Electronic device and control method

Abstract

To generalize the configuration of a violet light source control function.SOLUTION: A light source is capable of emitting violet light, the controller controls the emission of the violet light, and a host system controls processing based on an application program and causes the controller to control the emission of light in response to a blinking instruction on the basis of firmware. This embodiment can be realized by any of an electronic apparatus including a light source, a controller, and a host system, and a control method for the electronic apparatus.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present application relates to an electronic device and a control method. [Background technology]

[0002] Violet light is light with wavelengths between 360 nm and 400 nm. It is known that irradiating the eye with components in this wavelength range can have effects such as preventing the onset and progression of myopia. Components in this wavelength range are found in sunlight but are not typically found in general lighting. Therefore, electronic devices equipped with light sources that emit violet light have been developed in recent years.

[0003] For example, the electronic device described in Patent Document 1 includes a light source that emits violet light, a light source control unit that controls the on / off of the light source, a calculation unit that calculates an integrated radiation amount of the violet light emitted from the light source based on the irradiance and irradiation time of the violet light emitted from the light source, an estimation unit that calculates an outdoor integrated amount by using a detection value from an illuminance sensor to estimate the integrated amount of violet light a user is exposed to outdoors, an evaluation value calculation unit that calculates a light intensity evaluation value for evaluating the integrated amount of violet light the user is exposed to indoors and outdoors based on the integrated radiation amount and the outdoor integrated amount, and a determination unit that determines whether preset irradiation conditions are satisfied. The light source control unit turns on the light source when the light intensity evaluation value is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold and the irradiation conditions are satisfied. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-70998 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Violet light sources are sometimes connected to the host system of electronic devices using GPIO (General-Purpose Input / Output) and EC (Embedded Controller). This required the design and development of an EC access module for the host system to control the light source on / off and obtain its operating status. The EC access module depends on the platform of the electronic device, i.e., the various hardware components that make up the electronic device and the EC specifications. Because specifications depend on the host system hardware and EC, development work is required for each model, which increases product costs. Furthermore, since post-shipment maintenance is performed for each model, the maintenance work increases in proportion to the number of models.

[0006] Furthermore, it may not be possible to guarantee the independence of the EC access module from the design of the host application that runs on the host system. This is because the host application is also developed depending on the platform, making it difficult to achieve versatility. Furthermore, in the development of the host application, it may become necessary to track the development status of the platform to check the impact on EC access.

[0007] Furthermore, the host application must periodically poll the EC to check the availability of the light source, which can increase power consumption and degrade performance due to the system load caused by polling. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present application has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an electronic device according to one aspect of the present application comprises a light source capable of emitting violet light, a controller that controls the emission of the violet light, and a host system, wherein the host system comprises an application execution unit that controls processing based on an application program, and a device object unit that, based on firmware, causes the controller to control the emission of the violet light in response to a blinking instruction from the application execution unit.

[0009] In the electronic device described above, the controller may manage the light emission state of the violet light, and the device object unit may notify the application execution unit of the light emission state in response to a light emission state inquiry from the application execution unit.

[0010] The electronic device may further include a shutter capable of blocking the light source, the controller may manage the blocking state of the light source, and the device object unit may notify the application execution unit of the blocking state in response to a blocking state inquiry from the application execution unit.

[0011] In the electronic device, the controller may control light emission from the light source based on the shielding state.

[0012] In the electronic device, the application execution unit may output the blinking instruction to the device object unit when detecting a predetermined key operation.

[0013] In the electronic device described above, when the application execution unit detects that the electronic device has not been used for a predetermined period of time or more, the application execution unit may output a blinking instruction to the device object unit to turn off the violet light.

[0014] The above electronic device may include a first housing, a second housing, an engagement mechanism that engages one of the first housing and the second housing so that one can rotate relative to the other, and a sensor that detects a positional relationship between the first housing and the second housing, and the controller may determine an open / closed state of the first housing and the second housing based on the positional relationship, and control the light emission of the light source based on the open / closed state.

