Information processing device and control method

Abstract

To improve convenience when connecting to an external display. [Solution] The information processing device comprises a memory for temporarily storing system programs, a processor for executing system processing based on the programs stored in the memory, and a connection unit for connecting to an external display, and the processor performs a connection determination process for determining whether the external display is connected to the connection unit, and a stop control process for stopping at least part of the system processing when the power to the external display is turned off while the external display is connected to the connection unit.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A notebook PC (Personal Computer) may be used by connecting it to an external display (see, for example, Patent Document 1). For example, in recent years, the free address system, where people do not have a fixed desk in the office but work at a desk of their choice, has become more common, and with this type of work style, there are more opportunities to connect and use one's notebook PC to an external display installed at a desk of one's choice. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-050873 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As mentioned above, when using a laptop with an external display connected, turning off the power requires turning off both the laptop and the external display separately, which can be cumbersome. For example, even if you use a powered extension cord that can centralize the power and turn off the main power, the laptop has a built-in battery, so turning off the main power does not turn off the laptop. Also, while it is convenient for users to turn off the laptop when turning off the external display, it is preferable for the laptop not to be turned off when the external display is unplugged when moving to another desk to continue working. However, when the external display is no longer detected, the laptop cannot determine whether the external display was physically unplugged or whether the power was turned off while the external display was still connected.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and one of its objects is to provide an information processing device and a control method that improve convenience when used in connection with an external display. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an information processing device according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a memory for temporarily storing a system program, a processor for executing processing of the system based on the program stored in the memory, and a connection unit for connecting to an external display, wherein the processor performs a connection determination process for determining whether the external display is connected to the connection unit, and a stop control process for stopping at least a part of the processing of the system when the power of the external display is turned off while the external display is connected to the connection unit.

[0007] In the above information processing device, when the external display is unplugged from the connection unit and becomes disconnected, regardless of the power state of the external display, the processor may not perform the stop control process and may continue processing of the system.

[0008] In the above-mentioned information processing device, the processor may detect the presence or absence of a person within a specified detection range, and perform a person detection process that stops the startup of the system or at least part of the processing of the system based on the detection result, and if the power of the external display is turned off while the external display is connected to the connection part, the person detection process may be disabled by the stop control process.

[0009] In the above information processing device, the processors include a first processor that executes the system processing, a second processor that controls the display on the external display connected to the connection unit, and a third processor that executes the connection determination processing and the stop control processing, and when the external display is no longer detected due to the system processing executed by the first processor, the third processor switches the connection of the connection unit from the second processor to the third processor, determines whether the external display is connected to the connection unit based on whether a specific address can be read from the external display, and when it is determined that the external display is connected to the connection unit, determines that the power of the external display has been turned off while the external display is connected to the connection unit.

[0010] Furthermore, according to a second aspect of the present invention, a control method for an information processing device having a memory for temporarily storing a system program, a processor for executing processing of the system based on the program stored in the memory, and a connection unit for connecting to an external display includes a step in which the processor determines whether the external display is connected to the connection unit, and a step in which, when the power of the external display is turned off while the external display is connected to the connection unit, the processor stops at least a part of the processing of the system. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the above aspect of the present invention, it is possible to improve the convenience when connecting to an external display for use. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the external configuration of a notebook PC according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a detection range of a person of a notebook PC according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an overview of HPD processing of the notebook PC according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a usage form in which a notebook PC according to an embodiment is connected to an external display. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a notebook PC according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of a configuration in which a notebook PC according to an embodiment determines whether or not a connection to an external display 500 is established. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a notebook PC according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a power-off process according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [overview] First, an overview of the information processing device according to this embodiment will be described. The information processing device according to this embodiment is, for example, a notebook (clamshell) PC (Personal Computer). The following description will be given taking a notebook PC as an example of the information processing device according to this embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the external configuration of a notebook PC according to this embodiment. The notebook PC 1 is an example of a notebook PC according to this embodiment, and includes a first housing 10, a second housing 20, and a hinge mechanism 15. The first housing 10 and the second housing 20 are connected using the hinge mechanism 15. The first housing 10 is rotatable relative to the second housing 20 around a rotation axis defined by the hinge mechanism 15. The opening angle resulting from the rotation of the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 is shown as "θ".

