Information processing device and control method

Abstract

To improve the visibility of a light emitting element according to the illuminance.SOLUTION: A host system controls the brightness of a display on the basis of the illuminance detected by an illuminance sensor, the controller controls the blinking of a light-emitting element according to the usage state of the device, a lighting control circuit supplies a drive current to the light-emitting element for each constant blinking cycle, and the controller determines the ratio of the lighting period in the blinking cycle on the basis of the detected illuminance. This embodiment may be realized in any form, such as an information processing device, a control method, or the like.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device and a control method. [Background technology]

[0002] Some personal computers (PCs) have a display brightness adjustment function. The display brightness adjustment function is a function that includes an illuminance sensor to measure the brightness of a room and adjusts the brightness of an existing display (LCD: Liquid Crystal Display) according to the measured brightness. The display brightness adjustment function contributes to user satisfaction and reduced power consumption. As in the information processing device exemplified in Patent Document 1, light-emitting diodes (LEDs: Liquid Emitting Diodes) are sometimes installed on components such as a keyboard (KB) or on the surface or side of the main body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-62962 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the illustrated information processing device, the brightness of the LCD is automatically adjusted, but the brightness of the LED is kept constant. Therefore, the brightness of the LED installed in a dark place stands out, whereas the LED installed in a bright place is relatively inconspicuous and the visibility is reduced. Generally, the brightness of an LED changes according to the amount of current supplied to it. However, it is common to adjust the amount of current by connecting a resistive element in series with the LED to obtain a constant brightness. Here, it is possible to control whether or not electricity is flowing by applying either a low voltage (L) or a high voltage (H) to the other end of the LED. It is also possible to control whether or not electricity is flowing by applying either a high voltage (H) or a low voltage (L) to one end of the resistive element. The LED blinks depending on whether or not electricity is flowing, but the brightness is not adjusted immediately. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present application has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an information processing device according to one aspect of the present application comprises a host system that controls the brightness of a display based on the illuminance detected by an illuminance sensor, a controller that controls the blinking of a light-emitting element depending on the usage state of the device, and a lighting control circuit that supplies a drive current to the light-emitting element for each constant blinking cycle, and the controller determines the ratio of the lighting period in the blinking cycle based on the illuminance.

[0006] In the above information processing device, the host system may increase the luminance of the display as the illuminance increases, and the controller may increase the proportion of the lighting period as the illuminance increases.

[0007] In the above-mentioned information processing device, the lighting control circuit may include a logic circuit that generates a drive control signal indicating a logical operation value between a logical value indicating whether the light-emitting element needs to be turned on and a logical value indicating whether the light-emitting element needs to be driven, and a switching element that controls whether the drive current needs to be supplied based on the drive control signal, and the controller may generate a lighting control signal indicating whether the light-emitting element needs to be turned on based on the usage state, and generate a luminance control signal indicating the need to be driven during the lighting period based on the illuminance.

[0008] The above information processing device may include a first housing having the display, a second housing having an input device, a fastener that variably connects the first housing and the second housing to an open / closed state, and a sensor that detects the open / closed state, wherein the light-emitting element is installed in at least one of the first housing and the second housing, and the controller generates the lighting control signal based on the open / closed state.

[0009] In the above information processing device, the light-emitting element may be provided on a surface of the input device, and the controller may generate the lighting control signal indicating whether or not the light-emitting element needs to be lit in response to detection of an operation on the input device.

[0010] In the information processing device, the controller may detect a power supply state of the device itself, and generate the lighting control signal based on the power supply state.

[0011] In the above information processing device, the luminance control signal may be a pulse width modulated signal having a pulse, the pulse width of which is the lighting period, for each blinking cycle.

[0012] A control method according to a second aspect of the present application is a control method for an information processing device including a host system that controls the brightness of a display based on the illuminance detected by an illuminance sensor, a controller that controls the blinking of a light-emitting element depending on the usage state of the device, and a lighting control circuit that supplies a drive current to the light-emitting element for each constant blinking cycle, wherein the controller determines a ratio of the lighting period in the blinking cycle based on the illuminance. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the above aspect of the present application, it is possible to improve the visibility of the light emitting element according to the illuminance. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the external configuration of an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration example of a lighting control circuit according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing another example of the configuration of the lighting control circuit according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present application will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, a case where the information processing device 10 is a notebook personal computer (referred to as a "notebook PC (Personal Computer)" in the present application) will be mainly taken as an example. However, the information processing device 10 may be realized as a PC having another form (e.g., a desktop type, a slide type, etc.) or may be realized as another type of electronic device (e.g., a mobile phone, etc.).