[0015] A control method according to a second aspect of the present application is a control method for an electronic device that includes a light source capable of emitting violet light and a controller that controls the emission of the violet light, wherein the electronic device controls processing based on an application program and, based on firmware, causes the controller to control the emission of the violet light in response to a blinking instruction issued by the processing based on the application program. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the above aspect of the present application, the configuration of the violet light source control function can be generalized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the external configuration of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the electronic device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a table illustrating an example of the relationship between the open / closed state of the shutter and the light emission state of the light source according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a state transition diagram illustrating changes in the light emission state of a light source due to hot key operations. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a table illustrating an example of the relationship between the open / closed state of the housing and the light emission state of the light source according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a table illustrating an example of the relationship between the use state of the host system and the light emission state of the light source according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present application will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the electronic device 1 according to the present embodiment will be mainly a clamshell personal computer (PC). A clamshell PC is also called a notebook PC or a notebook PC. However, the electronic device 1 may be realized as a PC having another form (for example, a desktop type, a slide type, etc.) or as another type of electronic device (for example, a mobile phone, a tablet terminal, etc.).

[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the external configuration of an electronic device 1 according to this embodiment. The electronic device 1 includes a first housing 62 and a second housing 64. The first housing 62, which is one of these two housings, is engaged with the second housing 64 so as to be rotatable relative to the other housing. That is, the angle formed between the surface of the first housing 62 and the surface of the second housing 64 (sometimes referred to herein as the "opening / closing angle") is variable. One side of each of the first housing 62 and the second housing 64 is connected using fasteners 68a and 68b. The fasteners 68a and 68b enable these two housings to be opened and closed around a rotation axis ax parallel to the long sides of the first housing 62 and the second housing 64, respectively. The fasteners 68a and 68b include, for example, hinges. The fasteners 68a and 68b can maintain a constant opening / closing angle θ even when a certain torque is applied.

[0020] The first housing 62 includes a display 14, a camera 24, a light source 36, a shutter 38, and a permanent magnet 54. The display area of the display 14 covers most of the surface of the first housing 62. The permanent magnet 54, the shutter 38, the light source 36, and the camera 24 are arranged in this order on the periphery of the surface of the first housing 62, near one side opposite the other side. A keyboard 32k and a touchpad 32t are arranged on the surface of the second housing 64. A magnetic sensor 52 is arranged near the other side opposite the one side of the second housing 64.

[0021] When the first housing 62 is open relative to the second housing 64, a user facing the front of the first housing 62 can see the information displayed on the display 14 and can perform input operations on the keyboard 32k and touchpad 32t. At this time, the camera 24 can capture an image of the user's head, and the light source 36 can irradiate the user's head with violet light. When the first housing 62 is closed relative to the second housing 64, the display 14 is shielded by the second housing 64, and the keyboard 32k and touchpad 32t are also shielded by the first housing 62. In this state, use by the user is not expected. When the first housing 62 is closed relative to the second housing 64, the magnetic sensor 52 faces and is close to the permanent magnet 54 and can detect the magnetic field around the permanent magnet 54. The strength of the magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor 52 can detect the open / closed state of the first housing 62 and the second housing 64. It should be noted that when the first housing 62 is closed relative to the second housing 64, light emission from the light source 36 may be restricted.

[0022] Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the electronic device 1 according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the electronic device 1 according to this embodiment. The electronic device 1 includes a CPU 11, a main memory 12, a video subsystem 13, a display 14, a chipset 21, a BIOS memory 22, an auxiliary storage device 23, a camera 24, an audio system 25, an input / output I / F 26, a communication module 27, an EC 31, an input device 32, a power supply circuit 33, a light source control circuit 35, a light source 36, a shutter drive circuit 37, a shutter 38, and a magnetic sensor 52.

[0023] The CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 executes various arithmetic processes under program control to realize and control the operation of the electronic device 1. The CPU 11 executes various programs. In this application, executing a process instructed by instructions written in a program may be referred to as executing a program or program execution. Programs executed by the CPU 11 include a Basic Input Output System (BIOS) and an Operating System (OS). The CPU 11 also executes programs such as various application programs on the OS. That is, the CPU 11 executes programs such as application programs according to the execution state and computing resources instructed by processing based on the OS. In this application, application programs are sometimes referred to as "apps," which collectively refer to programs executed on the OS. For example, in this application, apps may include programs generally classified as drivers, services / utilities, etc.

[0024] The CPU 11, main memory 12, and chipset 21 are the minimum devices that make up the host system 10. The host system 10 corresponds to the main computer system of the electronic device 1. The functions of the host system 10 are realized when the CPU 11 executes a program and cooperates with the main memory 12, chipset 21, and other devices.