[0015] The first housing 10 is also referred to as the A cover or display housing. The second housing 20 is also referred to as the C cover or system housing. In the following description, the sides of the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 that are provided with the hinge mechanism 15 are referred to as side 10c and 20c, respectively. The sides of the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 opposite side 10c and 20c are referred to as side 10a and 20a, respectively. In the illustration, the direction from side 20a toward side 20c is referred to as the "rear," and the direction from side 20c toward side 20a is referred to as the "front." The right and left sides of the rear are referred to as the "right" and "left," respectively. The left sides of the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 are referred to as side 10b and 20b, respectively, and the right sides are referred to as side 10d and 20d, respectively. Furthermore, the state in which the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 overlap and are completely closed (a state in which the opening angle θ=0°) is referred to as the "closed state." In the closed state, the surfaces of the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 that face each other are referred to as the "inner surfaces," and the surfaces opposite the inner surfaces are referred to as the "outer surfaces." Furthermore, the state in which the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 are open relative to the closed state is referred to as the "open state."

[0016] The external appearance of the notebook PC 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an example of an open state. In the open state, the side surface 10a of the first housing 10 and the side surface 20a of the second housing 20 are separated. In the open state, the inner surfaces of the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 are exposed. The open state is one of the states in which the user uses the notebook PC 1, and it is typically used with an opening angle θ of approximately 100 to 130°. The range of the opening angle θ that results in the open state can be determined arbitrarily depending on the range of angles that can be rotated by the hinge mechanism 15, etc.

[0017] A display unit 110 is provided on the inner surface of the first housing 10. The display unit 110 is configured to include a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic electroluminescence (EL) display, or the like. An imaging unit 120 is provided in a peripheral region of the display unit 110 on the inner surface of the first housing 10. For example, the imaging unit 120 is disposed on the side surface 10a side of the peripheral region of the display unit 110. Note that the position where the imaging unit 120 is disposed is an example, and the imaging unit 120 may be disposed in another location as long as it can face in a direction facing the display screen of the display unit 110.

[0018] In the open state, the imaging unit 120 captures an image of a predetermined imaging range in the direction facing the display screen of the display unit 110 (i.e., in front of the notebook PC 1). The predetermined imaging range is the range of the angle of view determined by the imaging element of the imaging unit 120 and an optical lens provided in front of the imaging surface of the imaging element. For example, the imaging unit 120 can capture an image including a person (user) present in front of (on the front side of) the notebook PC 1.

[0019] A power button 140 is provided on the side surface 20b of the second housing 20. The power button 140 is an operator that allows the user to instruct turning the power on or off, transitioning from a standby state to a normal operating state, transitioning from the normal operating state to a standby state, etc. The normal operating state is an operating state of the system in which processing can be executed without any particular restrictions, and corresponds to, for example, the S0 state defined by ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface).

[0020] The standby state is a state in which at least a part of the system processing is stopped. For example, the standby state is a state in which the system is locked. When the system is locked, a preset image (for example, a lock image) is displayed on the display unit so that the contents of processing cannot be seen. To release the lock, login authentication by the user is required. The standby state may also be a standby state, a sleep state, or the like, or may be a state equivalent to Modern Standby in Windows (registered trademark) or the S3 state (sleep state) defined by ACPI. For example, the standby state is a state in which power consumption is lower than that in the normal operating state.

[0021] Furthermore, a keyboard 151 and a touchpad 153 are provided on the inner surface of the second housing 20 as input devices that accept user operation inputs. Note that, instead of or in addition to the keyboard 151 and the touchpad 153, a touch sensor may be provided as the input device, or a mouse or an external keyboard may be connected. In the case where a touch sensor is provided, an area corresponding to the display screen of the display unit 110 may be configured as a touch panel that accepts operations. The input device may also include a microphone that inputs voice.

[0022] The notebook PC 1 executes a HPD (Human Presence Detection) process to detect a person present in front of the notebook PC 1 based on the captured image captured by the imaging unit 120.

[0023] 2 is a diagram showing an example of a detection range of a person of a notebook PC according to this embodiment. In the example shown, a detection range FoV (Field of View: detection field of view angle) in front of the notebook PC 1 is a range in which a person can be detected.

[0024] The detection range FoV corresponds to the angle of view of the image captured by the laptop PC 1. For example, the laptop PC 1 detects a face area where a face is captured and the angle of the face from the captured image captured by the imaging unit 120. For example, the laptop PC 1 determines that a person is present when a face area is detected from the captured image. Furthermore, the laptop PC 1 determines the orientation of the face based on the angle of the face detected from the captured image.