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the external configuration of an information processing device 10 according to the present embodiment. The information processing device 10 according to this embodiment includes a first housing 42 and a second housing 44. The display 24, the camera 26, the illuminance sensor 28, and the permanent magnet 54 are disposed on the surface of the first housing 42. The display surface of the display 24 occupies most of the surface of the first housing 42. The camera 26, the illuminance sensor 28, and the permanent magnet 54 are each disposed on the periphery of the surface of the first housing 42.

[0017] A keyboard 32k, a touch pad 32t, and a magnetic sensor 52 are arranged on the surface of the second housing 44. The keyboard 32k and the touch pad 32t correspond to examples of input devices. Some of the input keys on the keyboard 32k, such as a power button, a Num Lock key, a Caps Lock key, and a ScrollScreen Lock key, are provided with LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) 38 on or around the surfaces of the keys.

[0018] The information processing device 10 acquires an illuminance signal indicating the illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor 28, and controls the brightness of the display 24 based on the illuminance indicated by the illuminance signal. The information processing device 10 controls the blinking of the LED 38 according to the usage state of the device. For the LED 38 to be turned on, the information processing device 10 supplies a drive current to the light-emitting element at a constant blinking cycle, and determines the ratio of the lighting period in the blinking cycle based on the illuminance. The LED 38 is an example of a light-emitting element.

[0019] The information processing device 10 further includes couplings 48a and 48b. The couplings 48a and 48b couple the first housing 42 and the second housing 44 so that the positional relationship between them is variable. In the example of FIG. 1, the couplings 48a and 48b each have a hinge mechanism and are installed apart from each other along one side of the first housing 42 and the second housing 44. Thus, one of the first housing 42 and the second housing 44 is coupled to the other so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis, with one side of each of the first housing 42 and the second housing 44 serving as the rotation axis. This configuration allows the angle θ (sometimes referred to as the "opening angle" in this application) between the surface of the first housing 42 and the surface of the second housing 44 to be variable. The information processing device 10 is usually used in a state in which the second housing 44 is open relative to the first housing 42.

[0020] When the opening angle θ is 0 degrees, the second housing 44 is completely closed relative to the first housing 42. When the opening angle θ is 45 to 75 degrees or more, the second housing 44 is open relative to the first housing 42. In this state, the display 24 is exposed to the second housing 44, and the keyboard 32k and the touchpad 32t are exposed to the first housing 42 without being obstructed.

[0021] The magnetic sensor 52 and the permanent magnet 54 are installed at a position at a certain distance or more from one side of the second housing 44 and the first housing 42, respectively. In the example of FIG. 1, the magnetic sensor 52 and the permanent magnet 54 are arranged at a position closer to the other side than the one side of the second housing 44 and the first housing 42, respectively. The other side of each of the second housing 44 and the first housing 42 corresponds to a side that is parallel to and faces the one side of each of the second housing 44 and the first housing 42. The position of the permanent magnet 54 faces and is close to the position of the magnetic sensor 52 when the second housing 44 is closed relative to the first housing 42. Therefore, it is possible to detect whether the second housing 44 is closed relative to the first housing 42 based on the strength of the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 54 detected by the magnetic sensor 52.

[0022] Next, a configuration example of the information processing device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described below. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the information processing device 10 according to the present embodiment. The information processing device 10 includes a host system 10h and an EC 31. The host system 10h is a computer system that serves as the core of the information processing device 10. The host system 10h includes, as hardware, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, as well as a memory (not shown) and a chipset (not shown).

[0023] The CPU 11 executes various programs and cooperates with the memory, chipset, and other hardware to realize and control the functions of the information processing device 10. In this application, the execution of processing instructed by commands written in a program may be referred to as "executing a program" or "executing a program." The CPU 11 executes various programs such as an OS (Operating System), device drivers, utilities, and application programs. The memory includes a main memory and an auxiliary storage device. The main memory is a storage medium used as a working area for the CPU 11. The main memory includes a RAM (Random Access Memory). The auxiliary storage device is a storage medium that can read and write various data, programs, and the like and can store them persistently. The stored data may include input data and parameters used in the processing of the CPU 11, intermediate data obtained by the processing, output data, and the like.

