JP2011257996A - Electronic apparatus, power saving control method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance a power saving function and to improve usability while a power saving function is performed by an electronic apparatus having a sensor for detecting presence of a user by properly recognizing absence of a user regardless of clothes of a user and office environment of a user and finely performing power saving operations.SOLUTION: An electronic apparatus has: light detecting means that emits light to an object and detects received amount of reflected light; detection results comparison means that compares detected amounts of received light at different times based on detected amounts of received light by the light detecting means; and power saving control means that switches from a normal mode to a first power saving mode in which a prescribed function is degraded based on a comparison result by the detection results comparison means.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device, a power saving control method, and a program, and more particularly to a technique preferably applied to a power saving function of an electronic device equipped with a sensor for detecting the presence of a user.

  In recent years, from the viewpoint of ecology, electronic devices such as personal computers, mobile phones, and televisions are equipped with a power saving function. The main power saving function is to reduce power consumption when the user is not using the electronic device. For example, in the case of a personal computer, when there is no input for a certain period of time, the screen is turned off first, and when there is no further input for a certain period of time, the state is suspended.

  The power saving function described in the example of the personal computer is a general function that is standardly provided in many personal computers. In this current power saving function, the OS monitors the user's input operation, and shifts to the power saving mode (screen off, suspend state) and returns to the standard mode (screen on) according to the input operation state. Also, a transition time to the power saving mode is set, and when there is no user input operation for the set time, the power saving mode is entered, and when the user input operation is detected, the standard mode is restored.

  However, there are cases where the user is working even if no input operation is performed (reading the displayed content, devising the content to be input, etc.), and the power saving mode is triggered only by the presence or absence of the input operation. It is not suitable for the actual situation of the user's operation status to shift to. If the setting time is shortened so as to make the power saving mode as much as possible while there is no input operation, the user frequently makes a transition to the power saving mode even though the user is working. In addition, an input operation for returning from the power saving mode to the normal mode is necessary, which may be troublesome for some users.

  On the other hand, recently, electronic devices such as a monitor equipped with a sensor (for example, an infrared sensor) for detecting the presence of a user have appeared. In such an electronic device, according to the detection result of the sensor, when the user is not close to the device (separated), the electronic device shifts to the power saving mode, and the user is close to the device (is present). To return to standard mode. In addition, according to this mode switching, it is possible to set the standard mode only for the user's terminal operation (working) including not only during the input but also during the input, and the power saving mode can be set for the other modes. No input operation is required to restore

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an information processing apparatus that saves power by operating a sensor for detecting the presence of a user only when necessary. In the information processing apparatus, the sensor is operated in the first mode when the operation is not performed by the user, and in the second mode that consumes less power than the first mode when the operation is performed by the user. The sensor is configured to operate.

JP 2009-280661 A

  By the way, the actual situation is that the infrared sensor is easily affected by the state of the detection object and the surrounding environment due to its characteristics and detection mechanism, and the detection results vary. The infrared sensor includes a light emitting element that emits infrared light and a light receiving element that receives the light emitting element, and detects the distance to the object based on the amount of light received by the infrared light receiving element that is emitted from the light emitting element and reflected by the object. Further, as infrared sensor characteristics, since infrared reflectance varies depending on the object (color, material, shape), detected data (amount of received light) varies even at the same place. For example, if the object is white and cotton material, the amount of received light is large, and if it is black and hair material, the amount of received light is small.

  In the power saving function using the infrared sensor, the detection result (light reception amount) is compared with a threshold value to determine whether the user is present or away. The user can freely set the threshold value. Is possible. That is, the user sets a threshold for determining presence (seated threshold) and a threshold for determining absence (separation threshold) in consideration of his / her clothes, distance from the electronic device, and the like. can do.

  For example, it is assumed that the threshold setting is performed assuming that the user is wearing white clothes. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6A, when wearing black clothes over white clothes while in front of the electronic device, the amount of light received by the infrared sensor falls below the away threshold and the power saving mode ( For example, it is inconvenient for a user who is present. In order to avoid such a situation, the away threshold may be set to a minimum value (a value lower than the amount of light received when wearing black clothes) and a fixed value.

  However, even when the away threshold is set to the minimum value and the fixed value, as shown in FIG. 6B, the backrest of the chair used by the user is at the detection position of the infrared sensor, and the user's backrest Another problem occurs when the colors, materials, etc. of clothes (black) and chair (back) are similar. The infrared sensor only receives the infrared rays reflected from the object and detects the distance to the object, and cannot distinguish whether the object is a user or a chair. For this reason, when a user wearing white clothes leaves a seat and detects a chair (back), the detected amount of received light does not fall below the separation threshold, and the user is determined to be present and the standard mode is maintained. Will be. That is, even though the user actually leaves the seat, the power saving mode (for example, screen off) is not shifted to, and the power saving function does not substantially function.

