KR20000039028A - Portable computer system used for illuminating and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A portable computer system is provided for illuminating when a user uses the portable computer in the outside. CONSTITUTION: A portable computer system is used as an illuminator by using a display panel. A first method to use this system as an illuminator is to make the light, which is generated from the back light by making all pixels of a display panel white, transmit to the front of the display panel. A second method is to constitute the window area possible to open and to shut at some areas of a display panel for the light generated from the back light in the edge to be irradiated. A portable computer is possible to be used as an illuminator in the circumstance impossible to use any power supply because the computer is operated by a battery.

Description

PORTABLE COMPUTER SYSTEM USABLE AS A ILLUMINATOR AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a computer system having a display device, and more particularly to a new computer system and a method of controlling the same, which can use the display device as a lighting device.

With the development of semiconductor technology, computer systems are developing rapidly. Increasing the functionality of the computer system and a variety of additional functions are provided in the double computer system. In the early days of portable computers (portable computer) because of the high price was not a lot of users, but in recent years as the production technology of the portable computer, the price is gradually decreasing. As the number of users of portable computers increases, the portable computers are equipped with various functions as in the desktop computers.

1 is a perspective view showing a typical portable computer. Referring to FIG. 1, a general portable computer 10 is composed of a display panel 11 and a system main body 13 that is foldable thereto. As the display panel 11, an LCD panel (Liquid Crystal Display Panel) is mainly used. The system main body 13 includes a keyboard device 15, a pointing device 17, a power switch 19, and the like, and is not shown but has a CPU (Central Processing) inside thereof. Computer functional circuits and power supply circuits such as a unit, a main memory, and a video controller are mounted.

Such portable computers are expected to be provided with lower cost portable computers than now. As the number of users of portable computers increases, the characteristics of users also vary, so the purpose of using portable computers is different. Therefore, various functions such as audio / video playback function, communication function, TV reception function, etc. are currently applied to portable computers. Thus, there is a need for a portable computer that can be used for various purposes as well as using basic functions.

The display device of a portable computer mainly uses an LCD panel, and the LCD panel is provided with a back light panel. The backlight panel includes a Cold Cathode Fluorescent Tube (CCFT) as a luminaire for generating light. If the cold cathode fluorescent tube can be used as a luminaire, the portable computer can be used as a lighting device according to the needs of the user and provide convenience to the user.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a portable computer system and a control method thereof that can be used as a lighting device as proposed to increase the function of the portable computer.

1 is a perspective view showing a typical portable computer;

2 is a perspective view of a portable computer according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a block diagram showing a power supply scheme and a circuit configuration of the portable computer shown in FIG. 2;

4 is a perspective view showing a portable computer according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the display panel shown in FIG. 4 in detail; FIG.

6A and 6B are cross-sectional views of the LCD panel shown in FIG. 5;

7 is a perspective view showing a portable computer according to a modification of the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing the display panel shown in FIG. 7 in detail; FIG.

9 is a sectional view of the LCD panel shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a lighting window of the portable computer illustrated in FIG. 7 is used for advertisement; FIG.

11 is a flowchart showing a control method of the portable computer according to the first embodiment of the present invention; And

12 is a flowchart showing a method of controlling a portable computer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

* Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings *

10, 20: portable computer 11, 30: display panel

13, 40: system unit 15, 41: keyboard unit

17, 42: pointing device 19, 43: power switch

44: light switch

According to one aspect of the present invention for achieving the object of the present invention as described above, a portable computer system comprises: a display panel; An illumination switch instructing the display panel to function as a lighting device; And control means for controlling the display panel to function as a lighting device according to the input of the lighting switch.

In this embodiment, the control means controls the screen display so that the display panel is suitable for functioning as a lighting device upon input of the lighting switch so that the display panel functions as a lighting device.

In this embodiment, the control means operates the system in a power down mode when the system is on when the lighting switch is input.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a portable computer system includes: a display panel having a backlight; A window formed in one area of the display panel so that light from the backlight is irradiated to the outside; It includes a door for opening and closing the window.

In this embodiment, the apparatus comprises control means for controlling the display panel to function as a lighting device, wherein the control means: controls the system to operate in a power down mode when the system functions as a lighting device in an on state, The backlight is controlled to remain on; Turn on the backlight if the system functions as a lighting device in the off state.