[0025] The main memory 12 includes a storage medium that can read and write various types of data. The main memory 12 is used as a work area for the CPU 11. That is, the main memory 12 includes a read area for programs executed by the CPU 11, a storage area for data used in the processing executed by the CPU 11, and a storage area for data temporarily or finally generated by the processing executed by the CPU 11. The main memory 12 includes, for example, one or more DRAMs (Dynamic Random Access Memories).

[0026] Video subsystem 13 is a subsystem for realizing functions related to image display. Video subsystem 13 includes, for example, a video controller and a video memory (not shown). The video controller temporarily stores various types of drawing information in the video memory in accordance with drawing commands from CPU 11. Video subsystem 13 outputs the drawing information stored in the video memory to display 14 as display data in accordance with the drawing commands.

[0027] Display 14 displays a display screen instructed by display data input from video subsystem 13. Display 14 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, or the like.

[0028] The chipset 21 is configured to connect various devices and include a controller for controlling input / output with each device. The chipset 21 is connected by wire in accordance with interface standards such as Universal Serial Bus (USB), Advanced Technology Attachment (Serial ATA), Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI), Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), PCI-Express, and Low Pin Connect (LPC). In the example of Fig. 2, the chipset 21 is connected to a BIOS memory 22, an auxiliary storage device 23, a camera 24, an audio system 25, an input / output I / F 26, a communication module 27, and an EC 31.

[0029] The BIOS memory 22 stores system firmware such as BIOS. The BIOS memory 22 includes an electrically rewritable nonvolatile memory. Such a nonvolatile memory may be, for example, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) or a flash ROM. In this application, firmware for managing and controlling each device constituting the electronic device 1 is collectively referred to as BIOS. For example, UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) is included in the concept of BIOS in this application.

[0030] The auxiliary storage device 23 rewritably stores various programs and various data. The various programs include an OS, applications, drivers, etc. The various data include data used in processing by the CPU 11, data acquired by processing by the CPU 11, etc. The auxiliary storage device 23 may be, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), etc.

[0031] The camera 24 captures images of various subjects that appear within its field of view. The camera 24 may be capable of capturing either moving images, still images, or both. The audio system 25 is capable of inputting, outputting, and recording audio data. A microphone and a speaker (not shown) are connected to the audio system 25. The microphone picks up audio that arrives at the audio system 25, and the audio system 25 acquires audio data input from the microphone. The audio system 25 outputs the audio data to the speaker and emits the audio. The audio system 25 stores the audio data input from the microphone and other audio data acquired in accordance with processing by the CPU 11 in the auxiliary storage device 23. The microphone and the speaker may be provided in the electronic device 1, or one or both of them may be separate from the electronic device 1.

[0032] The input / output I / F (Interface) 26 connects to other devices via wire or wirelessly to input and output various data. The input / output I / F 26 is, for example, a USB connector. The USB connector is a connector for connecting to peripheral devices in accordance with the USB standard. The communication module 27 connects to other devices via wire or wirelessly so as to be able to transmit and receive various data in accordance with a predetermined communication standard. The predetermined communication standard may be, for example, IEEE802.11, IEEE802.15.1, or the like. IEEE802.11 is a communication standard related to an in-house wireless communication network. IEEE802.15.1 is a short-range wireless communication standard for digital devices.

[0033] The EC (Embedded Controller) 31 is a controller that monitors the status or controls the operation of various devices connected thereto, regardless of the operating state of the host system 10. The EC 31 is configured as a one-chip microcomputer (not shown) that is separate from the host system 10 and includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, input / output terminals, and a timer. The RAM of the EC 31 (sometimes referred to as ECRAM in this application) is used as a work area for the CPU of the EC 31. Various data can be written to or read from the ECRAM by accessing it from the host system 10 via the input / output terminals. The input / output terminals are connected to the chipset 21, the input device 32, the power supply circuit 33, the light source control circuit 35, the shutter drive circuit 37, and the magnetic sensor 52. The EC 31 and the chipset 21 are connected, for example, via GPIO.

[0034] The input device 32 receives a user operation and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the received operation to the EC 31. The above-described keyboard 32k and touchpad 32t correspond to the input device 32. The input device 32 is not limited to these. The input device 32 may include a separate device, such as a mouse or a touch sensor. The separate device may be provided in the electronic device 1 or may be externally connected to the EC 31.

