JP2000075963A - Power-saving control system for display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a power-saving control system for display device which can reduce the influence of a decrease in the visibility of screen display information without the need to change settings of the display device by a user every time the power-saving level to the display device varies. SOLUTION: This is a power-saving control system for display device 101 which performs power-saving control over display device 101 by controlling the luminance by controlling the back light of a display device 101. In this case, this system is actualized by providing a setting storage memory 107 which stores parameter values corresponding to the power-saving level of the display device 101 and a power-saving control means which selects the power-saving level of the display device 101 according to input states from input devices 108 and 109 and information from a battery level detecting means 110 at the time of the power-saving process of the display device 101 and obtains and sets the parameter value corresponding to the power-saving level from the setting storage memory 107.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technology for reducing the power consumption of a display device in an information processing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional information processing apparatus, the only way to reduce the power consumption of a display device is to lower the luminance of the display device.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 9-26837 discloses the following technique for reducing the power consumption of a display device.

More specifically, input detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of an input from a keyboard or a mouse, and input interval determining means for comparing a time detected by the input detecting means with a preset time interval are provided. Information processing device having
Detects the input interval from the keyboard or mouse, and if there is an input within a certain time interval, shifts to the power reduction mode and gradually reduces the power supplied to the backlight, so that the user does not notice it The brightness of the backlight is reduced, and if there is no input within a certain interval, the backlight of the display device is turned off, and when the input is resumed, the power is supplied to the backlight and it is turned on at the initial brightness Then, a technique for shifting to the power reduction mode again is disclosed.

[0005]

However, the technique described above still has the following problems.

[0006] When the power consumption of the display device is reduced, the brightness of the display device is reduced, so that there is a problem that the visibility of information displayed on the screen is reduced. Therefore, every time the power saving level of the display device changes,
It is necessary to readjust the settings of the display device so that the information displayed on the screen is easy to see.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to reduce the influence of a decrease in visibility of screen display information due to a change in a power saving level for a display device. Specifically, when the power saving level for the display device changes, the power saving level of the display device is increased and the brightness of the display device is reduced without requiring the user to change the setting of the display device each time. By increasing the contrast or increasing the size of characters and icons displayed on the screen as the display resolution decreases, the influence of the decrease in the visibility of the screen display information due to the decrease in the brightness of the display device is reduced. It is an object of the present invention to provide a power saving control system for a display device.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a power saving control system for a display device, comprising: a display device; an input device; input detection means for monitoring an input state from the input device; And a battery level detection means for monitoring the level of the battery, the backlight of the display device is controlled, and the power saving control system of the display device controls the power saving control of the display device by adjusting the brightness.
A setting storage memory for storing a parameter value corresponding to the power saving level of the display device, the input detecting means for monitoring an input state from the input device during power saving processing of the display device, and detecting a remaining battery level. Selecting a power saving level of the display device based on information from the battery level detecting means,
Power saving control means for acquiring and setting a parameter value corresponding to the power saving level from the setting storage memory.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a power saving control system for a display device according to the first aspect, wherein the setting storage memory includes a parameter value corresponding to a power saving level of the display device. Any one of the following values: luminance, contrast, display resolution, and power on / off of the display device is stored in a table format.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a power saving control system for a display device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the power saving control means includes a luminance adjusting means, A brightness value corresponding to a power level is obtained from a table of a setting storage memory, and the brightness value is set in the brightness adjustment means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a power saving control system for a display device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the power saving control means includes a contrast adjusting means. Then, a contrast value corresponding to the power saving level is obtained from a table of a setting storage memory, and the contrast value is set in the contrast adjusting means.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the power saving control system for a display device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the power saving control means includes a display resolution control means. Having a display resolution value corresponding to the power saving level from a table of a setting storage memory,
The display resolution value is set in the display resolution control means.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a power saving control system for a display device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the power saving control means comprises a display device power control means. The power on / off value corresponding to the power saving level is obtained from a table in a setting storage memory, and the power on / off value is set in the display device power control means.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display device power saving control system, comprising: a display device; an input device; input detection means for monitoring an input state from the input device; a battery; Battery level detection means for monitoring the power of the display device by controlling the backlight of the display device and adjusting the brightness by controlling the power saving of the display device. A setting storage memory for storing a parameter value corresponding to the input signal from the input detecting means for monitoring an input state from an input device and a battery level detecting means for detecting a remaining battery level during power saving processing of the display device. Based on the information, a power saving level of the display device is selected, and a parameter value corresponding to the power saving level is obtained from the setting storage memory and set. And control means, the user is characterized by comprising a setting storage memory changing means for changing the parameters in each power-saving level of the display device stored in the setting storage memory.