[0024] The chipset detects the connection state with other devices and controls the input and output of various data. The chipset includes a bus controller for input and output control using a predetermined input and output method. The predetermined input and output method may be, for example, any one of eSPI (Enhanced Serial Peripheral Interface), I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit), USB (Universal Serial Bus), PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express), DisplayPort, etc., or any combination thereof.

[0025] 2, the host system 10h is connected to a display 24, a camera 26, an illuminance sensor 28, an EC (Embedded Controller) 31, an input device 32, a power switch 34, a power circuit 35, a lighting control circuit 37, and a magnetic sensor 52. For example, I2C is used for connecting the illuminance sensor 28 to the CPU 11 and the EC 31. For example, eSPI is used for connecting the CPU 11 to the EC 31. For example, DisplayPort is used for connecting the CPU 11 to the display 24.

[0026] The host system 10h executes various programs to generate display data showing a display screen, and outputs the generated display data to the display 24. The host system 10h controls the brightness of the display 24 based on the illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor 28. The host system 10h is set in advance with luminance setting information indicating a reference luminance for the illuminance. The reference luminance is a reference value of the luminance in one frame of an image. The luminance setting information may be in any form, such as a data table indicating the reference luminance for the illuminance, or a function for calculating the reference luminance as an input value and an output value, etc. The reference luminance is set so that it becomes higher as the detected illuminance becomes higher. The gradient of the reference luminance with respect to the illuminance may be set so that it becomes smaller as the detected illuminance becomes higher. In this case, the reference luminance increases with an increase in illuminance, but may be set so that it approaches a certain maximum value.

[0027] The host system 10h receives an illuminance signal indicating the illuminance from the illuminance sensor 28. The host system 10h uses the luminance setting information to determine the luminance corresponding to the illuminance indicated by the acquired illuminance signal. The host system 10h outputs luminance control information indicating the determined luminance to the display 24.

[0028] The host system 10h controls the operating state of its own system, and when the operating state is changed, outputs operating state information indicating the changed operating state to the EC 31. The host system 10h takes, for example, any one of a plurality of predetermined operating states. The plurality of operating states include a standard operating state and a low power consumption state. The standard operating state is an operating state in which the information processing device 10 can exert a predetermined processing capability. The low power consumption state is an operating state in which power consumption is lower than that of the standard operating state. For example, a sleep state, a hibernation state, etc. can be applied as the low power consumption state. For example, the low power consumption state corresponds to a state in which some functions of the information processing device 10 and input / output with some other devices are restricted.

[0029] The host system 10h, for example, defines the operating state at the start of operation as the normal operating state. The host system 10h monitors whether an active event occurs, and determines whether a period during which an active event is not continuously detected (hereinafter referred to as an "active event non-detection period") when the operating state is the normal operating state is equal to or longer than a predetermined time. Examples of active events include the start or update of a screen display by an application, a user operation (user action) for instructing a change in the screen display, the output of a sound, and a change from a closed state of the first housing 42 to an open state of the second housing 44.

[0030] The host system 10h can detect a change in the state of the first housing 42 relative to the second housing 44 from a closed state to an open state based on the open / close state information input from the EC 31. When the active event non-detection period is equal to or longer than a predetermined time, the host system 10h changes the operating state from a normal operating state to a low power consumption state. In addition, when the host system 10h detects a change in the state of the first housing 42 relative to the second housing 44 from an open state to a closed state, the host system 10h may immediately change the operating state from the normal operating state to a low power consumption state. On the other hand, when the host system 10h detects an active event while the operating state is a low power consumption state, the host system 10h changes the operating state from the low power consumption state to the normal operating state.

[0031] The display 24 displays a display screen based on display data input from the host system 10h under the control of the host system 10h. The display 24 is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD). The liquid crystal display includes a display controller 24c and a display panel 24p. The display panel 24p includes a backlight array and a liquid crystal layer. The backlight array is a light source for the display 24, and is formed by arranging a plurality of backlights two-dimensionally in a predetermined display area. Each backlight irradiates light onto the back of pixels arranged in a corresponding partial area. The liquid crystal layer is formed by arranging cells filled with liquid crystal for each pixel in a two-dimensional arrangement in the display area. The light irradiated from the backlight passes through the liquid crystal, and the transmitted light is emitted from the display area of ​​the display 24. The display screen is expressed by the luminance distribution for each pixel. The luminance for each pixel is determined by the luminance of the backlight and the transmittance of the pixel. The luminance of the backlight is determined by the amount of current under a constant power supply voltage. The transmittance of a pixel is determined by the voltage value applied to the pixel. The display controller 24c includes an amplifier for adjusting the current value of the current supplied to the backlight.