[0035] The power supply circuit 33 converts the voltage of DC power supplied from the power supply into a voltage required for the operation of each device of the electronic device 1. The power supply circuit 33 supplies power to each device under control of the EC 31. The DC power is supplied from an AC (Alternating Current) / DC (Direct Current) adapter or a battery (not shown). The power supply circuit 33 includes, for example, a DC / DC converter and a charge / discharge unit. The DC / DC converter converts the voltage supplied to itself. The charge / discharge unit stores surplus power that is not consumed by each device out of the power supplied from the AC / DC adapter in the battery. When power is not supplied from the AC / DC adapter or when the supplied power is insufficient, the charge / discharge unit supplies power discharged from the battery to each device.

[0036] The light source control circuit 35 controls the blinking of the light source 36 under the control of the EC 31. When a blinking instruction (described later) indicating that the violet light should be turned on is input from the host system 10, the EC 31 causes the light source control circuit 35 to turn on the light source 36. When turning on the light source 36, the light source control circuit 35 starts supplying power to the light source 36. The EC 31 causes the light source control circuit 35 to turn off the light source when a blinking instruction indicating turning off the light source is input from the host system 10. When turning off the light source 36, the light source control circuit 35 stops the supply of power to the light source 36.

[0037] The light source 36 consumes power supplied from the light source control circuit 35 and emits violet light. Violet light is light that contains a component of visible light that represents the violet color. Violet light has a component with a wavelength of 360 nm to 400 nm. This band is the shortest wavelength band of visible light and is included in sunlight. The light source 36 includes, for example, a light-emitting diode (LED). Violet light is known to be effective in preventing or slowing the progression of myopia. Attempts have also been made to apply violet light to alleviate symptoms such as dry eye and presbyopia, and to improve brain function.

[0038] The shutter drive circuit 37 moves the position of the shutter 38 under the control of the EC 31. The shutter drive circuit 37 includes, for example, a motor (not shown). The movement direction of the shutter 38 can be reversed by reversing the polarity of the DC power supplied to the motor. The shutter 38 is movably installed along the surface of the first housing 62 between a position exposing the light source 36 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "first position") and a position covering the light source 36 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "second position") (see Figure 1).

[0039] The shutter drive circuit 37 can control whether to block the light source 36 by moving the position of the shutter 38 to a first position or a second position. Moving the position of the shutter 38 to the first position corresponds to "opening the shutter 38" or "opening the shutter 38." Moving the position of the shutter 38 to the second position corresponds to "closing the shutter 38" or "closing the shutter 38."

[0040] When an open / close command (described later) instructing the shutter 38 to be opened is input from the host system 10, the EC 31 causes the shutter drive circuit 37 to open the shutter 38. When opening the shutter 38, the shutter drive circuit 37 starts supplying power to the shutter 38. The shutter drive circuit 37 continues supplying power for a certain period until the shutter 38 reaches the first position.

[0041] When a blinking instruction indicating turning off the light is input from the host system 10, the EC 31 causes the shutter drive circuit 37 to close the shutter 38. When closing the shutter 38, the shutter drive circuit 37 starts supplying power to the shutter 38. The shutter drive circuit 37 continues to supply power having a polarity opposite to that when opening the shutter 38 for a certain period until the shutter 38 reaches the second position.

[0042] The shutter 38 may be configured to be movable between the first and second positions by application of an external force. In this case, the shutter drive circuit 37 may be configured to detect the position of the shutter 38. The shutter drive circuit 37 may include, for example, a voltage detection circuit, a switch, and a voltage source. The switch includes a contact connected to the voltage detection circuit and an intercept connected to the voltage source. The intercept is connected to the shutter 38 and can switch between contact with the contact and non-contact with the contact depending on whether the shutter 38 is in the second position. Therefore, when the shutter 38 is in the second position, a voltage is applied to the contact from the voltage source. When the shutter 38 is not in the second position, no voltage is applied to the contact from the voltage source. The voltage detection circuit outputs a voltage detection signal indicating the voltage generated at the contact to the EC31. The EC31 monitors the voltage detection signal input from the voltage detection circuit and can determine whether the shutter 38 is open based on the voltage notified by the voltage detection signal. In the present application, whether the shutter 38 is open or not may be referred to as the “blocked state.” The EC 31 outputs the determined blocked state to the host system 10.