[0025] The notebook PC 1 controls the operating state of the system of the notebook PC 1 according to the presence or absence of a person through the HPD process. For example, the notebook PC 1 is controlled to a normal operating state when a person is present in front of the notebook PC 1, and is controlled to a standby state when no person is present in front of the notebook PC 1.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an overview of the HPD process of the notebook PC according to this embodiment. The notebook PC 1 detects a person in front of the notebook PC 1 through the HPD process and controls the operating state of the system of the notebook PC 1 based on the presence or absence of the person. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, when the notebook PC 1 detects a change from a state in which no person is present in front of the notebook PC 1 (absence) to a state in which a person is present (presence), i.e., when it detects that a person has approached the notebook PC 1 (approach), the notebook PC 1 automatically starts up the system and transitions to a normal operating state. Also, as shown in FIG. 3B, when the notebook PC 1 detects a state in which a person is present in front of the notebook PC 1 (presence), the notebook PC 1 continues the normal operating state. Also, as shown in FIG. 3C, when the notebook PC 1 detects a change from a state in which a person is present in front of the notebook PC 1 (presence) to a state in which a person is not present (absence), i.e., when it detects that a person has left the notebook PC 1 (leave), the notebook PC 1 transitions the system to the standby state.

[0027] The notebook PC 1 can also be used by connecting it to an external display. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a usage pattern in which the notebook PC according to this embodiment is connected to an external display. For example, in an office with a free address system, a user can take their notebook PC 1 to a seat of their choice and use it by connecting it to an external display 500 and an external keyboard 550 installed at the seat.

[0028] The notebook PC 1 and the external display 500 are connected using a cable 5 that complies with the HDMI (registered trademark) standard, for example. The notebook PC 1 and the external keyboard 550 may be connected using a USB cable or the like, but it is becoming more common for them to be connected via short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0029] In this case, the notebook PC 1 can be used with two display screens, the display unit 110 and the external display 500, with the notebook PC 1 in an open state. However, when multiple display screens are not particularly required, a common usage method is to close the notebook PC 1 as shown in FIG. 4 and operate the external keyboard 550 while viewing the external display 500. By connecting the notebook PC 1 to the external display 500, the user can work efficiently while viewing a display screen that is larger than the display unit 110 of the notebook PC 1. In addition to the external display 500 and the external keyboard 550, a mouse (not shown) may also be connected.

[0030] When the user wants to change seats, he or she can unplug the notebook PC 1 from the cable 5 connected to the external display 500, take it to the next seat to be used, and then reconnect it to the external display 500 and external keyboard 550 installed at the destination seat, allowing the user to use it in the same way.

[0031] On the other hand, when a user finishes using the notebook PC 1, the user wants to turn off the power to both the currently connected external display 500 and the notebook PC 1, but the user has no choice but to turn off the power to the external display 500 and the notebook PC 1 separately, which is inconvenient.

[0032] Therefore, in this embodiment, when the power of the external display 500 is turned off while the external display 500 is connected, the notebook PC 1 is also automatically powered off. On the other hand, regardless of whether the power of the external display 500 is on or off, when the external display 500 is unplugged from the notebook PC 1 and becomes disconnected, the notebook PC 1 does not automatically power off but continues to operate in its current state, since it is expected that the notebook PC 1 will be used in another location. This improves the convenience of using the notebook PC 1 connected to the external display 500.

[0033] Note that the power off of the notebook PC 1 may be in a standby state or in a shut down state.

[0034] The configuration of the notebook PC 1 according to this embodiment will be described in detail below. [Hardware configuration] Fig. 5 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a notebook PC according to this embodiment. In Fig. 5, components corresponding to those in Fig. 1 are assigned the same reference numerals. The notebook PC 1 includes a display unit 110, an imaging unit 120, a display terminal 130, a power button 140, an input device 150, a communication unit 160, a storage unit 170, an EC (Embedded Controller) 200, a face detection unit 210, a main processing unit 300, and a power supply unit 400.

[0035] The display unit 110 (internal display) displays display data (images) generated based on the system processing executed by the main processing unit 300 and the processing of application programs running on the system processing.

[0036] The imaging unit 120 captures an image of an object within a predetermined imaging range (angle of view) in the direction facing the inner surface of the first housing 10 (forward), and outputs the captured image to the main processing unit 300 and the face detection unit 210. For example, the imaging unit 120 includes a visible light camera (RGB camera) that captures images using visible light, and an infrared camera (IR camera) that captures images using infrared light.