[0032] The display controller 24c determines a representative value (e.g., a maximum value) of the luminance values ​​of each pixel arranged in the partial region based on the display data input from the host system 10h. Current control information indicating a current value corresponding to a set of a reference luminance and a representative value is set in advance in the display controller 24c. The display controller 24c determines a current value for the corresponding backlight based on the reference luminance notified from the host system 10h and the specified representative value with reference to the current control information. The display controller 24c may also be set in advance with voltage control information indicating a voltage value corresponding to a set of a current value to the backlight and a luminance value. The display controller 24c determines a voltage value to be applied to each pixel based on the determined current value and the luminance value of each pixel arranged in the partial region with reference to the voltage control information.

[0033] The camera 26 includes an optical system and captures an image representing a scene facing the optical system, and outputs image data representing the captured image to the host system 10h. The illuminance sensor 28 detects the illuminance of light incident on itself, and generates an illuminance signal indicating the detected illuminance. The illuminance sensor 28 outputs the generated illuminance signal to the host system 10h and the EC 31. The illuminance sensor 28 includes, for example, a photodiode.

[0034] The EC 31 collects various information indicating the operating environment, and controls the operating status or display of the host system 10h or various devices based on the collected information. The EC 31 also transmits and receives various control information to and from the host system 10h. The EC 31 is a microcomputer having a CPU, a main memory, and input / output terminals that are separate from the host system 10h. The EC 31 is capable of operating steadily regardless of the operating state of the host system 10h.

[0035] The EC 31 determines whether or not the LED 38 needs to be turned on based on the usage state of the information processing device 10 indicated in the collected information or the usage state of the information processing device 10 determined by the collected information. The EC 31 generates a lighting control signal indicating whether or not lighting is required, and outputs the generated lighting control signal to the lighting control circuit 37. An example of determining whether or not lighting is required will be described later.

[0036] When lighting the LED 38, the EC 31 controls the ratio of the lighting period (duty ratio, sometimes referred to as "lighting period ratio" in the following description) for each lighting cycle of the LED 38 based on the illuminance indicated by the illuminance signal input from the illuminance sensor 28. Illuminance control information indicating the lighting period ratio corresponding to the illuminance is set in advance in the EC 31. In the illuminance control information, a higher lighting period ratio is associated with a higher illuminance. The illuminance control information may have the form of a data table indicating the lighting period ratio for each illuminance, or may have the form of a function that calculates the lighting period ratio for the illuminance as an input value as an output value.

[0037] The EC 31 refers to the illuminance control information and determines a lighting period ratio corresponding to the illuminance. The EC 31 generates a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal as an illuminance control signal indicating the determined lighting period ratio. The PWM signal is a binary electric signal having a rectangular pulse for each predetermined period. In the present application, the period corresponds to the lighting period. The pulse width of each pulse may be set as a lighting period length in which the potential is a high voltage value, or may be set as an extinguishing period length. When lighting is instructed by a high voltage value, a period in which the potential is a low voltage value corresponds to the extinguishing period, and when extinguishing is instructed by a high voltage value, a period in which the potential is a low voltage value corresponds to the lighting period. The EC 31 outputs the generated illuminance control signal to the lighting control circuit 37.

[0038] The EC 31, as a power management function, controls the power circuit 35 based on operating state information notified from the host system 10h, and controls the power supplied to each device. The power supply destinations include host devices such as the CPU 11. The EC 31 also outputs various operation signals input from the input device 32 to the host system 10h.

[0039] The input device 32 receives a user's operation, generates an operation signal according to the received operation, and outputs the generated operation signal to the EC 31. The keyboard 32k and the touch pad 32t illustrated in FIG. The power supply circuit 35 supplies DC power, which is supplied using an AC / DC (Alternating Current / Direct Current) adapter, to each device included in the information processing device 10. The power supply circuit 35 includes a power feeder and a transformer (not shown). The power feeder feeds the remaining DC power, which is supplied from the AC / DC adapter and is not supplied to each device, to the battery. When DC power is not supplied from the AC / DC adapter or when the DC power supplied from the AC / DC adapter is insufficient, the power feeder supplies the DC power stored in the battery and discharged to each device via the transformer. The transformer converts the power supply voltage of the power supplied from one or both of the AC / DC adapter and the battery into a supply voltage required for the operation of each device, and supplies the power having the converted supply voltage to each device.

