Electronic device and method for inspecting electronic device

Abstract

To provide an electronic device capable of inspection violet light using a camera, and a method of inspecting the electronic device.SOLUTION: An electronic device is provided, comprising a violet light source for emitting violet light, a camera, and a shutter configured to be movable between a first position covering the violet light source and a second position exposing the violet light source, where the shutter has a reflective portion for reflecting the violet light emitted by the violet light source toward the camera.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device and a method for inspecting an electronic device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an electronic device in which a camera is disposed on a bezel of a display unit.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In such an electronic device, a violet light may be provided for the purpose of suppressing the progression of myopia of a user. For example, at the time of shipment of the electronic device, an inspection is performed as to whether the violet light operates normally. The inventors of the present application have conceived that various advantageous effects can be obtained by performing this inspection using a camera instead of visually.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and provides an electronic device capable of inspecting a violet light using a camera, and a method for inspecting an electronic device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, an electronic device according to Aspect 1 of the present invention includes a violet light emitting violet light, a camera, a shutter displaceable between a first position covering the violet light and a second position exposing the violet light, and the shutter has a reflection portion that reflects the violet light emitted by the violet light to the camera.

[0007] Aspect 2 of the present invention is an electronic device according to Aspect 1, wherein the reflecting portion is a reflecting material fixed to the shutter.

[0008] Aspect 3 of the present invention is an electronic device according to Aspect 1, wherein the reflecting portion is an opposing surface of the shutter that faces the camera.

[0009] Aspect 4 of the present invention is an electronic device according to any one of Aspects 1 to 3, and includes a visible light filter that covers the violet light.

[0010] An inspection method for an electronic device according to Aspect 5 of the present invention lights a violet light included in the electronic device, and inspects the lighting state of the violet light using an image captured by a camera included in the electronic device.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] According to the above aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an electronic device capable of inspecting a violet light using a camera, and an inspection method for the electronic device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, the electronic device of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The electronic device 10 according to the present embodiment is a so-called clamshell-type notebook computer, and includes a display housing and a system housing (not shown) that are rotatably connected to each other. The display housing has a display 7 (see FIG. 1). The system housing has a motherboard, a keyboard, a click pad, etc. (all not shown). However, the type of the electronic device 10 is not limited to a notebook computer. The electronic device 10 may be, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a game machine, or the like. In these cases, the electronic device 10 may not include a system housing, and the display housing may have a motherboard.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic device 10 according to the present embodiment has a display 7, a bezel 8, a camera 1, and a violet light 2. The bezel 8 is a frame-shaped member formed to surround the display 7. The camera 1 and the violet light 2 are arranged adjacent to each other inside the bezel 8.

[0015] (Direction Definition) Here, in the present embodiment, the direction in which one side of the bezel 8 in which the camera 1 and the like are built in extends is referred to as the left-right direction X. The direction perpendicular to the left-right direction X and parallel to the display 7 is referred to as the up-down direction Y. The direction perpendicular to the left-right direction X and the up-down direction Y, that is, the thickness direction of the display 7, is simply referred to as the thickness direction Z.

[0016] The bezel 8 is formed with a light hole 8a and a camera hole 8b. The light hole 8a and the camera hole 8b penetrate the bezel 8 in the thickness direction Z. The light hole 8a and the camera hole 8b are arranged at intervals in the left - right direction X. When viewed from the thickness direction Z, the light hole 8a is arranged at a position overlapping the violet light 2, and the camera hole 8b is arranged at a position overlapping the camera 1. The light hole 8a allows the violet light emitted by the violet light 2 to pass to the outside. The camera hole 8b allows the light from the outside to pass toward the camera 1.

[0017] Figure 2 is a view in which the bezel 8 is omitted in the vicinity of the camera 1 and the violet light 2. As shown in Figure 2, the electronic device 10 includes a shutter 4. The shutter 4 is located between the bezel 8 and the camera 1 in the thickness direction Z. Also, the shutter 4 is located between the bezel 8 and the violet light 2 in the thickness direction Z. The shutter 4 is formed of a material that does not transmit light.