[0037] The imaging unit 120 may be configured to include either a visible light camera or an infrared camera, or may be configured to include both.

[0038] The display terminal 130 is a connection terminal for connecting to the external display 500. For example, the display terminal 130 is a connection terminal (HDMI terminal) for connecting to the external display 500 using a cable 5 that complies with the HDMI (registered trademark) standard. Note that the display terminal 130 may also be a connection terminal for connecting to the external display 500 via USB Type-C, a display port, or the like.

[0039] The power button 140 outputs an operation signal to the EC 200 in response to a user operation. The input device 150 is an HPD (input unit) that accepts input from a user, and is configured to include, for example, a keyboard 151 and a touchpad 153. In response to accepting an operation on the keyboard 151 and the touchpad 153, the input device 150 outputs an operation signal indicating the operation content to the EC 200.

[0040] The communication unit 160 is communicably connected to other devices via a wireless or wired communication network, and transmits and receives various types of data. For example, the communication unit 160 is configured to include a wired LAN interface such as Ethernet (registered trademark), a wireless LAN interface such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), a short-range wireless communication interface such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc.

[0041] The storage unit 170 includes storage media such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), etc. The storage unit 170 stores various programs such as an OS, device drivers, and applications, as well as various data acquired by the operation of the programs.

[0042] The power supply unit 400 supplies power to each component of the notebook PC 1 according to the operating state of each component. The power supply unit 400 includes a DC (Direct Current) / DC converter. The DC / DC converter converts the voltage of direct current power supplied from an AC (Alternate Current) / DC adapter or a battery (battery pack) into the voltage required by each component. The power whose voltage has been converted by the DC / DC converter is supplied to each component via each power supply system. For example, the power supply unit 400 supplies power to each component via each power supply system based on a control signal input from the EC 200.

[0043] The EC200 is a microcomputer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), and I / O (Input / Output) logic circuits. The CPU of the EC200 reads a control program (firmware) pre-stored in its own ROM, executes the read control program, and performs its functions. The EC200 operates independently of the main processing unit 300, controls the operation of the main processing unit 300, and manages its operating state. The EC200 is also connected to the power button 140, the input device 150, the power supply unit 400, and the like.

[0044] For example, the EC 200 communicates with the power supply unit 400 to acquire information on the battery status (such as remaining capacity) from the power supply unit 400, and outputs to the power supply unit 400 control signals and the like for controlling the supply of power according to the operating state of each unit of the notebook PC 1. The EC 200 also acquires operation signals from the power button 140 and the input device 150, and outputs to the main processing unit 300 operation signals related to processing by the main processing unit 300 among the acquired operation signals.

[0045] The face detection unit 210 is configured to include a processor that processes image data of the captured image captured by the imaging unit 120. The face detection unit 210 acquires image data of the captured image captured by the imaging unit 120 and temporarily stores the acquired image data in memory. The memory that stores the image data may be the system memory 304 or a memory (not shown) within the face detection unit 210.

[0046] For example, the face detection unit 210 processes image data of a captured image acquired from the imaging unit 120 to perform face detection processing for detecting a face area (area of ​​a face image) and a face angle from the captured image.

[0047] Furthermore, the face detection unit 210 outputs the detection result of the HPD processing based on the detection results of the face area and the angle of the face detected in the face detection processing. For example, the face detection unit 210 outputs the detection result based on the presence or absence of a person and the direction of the face to the main processing unit 300.

[0048] The main processing unit 300 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 301, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) 302, a chipset 303, and a system memory 304, and is capable of executing processing of various application programs on an OS (Operating System) through system processing based on the OS.

[0049] The CPU 301 is a processor that executes processes based on BIOS programs, processes based on OS programs, and processes based on application programs that run on the OS. For example, the CPU 301 executes a startup process that starts the system from a standby state and transitions it to a normal operating state, and a sleep process that transitions it from the normal operating state to a standby state. The CPU 301 also executes a screen brightness reduction process that reduces the screen brightness of the display unit 110 (internal display) based on the results of the face detection process by the face detection unit 210 described above.

[0050] The GPU 302 is connected to the display unit 110 (internal display). The GPU 302 executes image processing under the control of the CPU 301 to generate display data. The GPU 302 outputs the generated display data to the display unit 110 (internal display). Furthermore, when an external display 500 (external display) is connected, the GPU 302 outputs the generated display data to the external display 500 via the display terminal 130.