According to a eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the power saving control system for a display device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, wherein the power saving control system according to the seventh aspect has a display device parameter defined for a certain power saving level. Means for temporarily setting the parameter value for the display device.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a power saving control system for a display device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a power saving control system for a display device according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the main components of the present system include a display device 101 and the display device 101.
Controller 102, brightness adjusting means 103, contrast adjusting means 104, display device power control means 105, and power saving for controlling the above means 102, 013, 104, 105 The control means 106 and the means 102, 10
A setting storage memory 107 for storing setting values of 3, 104, and 105; a setting storage memory changing unit 113 for changing information in the setting storage memory 107; and a setting storage memory for confirming the changed contents Confirmation means 112
It is. Further, a keyboard 108 and a mouse 109 for inputting data and operating the apparatus, a battery 111 for supplying power to the apparatus, and a battery level detecting means 110 for detecting the level or remaining amount of the battery 111 are provided. Is provided.

Here, the power saving control means 106 is obtained from an input time interval obtained from an input detection means (not shown) for detecting an input interval from the keyboard 108 or the mouse 109, or obtained from a battery level detection means 110. Based on information such as the remaining amount of the battery 111, the display device 1
01 is determined.

In the power saving control system of the present display device, four components, namely, brightness, contrast, display resolution, and power on / off of the display device are targeted as components for controlling the display. Therefore, these four items are stored in the setting storage memory 107 as parameters of the display device at the power saving level.

FIG. 2 shows values of the above four items of the display device at the power saving level stored in the setting storage memory 107 as parameters.

As shown in FIG. 2, the values of luminance, contrast, display resolution, and power on / off of the display device are set for each power saving level of the display device. Here, five levels are set, but there is no need to be limited to this.

The parameters (contrast value, display resolution) of the display device 101 for each power saving level stored in the setting storage memory 107 are such that the power saving level of the display device 101 is higher as shown in FIG. As the brightness of the display device is reduced, the contrast is maintained or increased, and the display resolution is maintained or reduced.

For example, when the power saving level is 1, the luminance is 100%, the contrast is 50%, and the display resolution is 1
When the power saving level is 3, the luminance is 60%, the contrast is 100%, the display resolution is 800 × 600, and when the power saving level is 4, the luminance is 40%. , The contrast is 100%, and the display resolution is 640 × 480.

The setting storage memory 107 is stored in a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory or stored in a normal volatile memory so that the contents are retained even when the information processing apparatus is turned off. In this case, it is desirable to perform battery backup.

The power saving control means 106 controls parameters (luminance, brightness, etc.) of the display device 101 at the determined power saving level.
Contrast, display resolution, and power on / off of the display device) are obtained from the setting storage memory 107 which stores the information in a table format as shown in FIG.

Thereafter, the power saving control means 106 controls the control means 102, 103, 10 corresponding to the acquired parameters.
The acquired values are set for the information Nos. 4 and 105, and the power saving control of the display device 101 is performed via the corresponding control means.

For example, if the acquired parameter is the display resolution, the display resolution setting value of the display is set to the display controller 102; if the parameter is the brightness, the brightness setting value is set to the brightness adjusting means 103; The value is set in the contrast adjusting unit 104, and when the display device 101 is turned on / off, the power on / off setting is set in the power control unit 105 of the display device 101. This setting may be performed for one unit, or may be performed simultaneously for a plurality of units.

