TWI898466B - Method for configurating key layout of touchpad and electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for configurating key layout of touchpad and an electronic apparatus are provided. The method includes the following steps. A BIOS is executed, wherein the BIOS includes key layout information of the touchpad. The key layout information in the BIOS is loaded into a system memory. During the execution phase of the operating system, the key layout information in the system memory is provided to a touchpad firmware of the touchpad through a driver. The touchpad firmware controls the touchpad to provide a button function according to the button layout information.

Description

Touch panel key layout configuration method and electronic device

The present invention relates to an electronic device, and more particularly to a touch panel key layout configuration method and the electronic device.

Currently, touchpads are essential input devices for many electronic products, and many electronic products on the market can accept user operations through touchpads. For example, laptop users can use the touchpad to control the mouse cursor. With the rapid advancement of technology, touchpads that can provide function keys have also been developed to enhance the functionality of touchpads, so that touchpads have key input functions similar to keyboards. Specifically, the touch area of the touchpad can be divided into one or more function keys, and users can touch the function keys displayed on the touchpad to operate electronic devices. However, the key layouts supported by current touchpads are all stored in the touchpad firmware. This means that for consumers, the key layout supported by current touchpads cannot be changed. For electronics manufacturers, when different models of electronic products require touchpads with different key layouts, manufacturers must modify the touchpad firmware and create different firmware designs, which in turn causes trouble and inconvenience in manufacturing management.

In view of this, the present invention proposes a key layout configuration method for an electronic device and its touch panel, which can solve the above-mentioned technical problems.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a method for configuring a touchpad key layout, applicable to an electronic device including a touchpad. The method includes the following steps: executing a basic input/output system (BIOS), wherein the BIOS includes touchpad key layout information; loading the key layout information in the BIOS into system memory; during the execution phase of the operating system, providing the key layout information in the system memory to the touchpad firmware of the touchpad via a driver; and controlling the touchpad firmware to provide key functions based on the key layout information.

An embodiment of the present invention provides an electronic device comprising a touchpad module, a storage device, a system memory, and a processor. The touchpad module comprises a touchpad firmware and a touchpad. The storage device stores a basic input/output system (BIOS). The BIOS includes key layout information for the touchpad. A driver is loaded into the system memory. The processor is coupled to the touchpad module, the storage device, and the system memory and is configured to perform the following steps: Execute the BIOS. Load the key layout information in the BIOS into the system memory. During the operating system's runtime, the driver provides the touchpad's touchpad firmware with key layout information stored in the system memory. The touchpad firmware then controls the touchpad to provide key functions based on the key layout information.

Based on the above, in an embodiment of the present invention, the touchpad's key layout information can be recorded in the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS). After the BIOS is executed, the touchpad's key layout information can be loaded into system memory. A specific driver then retrieves this key layout information and transmits it to the touchpad firmware. The touchpad firmware then implements the touchpad's key functions based on the key layout information provided by the driver. This allows the touchpad to function as an extended function keypad, thereby enhancing user convenience. Furthermore, the touchpad's key layout information can be defined independently of the touchpad firmware, so that the key layout information used by the touchpad firmware can be changed by updating the BIOS.

100: Electronic devices

110: Touch panel module

111: Touchpad Firmware

112: Touch panel

120: Storage device

130: System Memory

140: Processor

B1: Basic Input/Output System

A1: Keyboard layout information

SL1, SL2: Keyboard layout style

K1: Numeric keys

K2: Function key

S402~S408, S502~S514: Steps

Figure 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3A is a schematic diagram of a key layout pattern of a touch panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3B is a schematic diagram of a key layout pattern of a touch panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a flow chart of a method for configuring a touch panel key layout according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a flow chart of a method for configuring a touch panel key layout according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Component numbers used in the following description will be used to identify identical or similar components when the same component numbers appear in different drawings. These embodiments are only part of the present invention and do not disclose all possible implementations of the present invention. Rather, these embodiments are merely examples of the methods and apparatus within the scope of the present invention's patent application.

Figure 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 1 , electronic device 100 includes a touchpad module 110, a storage device 120, a system memory 130, and a processor 140. In some embodiments, electronic device 100 may be implemented as an electronic product with a built-in touchpad module 110, such as a laptop computer. Alternatively, in some embodiments, electronic device 100 may be implemented as an electronic product with an externally connected touchpad module 110, such as a laptop computer, desktop computer, or tablet computer. The present invention is not limited to this.

