JP2007323257A - Electronic equipment and control method of electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a notebook computer and a control method for reducing power consumption, for preventing any unintended input, and for preventing the operation abnormality of a notebook computer by making the notebook computer shift a mode to a power saving status without making a user notice it at all only by moving the notebook computer to a dark place. <P>SOLUTION: This electronic equipment is provided with an optical sensor 3 for detecting the change of the use environment of a notebook computer with the rays of light and a CPU 1 for, when detecting that the notebook-size personal computer has been placed in a dark use environment by the optical sensor 3, making the notebook computer shift a mode from a normal use status to a power saving status, and for, when detecting that the notebook computer has been placed in a bright use environment, performing control to make the notebook-size computer restore the normal use status from the power saving status. The optical sensor 3 senses the change of the use environment, and the CPU 1 instructs status shift to a relevant device such as a KBC 7, an HDC 9 and a liquid crystal control part 14. Thus, it is possible to automatically control the power saving of the notebook computer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a control method for an electronic device, and more particularly to a control method in an electronic device (hereinafter, representatively a laptop computer) such as a portable personal computer that is portable and has a power saving function. .

Conventionally, power saving control methods for reducing various power consumptions have been used in notebook personal computers. One of them is to cut off the power supply of some of the functions of the notebook personal computer. That is, the liquid crystal display unit for displaying images and characters is stopped, the motor of the disk unit is stopped, the CPU is stopped, and the power of many other devices is turned off. These functions have been used for the purpose of creating a state that consumes less power when not using a notebook computer. For example, in Patent Document 1, when predetermined operation information (key operation interval, etc.) from a keyboard is monitored and an unused state within a predetermined period of an input / output unit (keyboard) is recognized, a predetermined power saving mode signal is received. Is generated and sent to another input / output control unit, and a predetermined input / output unit connected to the input / output control unit, for example, a power source of the display unit is cut off.
JP-A-6-324771

  However, in order to operate the above-described conventional function, a certain time elapses or the user must operate the power saving function.

  For this reason, depending on the installed state of the laptop computer, such as when the laptop computer is carried in a bag or case until the user has not operated the power saving function for a certain period of time, it may be affected by vibration or impact applied to it. An input operation unintended by the user occurs. Or, there has been a problem that an operation of a storage medium or the like unintended by the user occurs to cause a failure.

  In addition, the power saving function must be canceled when the state is restored from the power saving function, and the operation is complicated.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems. When a notebook computer user does not use a device such as a laptop computer that is carried in a bag or case, the device is used in a bag or case. By simply moving the laptop to a dark place, the mode transition to the power saving state is performed without making the user aware of the operating state at all, reducing power consumption, disabling input, and disabling various devices. An object is to provide a notebook computer and a control method that enable it.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a notebook computer and a control method that can automatically shift the mode from the power saving state to the usable state when the notebook computer is returned to a usable state. .

In order to solve the conventional problem, the invention according to claim 1
An optical sensor that detects the brightness of the environment in which the electronic device is used;
Control means for shifting the electronic device to a power saving mode when it is detected that the light sensor has become a predetermined brightness or less;
An electronic device characterized by comprising
The notebook personal computer user has the effect of extending the battery driving time by determining the usage environment and shifting to the mode without being aware of the power saving state and the usage environment.

The invention according to claim 3
An optical sensor that detects the brightness of the environment in which the electronic device is used;
Control means for stopping an input function for a user to input information when it is detected that the light sensor is below a predetermined brightness;
An electronic device characterized by comprising
It has the functions of preventing unintended input by the notebook user, canceling the unintended power saving state, and preventing hard disk failures due to vibration and shock.

  According to the notebook computer and the control method of the present invention, the notebook computer user is aware of the power saving state and the use environment, and the notebook computer itself determines the use environment and shifts to the mode, thereby extending the battery driving time. Effects such as prevention of unintended input by the user, cancellation of an unintended power saving state, and prevention of hard disk failure due to vibration or impact can be obtained.

  In addition, by shifting the mode to the power saving state instead of the complete stop of the notebook personal computer, it is possible to quickly return to the state when the use of the notebook personal computer is resumed.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the notebook computer according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, a notebook computer according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention includes a CPU 1, a sensor control unit 2, an optical sensor 3, a power control unit 4, a battery 5, a power switch 6, a keyboard control unit (hereinafter referred to as KBC) 7, and a keyboard 8. A disk control unit (hereinafter referred to as HDC) 9, a disk unit 10, a RAM 11, a ROM 12, an interrupt control unit 13, a liquid crystal control unit 14, a liquid crystal display unit 15, and a system bus 16.

  The CPU 1 is a central processing unit that controls the above-described units via the system bus 16, and controls the execution of the processes shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. The sensor control unit 2 monitors the state of the optical sensor 3 and detects whether or not the usage environment of the notebook computer is below a predetermined brightness. The power control unit 4 controls power supply to the notebook computer. The battery 5 is a power source used in each part of the notebook computer. The power switch 6 turns on / off the notebook computer. The KBC 7 controls various data input from the keyboard 8. The keyboard 8 is a data input device. The HDC 9 controls writing / reading of data to / from the disk unit 10. The disk unit 10 is an external storage unit, and is also used for storing data and temporarily storing the contents of the RAM. The RAM 11 is a work area or temporary storage area for the CPU 1. The ROM 12 stores a program related to the control of the notebook personal computer. The interrupt control unit 13 generates an interrupt signal to the CPU 1 based on the interrupt request. The liquid crystal control unit 14 outputs a signal to the liquid crystal display unit 15. The liquid crystal display unit 15 displays image and character information to the user. When the touch panel liquid crystal is used, the liquid crystal control unit 14 also controls the position information of the touch panel displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 15 and input from above the same unit. The touch panel liquid crystal is also a data input device like the keyboard 8.