According to another feature of the invention, a control method of a portable computer system for causing a display panel of a portable computer system to function as a lighting device comprises: the display panel in response to an input for setting the display panel to function as a lighting device; Displaying a screen adapted to function as a lighting device; Setting the display panel to a previous state in response to an input for setting the display panel to stop functioning as a lighting device.

In this embodiment, the control method comprises: determining a power on / off state of a system in response to an input for setting the display panel to function as a lighting device; Operating the system in the power down mode except the display function circuit when the system is in the power on state; Powering a display function circuit when the system is in a power off state.

In this embodiment, the control method comprises: determining whether a previous state of the system was in a power-on state in response to an input for setting the display panel to stop functioning as a lighting device; If the previous state is the power-on state, recovering to the normal mode; Disconnecting power to the display function circuitry if the previous state is a power off state.

According to another feature of the invention, the display panel having a backlight, a window formed in one region of the display panel so that the light from the backlight is irradiated to the outside, and a door for opening and closing the window display A control method of a portable computer system that can use a panel as a lighting device, the method comprising: turning on a backlight so that the display panel is suitable to function as a lighting device in response to an input for setting the display panel to function as a lighting device; Setting the display panel to a previous state in response to an input for setting the display panel to stop functioning as a lighting device.

In this embodiment, the control method comprises: determining a power on / off state of a system in response to an input for setting the display panel to function as a lighting device; Operating the system in a power down mode when the system is in a power-on state.

In this embodiment, the control method comprises: determining whether a previous state of the system was in a power-on state in response to an input for setting the display panel to stop functioning as a lighting device; If the previous state is the power-on state, recovering to the normal mode; Turning off the backlight when the previous state is a power off state.

(Example)

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The novel portable computer of the present invention can be used as a lighting device using a display panel. One method for using the display panel as a lighting device is to drive all the pixels of the display panel white so that the light generated from the backlight is transmitted to the front of the display panel. Alternatively, an openable window area of a predetermined area may be configured to directly radiate light generated from the backlight to the edge of the display panel. The portable computer can be operated by a battery, so the portable computer can be used as an effective lighting device in an environment where external power cannot be used.

An apparatus and method according to an embodiment of the present invention is a first embodiment in which a portable computer functions as a lighting device by driving pixels of a display panel, and by allowing light generated from a backlight to be directly irradiated to the outside. The second embodiment allows the portable computer to function as a lighting device. Each embodiment is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Example 1)

2 is a perspective view of a portable computer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the portable computer 20 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is composed of a display panel 30 and a system main body 40 that is foldably connected thereto. Display panel 30 is an LCD panel in this embodiment. The system main body 40 includes a keyboard device 41, a pointing device 42, a power switch 43, and a light switch 44, and although not shown, there are computer functions such as a CPU, a main memory, a video controller, and the like. Circuits and power supply circuits are mounted. The light switch 44 is a switch for selecting the portable computer 10 to function as a lighting device.

3 is a block diagram showing a power supply scheme and a circuit configuration of the portable computer shown in FIG. 3, the portable computer 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention is a circuit for supplying power to the DC / DC converter (DC to DC converter) 21 and DC / AC inverter (DC to AC inverter) ( 22) and a micro computer 23 for controlling them. And an LCD panel 35 and a computer function circuit block 24.

The DC / DC converter 21 inputs a DC power supply from an AC adapter (not shown) or a battery (not shown) and outputs DC power supplies VDC1, VDC2, and VDC3 having various voltage levels required for the computer system. The DC / AC inverter 22 inputs the DC power supply VDC1 provided from the DC / DC converter 21 to supply AC power suitable for the backlight 30 constituted by the cold cathode fluorescent tube CCCC of the LCD panel 35. Convert to (VAC) and output. The DC power supply VDC2 supplied from the DC / DC converter 21 to the computer function circuit block 24 is a plurality of power sources having different voltage levels, and is suitable for the characteristics of the respective components constituting the computer function circuit. Power is supplied.

The microcomputer 23 is operated by the power source VDC3 supplied from the DC / DC converter 21. The power source VDC3 is always supplied to the microcomputer 23 unless power supply from the AC adapter or battery to the DC / DC converter 21 is cut off. The microcomputer 23 senses the input of the power switch 43, the light switch 44, or the state of the system, and outputs a power supply control signal 26 to the DC / DC converter 21 to supply power to the system. To control. The control signal 27 is output to the DC / AC inverter 22 to control the on / off of the DC / AC inverter 22 and the brightness of the backlight 32.