  The invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 performs power saving of the sensor itself for detecting the presence of the user, and the above problem cannot be solved because it is not considered.

  Therefore, in view of the above-described circumstances, the present invention appropriately uses the power saving function of an electronic device equipped with a sensor for detecting the presence of the user, regardless of the user's clothes and the user's office environment. The purpose is to improve the usability as well as to improve the power saving function by grasping the absence of seats and performing detailed power saving.

  An electronic device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a light detection unit that detects a light reception amount of light that is emitted and reflected toward an object, and a detection light reception amount at different times with respect to a detection light reception amount by the light detection unit. Detection result comparison means for performing comparison, and power saving control means for switching from the standard mode to the first power saving mode for reducing a predetermined function based on the comparison result by the detection result comparison means.

  Further, in the electronic apparatus, when the power saving control unit determines that the difference between the detected light reception amount at the first time point and the detected light reception amount at the second time point before the first time point is greater than the first threshold value, Switching to the 1 power saving mode may be performed.

  In the electronic apparatus, the power saving control unit may be configured such that the difference between the detected light reception amount at the first time point and the detected light reception amount at the second time point before the first time point is smaller than the first threshold and the user is in a predetermined time. When there is no input operation according to, switching from the standard mode or the first power saving mode to the second power saving mode for stopping a predetermined function may be performed.

  In the electronic apparatus, the power saving control unit may be configured such that the difference between the detected light reception amount at the first time point and the detected light reception amount at the second time point before the first time point is smaller than the first threshold value and the predetermined time is exceeded. When the time has elapsed, a warning notification regarding switching from the standard mode or the first power saving mode to the second power saving mode in which a predetermined function is stopped may be performed.

  In the electronic apparatus, the detection result comparison unit compares the detected light reception amount at the temporary point with a predetermined threshold value, and the power saving control unit determines whether the detection light reception amount is smaller than the second threshold value. Switching from the first power saving mode to the second power saving mode in which a predetermined function is stopped may be performed.

  Further, in the electronic device described above, display means for displaying the processing contents of the device itself may be provided on one surface, and the light detection means may emit light in the direction of the surface of the display means.

  In the electronic apparatus, the first power saving mode may be a mode for reducing the luminance of the display unit.

  A power saving control method according to one aspect of the present invention includes a light detection step for detecting the amount of light received by emitting light toward an object and a received light amount detected in the light detection step at different time points. A detection result comparison step for comparing the amount of received light, and a power saving control step for switching from the standard mode to the first power saving mode for reducing a predetermined function based on the detection result in the detection result comparison step. .

  A program according to an aspect of the present invention is an electronic device including a light detection unit that detects the amount of light received by emitting light toward an object and a storage unit that stores data of the amount of light received by the light detection unit. The received light amount data storing process for storing the detected light amount data by the light detecting means in the storage means, and the detected received light amount data from the storage means, and the detected received light amount at different time points. And a power saving control process for switching from the standard mode to the first power saving mode for reducing a predetermined function based on the detection result by the detection result comparison process.

  According to the present invention, in the power saving function of an electronic device equipped with a sensor for detecting the presence of a user, it is possible to appropriately grasp the user's absence without being influenced by the user's clothes and the user's office environment, and finely It is possible to enhance the power saving function by saving power and improve usability.

1 is an external view of a PC according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the infrared sensor mounted in PC which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a hardware block diagram of PC concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of PC concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the power saving control process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating a user's absence detection and power saving control in a prior art.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an external view of a PC according to an embodiment of the present invention. The PC 10 of this embodiment is a notebook PC, and an infrared sensor 16 is disposed near the top of the display at the end of the display unit on which the display is mounted. The position of the infrared sensor 16 may be in the lower part of the display, in the vicinity of the side part, or in any place on the main body part on which the keyboard is mounted. In this embodiment, a notebook PC is used. However, as an electronic apparatus to which the present invention is applied, a desk PC, a display, a television, or the like can be considered.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of an infrared sensor mounted on the PC according to the embodiment of the present invention. The infrared sensor 16 of this embodiment includes a light emitting element 161 that emits infrared light and a light receiving element 162 that receives light and converts it into an electrical signal. Infrared rays emitted from the light emitting element 161 are reflected by the object 50 and received by the light receiving element 162. The light receiving element 162 can also convert the distance from the infrared sensor 161 to the object 50 from the amount of received infrared light reflected.

  FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the PC according to the embodiment of the present invention. The PC 10 of this embodiment is a PC having a general hardware configuration, and includes a CPU 11, a memory 12, an HDD 13, an input device 14, an output device 15, and an infrared sensor 16.