[0043] When the EC 31 detects that the shutter 38 is closed while the light source 36 is emitting light, the EC 31 may instruct the light source control circuit 35 to turn off the light source 36 . When the EC 31 detects that the shutter 38 is open while the light source 36 is off, and has turned off the light source 36 in response to the shutter 38 being closed, the EC 31 may instruct the light source control circuit 35 to turn on the light source 36. When a blinking instruction is input from the host system 10 while the light source 36 is off, the EC 31 may reject the input blinking instruction. Therefore, as illustrated in Fig. 4, when the shutter 38 is closed, the light source 36 remains off regardless of the input of the blinking instruction to the EC 31. When the shutter 38 is open, the blinking of the light source is controlled in accordance with the input of the blinking instruction to the EC 31.

[0044] The magnetic sensor 52 detects a magnetic field generated therein and outputs a magnetic field detection signal indicating the strength of the detected magnetic field to the EC 31. The EC 31 can determine whether the first housing 62 is open relative to the second housing 64 based on whether the strength of the magnetic field notified by the magnetic field detection signal input from the magnetic sensor 52 is equal to or less than a predetermined strength threshold. In this application, whether the first housing 62 is open relative to the second housing 64 may be referred to as the "casing open / closed state" or simply as the "open / closed state." The state in which the first housing 62 is open relative to the second housing 64 may be referred to simply as the "casing open state," and the state in which the first housing 62 is closed relative to the second housing 64 may be referred to simply as the "casing closed state." The EC 31 outputs the determined casing open / closed state to the host system 10.

[0045] Next, an example of the functional configuration of the electronic device 1 according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the electronic device 1 according to this embodiment. However, Fig. 3 shows the main functional configuration of this embodiment, and omits other functional configurations. The electronic device 1 includes a host system 10, an EC 31, a light source 36, and a shutter 38. As described above, the light source 36 is capable of emitting violet light. The EC 31 controls the light source 36 to emit violet light.

[0046] The host system 10 includes an application execution unit 102 and a device object unit 104. The application execution unit 102 controls the execution of processes based on various applications. The application execution unit 102 may emit either or both of various instructions (commands) and queries to the EC 31. The instructions to the EC 31 may include an instruction to blink the violet light, and may also include an instruction to open or close the shutter 38. The instruction to blink the violet light is an instruction to turn on or off the violet light by the light source 36. The instruction to open or close the shutter 38 is an instruction to block or expose the light source 36 by the shutter 38.

[0047] When an instruction to blink the violet light is included, an inquiry about the light emission state of the violet light may also be included. When an instruction to open or close the shutter 38 is included, an inquiry about the closing state of the shutter 38 may also be included. The inquiry about the light emission status of the violet light is an inquiry about the light emission status of the violet light by the light source 36. The light emission status can be reported as either on or off. The inquiry about the shielding status of the shutter 38 is an inquiry about the shielding status of the light source 36 by the shutter 38. The shielding status can be reported as either shielded or exposed.

[0048] The application execution unit 102 issues a blinking instruction, an open / close instruction, an illumination state inquiry, or a shielding state inquiry when detecting a predetermined event or in accordance with a command written in the OS or an application. The application execution unit 102 may monitor an operation signal input from the input device 32 via the EC 31, and issue a blinking instruction, an open / close instruction, an illumination state inquiry, or a shielding state inquiry in accordance with the operation signal.

[0049] For example, the application execution unit 102 monitors an operation signal from the input device 32, and each time it detects a press of a specific key (hot key operation), it alternately issues a blinking instruction to the light source 36, indicating that the light source 36 should be turned on, and a blinking instruction to turn the light off. As will be described later, the EC 31 is alternately instructed to turn on and turn off each time a press is detected. Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the violet light emitted by the light source 36 alternates between blinking and turning off depending on whether a specific key is pressed. An example of a press of a specific key is a press of the F11 key on the hardware keyboard 32k. The application execution unit 102 may detect, as a press of a specific key, input of an operation signal indicating the coordinates of the F11 key within the display area when a software keyboard screen is displayed on the display 14.

[0050] The application execution unit 102 monitors the housing open / closed state from the EC 31, and may issue a blinking instruction to turn the light off when a housing open / closed state indicating that the housing is closed is input. When a housing open / closed state indicating that the housing is open is input, the application execution unit 102 may issue a blinking instruction to turn the light on if it detects that the housing is closed and issues a blinking instruction to turn the light off. Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 6, when the housing is closed, the light emission state of the light source 36 is maintained as off. When the housing is open, the light emission state of the light source can be switched between on and off, and when the housing is opened from a closed state, the light emission state immediately before the housing was closed is reproduced.