Next, the power saving control means 106 selects one of the power saving levels of the display device 101 shown in FIG. To the display controller 102, the luminance setting value to the luminance adjusting means 103 for luminance, the contrast setting value to the contrast adjusting means 104 for contrast, and the power on / off for the display device power on / off. The method for setting the OFF setting in the power control unit 105 of the display device is as follows.

The input time interval obtained from input detection means for detecting the presence or absence of an input from the keyboard 108 or the mouse 109 and the time interval between the inputs, the remaining amount of the battery 111 obtained from the battery level detection means 110, and the like. Based on the information, the power saving control unit 106 compares the acquired data with the data of each stage of the input time interval and the remaining battery level that are set in advance in several steps.
By making the determination, the power saving control unit 106 determines a target power saving level.

For example, in the case of a portable information processing device or the like, since there is a device that is turned off automatically within 10 minutes, a power saving level is provided for each display of such a device every 2 minutes. Is also good. That is, if no input is made within two minutes, the power saving level is updated step by step. On the other hand, an OS running on a personal computer or the like has a function such as a screen saver. If the display device is not input within a set time from several minutes to several hours, the function of the screen saver is disabled. Just like working,
The power saving level may be updated step by step in tens of minutes.

The level of the remaining amount of the battery 111 is set in increments of 10% from 100% to 50%.
The power saving level may be updated one step at a time every time the power consumption decreases.

Incidentally, the stepwise range values such as the input time interval and the remaining amount of the battery may be stored in a part of the setting storage memory 107.

Then, the power saving control means 106 displays the parameters of the display device at the determined power saving level,
That is, the display resolution setting value of the display for the display controller 102, the luminance setting value for the luminance adjusting unit 103, the contrast setting value for the contrast adjusting unit 104, and the power on / off for the power on / off of the display device 101.
The setting of OFF is obtained from the table stored in the setting storage memory 107, and is set for each unit.

Next, the means and method for updating the contents of the parameter values stored in the setting storage memory and confirming the values will be described.

In this power saving control system, each value of the table stored in the setting storage memory 107 can be rewritten by the setting storage memory changing means 113 so that the user can change the parameters of the display device 101 at each power saving level. Configuration. In order to confirm the effect of the parameter adjustment of the display device 101 performed by the above means on an actual screen, a setting storage memory content checking means 112 is provided.

FIG. 3 shows the contents of the setting storage memory changed.
It is the flowchart which showed the processing sequence for confirming the content.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen for changing and confirming the contents of the setting storage memory in FIG.

A processing sequence for changing the contents of the setting storage memory and confirming the contents will be described with reference to FIG.

When the user instructs to change the parameters of the display device 101 for each power saving level, or when instructs to confirm the parameter settings of the display device 101 for each power saving level, the processing sequence shown in FIG. Is started.

First, the parameters of the display device 101 at each power saving level are obtained from the storage setting memory 107,
The data is stored in a temporary buffer (not shown) (step S1).

Next, the parameters of the display device 101 at the respective power saving levels stored in the temporary buffer are displayed on the screen as shown in FIG. 4 (step S2). Thereafter, by clicking and operating each button or the like on the screen, the corresponding processing is performed.

When the cancel button 402 is clicked (step S3), the processing sequence ends (step S12).

When the setting button 401 is clicked (step S4), the setting value stored in the temporary buffer is stored in the setting storage memory 107 (step S4).
5), end this processing sequence (step S1)
2).

When the setting change button 404 prepared for each parameter (brightness, contrast, display resolution, power ON / OFF) is clicked (step S6), the corresponding item stored in the temporary buffer is clicked. Is changed (step S7), and thereafter, the process returns to step S2.

When the setting confirmation button 403 prepared for each power saving level is clicked (step S
8) Move to the confirmation mode.

On the other hand, when any of the buttons other than the setting button 401, the cancel button 402, the setting confirmation button 403, and the setting change button 404 is clicked, the corresponding processing is performed, and when none of the buttons is clicked. , Waiting for input.