11 is a flowchart showing a control method of the portable computer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 11, when the lighting switch 44 is input, the microcomputer 23 starts the control for using the portable computer as the lighting device in step S100 when the lighting switch input is for lighting on.

In step S110, it is determined whether the system is in a power-on state. If the system is in the power-on state, the flow advances to step S120 to set a power down mode for the portion excluding the display function circuit. That is, in the DC / AC inverter 22, the LCD panel 35, and the computer function circuit block 24, the video controller 25 (including the video memory) is operated normally, and power supply to other parts is cut off. do. Of course, system information about the current state is stored in the hard disk (not shown) before the power supply is cut off. Such a power down mode is well known in the art.

In operation S140, a white screen is displayed on the LCD panel 35. That is, when data for displaying a white screen is written in the video memory (not shown), and data for displaying the white screen is written in the video memory, the video controller 25 outputs the display information signal 28 to the LCD panel 35. ) And white screen is displayed. In this step, the microcomputer 23 controls the DC / AC inverter 22 to maximize the brightness of the backlight 32.

If the system is not in the power-on state, that is, if the system is in the power-off state, the flow advances to step S130 to supply power to the display function circuit. That is, power is supplied from the DC / AC inverter 22, the LCD panel 35, and the computer function circuit block 24 to the video controller 25 (including video memory). In operation S140, a white screen is displayed on the LCD panel 35.

As such, when the light switch 44 is input, the LCD panel 35 displays a white screen through a series of control processes, and thus a portable computer can be used as a lighting device. Again, when the lighting switch 44 is input to normally use the system or to turn off the lighting function, it is determined in step S150 whether there is an input of the lighting switch 44 for lighting off. If there is an input of the lighting switch 44 for lighting off, the flow advances to step S160 to determine whether the previous state was the power on state.

If the previous state was the power-on state, the flow advances to step S170 to restore the system to normal mode. That is, the system is restored to the previous state according to the system information stored in the hard disk. If the previous state was the power-off state, the flow advances to step S180 to cut off the power supply to the display function circuit as described above. In step S190, control of the lighting function is terminated.

As such, by displaying the LCD panel 35 on a white screen, the surroundings can be made brighter, and thus a portable computer can be used as a lighting device. In addition, the displayed color can be changed to various colors depending on the surrounding environment as well as white. This method is equally applicable to a computer using a CRT display device as well as to a portable computer using an LCD panel as a display device, which is obvious to those skilled in the art.

(Example 2)

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In the second embodiment of the present invention, the circuit configuration of the portable computer is the same as the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a portable computer according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the portable computer 20a according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a window 31 that can be opened and closed on the side of the display panel 30a. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the display panel 30a shown in FIG. 4 in detail. As shown in FIG. 5, the LCD panel 35 is provided with a window 31 and a door 33. The LCD panel 35 and the door 33 are combined with the front housing 34 and the rear housing 36 of the display panel to form the display panel 30a. 6A and 6B are views showing a cross section of the LCD panel 35 shown in FIG. 6A illustrates a case where the door 33 is closed, and FIG. 6B illustrates a case where the door 33 is opened. When the door 33 is opened, the light of the backlight 32 is irradiated to the outside through the window 31. In the drawings, reference numeral 50 denotes an LCD frame, 51 denotes a backlight panel, 52 denotes a reflector, and 53 denotes an LCD.

7 is a perspective view showing a portable computer according to a modification of the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, in the portable computer 20b according to the modification of the second embodiment, a window 37 is formed at one side of the front portion of the display panel 30b. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing the display panel 30b shown in FIG. 7 in detail. As shown in FIG. 8, the LCD panel 35a is provided with a window 37 and a door 38. The LCD panel 35a and the door 38 are combined with the front housing 34 and the rear housing 36 of the display panel to constitute the display panel 30b. FIG. 9 is a view showing a cross section of the LCD panel 35a shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, when the door 38 is opened, the light of the backlight 32 is irradiated to the outside through the window 37. In the drawing, reference numeral 50 is an LCD frame, 51 is a backlight panel, 52a is a reflector, and 53 is an LCD.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a lighting window of the portable computer illustrated in FIG. 7 is used for an advertisement. As shown in FIG. 10, a character or a figure may be inserted into the window 37a to be used for advertisement. In this case, a window having a transparent or translucent material is used.