  The CPU 11 controls the overall operation of the PC 10 in accordance with the OS stored in the memory 12 and the program specific to the present embodiment, and is also used to determine whether to leave the seat based on the detection data of the infrared sensor, to determine the detection data fluctuation, and to switch the mode (this In the embodiment, display control processing) is performed. The memory 12 has a storage area (ROM) for storing the OS and programs unique to the present embodiment, and a work storage area (RAM) used for various processes of the CPU 11. The HDD 13 is an external storage device that holds various data. The input device 14 is a device that receives an input operation by a user, and is a mouse, a touch pad, a keyboard, or the like. The output device 15 is a device that performs screen output and audio output of various data, and is a display, a speaker, or the like.

  FIG. 4 is a functional configuration diagram of the PC according to the present embodiment. In the PC 10 of the present embodiment, the CPU 11 reads a program specific to the present embodiment stored in the memory 12, and the absence determination process based on the detection data of the infrared sensor, the detection data fluctuation determination, and the mode switching process (in this embodiment) The control unit 100 is configured as a functional unit for performing display control processing. The control unit 100 logically includes a detection data acquisition unit 110, a detection result comparison unit 120, and a power saving control unit 130. Each means may be realized by software as described above, or may be realized by hardware using a circuit or the like.

  The detection data acquisition means 110 acquires the received light amount data detected from the infrared sensor 16 at a predetermined timing, and stores the acquired received light amount data in the memory 12 (RAM) or the HDD 13. The detection data acquisition means 110 holds detection data for at least two times of the latest (current) received light amount data and the immediately preceding (previous) received light amount data, but is not limited to two times and holds detection data for a predetermined period. Also good.

  The detection result comparison unit 120 compares the received light amount data acquired by the detection data acquisition unit 110 to perform detection data fluctuation determination, and compares the received light amount data with a separation threshold to determine the absence. Do. The detection data fluctuation determination is a determination used for switching from the standard mode to the first power saving mode, and the absence determination is a determination used for switching from the standard mode or the first power saving mode to the second power saving mode. .

  Here, the standard mode is an operation mode in which all the functions of the PC 10 are fully operated, the first power saving mode is an operation mode in which a predetermined function of the PC 10 is lowered, and the second power saving mode is a predetermined function of the PC 10. Is an operation mode for stopping the operation. Examples of the first power saving mode include a reduction in display brightness and a reduction in CPU operating frequency.

  The power saving control unit 130 switches the operation mode of the PC 10 between the standard mode, the first power saving mode, and the second power saving mode based on the comparison determination result in the detection result comparison unit 120. In the present embodiment, as an example of power saving control, description will be given using display brightness adjustment and on / off switching (display control).

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of power saving control processing according to the embodiment of the present invention. First, in the CPU 11, the detection data acquisition unit 110 acquires received light amount data from the infrared sensor 16 and stores it in the memory 12 (step S101). Then, when there is no input operation by the user (step S102 / NO), the detection result comparison unit 120 compares the current (latest) detection data (light reception amount data) with the away threshold, and makes an absence determination ( Step S103). Whether or not there is an input operation is determined by monitoring a history of input operations (keyboard input mouse input, touch pad input, etc.) issued as an interrupt signal to the OS.

  If the current (latest) detection data (received light amount data) is below the away threshold (step S103 / YES), the power saving control unit 130 turns off the screen as switching from the standard mode to the second power saving mode. Is switched (step S111). If the current (latest) detection data (light reception amount data) does not fall below the away threshold (step S103 / NO), the detection result comparison unit 120 determines that the current (latest) detection data (light reception amount data) and The detection data fluctuation determination is performed by comparing with the previous (immediately preceding) detection data (light reception amount data) (step S104).

  When the difference between the current (latest) detection data (light reception amount data) and the previous (immediately previous) detection data (light reception amount data) exceeds the variation threshold (step S104 / YES), the power saving control means 130 The screen brightness is reduced as switching from the standard mode to the first power saving mode (step S105).

  This time (latest) detection data (light reception amount data) does not fall below the away threshold (step S103 / NO), this time (latest) detection data (light reception amount data) and the previous (immediately) detection data (light reception amount data). )) Does not exceed the variation threshold (step S104 / NO (including the case where the difference does not exceed the variation threshold after switching to the first power saving mode)) when a certain number of times have elapsed ( In step S106 / YES), the power saving control unit 130 notifies the user of a warning to switch to the second power saving mode. The warning notification may be performed through a screen (brightness reduction or message display) or may be performed through voice (message sound output).