[0018] The camera 1 takes a picture of an object (for example, the user of the electronic device 10) through the camera hole 8b. The configuration of the camera 1 is not particularly limited as long as it has the function of taking pictures of an object. The violet light 2 emits violet light. The violet light is defined as light with a wavelength of 360 - 400 nm. It is known that the violet light has an effect of suppressing the progression of myopia.

[0019] The shutter 4 is slidable in the left - right direction X. In the present embodiment, the shutter 4 is slid by a shutter drive unit 14 described later. However, the shutter 4 may be slid manually. FIG. 2 shows a state where the shutter 4 is in the first position covering the violet light 2. FIG. 3 shows a state where the shutter 4 is in the second position exposing the violet light 2. When the shutter 4 is in the first position (FIG. 2), the violet light 2 is covered and the camera 1 is exposed. When the shutter 4 is in the second position (FIG. 3), the violet light 2 is exposed and the camera 1 is covered. Note that the shutter 4 may be slidable to a third position covering both the violet light 2 and the camera 1.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the periphery of the violet light 2 as seen from the vertical direction Y. As shown in FIG. 4, a visible - light filter 6 and a dust - proof film 9 are provided on the back surface of the bezel 8 (the surface facing the violet light 2). For example, the visible - light filter 6 and the dust - proof film 9 may be adhesively fixed to the bezel 8. Also, the visible - light filter 6 and the bezel 8 may not be provided.

[0021] The dust - proof film 9 is arranged so as to block the camera hole 8b. The dust - proof film 9 prevents dust and the like from entering the bezel 8 through the camera hole 8b. Note that instead of providing the dust - proof film 9, for example, a portion of the bezel 8 covering the camera 1 may be formed of a transparent member.

[0022] The visible - light filter 6 is arranged so as to block the light hole 8a. The visible - light filter 6 shields at least a part of the light in the visible - light region (for example, a wavelength of 400 nm or more). By providing the visible - light filter 6, the visible - light region can be removed or reduced from the light emitted by the violet light 2. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the user from feeling dazzled by the violet light 2.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the electronic device 10 according to the present embodiment. In addition to the camera 1, the violet light 2, and the shutter 4, the electronic device 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage device 12, a light control unit 13, a shutter drive unit 14, a timer 15, an input device 16, an output device 17, and a communication I / F 18. The control unit 11, the storage device 12, the light control unit 13, the shutter drive unit 14, the timer 15, the input device 16, the output device 17, the communication I / F 18, and the camera 1 are connected via a bus 19. However, the configuration of the electronic device 10 shown in FIG. 5 is merely an example and can be changed as appropriate.

[0024] The light control unit 13 generates an electric signal (voltage), for example, based on an instruction from the control unit 11, and outputs the electric signal (voltage) to the violet light 2. Thereby, the light control unit 13 turns on the violet light 2. The shutter drive unit 14 slides the shutter 4, for example, based on an instruction from the control unit 11. The instruction output from the control unit 11 to the shutter drive unit 14 includes an instruction regarding the position of the shutter 4 (for example, the first position or the second position).

[0025] The storage device 12 stores various information input to the electronic device 10. The storage device 12 may store setting information regarding whether the user desires to use the violet light 2. The storage device 12 is, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SDD (Solid State Drive). The input device 16 functions as an interface when the user inputs information to the electronic device 10. The input device 16 includes, for example, a keyboard, a click pad, and the like. The output device 17 functions as an interface when the user refers to the information output from the electronic device 10. The output device 17 includes, for example, a display 7 and the like.

[0026] The control unit 11 comprehensively controls the functions of each part (for example, the camera 1, the violet light 2, the shutter 4, etc.) of the electronic device 10. The control unit 11 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 11 according to the present embodiment switches the lighting state of the violet light 2, the position of the shutter 4, etc. according to the presence or absence of use of the camera 1 and the violet light 2.

