Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support – Digital data processing system initialization or configuration – Loading initialization program
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-07
2001-08-14
Butler, Dennis M. (Department: 2182)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support
Digital data processing system initialization or configuration
Loading initialization program
C713S502000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06275932
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a program startup apparatus for use in an electronic machine, such as a portable computer, which automatically starts up functions provided for the electronic machine by a user's single touch operation. The invention also relates to a program startup method and a medium, both of which are used in the above type of program startup apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many types of portable electronic machines have been developed, and above all, high-end portable electronic machines loaded with a central processing unit (CPU) are now available. The portable electronic machines, for example, a portable computer, have a main unit and a display unit, such as a liquid crystal display unit (LCD). The display unit is opened from and closed to the main unit via hinges. Typical examples of such portable computers are notebook-type personal computers.
In some electronic machines, an application program for sending and receiving mail, which is referred to as “electronic mail” (e-mail), via, for example, communication lines is installed. In this case, in order to check whether there is any e-mail addressed to the user or to observe the content of incoming mail, the user is required to perform predetermined operation steps, such as running a basic program, which is referred to as an operating system (OS), of the electronic machine, starting up an e-mail application program, and booting up a function for checking e-mail addressed to the user.
It is demanded that the user promptly check e-mail in an electronic machine. It is also demanded that the user instantly start up not only the e-mail function, but also other functions provided for the electronic machine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, in order to overcome the above-described drawbacks, it is an object of the present invention to provide a program startup apparatus for use in an electronic machine, which is capable of automatically starting up functions provided for the electronic machine by a user's single touch operation, and also to provide a program startup method and a medium, both of which are used in the above type of apparatus.
In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program startup apparatus for use in an electronic machine and for automatically starting up a predetermined application program stored in the electronic machine. The program startup apparatus includes startup condition storage means for storing a startup condition preset by a user. Startup sequence control means start up the predetermined application program upon determining that a status of the electronic machine matches the startup condition stored in the startup condition storage means.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program startup method for use in an electronic machine and for automatically starting up a predetermined application program stored in the electronic machine. The program startup method includes a startup condition storage step of storing a startup condition preset by a user, and a startup sequence processing step of starting up the predetermined application program upon determining that a status of the electronic machine matches the startup condition stored in the startup condition storage step.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a medium for storing a program startup program executable in an electronic machine and implementing a program startup method for automatically starting up a predetermined application program stored in the electronic machine. The program startup method includes a startup condition storage step of storing a startup condition preset by a user, and a startup sequence processing step of starting up the predetermined application program upon determining that a status of the electronic machine matches the startup condition stored in the startup condition storage step.
With the above arrangement, in automatically starting up a predetermined application program stored in an electronic machine, a startup condition preset by the user is stored in the startup condition storage means. The startup sequence control means starts up the predetermined application program when it determines that the status of the electronic machine matches the startup condition stored in the startup condition storage means. This enables the user to immediately start up a predetermined application program.
According to the present invention, the startup sequence control means, upon determining that the operation means is operated in a state in which a basic program for controlling said electronic machine is not running, may start up the basic program, and then may start up the predetermined application program and further starts up a predetermined function of the predetermined application program.
The predetermined application program may include an electronic mail program for sending and receiving mail via a network, and the predetermined function may include an incoming mail retrieving function of retrieving mail addressed to the user.
The program startup apparatus may further include reporting means for reporting that the mail addressed to the user has been retrieved by using the incoming mail retrieving function of the electronic mail program.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5283845 (1994-02-01), Gross et al.
patent: 5892909 (1999-04-01), Grasso et al.
patent: 5925129 (1999-07-01), Combs et al.
patent: 6047260 (2000-04-01), Levinson
patent: 0 604 069 (1994-06-01), None
Suzuki Masahiko
Tanaka Hidekazu
Yamaguchi Hiroshi
Yamaguchi Yoshihiro
Butler Dennis M.
Chang Dexter T.
Frommer William S.
Frommer Lawrence & Haug LLP.
Sony Corporation
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