 can accept input with an easy-to-use keyboard layout that the user set when the operating system was executed, even when performing input operations while the firmware is running. Therefore, the information processing device 10 can improve the convenience of keyboard input.

The processing unit 12 also updates the setting value 11a according to the software to the setting value 11a corresponding to the keyboard layout applied while the operating system is running at the time of shutdown. This allows the information processing device 10 to input using the keyboard layout last used by the operating system the next time the firmware is executed.

The processing unit 12 also accepts the input of a password according to the firmware, and if the password matching is successful, starts the operating system and applies the keyboard layout corresponding to the setting value 11a before accepting the input of the password. This allows the information processing device 10 to accept the input of a password for starting the operating system with a keyboard layout that is easy for the user to use.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment is for setting the keyboard layout of a PC.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a PC according to the second embodiment. PC 100 is a computer used by a user for business purposes. PC 100 is connected to monitor 31, mouse 32, and keyboard 37a. Monitor 31, mouse 32, and keyboard 37a may be connected to PC 100 by wire or wirelessly. PC 100 accepts input from mouse 32 and keyboard 37a, and displays on monitor 31 display content according to the processing results. PC 100 may be a notebook PC, and keyboard 37a may be a built-in keyboard of PC 100, which is a notebook PC, or may be a keyboard connected to PC 100.

Instead of keyboard 37a, keyboard 37b or keyboard 37c may be connected to PC 100. For example, of keyboards 37a, 37b, and 37c, the keyboard that is easiest for the operating user to use is connected to PC 100. Keyboard 37a is a keyboard that corresponds to language A. Keyboard 37b is a keyboard that corresponds to language B. Keyboard 37c is a keyboard that corresponds to language C. Keyboards 37a, 37b, and 37c have keys that display different symbols depending on the corresponding language.

The PC 100 accepts changes to the keyboard layout, which indicates the settings of the symbols to be entered when each key on a connected keyboard is pressed, by software on the operating system (OS). The keyboard layout is set for each language. Each keyboard layout for each language is set so that the display of each key on the keyboard of the corresponding language matches the symbols to be entered. When the PC 100 ends the execution of the OS and shuts down, it updates the setting values that the BIOS can read to values that correspond to the changed keyboard layout.

When the PC 100 is powered on and the BIOS is started, it reads the setting values and sets the keyboard layout to correspond to the setting values that were read. The PC 100 then accepts keyboard input in the BIOS from the keyboard 37a with the keyboard layout that has been set.

Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a PC. The entire PC 100 is controlled by a processor 101. A memory 102 and multiple peripheral devices are connected to the processor 101 via a bus 110. The processor 101 may be a multiprocessor. The processor 101 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). At least some of the functions realized by the processor 101 executing a program may be realized by an electronic circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or a PLD (Programmable Logic Device).

The memory 102 is used as the main storage device of the PC 100. The memory 102 temporarily stores at least a portion of the OS program and application programs to be executed by the processor 101. The memory 102 also stores various data used in processing by the processor 101. As the memory 102, for example, a volatile semiconductor storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) is used.

Peripheral devices connected to the bus 110 include a storage device 103, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) 104, input interfaces 105 and 108, an optical drive device 106, a device connection interface 107, and a network interface 109.

The storage device 103 writes and reads data electrically or magnetically to the built-in recording medium. The storage device 103 is used as an auxiliary storage device for the computer. The storage device 103 stores the OS program, application programs, and various data. Note that, for example, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive) can be used as the storage device 103.

The monitor 31 is connected to the GPU 104. The GPU 104 displays an image on the screen of the monitor 31 in accordance with an instruction from the processor 101. The monitor 31 may be a display device using an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display device or a liquid crystal display device.

The mouse 32 is connected to the input interface 105. The input interface 105 transmits signals sent from the mouse 32 to the processor 101. Note that the mouse 32 is an example of a pointing device, and other pointing devices can also be used. Examples of other pointing devices include a touch panel, a tablet, a touch pad, a trackball, etc.