[0040] The power supply circuit 35 may determine whether or not power supply is necessary and the amount of power when power supply is necessary, according to the operation state indicated in the operation state information notified by the EC 31. For example, in the low power consumption state, unlike the normal operation state, power supply to the display 24, the camera 26, the illuminance sensor 28, and the input device 32 may be stopped. Also, in the low power consumption state, the power supplied to the CPU 11 may be less than the power supplied in the normal operation state.

[0041] The lighting control circuit 37 controls the lighting of the LED 38 based on the lighting control signal and the illuminance control signal input from the EC 31. The lighting control circuit 37 generates a drive control signal indicating a logical operation value between the necessity of lighting indicated by the lighting control signal and the necessity of lighting indicated by the illuminance control signal. The lighting control circuit 37 controls the necessity of supplying a drive current to the LED 38 according to the generated drive control signal.

[0042] Next, a configuration example of the lighting control circuit 37 according to the present embodiment will be described. Fig. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration example of the lighting control circuit 37 according to the present embodiment. In the example of FIG. 3, the lighting control circuit 37 includes a logical AND circuit 37a, a switching element 37b, and a resistance element R ua, R ub The lighting control signal indicates whether or not to light the LED 38 by a high voltage value and a low voltage value. The illuminance control signal indicates whether or not to light the LED 38 by a high voltage value and a low voltage value. The drive control signal indicating the logical product of the lighting control signal and the illuminance control signal indicates whether or not to light the LED 38 by a high voltage value and a low voltage value. The lighting control circuit 37 lights the LED 38 by increasing the potential of the anode of the LED 38 more significantly than that of the cathode during the lighting period instructed by the drive control signal (high voltage drive).

[0043] The AND circuit 37a has two input terminals IN1 and IN2, one output terminal OUT, a low potential terminal, and a high potential terminal. A lighting control signal is input to the input terminal IN1, and an illuminance control signal is input to the input terminal IN2. A reference potential point (GND: ground) is connected to the low potential terminal, and a resistive element R ua The other end of the resistor element R is connected. The low voltage value at the low potential end is 0V. ua One end of the power supply terminal V c A resistor element R is also installed at the power supply terminal Vc. c One end of the resistor element R c The other end of the resistor element R ua , R ub , R c respectively function as pull-up voltages.

[0044] The high voltage value applied to the high potential terminal is the power supply voltage applied to the power supply terminal Vc multiplied by the internal resistance of the AND circuit 37a and the resistance element R ua The output of the AND circuit 37a is connected to the gate terminal of the switching element 37b. A potential indicated as a logical value by the generated drive control signal is applied to the gate terminal.

[0045] The switching element 37b has a control terminal, an input terminal, and an output terminal. In the example of FIG. 3, the switching element 37b is a P-channel MOSFET (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor). The P-channel MOSFET has a gate terminal (G), a drain terminal (D), and a source terminal (S). The gate terminal, the drain terminal, and the source terminal are used as a control terminal, an input terminal, and an output terminal, respectively. The P-channel MOSFET switches between a conductive (ON) state and an open (OFF) state between the drain terminal and the source terminal depending on whether the voltage value applied to the gate terminal is a high voltage value or a low voltage value.

[0046] Therefore, when the drive control signal has a high voltage value, the drain terminal and the source terminal are conductive, and the resistive element R ub The other end of the resistor element R and the cathode of the LED 38 are connected to the reference potential point. ub A power supply voltage is applied to one end of the LED 38 and the anode end of the LED 38. The potential at the anode end of the LED 38 is significantly higher than the potential at the cathode end of the LED 38, so that a current flows from the anode end to the cathode end, and the LED 38 lights up in response to the current.

[0047] When the drive control signal has a low voltage value, the drain terminal and the source terminal are open, and the resistive element R ub The other end of the resistor element R is connected to the cathode terminal of the LED 38 but is insulated from the reference potential point. ub One end of the LED 38 and the anode end of the LED 38 are connected to the power supply end Vc, so there is no significant potential difference between the potential at the anode end of the LED 38 and the potential at the cathode end of the LED 38. Since no current flows from the anode end to the cathode end, the LED 38 is turned off.