  2 is an overview of the notebook computer according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2A is an overview of the state in which the liquid crystal display unit 15 is opened. FIG. It is an outline figure seen from the display part 15 back. Each code | symbol of FIG. 2 respond | corresponds to each code | symbol of FIG.

  In FIG. 2, the optical sensor 3 is in a position where it can contact the usage environment and detect the usage environment light when the back side of the liquid crystal display unit 15, that is, when the liquid crystal display unit 15 of the notebook computer is closed and opened. The brightness of the usage environment can be monitored.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a program for shifting the notebook computer to the power saving mode when the notebook computer is moved to a dark place in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  When the notebook computer is moved to a dark place, the brightness detection level of the optical sensor 3 changes. When the sensor control unit 4 detects the change in the brightness detection level and determines that the brightness is equal to or lower than the predetermined brightness, the sensor control unit 4 generates an interrupt request to the interrupt control unit 13. The interrupt control unit 13 generates an interrupt signal to the CPU 1, and the power saving mode transition processing steps S1 to S4 are sequentially performed. First, in S1, the liquid crystal display unit 15 is powered off, and functions such as backlight, liquid crystal display, and touch panel that consume power are stopped. Next, in order to prevent an unintended input, input of the keyboard 8 is stopped in S2. Further, in S3, the power of the disk unit 10 is turned off, and the power supply to the external storage unit such as a hard disk is stopped. Finally, the operation of the CPU 1 is stopped in S4, the HALT state is entered, and the mode is completely shifted to the power saving state.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a program for returning the notebook computer from the power saving state to the normal use state when the notebook computer is moved to a bright place in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  When the notebook computer is moved to a bright place, the brightness detection level of the optical sensor 3 changes. When the sensor control unit 4 detects the change in the brightness detection level and determines that the brightness is equal to or higher than the predetermined brightness, the sensor control unit 4 generates an interrupt request to the interrupt control unit 13. The interrupt control unit 13 generates an interrupt signal to the CPU 1, and by this signal, the CPU 1 in S5 is returned to the normal operation, and mode transition processing S6 to S8 for returning to the normal operation from the power saving state is sequentially performed. Is done. First, the keyboard 8 is returned in S6. Next, the liquid crystal display unit 15 is restored, and functions such as a backlight, a liquid crystal display, and a touch panel that have shifted to the power saving mode are restored. Finally, the disk unit 10 is restored, and the mode shifts to the normal use state.

  The program for realizing the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 and 4 is stored in the disk unit 10, and is read into the RAM 11 and executed by the CPU 1 when necessary.

  According to such a configuration, the user can move the notebook computer to the power saving state without moving to the notebook computer mode only by moving the notebook computer to a dark place, thereby reducing power consumption. be able to. Further, by shifting to the power saving mode, it is possible to invalidate an input unintended by the user and prevent an unexpected failure of the notebook personal computer.

  In this embodiment, steps S1 to S8 for mode transition to and return to the power saving state are provided. However, if each step is executed as a process during mode transition or return, the order is as follows. These steps are processes that should be satisfied at least as a power saving state, and if there are other devices that should realize power saving in a notebook computer, these steps are also performed at the same time. What is necessary is just to make mode transfer and return to a power saving state back and forth.

  In the description of FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the keyboard 8 and the touch panel on the liquid crystal display unit 15 are cited as input devices, but the mouse pad (without reference numeral) in FIG. 2 is handled and processed in the same manner as an input device. Needless to say.

  The user of the electronic device (notebook personal computer) according to the present invention can extend the battery driving time by notifying the user of the power saving state or the usage environment, and determining the usage environment and shifting the mode. As an electronic device such as a portable personal computer that has the effects of preventing unintended input, canceling the unintended power saving state, and preventing hard disk failure due to vibration or impact, etc. Useful.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the notebook personal computer in Embodiment 1 of this invention Overview view showing an example of arrangement of optical sensors in the notebook personal computer according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention Flowchart of a program for shifting a notebook computer to a power saving state when the notebook computer is moved to a dark place in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Flowchart of a program for returning a notebook computer from a power saving state to a normal use state when the notebook computer in Embodiment 1 of the present invention is moved to a bright place

Explanation of symbols

1 CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 Sensor control part 3 Optical sensor 4 Power supply control part 5 Battery 6 Power switch 7 Keyboard control part 8 Keyboard 9 Disk control part 10 Disk part 11 RAM
12 ROM
13 Interrupt Control Unit 14 Liquid Crystal Control Unit 15 Liquid Crystal Display Unit 16 System Bus

Claims (6)

An optical sensor that detects the brightness of the environment in which the electronic device is used;
Control means for shifting the electronic device to a power saving mode when it is detected that the light sensor has become a predetermined brightness or less;
An electronic device characterized by comprising: 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit cancels the power saving mode and shifts to a normal operation when detecting that the light sensor has reached a predetermined brightness or more. 3. An optical sensor that detects the brightness of the environment in which the electronic device is used;
Control means for stopping an input function for a user to input information when it is detected that the light sensor is below a predetermined brightness;
An electronic device characterized by comprising: 4. The electronic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the control unit detects that the light sensor has reached a predetermined brightness or higher, the control unit cancels the stop of the input function and shifts to a normal operation. . The method for controlling an electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the optical sensor detects that the light sensor is below a predetermined brightness.
A step of turning off a power source for driving a liquid crystal display unit that displays image and character information of the electronic device;
Stopping a clock of a CPU that controls each unit of the electronic device via a system bus;
A method for controlling an electronic device. The method for controlling an electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the step of detecting that the light sensor is below a predetermined brightness;
Stopping the input function for the user to input information;
A method for controlling an electronic device.

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