The optical drive device 106 uses laser light or the like to read data recorded on the optical disc 33. The optical disc 33 is a portable recording medium on which data is recorded so that it can be read by the reflection of light. Optical discs 33 include DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs), DVD-RAMs, CD-ROMs (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), CD-Rs (Recordable)/RWs (ReWritable), etc.

The device connection interface 107 is a communication interface for connecting peripheral devices to the PC 100. For example, a memory device 34 or a memory reader/writer 35 can be connected to the device connection interface 107. The memory device 34 is a recording medium equipped with a communication function with the device connection interface 107. The memory reader/writer 35 is a device that writes data to the memory card 36 or reads data from the memory card 36. The memory card 36 is a card-type recording medium.

A keyboard 37a is connected to the input interface 108. The input interface 108 transmits signals sent from the keyboard 37a to the processor 101. Note that keyboards 37b and 37c may also be connected to the input interface 108.

The network interface 109 is connected to the network 30. The network interface 109 transmits and receives data to and from other computers or communication devices via the network 30.

The PC 100 can realize the processing functions of the second embodiment with the above hardware configuration. The information processing device 10 shown in the first embodiment can also be realized with the same hardware as the PC 100 shown in FIG. 3. The processor 101 is an example of the processing unit 12 shown in the first embodiment. The memory 102, the storage device 103, or the storage device in which the BIOS is stored is an example of the storage unit 11 shown in the first embodiment. The storage device 103 has a storage area that is managed by a file system on the OS and cannot be referenced from the BIOS. The storage area of the storage device 103 that can be referenced from both the BIOS and the OS is used as an example of the storage unit 11, rather than a storage area that cannot be referenced from the BIOS.

The PC 100 realizes the processing function of the second embodiment by executing a program recorded on, for example, a computer-readable recording medium. The program describing the processing content to be executed by the PC 100 can be recorded on various recording media. For example, the program to be executed by the PC 100 can be stored in the storage device 103. The processor 101 loads at least a part of the program in the storage device 103 into the memory 102 and executes the program. The program to be executed by the PC 100 can also be recorded on a portable recording medium such as the optical disk 33, the memory device 34, or the memory card 36. The program stored on the portable recording medium becomes executable after being installed on the storage device 103 under the control of, for example, the processor 101. The processor 101 can also read and execute the program directly from the portable recording medium. Next, the functions of the PC 100 will be described in detail.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functions of a PC. PC 100 executes BIOS 120 at startup. BIOS 120 is an example of the firmware described in the first embodiment. PC 100 also starts OS 130 by BIOS 120. PC 100 has a memory unit 121, a setting unit 122, and a startup unit 123 as functions of BIOS 120. Memory unit 121 is realized using memory 102, storage device 103, or a memory area of a storage device in which BIOS 120 is stored. Setting unit 122 and startup unit 123 are realized by processor 101 executing a program of BIOS 120 stored in memory 102.

The storage unit 121 stores a setting value 121a and correspondence information 121b. The setting value 121a indicates the type of keyboard layout. The correspondence information 121b is information indicating the correspondence between the setting value 121a and the keyboard layout.

The setting unit 122 sets the keyboard layout to be applied in the BIOS 120. The setting unit 122 reads the setting value 121a when the BIOS 120 is started. The setting unit 122 refers to the correspondence information 121b, identifies the keyboard layout that corresponds to the value of the read setting value 121a, and applies the identified keyboard layout as the keyboard layout of the BIOS 120.

The startup unit 123 starts the BIOS 120. The startup unit 123 accepts the input of a password. For example, the startup unit 123 accepts the input of a password based on the keyboard layout applied by the setting unit 122. The startup unit 123 then compares the input password with a password registered in advance, and if it determines that the correct password has been entered, starts the OS 130.