[0027] For example, when the user operates the input device 16 to turn on the camera 1, the control unit 11 may turn off the violet light 2. This is because when the violet light 2 is lit and the camera 1 is turned on, the blue color of the acquired image increases. Also, when the user operates the input device 16 to turn off the camera 1, the control unit 11 may position the shutter 4 at the second position (Figure 2). In this case, since the camera 1 is shielded by the shutter 4, effects such as reducing the psychological burden on the user can be obtained.

[0028] Here, in the present embodiment, the violet light 2 is inspected using the camera 1. As shown in Figure 4, the shutter 4 has a reflecting portion R for reflecting a part of the light emitted by the violet light 2 toward the camera 1. In the example of Figure 4, a reflecting material 5, which is a member different from the shutter 4, is provided on the opposing surface 4a (the surface facing the camera 1) of the shutter 4. This reflecting material 5 functions as the reflecting portion R. The reflecting material 5 may be, for example, adhesively fixed to the shutter 4. As the reflecting material 5, for example, a metal sheet or the like can be used. Alternatively, the reflecting portion R may be provided by plating or coating the opposing surface 4a.

[0029] Also, the reflecting portion R may be the shutter 4 itself. For example, by mirror-finishing the opposing surface 4a of the shutter 4, the light of the violet light 2 can be efficiently reflected toward the camera 1. Also, if a sufficient amount of light can be reflected to the camera 1 for inspecting the violet light 2, the opposing surface 4a does not have to be mirror-finished. In these cases, the opposing surface 4a itself functions as the reflecting portion R.

[0030] Next, a method for inspecting the violet light 2 will be described. The following method may be performed, for example, during the shipping inspection of the electronic device 10. Alternatively, after the electronic device 10 is shipped, it may be performed based on an operation of the input device 16 by the user. Alternatively, it may be performed based on a program executed by the control unit 11.

[0031] When performing the following inspections, it is preferable that the shutter 4 is in the second position or the third position. That is, it is preferable to inspect the violet light 2 with the shutter 4 covering the camera 1. The reason is that since the camera 1 is covered by the shutter 4, it is possible to suppress external light from reaching the camera 1. By directing the violet light toward the camera 1 while blocking external light, the inspection of the violet light 2 can be performed more accurately. However, under the condition that external light does not interfere with the inspection, it is possible to inspect the violet light 2 using the camera 1 even if the shutter 4 does not cover the camera 1.

[0032] <Lighting inspection> FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of the lighting inspection. In the lighting inspection, it is confirmed whether the violet light 2 is normally inspected. First, the violet light 2 is turned on (step S11). Specifically, a voltage is supplied to the violet light 2. The supply of the voltage may be performed by the light control unit 13 based on a command from the control unit 11. Alternatively, a voltage may be supplied to the violet light 2 by another means.

[0033] Next, the camera 1 performs imaging, and using the obtained image, the lighting state of the violet light 2 is inspected. Specifically, the detected value of the illuminance included in the obtained image (data) is compared with the lower limit value (step S12). The lower limit value is, for example, 300 lx. When the detected value is equal to or greater than the lower limit value (step S12: YES), it is determined that the violet light 2 has lit up normally (step S13). When the detected value is less than the lower limit value (step S12: NO), it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the violet light 2 (step S14). In step S14, the inspection operator or the user of the electronic device 10 may be notified that an abnormality has occurred.

[0034] <Turn-off inspection> Fig. 7 shows a flowchart of the turn-off inspection. In the turn-off inspection, it is confirmed whether the violet light 2 turns off normally. First, the violet light 2 is turned OFF (step S21). Specifically, the supply of voltage to the violet light 2 is stopped. The stop of the voltage supply may be performed by the light control unit 13 based on a command from the control unit 11. Alternatively, the supply of voltage to the violet light 2 may be stopped by another means.

[0035] Next, the camera 1 performs imaging, and using the obtained image, the lighting state of the violet light 2 is inspected. Specifically, the detected value of the illuminance included in the obtained image (data) is compared with the upper limit value (step S22). The upper limit value is, for example, 100 lx. When the detected value is equal to or less than the upper limit value (step S22: YES), it is determined that the violet light 2 has turned off normally (step S23). When the detected value is greater than the upper limit value (step S22: NO), it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the violet light 2 (step S24). In step S24, the inspection operator or the user of the electronic device 10 may be notified that an abnormality has occurred.