[0051] The application execution unit 102 may detect the use state of the electronic device 1 and, when it determines that the use state of the electronic device is unused for a predetermined period of time or more, issue a blinking instruction to turn off the light. For example, when an operation signal is not input from the input device 32 for a predetermined period of time or more, the application execution unit 102 may determine that the use state of the electronic device is unused for a predetermined period of time or more.

[0052] When the application execution unit 102 determines that the usage state of the device has resumed use, and when it determines that the usage state of the device is unused and issues a lighting instruction to turn off the light, it may issue a blinking instruction to turn on the light. Therefore, as illustrated in Fig. 7, when the usage state of the device is determined to be unused, the application execution unit 102 maintains the light-emitting state of the light source 36 as off. When the usage state of the device is determined to be in use, the light-emitting state of the light source 36 can be switched between on and off, and when the usage state of the device changes from unused to in use, the lighting state immediately before the usage state of the device was determined to be unused from in use is reproduced.

[0053] The application execution unit 102 may use other events for determining transition from the active state to the idle state as events for determining non-use of the device. The active state is an operating state in which the host system 10 performs functions normally expected. The idle state is an operating state that consumes less power than the active state. In the idle state, the output of display data to the display 14 may be limited based on the OS.

[0054] The electronic device 1 may also include a motion sensor that detects a person within a certain range around the device. The motion sensor may be based on any detection principle, such as an infrared sensor or a capacitance sensor. In this case, the application execution unit 102 can determine that the device is in use for a predetermined period of time or more when a motion detection signal indicating the detection of a person from the motion sensor is not input for a predetermined period of time or more. After determining that the device is in use, the application execution unit 102 can determine that the device is in use when a motion detection signal indicating the detection of a person is input from the motion sensor.

[0055] The device object unit 104 causes the EC 31 to execute processing instructed by a command, such as a blink command, issued by the application execution unit 102 as processing based on the firmware of the host system 10. Here, the function of the device object unit 104 is described using, for example, BIOS ACPI code. The BIOS ACPI code constitutes a part of the BIOS and is a program including commands written using, for example, ACPI Source Language (ASL). As the function of the device object unit 104, the function as a software device object is defined using the BIOS ACPI code.

[0056] The functions of the software device object include a device input / output interface (driver interface) and an EC access function. As the device input / output interface, for example, the data format of input / output data between the host system 10 and the EC 31 is specified. As the EC access function, for example, notification of various commands by writing to the ECRAM and acquisition of various information by reading from the ECRAM are specified. More specifically, the functions of the device object unit 104 indicate blinking instructions, open / close instructions, light emission status inquiries, shielding status inquiries, etc., and function programs (sometimes simply referred to as "functions" in this application) that apply the device input / output interface and EC access function are defined.

[0057] Each time the application execution unit 102 issues a command such as a blinking command, it causes the EC 31 to execute the process instructed by the issued command using the device object unit 104. More specifically, when issuing an open / close command, the application execution unit 102 calls an open / close command function related to the device object unit 104 and turns the light source 36 on or off in accordance with the blinking command issued to the EC 31. The application execution unit 102 may receive a light emission state notification indicating the light emission state of the light source as a result of execution of the blinking command from the EC 31 via the device object unit 104. The light emission state notification may be defined as a return value for the blinking command.

[0058] When issuing a blinking instruction, the application execution unit 102 calls a blinking instruction function related to the device object unit 104, and opens or closes the shutter 38 in accordance with the open / close instruction issued to the EC 31. The application execution unit 102 may be notified of a cover state notification indicating the cover state of the shutter 38 as a result of execution of the open / close instruction from the EC 31 via the device object unit 104. The cover state notification may be defined as a return value for the open / close instruction.

[0059] When issuing a light emission state inquiry, the application execution unit 102 calls a light emission state inquiry function related to the device object unit 104 and notifies the EC 31 of the light emission state inquiry. In response to the light emission state inquiry, the application execution unit 102 receives a light emission state notification indicating the light emission state of the light source 36 from the EC 31 via the device object unit 104. When inquiring about the cover state, the application execution unit 102 calls a cover state inquiry function related to the device object unit 104 and notifies the EC 31 of the cover state inquiry. In response to the cover state inquiry, the application execution unit 102 receives a cover state notification indicating the cover state of the shutter 38 from the EC 31 and the device object unit 104.