The PC 100 has an input/output control unit 131 and a startup control unit 132 as functions of the OS 130. The input/output control unit 131 and the startup control unit 132 are realized by the processor 101 executing software that runs on the operating system stored in the memory 102.

The input/output control unit 131 sets the keyboard layout to be applied to the OS 130. In response to an instruction to change the keyboard layout, the input/output control unit 131 applies the keyboard layout selected in the instruction to change the keyboard layout as the keyboard layout of the OS 130. Furthermore, when the startup control unit 132 performs a shutdown, the input/output control unit 131 updates the setting value 121a to a value corresponding to the keyboard layout applied to the OS 130. When a shutdown instruction is received, the startup control unit 132 shuts down the PC 100.

Note that the lines connecting the elements shown in FIG. 4 indicate part of the communication paths, and communication paths other than those shown in the figure can also be set. Next, the correspondence information 121b stored in the storage unit 121 will be described.

Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of correspondence information. Correspondence information 121b is information indicating the correspondence between setting value 121a and keyboard layout. Correspondence information 121b has items of setting value and keyboard layout. In the setting value item, the value of setting value 121a is registered. In the keyboard layout item, the type of keyboard layout corresponding to the value of setting value 121a is registered. The procedure of the process executed by PC 100 will be described in detail below.

6 is a flow chart showing an example of a procedure for setting a keyboard layout. The process shown in FIG. 6 will be described below in order of step numbers.
[Step S11] The PC 100 is powered on.

[Step S12] The PC 100 starts up the BIOS 120.
[Step S13] The setting unit 122 of the BIOS 120 reads the setting value 121a, and applies the keyboard layout corresponding to the setting value 121a as the keyboard layout of the BIOS 120. For example, the setting unit 122 reads the value of the setting value 121a. The setting unit 122 refers to the correspondence information 121b and specifies the keyboard layout corresponding to the value of the read setting value 121a. The setting unit 122 then applies the specified keyboard layout as the keyboard layout of the BIOS 120.

[Step S14] The startup unit 123 of the BIOS 120 accepts the input of a password. For example, when a key on a connected keyboard (e.g., keyboard 37a) is pressed, the startup unit 123 accepts, as a password input, the letter, number, or symbol that corresponds to the pressed key in the keyboard layout applied in step S13.

[Step S15] The launch unit 123 determines whether or not a correct password has been entered. For example, the launch unit 123 compares the password entered in step S14 with a password registered in advance. If the entered password matches the password registered in advance, the launch unit 123 determines that a correct password has been entered. If the launch unit 123 determines that a correct password has been entered, it advances the process to step S16. If the launch unit 123 determines that a correct password has not been entered, it advances the process to step S14.

[Step S<b>16 ] The startup unit 123 starts up the OS 130 .
[Step S17] The I/O control unit 131 of the OS 130 determines whether or not an instruction to change the keyboard layout has been received. If the I/O control unit 131 determines that an instruction to change the keyboard layout has been received, the process proceeds to step S18. If the I/O control unit 131 determines that an instruction to change the keyboard layout has not been received, the process proceeds to step S19.

[Step S18] The input/output control unit 131 applies the keyboard layout selected in the keyboard layout change instruction obtained in step S17 as the keyboard layout of the OS 130.

[Step S19] The startup control unit 132 of the OS 130 determines whether or not a shutdown instruction has been issued. If the startup control unit 132 determines that a shutdown instruction has been issued, the process proceeds to step S20. If the startup control unit 132 determines that a shutdown instruction has not been issued, the process proceeds to step S17.

[Step S20] The input/output controller 131 updates the setting value 121 a to a value corresponding to the keyboard layout applied by the OS 130.
[Step S21] The startup control unit 132 shuts down the PC 100.