[0036] In the above inspection, the upper limit value and the lower limit value may be stored in the storage device 12, for example. Also, each step shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 may be performed by the control unit 11 executing a program. In this case, a program for executing the inspection of the violet light 2 may be stored in the storage device 12.

[0037] As described above, the electronic device 10 of the present embodiment includes a violet light 2 that emits violet light, a camera 1, a shutter 4 that is displaceable between a first position that covers the violet light 2 and a second position that exposes the violet light 2, and the shutter 4 has a reflection portion R that reflects the violet light emitted by the violet light 2 to the camera 1. According to such a configuration, it is possible to inspect the violet light 2 using the image data captured by the camera 1. Compared with the case of visually inspecting the violet light 2, it is possible to avoid the inspector or the user of the electronic device 10 feeling dazzled. Also, by executing a program, it is possible to automatically inspect the violet light 2. That is, it is possible to contribute to the automation of the inspection work of the electronic device 10. Also, compared with the case of providing, for example, an illuminance sensor for inspecting the violet light 2, it is possible to contribute to the miniaturization and cost reduction of the device.

[0038] Also, the reflection portion R may be a reflection material 5 fixed to the shutter 4. In this case, the reflection material 5 can be used to direct the violet light toward the camera 1 with high efficiency. Thereby, the inspection accuracy of the violet light 2 can be improved.

[0039] Also, the reflection portion R may be the facing surface 4a of the shutter 4 that faces the camera 1. In this case, the number of parts can be reduced compared with the case of providing the reflection material 5. Therefore, it is possible to contribute to cost reduction.

[0040] Further, the electronic device 10 may include a visible light filter 6 that covers the violet light 2. In this case, when using the electronic device 10, it is possible to prevent the user from feeling dazzled by the violet light 2. When the electronic device 10 includes the visible light filter 6, it becomes difficult to visually inspect the violet light 2. Therefore, as in this embodiment, it is more effective to inspect the violet light 2 using the camera 1.

[0041] Moreover, the inspection method for the electronic device according to this embodiment lights up the violet light 2 included in the electronic device 10, and inspects the lighting state of the violet light 2 using the image captured by the camera 1 included in the electronic device 10. According to such an inspection method, it is possible to contribute to the automation of the inspection work.

[0042] Note that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0043] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the violet light reflected by the reflection part R is detected by the camera 1 to inspect the violet light 2. However, it is also possible to inspect the violet light 2 without directly detecting the violet light with the camera 1. For example, an object that emits light when receiving violet light may be arranged within the imaging range of the camera 1. In this case, by analyzing the image data of the camera 1 and determining whether or not the object is emitting light, it is possible to inspect the violet light 2. Such an inspection method is also included in "inspecting the lighting state of the violet light using the image captured by the camera".

[0044] In addition, without departing from the spirit of the present invention, it is possible to appropriately replace the components in the above-described embodiment with well-known components, and the above-described embodiment and modified examples may be appropriately combined.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0045] 1... Camera 2... Violet light 4... Shutter 4a... Opposing surface 5... Reflective material 6... Visible light filter 10... Electronic device R... Reflection section

Claims

1. a violet light that emits violet light, a camera, a shutter displaceable between a first position covering the violet light and a second position exposing the violet light, and the shutter has a reflecting portion that reflects the violet light emitted by the violet light to the camera, an electronic device.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the reflecting portion is a reflecting material fixed to the shutter.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the reflecting portion is an opposing surface of the shutter that faces the camera.

4. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a visible light filter that covers the violet light.

5. Turn on the violet light included in the electronic device, position the shutter included in the electronic device at a position covering the violet light, reflect the violet light emitted by the violet light to the camera included in the electronic device by the reflecting portion of the shutter, An inspection method for an electronic device, which inspects the lighting state of the violet light using an image captured by the camera.

Images