[0060] By issuing a light emission state inquiry as needed, the application execution unit 102 can obtain the light emission state of the light source 36 without regularly polling the EC 31 at regular intervals. Similarly, the application execution unit 102 can obtain the occlusion state of the shutter 38 in response to an occlusion state inquiry without polling. This makes it possible to avoid an increase in the load and a decrease in performance associated with polling.

[0061] The device object unit 104 can also be regarded as a function module that provides the EC access function as an extended function for violet light blinking control and related functions as a function of the system firmware (i.e., BIOS) of the host system 10. By defining such extended functions as part of the system firmware, it becomes possible to design and develop various applications independently of the platform that includes the host system 10 and the EC 31.

[0062] Furthermore, in the design and development of the electronic device 1, the hardware, system firmware, and EC 31 of the host system 10 can be developed in parallel without considering the interdependencies between them. This allows for the division of labor related to design and development, thereby shortening the construction period. Since the applications executed on the host system 10 are developed without considering the interdependencies with the platform, horizontal deployment to other models becomes easy. This contributes to the efficiency of development of not only the electronic device 1 but also the applications.

[0063] The positional relationship between the first housing 62 and the second housing 64 of the electronic device 1 is not limited to one that allows opening and closing around one side of each housing as a rotation axis. The electronic device 1 may also be provided with a fastener that fastens the first housing 62 and the second housing 64 while allowing the position of the first housing 62 to be displaced relative to the second housing 64 (for example, by sliding or detaching). When the positional relationship between the first housing 62 and the second housing 64 allows the violet light to be activated, the application execution unit 102 may issue a blinking instruction indicating whether or not to turn on the light, depending on whether or not the violet light can be irradiated to the user. The EC 31 may include one or both of a light source control circuit 35 and a shutter drive circuit 37, and may be configured integrally with them.

[0064] As described above, the electronic device 1 according to this embodiment includes the light source 36 capable of emitting violet light, a controller (e.g., EC 31) that controls the emission of the violet light, and the host system 10. The host system 10 includes an application execution unit 102 that controls processing based on an application program, and a device object unit 104 that causes the controller to control the emission of light in response to a blinking instruction from the application execution unit 102 based on firmware. With this configuration, the device object unit 104 can cause the controller to control the illumination of the violet light based on a blinking instruction issued by the application execution unit 102 based on the firmware. Defining the illumination control of the violet light as part of the system firmware avoids the need to design and develop an interface related to the illumination control, which may differ depending on the hardware requirements. This reduces development costs. Furthermore, the device object unit 104 enables the design and development of an application that is independent of the platform that includes the host system 10 and the EC 31. This ensures the versatility of the application related to the illumination control of the violet light.

[0065] The controller may manage the light emission state of the violet light, and the device object unit 104 may notify the application execution unit 102 of the light emission state in response to a light emission state inquiry from the application execution unit 102. This configuration allows the device object unit 104 to notify the application execution unit 102 of the lighting state of the violet light, which is managed in the controller based on firmware, in response to a lighting state inquiry, thereby avoiding the need to design and develop an interface for lighting state inquiries, which may differ depending on the hardware requirements.

[0066] The electronic device 1 may be provided with a shutter 38 capable of blocking the light source 36, the controller may manage the blocking state of the light source 36, and the device object unit 104 may notify the application execution unit 102 of the blocking state in response to a blocking state inquiry from the application execution unit 102. With this configuration, the device object unit 104 can notify the application execution unit 102 of the shading state of the light source 36, which is managed in the controller based on firmware, in response to a shading state inquiry. This avoids the need to design and develop an interface related to the shading state inquiry, which may differ depending on hardware requirements.

[0067] The controller may control the emission of light source 36 based on the occlusion state. With this configuration, the shading state of the light source 36 is referenced when emitting light from the light source 36. Therefore, unnecessary emission of light when the light source is shading is avoided. In addition, the light emission state of the light source 36 controlled by the controller is notified to the application execution unit 102.

[0068] The application execution unit 102 may output a blinking instruction to the device object unit 104 when detecting a predetermined key operation (for example, a hotkey operation). With this configuration, a blinking instruction is issued when a predetermined key operation is detected, and the light source 36 turns on or off based on the issued blinking instruction, thereby realizing blinking control of the violet light in response to key operation.

[0069] When the application execution unit 102 detects that the device itself has not been used for a predetermined period of time or more, the application execution unit 102 may output a blinking instruction to the device object unit 104 to turn off the violet light. With this configuration, when it is detected that the electronic device 1 is not being used for a predetermined period of time or more, the violet light that has been emitting light is turned off. By turning off the light, unnecessary light emission when the electronic device 1 is not being used is prevented.