In this way, the input/output control unit 131 of the OS 130 changes the keyboard layout applied by the OS 130 in response to an instruction to change the keyboard layout. For example, when the user of the PC 100 connects keyboards 37b and 37c to the PC 100 instead of keyboard 37a, the user inputs an instruction to the PC 100 to change the keyboard layout to one that matches the display of the keys on the connected keyboard. Also, for example, the user of the PC 100 may issue an instruction to change the keyboard layout to one that is easier for the user to use and does not match the display of the keys on the keyboard connected to the PC 100. The input/output control unit 131 changes the keyboard layout applied by the OS 130 in response to an instruction to change the keyboard layout, so that the OS 130 accepts keyboard input with a keyboard layout that is easier for the user to use.

At shutdown, the input/output control unit 131 updates the setting value 121a to a value corresponding to the keyboard layout applied by the OS 130. This allows the input/output control unit 131 to update the setting value 121a to a value corresponding to the keyboard layout last used by the OS 130. Then, when the BIOS 120 starts up, the setting unit 122 of the BIOS 120 applies the keyboard layout corresponding to the setting value 121a while the BIOS 120 is running. This allows the PC 100 to accept input with a keyboard layout that is easy for the user to use and that was set when the OS 130 was running, even during input operations while the BIOS 120 is running. Thus, the PC 100 can improve the convenience of keyboard input.

Another method for changing the keyboard layout applied by BIOS 120 is to change the keyboard layout from the setup of BIOS 120 after entering a password for BIOS 120 and gaining control over BIOS 120. However, when changing the keyboard layout from the setup of BIOS 120, the keyboard layout used when entering a password will be the one before the change. Meanwhile, the setting unit 122 applies the keyboard layout corresponding to the setting value 121a before the start-up unit 123 accepts the password input by BIOS 120. This allows the PC 100 to accept the password input by BIOS 120 with a keyboard layout that is easy for the user to use.

According to the second embodiment, PC 100 stores setting value 121a indicating the type of keyboard layout, which indicates the setting of the input contents to be entered when each key on keyboard 37a is pressed, in a storage area that can be referenced by BIOS 120. PC 100 updates setting value 121a to the keyboard layout that is applied while OS 130 is running, in accordance with software running on OS 130. PC 100 applies the keyboard layout that corresponds to setting value 121a while BIOS 120 is running, in accordance with BIOS 120. This enables PC 100 to improve the convenience of keyboard input.

In addition, the PC 100 updates the setting value 121a corresponding to the keyboard layout applied while the OS 130 is running at the time of shutdown in accordance with the software running on the OS 130. This allows the PC 100 to input using the keyboard layout last used by the OS 130 when the BIOS 120 is executed the next time the PC 100 is started up.

In addition, PC 100 accepts password input according to BIOS 120, and if password matching is successful, starts OS 130 and applies the keyboard layout corresponding to setting value 121a before accepting password input. This allows PC 100 to accept password input for BIOS 120 with a keyboard layout that is easy for the user to use.

Although the above is an example of an embodiment, the configuration of each part shown in the embodiment can be replaced with other parts having similar functions. In addition, any other components or processes may be added. Furthermore, any two or more configurations (features) of the above-mentioned embodiments may be combined.

Reference Signs List 1 Keyboard 10 Information processing device 11 Storage unit 11a Setting value 12 Processing unit

Claims (3)

a storage unit that can be referenced by firmware that describes processing before the start of the operating system, and that stores a setting value indicating a type of keyboard layout that indicates settings of input contents to be input when each key on the keyboard is pressed;
a processor that updates the setting value to a keyboard layout that corresponds to a keyboard layout that is applied during execution of the operating system in accordance with software that runs on the operating system, and applies the keyboard layout that corresponds to the setting value during execution of the firmware in accordance with the firmware;
An information processing device having the above configuration. the processing unit, in accordance with the software, updates the setting value at the time of shutdown to a keyboard layout that corresponds to a keyboard layout that is applied while the operating system is being executed;
2. The information processing device according to claim 1. the processing unit accepts input of a password in accordance with the firmware, and when matching of the password is successful, starts up the operating system, and applies a keyboard layout corresponding to the setting value before accepting input of the password.
2. The information processing device according to claim 1.

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