When the mode is shifted to the confirmation mode, the corresponding parameter of the display device 101 is changed to the set value of the power saving level instructed by the user (step S9). Actually, the parameters of the display device 101 of the corresponding power saving level are acquired from the temporary buffer, and the parameters are transmitted to the control units of the display controller 102, the brightness adjustment unit 103, the contrast adjustment unit 104, and the display device power control unit 105. Set and change the display state.

This state is the state of the confirmation mode, and waits for an input from the keyboard or the mouse (step S).
10).

When any input is made from the keyboard 108 or the mouse 109 in the above state, the confirmation mode ends, and the parameters of the display device 101 are returned to the current power saving level settings (step S11). Actually, after the confirmation mode ends, the display device 10 for the current power saving mode is set.
1 is obtained from the setting storage memory 107, and the parameters are reset in the display controller 102, the brightness adjustment unit 103, the contrast adjustment unit 104, and the display device power control unit 105, respectively.
The display state of the display device 101 is returned to the original state.

After that, the keyboard 108 or the mouse 1
The process returns to step S3 which is in the input waiting state from step 09, and the processing is continued.

In the above steps, step S 9 is a so-called trial mode, in which the user confirms how the parameter values changed by the user are reflected on the actual display device 101. Therefore, in order to escape from the changed display state, step S
10 and step S11 are provided.

Display device 10 for power saving mode
The parameter 1 is not changed unless the setting button in step S4 is clicked.

As the power saving level of the display device increases and the luminance of the display device decreases, the contrast increases, and the size of characters and icons displayed on the screen decreases as the display resolution decreases. The method and procedure for increasing the size are as follows.

According to the processing in step S2, the parameters of the display device 101 at each power saving level stored in the temporary buffer at the present time are displayed. On the displayed screen, click the setting change button 404 according to the processing in step 6 above to change the corresponding values for the items of the target power saving level such as brightness, contrast, and display resolution. I do. For example, when the current power saving level is 1 and the power saving level to be changed is 3, the luminance setting value is reduced from 80% to 40%. In order to increase the contrast setting value from 50% to 100%, the user clicks the setting change button 404 of an up arrow (▲) to change the setting value to the target value of 100%. Further, the set value of the display resolution is 1024 × 76
In order to reduce the value from 8 to 800 × 600, the user clicks the setting change button 404 with a down arrow (▼) to change the setting to the target value of 800 × 600. The above operation result is set to the display state of FIG. If it is desired to confirm the display state of the power saving level 3 changed in this state, the above-described step S8
The setting confirmation button 403 is clicked in accordance with the processing in. That is, the position of the power saving level 3 is clicked.
As a result, the mode shifts to the confirmation mode in accordance with the processing in step S9, and the display state of the power saving level 3 set above can be realized. Thereafter, when any input is performed with the keyboard 108, the mouse 109, or the like in accordance with the processing in step S10, the display returns to the original power saving level display state in accordance with the processing in step S11. If it is desired to finally update the contents of the setting storage memory 107 to the contents changed above, the setting button 401 is clicked according to the processing in step S4, and the temporary buffer is stored in accordance with the processing in step S5. The contents (the contents changed by the above operation) are stored in the setting storage memory 1.
07.

After the above operation, in an arbitrary display state, the power saving control means 106 mainly determines the presence or absence of an input from the keyboard 108 or the mouse 109 and the input time obtained from the input detecting means for detecting the time interval of the input. Interval and battery 111 obtained from battery level detecting means 110
Based on information such as the remaining power of the battery, the acquired data is compared and determined in advance with several types of input time intervals and data of the remaining battery power in each step, thereby saving power. When the power-saving level is determined to be level 3, the power-saving control unit 106 controls the display device 101 to a display state corresponding to the luminance, contrast, and display resolution set by the above operation.

As described above, in the present power control system, as the power saving level of the display device is increased and the luminance of the display device is reduced, the contrast is increased, and as the display resolution is reduced, the screen is displayed. Since the size of characters and icons to be displayed is increased, the effect of reducing the visibility of the screen display information due to the reduction in luminance of the display device is reduced. Therefore, when the power saving level for the display device changes, there is an advantage that the user does not need to change the setting of the display device each time.