[0070] The device includes a first housing 62, a second housing 64, an engagement mechanism (e.g., connectors 68a, 68) that engages one of the first housing 62 and the second housing 64 so that one can rotate relative to the other, and a sensor (e.g., magnetic sensor 52) that detects the positional relationship between the first housing 62 and the second housing 64, and the controller may determine the open / closed state of the first housing 62 and the second housing 64 based on the detected positional relationship and control the light emission of the light source 36 based on the open / closed state. With this configuration, the open / closed state of the first housing 62 and the second housing 64 is detected based on the positional relationship between the first housing 62 and the second housing 64 detected by the sensor, and the light emission of the light source 36 is controlled based on the detected open / closed state. Therefore, by turning off the light source 36 when the first housing 62 and the second housing 64 are closed, unnecessary light emission when the electronic device 1 is not in use is avoided.

[0071] 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-described embodiments, and designs within the scope of the gist of the present invention are also included. The configurations described in the above-described embodiments can be combined as long as no contradiction occurs, and some of the configurations may be omitted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1...electronic device, 10...host system, 11...CPU, 12...main memory, 13...video subsystem, 14...display, 21...chipset, 22...BIOS memory, 23...auxiliary storage device, 24...camera, 25...audio system, 26...input / output I / F, 27...communication module, 31...EC, 32...input device, 32k...keyboard, 32t...touchpad, 33...power supply circuit, 35...light source control circuit, 36...light source, 37...shutter drive circuit, 38...shutter, 52...magnetic sensor, 54...permanent magnet, 62...first housing, 64...second housing, 68a, 68b...connector

Claims

1. a light source capable of emitting violet light, a controller that controls the emission of the violet light, a host system, and a shutter that can block the light source; The host system an application execution unit that controls processing based on an application program; a device object unit that causes the controller to control the light emission in response to a blinking instruction from the application execution unit based on firmware; Equipped with The controller Managing the shielding state of the light source; The device object unit In response to a shielding state inquiry from the application execution unit, the application execution unit is notified of the shielding state. electronic equipment.

2. The controller Manage the light emission state of the violet light; The device object unit In response to a lighting state inquiry from the application execution unit, the lighting state is notified to the application execution unit. The electronic device according to claim 1 .

3. The controller Controlling the light emission of the light source based on the shielding state The electronic device according to claim 1 .

4. The application execution unit When a predetermined key operation is detected, the blinking instruction is output to the device object unit. The electronic device according to claim 1 .

5. The application execution unit When the device detects that it has not been used for a predetermined period of time or more, it outputs a blinking instruction to the device object unit to turn off the violet light. The electronic device according to claim 1 .

6. a light source capable of emitting violet light, a controller that controls the emission of the violet light, and a host system; a first housing, a second housing, an engagement mechanism that engages one of the first housing and the second housing so that the other can rotate relative to the other, and a sensor that detects a positional relationship between the first housing and the second housing; The host system an application execution unit that controls processing based on an application program; a device object unit that causes the controller to control the light emission in response to a blinking instruction from the application execution unit based on firmware; Equipped with The controller determining an open / closed state of the first housing and the second housing based on the positional relationship; Controlling the light emission of the light source based on the open / closed state electronic equipment.

7. A method for controlling an electronic device including a light source capable of emitting violet light, a controller that controls the emission of the violet light, a host system, and a shutter that can block the light source, The host system an application execution step for controlling processing based on an application program; executes a device object step of causing the controller to control the light emission in response to a blinking instruction issued by processing based on the application program, based on firmware; The controller Managing the shielding state of the light source; The host system In the device object step, In response to a shading state inquiry by the application execution step, the shading state is notified to the application execution step. Control method.

8. a light source capable of emitting violet light, a controller that controls the emission of the violet light, and a host system; A control method for an electronic device comprising: a first housing, a second housing, an engagement mechanism that engages one of the first housing and the second housing so that the other can rotate relative to the other; and a sensor that detects a positional relationship between the first housing and the second housing, The host system Controlling processing based on application programs; causing the controller to control the light emission in response to a blinking instruction issued by processing based on the application program, based on firmware; The controller determining an open / closed state of the first housing and the second housing based on the positional relationship; Controlling the light emission of the light source based on the open / closed state Control method.

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