[0048] Therefore, during the lighting period in which the lighting control signal indicates a high voltage value, blinking is repeated for each lighting cycle. The lighting cycle is set to be short enough that the blinking is not perceived by the human visual sense and the continuous lighting is visible (for example, 20 to 100 ms). By reducing the ratio of the lighting period to the lighting cycle, the subjective brightness as viewed can be reduced.

[0049] Next, another example of the configuration of the lighting control circuit 37 according to this embodiment will be described. In the following description, differences from the example in FIG. 3 will be mainly described. For points in common with the example in FIG. 3, the description thereof will be used unless otherwise specified. FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing another example of the configuration of the lighting control circuit 37 according to this embodiment. In the example of FIG. 4, the lighting control circuit 37 includes a logical sum (OR) circuit 37c, a switching element 37b, and a resistance element R ua , R ub The lighting control signal indicates whether or not to light and whether to light is required by a high voltage value and a low voltage value, respectively. The illuminance control signal indicates whether or not to light and whether to light is required by a high voltage value and a low voltage value, respectively. The drive control signal indicating the logical sum of the lighting control signal and the illuminance control signal indicates whether or not to light and whether to light is required by a high voltage value and a low voltage value, respectively. The lighting control circuit 37 lights up the LED 38 by increasing the potential of the anode of the LED 38 more significantly than that of the cathode during the lighting period instructed by the drive control signal (low voltage drive).

[0050] In the example of FIG. 4, the drain terminal of the P-channel MOSFET forming the switching element 37b is connected to the resistor element R ub The cathode of the LED 38 is connected to the resistor R c is connected to one end of the resistor element R c The other end of the resistor element R c acts as a pull-down voltage.

[0051] Therefore, when the drive control signal has a high voltage value, the drain terminal and the source terminal are conductive, and the resistive element R ubOne end of the resistor R1 and the anode end of the LED 38 are connected to the reference potential point. The potentials at the anode end and cathode end of the LED 38 are the reference potential (0 V). Therefore, no current flows from the anode end to the cathode end, and the LED 38 is turned off. When the drive control signal has a low voltage value, the drain terminal and the source terminal are open, so that the drain terminal is insulated from the reference potential point. ub The power supply voltage applied to the other end of the resistor R ub , LED38 and resistor R c Since the potential at the anode end of the LED 38 becomes higher than the potential at the cathode end, a current flows from the anode end to the cathode end, causing the LED 38 to light up. Therefore, during the lighting period in which the lighting control signal indicates a low voltage value, blinking is repeated for each lighting cycle. With this configuration, the subjective brightness as viewed can be reduced by reducing the ratio of the lighting period to the lighting cycle.

[0052] Next, an example of determining whether or not the LED 38 needs to be turned on will be described. In the first judgment example, the EC 31 switches (toggles) whether or not the LED 38 is turned on each time an operation signal is input from the input device 32. The EC 31 outputs a lighting control signal indicating whether or not lighting is required to the lighting control circuit 37. The first judgment example can be applied to an operation on any of a plurality of keys provided on the keyboard 32k. The key to which the LED 38 is to be applied may be, for example, any of the Num Lock key, the Caps Lock key, and the Scroll Lock key. The LED 38 is provided on the surface of the key to which the LED 38 is to be applied or in its vicinity. The blinking of the LED 38 may indicate whether or not a function related to the key is valid. The Num Lock key is a key for switching, by pressing, whether or not the input of numbers on the numeric keys is valid. The Caps Lock key is a key for switching, by pressing, between uppercase and lowercase as the character type for the alphabetic key. The Scroll Lock key is a key for switching, by pressing, whether or not the display area of ​​the screen is scrolled without moving the position of the cursor currently designated or the area selected by operation.

[0053] In the second determination example, the EC 31 can determine the open / closed state indicating whether the first housing 42 is closed or open relative to the second housing 44, based on whether the magnetic field strength indicated by the magnetic field signal input from the magnetic sensor 52 is equal to or greater than a preset threshold value of magnetic field strength. The EC 31 may control the blinking of the LED 38 based on the determined open / closed state. In this case, the EC 31 outputs a lighting control signal indicating lighting to the lighting control circuit 37 when the first housing 42 is open relative to the second housing 44, and outputs a lighting control signal indicating extinguishing to the lighting control circuit 37 when the first housing 42 is closed relative to the second housing 44. The LED 38 may be installed, for example, on a power button disposed on the surface of the first housing 42 or the second housing 44 or at a position within a predetermined range from the power button, or may be installed on the surface or side of the first housing 42 or the second housing 44.