The touchpad module 110 includes a touchpad firmware 111 and a touchpad 112. The touchpad 112 is used for user input of operational commands. For example, the touchpad 112 can detect user touch operations and cause the electronic device 100 to perform corresponding actions. In this exemplary embodiment, the touchpad 112 can be a resistive touch panel, a capacitive touch panel, an optical touch panel, an infrared touch panel, or an electromagnetic induction touch panel. The present invention is not limited to the type of touchpad 112.

The touchpad firmware 111 is used to control the touchpad 112. In some embodiments, the touchpad firmware 111 may be embedded in a touchpad control circuit. When a user touches the touchpad 112, the touchpad firmware 111 may convert the touch signal into information related to the touch location, such as the touch coordinates. Alternatively, the touchpad firmware 111 may filter the touch signal from the touchpad 112 based on a sensing threshold and convert touch signals greater than the sensing threshold into touch coordinates.

Please refer to Figure 2, which is a schematic diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electronic device 100 is exemplified by a laptop computer. The touchpad 112 is typically located below the keyboard. When operating in normal touch mode, the touchpad 112 can sense user touch gestures, such as clicks, swipes, or multi-finger gestures, allowing the user to control the electronic device 100 based on these gestures.

It is worth noting that the touchpad 112 of the present embodiment can provide a key function. When operating in key mode, at least a portion of the touchable area of the touchpad 112 can be implemented as at least one key. The user can control the electronic device 100 by touching the keys on the touchpad 112. In some embodiments, part or all of the touchable area of the touchpad 112 can be divided into multiple touch blocks, each of which can correspond to a key. In other words, the touchpad 112 can be used to sense touch operations of the user clicking a key on the touchpad 112. For example, when operating in keypad mode, the touchable area of the touchpad 112 can be converted into a numeric keypad, and the user can input numbers by touching the numeric keys on the touchpad 112.

In some embodiments, the touch panel 112 includes a light-emitting device and a pattern layer. The pattern layer may include light-transmitting areas and opaque areas. The light-emitting device is, for example, a light-emitting diode or other light-emitting device. When the touch panel firmware 111 controls the light-emitting device to emit light, the light that passes through the light-transmitting areas causes one or more key patterns to appear on the surface of the touch panel 112, allowing the user to identify these keys. The user can then perform user operations on the electronic device 100 by touching the keys displayed on the touch panel 112.

It should be noted that when operating in key mode, the touchpad firmware 111 needs to identify the key touched by the user based on the key layout information. In other words, the key layout information may include at least one key layout pattern, which divides the touchpad 112 into at least one key. In various embodiments, the touchpad 112 may provide different key functions based on one or more key layout patterns. Accordingly, the touchpad firmware 111 needs to determine the key corresponding to the touch coordinates based on the key layout information so that the electronic device 100 can execute the corresponding function.

For example, please refer to Figure 3A, which is a schematic diagram of a touchpad key layout according to an embodiment of the present invention. The touchpad 112 may have a key layout style SL1, and the touchable area of the touchpad 112 may be divided into multiple touch blocks, each of which may correspond to a key (e.g., number key K1). Here, the touchpad 112 may function as a numeric keypad and include multiple keys. When a user taps number key K1 on the touchpad 112, the number "1" may be entered.

For example, please refer to Figure 3B, which is a schematic diagram of a touchpad key layout according to an embodiment of the present invention. The touchpad 112 may have a key layout SL2, and a portion of the touchable area of the touchpad 112 may be divided into multiple touch blocks, each of which may correspond to a key (e.g., function key K2). In this example, the touchpad 112 may have both a touch gesture sensing area and multiple function keys. For example, when a user taps function key K2 on the touchpad 112, the electronic device 100 may be controlled to execute the function of the corresponding function key "F4."

The storage device 120 may be a non-volatile memory and may store the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) B1. The BIOS B1 is firmware used during the startup process after the electronic device 100 is started. In some embodiments, the storage device 120 may be, for example, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). In other embodiments, the storage device 120 may be, for example, a flash memory. From another perspective, the storage device 120 may be a chip that stores system firmware such as the BIOS B1. When the electronic device 100 is powered on, the BIOS B1 code in the storage device 120 is executed to initialize and detect the various hardware devices on the electronic device 100.

It's worth noting that the BIOS B1 includes the touchpad 112's key layout information A1. In other words, the touchpad 112's key layout information A1 can be stored in the BIOS B1. The key layout information A1 can include the name and key range of at least one key. The following section details how the touchpad firmware 111 obtains the key layout information A1 to control the touchpad 112 to provide key functions.

The system memory 130 can be, for example, any type of fixed or removable random access memory (RAM).