Next, a control method of the portable computer according to the second embodiment will be described. 12 is a flowchart showing a control method of the portable computer according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 12, when the lighting switch 44 is input, the microcomputer 23 starts controlling to use the portable computer as the lighting device in step S200 when the lighting switch input is for lighting on. In step S210, it is determined whether the system is in a power-on state. If the system is in the power-on state, the flow proceeds to step S220 to set a power down mode. In step S230, the backlight 32 is turned on. That is, the DC / AC inverter 22 is operated to supply power to the backlight 32 for operation. In this step, the microcomputer 23 controls the DC / AC inverter 22 to maximize the brightness of the backlight 32. The user only needs to open the door 33 or 38 to use the lighting function.

Again, when the lighting switch 44 is input to normally use the system or to turn off the lighting function, in step S240 it is determined whether there is an input of the lighting switch 44 for lighting off. If there is an input of the lighting switch 44 for lighting off, the flow advances to step S250 to determine whether the previous state was the power on state. If the previous state was the power-on state, the process proceeds to step S260 to restore the system to the normal mode. If the previous state was the power off state, the flow advances to step S270 to turn off the backlight 32. In step S280, the control of the lighting function is terminated.

In the second embodiment, the lighting switch 44 is provided separately, but the lighting function may be turned on or off by adding a switch function to the door 33 or 38 to open or close the door 33 or 38.

According to the present invention as described above, the portable computer can be used not only as a unique computer function, but also additionally as a lighting device can be usefully used as a lighting device in a place without a separate lighting device.

Claims (11)

In a portable computer system: A display panel; An illumination switch instructing the display panel to function as a lighting device; And control means for controlling the display panel to function as a lighting device in response to an input of the lighting switch. The method of claim 1, The control means And upon control of the display panel so that the display panel functions as a lighting device upon input of the lighting switch so that the display panel functions as a lighting device. The method of claim 2, The control means A portable computer system operating in a power down mode when the system is on upon input of the light switch In a portable computer system: A display panel having a backlight; A window formed in one area of the display panel so that light from the backlight is irradiated to the outside; And a door for opening and closing the window. The method of claim 4, wherein Control means for controlling the display panel to function as a lighting device, the control means being: When the system functions as a lighting device in the on state, the system controls to operate in the power down mode, and the backlight controls to maintain the on state; Portable computer system characterized in that the backlight is turned on when the system functions as a lighting device in the off state. A control method of a portable computer system for causing a display panel of the portable computer system to function as a lighting device. Displaying a screen such that the display panel is suitable for functioning as a lighting device in response to an input for setting the display panel to function as a lighting device; Setting the display panel to a previous state in response to an input for setting the display panel to stop functioning as a lighting device. The method of claim 6, The control method is: Determining a power on / off state of the system in response to an input for setting the display panel to function as a lighting device; Operating the system in the power down mode except the display function circuit when the system is in the power on state; Supplying power to a display function circuit when the system is in a power off state. The method of claim 7, wherein The control method is: Determining whether a previous state of the system was in a power-on state in response to an input for setting the display panel to stop functioning as a lighting device; If the previous state is the power-on state, recovering to the normal mode; Cutting off the power supply of the display function circuit if the previous state is the power-off state. A display panel having a backlight, a window formed in an area of the display panel so that light from the backlight is irradiated to the outside, and a door for opening and closing the window, the portable display panel being used as a lighting device In the control method of a computer system: Turning on the backlight so that the display panel is suitable to function as a lighting device in response to an input for setting the display panel to function as a lighting device; Setting the display panel to a previous state in response to an input for setting the display panel to stop functioning as a lighting device. The method of claim 9, The control method is: Determining a power on / off state of the system in response to an input for setting the display panel to function as a lighting device; Operating the system in a power down mode when the system is in a power-on state. The method of claim 10, The control method is: Determining whether a previous state of the system was in a power-on state in response to an input for setting the display panel to stop functioning as a lighting device; If the previous state is the power-on state, recovering to the normal mode; Turning off the backlight if the previous state is a power off state.