[0054] In the third judgment example, the EC 31 may detect energization from an external power source based on the power source voltage indicated in the power source voltage information input from the power source circuit 35. The EC 31 judges that energization is present when the power source voltage is within a range of a predetermined tolerance from a predetermined power source voltage, and judges that energization is not present otherwise. When the EC 31 detects energization, it outputs a lighting control signal indicating lighting to the lighting control circuit 37, and when it does not detect energization, it outputs a lighting control signal indicating extinguishing to the lighting control circuit 37. The LED 38 may be installed, for example, on a power button disposed on the surface of the first housing 42 or the second housing 44 or at a position within a predetermined range from the power button, or may be installed on the surface or side of the first housing 42 or the second housing 44.

[0055] The number of LEDs 38 provided in the information processing device 10 is not limited to one, and may be two or more. When the number of LEDs 38 is two or more, the information processing device 10 includes a lighting control circuit 37 for controlling blinking of each of the LEDs 38. For each set of two or more lighting control circuits 37 and LEDs 38, any one of the individual keys according to the first judgment example, the second judgment example, the third judgment example, etc. is applied.

[0056] The positional relationship between the first housing 42 and the second housing 44 of the information processing device 10 is not limited to one that allows opening and closing around one side of each housing as a rotation axis. The information processing device 10 may be provided with a fastener that fastens the first housing 42 and the second housing 44 while allowing the position of the first housing 42 to be displaced relative to the second housing 44 (for example, by sliding or detaching). The EC 31 may generate a lighting control signal indicating whether or not lighting is required depending on whether or not use by a user is expected based on the positional relationship between the first housing 42 and the second housing 44. The information processing device 10 is not limited to a notebook PC, but may be a mobile phone or other electronic device. The EC 31 may include the lighting control circuit 37 and may be integrated into the EC 31.

[0057] As described above, the information processing device 10 according to the present embodiment includes a host system 10h that controls the brightness of the display 24 based on the illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor 28, a controller (e.g., EC 31) that controls blinking of a light-emitting element (e.g., LED 38) depending on the usage state of the device itself (i.e., the information processing device 10), and a lighting control circuit 37 that supplies a drive current to the light-emitting element for each fixed blinking cycle. The controller determines the ratio of the lighting period in the blinking cycle based on the illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor 28. With this configuration, a drive current is supplied to the light-emitting element during a lighting period based on the illuminance detected for each blinking cycle. Since the light-emitting element emits light at a ratio of the lighting period corresponding to the detected illuminance, even if the circuit constant is set so that the supply current is constant, the brightness of the light-emitting element can be adjusted based on the illuminance. Therefore, the visibility of the light-emitting element is improved according to the illuminance.

[0058] The host system 10h may increase the luminance of the screen of the display 24 as the illuminance increases, and the controller may increase the ratio of the lighting period as the illuminance increases. With this configuration, the higher the detected illuminance, the higher the luminance of the screen of the display 24 and the luminance of the light-emitting elements can be increased. Therefore, the luminance of the display 24 and the luminance of the light-emitting elements can be adjusted in conjunction with each other according to the detected illuminance.

[0059] The lighting control circuit 37 may include a drive control signal (e.g., a logical AND circuit 37a, a logical OR circuit 37c) that generates a logical operation value between a logical value indicating whether the light-emitting element needs to be lit and a logical value indicating whether the light-emitting element needs to be driven, and a switching element 37b that controls whether or not to supply a drive current based on the drive control signal. The controller may generate a lighting control signal that indicates whether or not the light-emitting element needs to be lit based on the usage state of the information processing device 10, and may generate a luminance control signal that indicates the need to be driven during a lighting period based on illuminance. With this configuration, when an instruction to turn on is given based on the usage state, the light-emitting element turns on for a lighting period based on the illuminance for each blinking cycle. Therefore, the luminance of the light-emitting element is adjusted according to the illuminance when an instruction to turn on is given.