The processor 140 is coupled to the touch panel module 110, the storage device 120, and the system memory 130. It may be, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), an application processor (AP), or other programmable general-purpose or special-purpose microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), or other similar devices, integrated circuits, or combinations thereof. The processor 140 can access and execute the program code, code, or instructions stored in the storage device 120 and the system memory 130 to implement the touch panel key layout configuration method of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a flow chart of a method for configuring a touchpad key layout according to an embodiment of the present invention. The method flow in Figure 4 can be implemented by the components of the electronic device 100 in Figure 1 . Referring to Figures 1 and 4 , the following describes the steps of the touchpad key layout configuration method according to this embodiment using the components of the electronic device 100 in Figure 1 .

In step S402, when the electronic device 100 is powered on, the processor 140 executes the BIOS B1 in the storage device 120. In some embodiments, the BIOS B1 may be a unified extensible firmware interface (UEFI) BIOS. Specifically, when the electronic device 100 is powered on, the processor 140 initiates the power-on self-test (POST) program in the BIOS B1. The POST program is responsible for initializing and performing basic tests on the hardware components of the electronic device 100 to ensure that the electronic device 100 is functioning properly.

Next, in step S404, processor 140 loads the key layout information A1 from BIOS B1 into system memory 130. In some embodiments, key layout information A1 may be recorded as an Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) table and packaged within BIOS B1. Processor 140 may load the ACPI table packaged within BIOS B1 into system memory 130 during the boot process. The ACPI table is described within BIOS B1 using ACPI Source Language (ASL) code. After running the basic input and output system B1, the ACPI-related code will be loaded into the system memory 130, and the key layout information A1 will also be loaded into the system memory 130.

Next, in step S406, during the operating system's execution phase, the processor 140 provides the key layout information A1 in the system memory 130 to the touchpad firmware 111 of the touchpad 112 via a driver. Specifically, when the operating system is loaded into the system memory 130 and begins running, the driver is also loaded into the system memory 130. The processor 140 executes this driver. This driver provides the key layout information A1 in the system memory 130 to the touchpad firmware 111 of the touchpad 112. In other words, each time the electronic device 100 is powered on, the driver can provide the key layout information A1 to the touch panel firmware 111 of the touch panel 112.

Then, in step S408, the touchpad firmware 111 controls the touchpad 112 to provide key functions based on the key layout information. In some embodiments, the key layout information A1 may include the key name and key occupancy range of at least one key. The key name may be the key function. The key occupancy range may include the left edge, right edge, top edge, and bottom edge of the key. Accordingly, when a user touches a key on the touchpad 112, the touchpad firmware 111 can identify the touched key based on the touch coordinates and the key occupancy range corresponding to each key. The touchpad firmware 111 can report the recognition result to the operating system or application, allowing the electronic device 100 to execute the function corresponding to the touched key.

It is important to note that in some embodiments, the key layout information of the touchpad 112 can be updated in response to an update to the BIOS B1. In other words, the key layout information used by the touchpad firmware 111 can be changed by updating the BIOS B1. In this case, users can configure the touchpad 112 with a variety of key layouts by simply updating the BIOS B1. Furthermore, manufacturers do not need to customize the touchpad firmware 111 for different product lines or projects, and do not need to generate different device part numbers for the touchpad module.

Figure 5 is a flow chart of a method for configuring a touchpad key layout according to an embodiment of the present invention. The method flow in Figure 5 can be implemented by the components of the electronic device 100 in Figure 1 . Referring to Figures 1 and 5 , the following describes the steps of the touchpad key layout method according to this embodiment using the components of the electronic device 100 in Figure 1 .

In step S502 , the processor 140 executes the BIOS B1 in response to activating the electronic device 100 . In step S504 , the processor 140 loads the key layout information A1 in the BIOS B1 into the system memory 130 . As previously described, the key layout information A1 recorded as an ACPI table can be loaded into the system memory 130 .

After running BIOS B1, processor 140 executes the operating system in step S506. In step S508, processor 140 loads and executes a driver. Specifically, this driver is loaded into system memory 130 and executed by processor 140. This driver is used to retrieve key layout information A1 from system memory 130.

Then, in step S510, the processor 140 executes a driver program to obtain the key layout information A1 from the system memory 130 according to the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) specification. In one embodiment, the driver program may call a device-specific method (DSM) code to obtain the key layout information A1 from the system memory 130.