  After the warning notification (step S107), when there is no input operation by the user (step S108 / NO), the power saving control means 130 turns off the screen as switching from the first power saving mode or the standard mode to the second power saving mode. Is switched (step S111). When there is an input operation by the user (step S108 / YES), the power saving control unit 130 switches from the first power saving mode (step S109 / YES) to the standard mode (step S110). As a matter of course, when there is a warning notification in the standard mode state and an input operation is performed (step S109 / NO), the standard mode is maintained as it is.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the operation mode to be switched is provided with two modes of the first power saving mode for lowering the predetermined function of the PC 10 and the second power saving mode for stopping the predetermined function of the PC 10. The switch to each mode is determined by different methods. That is, switching to the second power saving mode is performed based on detection data at a temporary point, and switching to the first power saving mode is performed based on comparison of detection data at two different time points.

  Therefore, in the example of FIG. 6, when the user wearing white clothes leaves the seat and the backrest of the chair is detected by the infrared sensor (FIG. 6B), the detected amount of received light varies. For this reason, the standard mode is not maintained, and it is possible to shift to the first power saving mode for reducing the luminance and perform fine power saving. On the other hand, even when wearing black clothes over white clothes while in front of an electronic device (FIG. 6 (a)), the brightness is reduced without going to the second power saving mode where the screen is suddenly switched off. Therefore, there is no substantial inconvenience for the operating user. As described above, it is possible to improve the usability as well as to enhance the overall power saving function by performing fine power saving.

  The above-described embodiment is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment alone, and various modifications are made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Implementation is possible.

  For example, the program executed by the PC 10 in this embodiment has a module configuration including the above-described units (detection data acquisition unit 110, detection result comparison unit 120, and power saving control unit 130). Specific means are realized using hardware. That is, the CPU 11 reads and executes a program from the memory 12 (ROM), and the above-mentioned means are loaded onto the main storage device and generated.

  The program executed by the PC 10 in the present embodiment may be configured to be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. Further, the program may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  The program is a file in an installable or executable format, such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD, nonvolatile memory card, or the like. It may be configured to be provided by being recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Further, the program may be provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the recording medium or loaded and executed through the communication line realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments. And the recording medium which recorded the program code comprises this invention.

10 PC
11 CPU
12 Memory 13 HDD
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 Input device 15 Output device 16 Infrared sensor 50 Object 100 Control part 110 Detection data acquisition means 120 Detection result comparison means 130 Power saving control means 161 Light emitting element 162 Light receiving element

Claims (9)

Light detection means for emitting light toward the object and detecting the amount of received light reflected;
About the detection light reception amount by the light detection means, detection result comparison means for comparing the detection light reception amount at different time points,
Power saving control means for switching from the standard mode to the first power saving mode for reducing a predetermined function based on the comparison result by the detection result comparing means;
An electronic device comprising:   When the difference between the detected light reception amount at the first time point and the detected light reception amount at the second time point before the first time point is greater than a first threshold, the power saving control unit changes from the standard mode to the first power saving mode. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein switching to is performed.   When the difference between the detected light reception amount at the first time point and the detected light reception amount at the second time point before the first time point is smaller than the first threshold and there is no input operation by the user for a predetermined time. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein switching from the standard mode or the first power saving mode to a second power saving mode for stopping a predetermined function is performed.   When the difference between the detected light reception amount at the first time point and the detected light reception amount at the second time point before the first time point is smaller than the first threshold and a predetermined time has passed, The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a warning notification regarding switching from the mode or the first power saving mode to the second power saving mode for stopping a predetermined function is performed. The detection result comparison means compares the detected light reception amount at a temporary point with a predetermined threshold value,
The power saving control means performs switching from the standard mode or the first power saving mode to a second power saving mode in which a predetermined function is stopped when the detected light reception amount is smaller than a second threshold. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A display means for displaying the processing contents of the own device is provided on one side,
The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light detection unit emits light in a direction of a surface of the display unit.   The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the first power saving mode is a mode for reducing luminance of the display unit. A light detection step for detecting the amount of received light reflected by emitting light toward the object;
A detection result comparison step for comparing the received light amount at different time points with the received light amount detected in the light detecting step;
A power saving control step for switching from the standard mode to the first power saving mode for lowering a predetermined function based on the detection result of the detection result comparison step;
A power saving control method comprising: A program used for an electronic device including a light detection unit that emits light toward an object and detects a received light amount of reflected light and a storage unit that stores data of a received light amount detected by the light detection unit,
On the computer,
A received light amount data storing process for storing data of a detected received light amount by the light detecting unit in the storage unit;
A detection result comparison process for reading the detected light reception amount data from the storage means and comparing the detection light reception amount at different time points;
A power saving control process for switching from the standard mode to the first power saving mode for reducing a predetermined function based on the detection result by the detection result comparison process;
A program characterized by having executed.

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