[0060] The information processing device 10 may also include a first housing 42 having the display 24, a second housing 44 having the input device 32, couplings 48a, 48b that variably couple the first housing 42 and the second housing 44 to each other in an open or closed state, and a sensor (e.g., a magnetic sensor 52) that detects the open or closed state. The light-emitting element may be installed in at least one of the first housing 42 and the second housing 44, and the controller may generate a lighting control signal based on the open or closed state. According to this configuration, whether or not blinking is required is instructed by the lighting control signal based on the open / closed state of the first housing 42 and the second housing 44. Therefore, the blinking of the light-emitting element is controlled so as to obtain a luminance based on the illuminance detected according to the open / closed state of the first housing 42 and the second housing 44.

[0061] The light-emitting element may be provided on the surface of the input device 32, and the controller may generate a lighting control signal indicating whether or not the light-emitting element needs to be lit in response to detection of an operation on the input device 32. According to this configuration, whether or not blinking is required is instructed in response to detection of an operation on the input device 32. Therefore, the blinking of the light-emitting element is controlled so as to obtain a luminance based on the illuminance detected in response to detection of an operation on the input device 32.

[0062] The controller may detect a power supply state to the device itself, and generate a lighting control signal based on the detected power supply state. According to this configuration, the blinking of the light emitting element is controlled so as to obtain a luminance based on the illuminance detected in accordance with the detected power supply state.

[0063] The drive control signal may be a pulse width modulated signal having a pulse whose pulse width is the lighting period for each blinking cycle. According to this configuration, the pulse width modulated signal can electrically indicate whether or not the light should be turned on for each blinking period.

[0064] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configurations are not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and designs within the scope of the gist of the present invention are also included. The configurations described in the above-mentioned embodiments can be combined as long as no contradiction occurs, and some of the configurations may be omitted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 10...information processing device, 10h...host system, 11...CPU, 24...display, 24c...display controller, 24p...display panel, 26...camera, 28...illuminance sensor, 31...EC, 32...input device, 32k...keyboard, 32t...touch pad, 35...power supply circuit, 37...lighting control circuit, 38 (38-1, 38-2, 38-3)...LED, 42...first housing, 44...second housing, 48a, 48b...connector, 52...magnetic sensor, 54...permanent magnet

Claims

1. a host system that controls the brightness of a display based on the illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor; A controller that controls the blinking of the light emitting element in accordance with a usage state of the device itself; A lighting control circuit that supplies a driving current to the light emitting element at each constant blinking period, the lighting control circuit includes a logic circuit that generates a drive control signal indicating a logical operation value between a logical value indicating whether or not the light-emitting element is turned on and a logical value indicating whether or not the light-emitting element is driven, and a switching element that controls whether or not the drive current is supplied based on the drive control signal; the host system increases the brightness of the display as the illuminance increases; The controller increases a ratio of a lighting period in the blinking cycle based on the illuminance, generating a lighting control signal indicating whether or not the light-emitting element is to be lit based on the usage state; generating a luminance control signal indicating a need for driving during a lighting period based on the illuminance; Information processing device.

2. A first housing including the display; a second housing having an input device; a coupling device that variably couples the first housing and the second housing to each other in an open or closed state; A sensor for detecting the open / closed state, the light emitting element is installed in at least one of the first housing and the second housing, The controller generates the lighting control signal based on the open / closed state. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. The light emitting device is provided on a surface of the input device, The controller: The lighting control signal indicating whether or not the light emitting element needs to be lit is generated in response to detection of an operation on the input device. The information processing device according to claim 2 .

4. The controller detects a power supply state of the device itself and generates the lighting control signal based on the power supply state. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

5. The drive control signal is a pulse width modulated signal having a pulse with a pulse width equal to the lighting period for each blinking period. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

6. A host system that controls the brightness of a display based on the illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor; A controller that controls the blinking of the light emitting element in accordance with a usage state of the device itself; A lighting control circuit that supplies a driving current to the light emitting element at each constant blinking period, The lighting control circuit includes a logic circuit that generates a drive control signal indicating a logical operation value between a logical value indicating whether or not the light-emitting element is turned on and a logical value indicating whether or not the light-emitting element is driven, and a switching element that controls whether or not the drive current is supplied based on the drive control signal, the host system increases the brightness of the display as the illuminance increases; The controller increases a ratio of a lighting period in the blinking cycle based on the illuminance, generating a lighting control signal indicating whether or not the light-emitting element is to be lit based on the usage state; generating a luminance control signal indicating a need for driving during a lighting period based on the illuminance; Control methods.

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