Specifically, a device-specific method (DSM) is a method defined by the ACPI specification that allows developers to define functionality. Customized functionality (i.e., the key layout pattern for key functions) for touchpad 112 can be defined using the DSM, provided that the DSM's input and output parameter requirements are met. Specific implementation details of device-specific methods can be found in the current ACPI specification and are not detailed here.

Then, in step S512, the processor 140 executes the driver program to transmit the key layout information A1 in the system memory 130 to the touch panel firmware 111. For example, the driver program may transmit the key layout information A1 to the touch panel firmware 111 via an I2C bus interface.

As can be seen, the key layout information A1 is initially recorded in the storage device 120 and loaded into the system memory 130 after the electronic device 100 is powered on. Thereafter, the key layout information A1 can be transmitted to the touch panel firmware 111.

In step S514, in response to at least one key on the touchpad 112 (e.g., the numeric key K1 shown in FIG3A or the function key K2 shown in FIG3B ) receiving a touch operation, the touchpad firmware 111 transmits a key code for the at least one key to the application based on the key layout information A1. In one embodiment, the touchpad firmware 111 may utilize the Human Interface Device (HID) standard to transmit this key code. Therefore, in some embodiments, transmitting customized HID key codes makes the design of upper-level applications relatively easy. In some embodiments, various HID key codes already defined by the current operating system can also be simply utilized.

In summary, in this embodiment of the present invention, the touchpad's key layout information can be stored in the BIOS. Therefore, the touchpad's key layout information can be defined independently of the touchpad firmware, allowing the touchpad firmware to be modified by updating the BIOS, thereby achieving a more flexible design architecture. Users can customize the touchpad's key layout by simply updating the BIOS. Furthermore, manufacturers no longer need to customize the touchpad firmware for different product lines or projects, and they no longer need to generate different device part numbers for the touchpad module, avoiding the inconvenience of managing too many device part numbers.

Although the present invention has been disclosed above through embodiments, they are not intended to limit the present invention. Anyone with ordinary skill in the art may make minor modifications and improvements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the scope of the attached patent application.

100: Electronic device 110: Touchpad module 111: Touchpad firmware 112: Touchpad 120: Storage device 130: System memory 140: Processor B1: Basic Input/Output System A1: Keyboard layout information

Claims (10)

A method for configuring a touchpad key layout is applicable to an electronic device including a touchpad. The method comprises: Executing a basic input/output system (BIOS), wherein the BIOS includes key layout information for the touchpad; Loading the key layout information in the BIOS into a system memory; Providing the key layout information in the system memory to a touchpad firmware of the touchpad via a driver during the execution phase of an operating system; And Controlling the touchpad firmware to provide key functions based on the key layout information. The method for configuring a touch panel key layout as described in claim 1, wherein the key layout information includes at least one key layout pattern, and the at least one key layout pattern divides the touch panel into at least one key. The method for configuring a touch panel key layout as described in claim 2, wherein the key layout information includes a key name and a key occupancy range of the at least one key. The touch panel key layout configuration method of claim 2 further comprises: Updating the touch panel key layout information in response to updating the basic input and output system. The touchpad key layout configuration method of claim 2, wherein, during the execution phase of the operating system, the step of providing the key layout information in the system memory to the touchpad firmware of the touchpad via the driver comprises: Executing the driver to cause the driver to obtain the key layout information in the system memory according to an Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACCP) specification; and Executing the driver to cause the driver to transmit the key layout information in the system memory to the touchpad firmware. The method for configuring a touch panel key layout as described in claim 5, wherein the driver calls a device-specific method code to obtain the key layout information in the system memory. The touchpad key layout configuration method of claim 2, wherein the step of controlling the touchpad firmware to provide key functions based on the key layout information comprises: In response to the at least one key of the touchpad receiving a touch operation, the touchpad firmware transmits a key code for the at least one key to an application based on the key layout information. The touch panel key layout configuration method as described in claim 7, wherein the touch panel firmware uses the human interface device (HID) standard to transmit the key code. An electronic device comprises: A touchpad module including a touchpad firmware and a touchpad; A storage device storing a basic input/output system (BIOS), wherein the BIOS includes key layout information for the touchpad; A system memory loaded with a driver; and A processor coupled to the touchpad module, the storage device, and the system memory, configured to: Execute the BIOS; Load the key layout information in the BIOS into the system memory; and During the operating system's execution phase, the driver program provides the key layout information in the system memory to the touchpad firmware of the touchpad. The touchpad firmware controls the touchpad to provide key functions based on the key layout information. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the key layout information includes at least one key layout pattern, and the at least one key layout pattern divides the touch panel into at least one key.