The contents of the embodiments described above are not limited to the contents described above unless the gist of the present invention is changed.

[0059]

According to the power saving control system for a display device of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

According to the present invention, as the power saving level of the display device increases and the luminance of the display device decreases,
By increasing the contrast and increasing the size of characters and icons displayed on the screen as the display resolution decreases, the effect of reducing the effect of lowering the visibility of screen display information due to lowering of the brightness of the display device is reduced. Have.

Therefore, when the power saving level of the display device changes, there is an advantage that the user does not need to change the setting of the display device every time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a power saving control system for a display device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a data structure diagram of a table stored in a setting storage memory of the power saving control system of the display device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing sequence for changing and confirming the contents of a setting storage memory of the power saving control system of the display device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a screen operation example for changing and confirming the contents of a setting storage memory of the power saving control system of the display device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Display device 102 Display controller 103 Brightness adjustment means 104 Contrast adjustment means 105 Display device power control means 106 Power saving control means 107 Setting storage memory 108 Keyboard 109 Mouse 110 Battery level detection means 111 Battery 112 Setting storage memory changing means 113 Setting storage memory Content confirmation means

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (Reference) G09G 5/10 G06F 1/00 333D 334G F-term (Reference) 5B011 DA06 DC01 EB06 EB09 GG13 LL08 LL15 5C006 AF13 AF51 AF52 AF53 AF61 AF64 AF67 AF68 AF69 BB29 BF01 BF38 BF45 EC02 FA00 FA47 FA54 5C082 AA22 AA24 BB53 CA11 CA33 CA81 CB06 DA73 MM03 MM10

Claims (8)

[Claims] A display device, an input device, input detection means for monitoring an input state from the input device, a battery,
And a battery level detecting means for monitoring the level of the battery, wherein the control unit controls the backlight of the display device and adjusts the brightness to control the power saving control of the display device. A setting storage memory for storing a parameter value according to a power saving level; an input detecting means for monitoring an input state from an input device during a power saving process of a display device; and a battery level for detecting a remaining battery level. Power saving control means for selecting a power saving level of the display device based on information from the detecting means, acquiring a parameter value corresponding to the power saving level from the setting storage memory, and setting the parameter value. A power saving control system for a display device. 2. A setting memory according to claim 2, wherein said parameter values are brightness, contrast,
2. The power saving control system for a display device according to claim 1, wherein one of the display resolution and the power on / off of the display device is stored in a table format. 3. The power saving control means has a brightness adjusting means, acquires a brightness value according to a power saving level from a table of a setting storage memory, and sets the brightness value in the brightness adjusting means. 3. The power saving control system for a display device according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The power saving control means has a contrast adjusting means, acquires a contrast value corresponding to a power saving level from a table of a setting storage memory, and sets the contrast value in the contrast adjusting means. The power saving control system for a display device according to claim 1. 5. The power saving control means has a display resolution control means, acquires a display resolution value corresponding to a power saving level from a table in a setting storage memory, and sets the display resolution value in the display resolution control means. The power saving control system for a display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: 6. The power saving control means has a display device power control means, acquires a power on / off value corresponding to a power saving level from a table in a setting storage memory, and supplies the power to the display device power control means. The power saving control system for a display device according to claim 1, wherein an on / off value is set. 7. A display device, an input device, input detection means for monitoring an input state from the input device, a battery,
And a battery level detecting means for monitoring the level of the battery, wherein the control unit controls the backlight of the display device and adjusts the brightness to control the power saving control of the display device. A setting storage memory for storing a parameter value according to a power saving level; an input detecting means for monitoring an input state from an input device during a power saving process of a display device; and a battery level for detecting a remaining battery level. A power saving control means for selecting a power saving level of the display device based on information from the detecting means, acquiring a parameter value corresponding to the power saving level from the setting storage memory, and setting the parameter value; Setting storage memory changing means for changing parameters at each power saving level of the display device stored in the memory. Power saving control system of the display device according to. 8. The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising means for temporarily setting the parameter value for the display device according to a parameter of the display device defined for a certain power saving level. A power saving control system for a display device as described in the above.