[0051] The chipset 303 has a function as a memory controller and a function as an I / O controller. For example, the chipset 303 controls the reading and writing of data from the system memory 304, the storage unit 170, etc. by the CPU 301 and the GPU 302. The chipset 303 also controls the input and output of data from the communication unit 160, the display unit 110 (internal display), and the EC 200. The chipset 303 also has a function as a sensor hub. For example, the chipset 303 acquires detection results from the face detection process obtained from the face detection unit 210 and outputs the results to the CPU 301.

[0052] The system memory 304 is used as a reading area for programs executed by the CPU 301 and a working area for writing processing data, etc. The system memory 304 also temporarily stores image data of images captured by the imaging unit 120.

[0053] The CPU 301, GPU 302, and chipset 303 may be configured as a single integrated processor, or some or each may be configured as individual processors. For example, in a normal operating state, the CPU 301, GPU 302, and chipset 303 are all in operation, but in a standby state, only at least a part of the chipset 303 is in operation.

[0054] As described above, the notebook PC 1 controls whether to turn off the power of the notebook PC 1 differently depending on whether the external display 500 is powered off while the external display 500 is connected, or whether the external display 500 is disconnected from the notebook PC 1 and is no longer connected. Therefore, when the external display 500 is no longer detected, the notebook PC 1 is configured to determine whether the external display 500 has been physically disconnected or whether the external display 500 was powered off while connected.

[0055] Specifically, when the external display 500 is no longer detected, the notebook PC 1 performs a connection determination as to whether or not the notebook PC 1 is physically connected to the external display 500, and if the notebook PC 1 is connected to the external display 500, the notebook PC 1 determines that the power of the external display 500 has been turned off.

[0056] 6 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of a configuration in which the notebook PC 1 according to this embodiment determines whether or not the notebook PC 1 is connected to an external display 500. In this Fig. 6, components corresponding to those in Figs. 1 and 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0057] The notebook PC 1 is physically connected to the external display 500 when one end of the cable 5 is connected to the external display 500 and the other end is connected to the display terminal 130 of the notebook PC 1. The external display 500 includes a display processing unit 510 including a CPU and ROM, and outputs EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) as information relating to the specifications of the external display 500 when connected to the notebook PC 1, for example.

[0058] The notebook PC 1 is equipped with a multiplexer 305 (MUX), and the display terminal 130 is connected to the multiplexer 305. In a normal state where an image is displayed on the external display 500, the multiplexer 305 connects the display terminal 130 to the GPU 302, and switches the connection between the display terminal 130 and the EC 200 only when determining whether or not the external display 500 is connected.

[0059] For example, when the display settings in the OS change (display configuration change) and the external display 500 that was previously detected is no longer detected, the EC200 controls the multiplexer 305 to switch the connection in the multiplexer 305 from the connection between the display terminal 130 and the GPU 302 to the connection between the display terminal 130 and the EC200.

[0060] When the display terminal 130 and the EC 200 are connected in the multiplexer 305, the EC 200 reads a specific address of the ROM in the display processing unit 510 via the display terminal 130. The specific address is an address that can be read even if the external display 500 is powered off as long as it is physically connected. For example, in the HDMI (registered trademark) standard, the address 0x50 can be used as the specific address.

[0061] [Function Configuration] Next, a detailed description will be given of the functional configuration of the notebook PC 1 that turns off the power of the notebook PC 1 when the power of the external display 500 is turned off while the external display 500 is connected.

[0062] 7 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a notebook PC according to this embodiment. The notebook PC 1 includes an HPD processing unit 211, a power-off processing unit 220, and a system processing unit 310.

[0063] The HPD processing unit 211 is a functional component that causes the face detection unit 210 to execute HPD processing. The HPD processing unit 211 performs detection of a face area (area of ​​a face image) from a captured image acquired from the imaging unit 120. Any detection method can be applied as a face detection method, such as a face detection algorithm that detects a face based on facial feature information, or face detection using learning data (trained model) or a face detection library that has been machine-learned based on the facial feature information. The HPD processing unit 211 may also extract the positions of landmarks such as the left eye, right eye, nose, mouth, and chin, and further detect the orientation (angle) of the face from the extracted positional relationship.

[0064] For example, the HPD processing unit 211 detects the presence or absence of a person by detecting a face area (face image area) from the captured image. For example, the HPD processing unit 211 outputs the detection result of the presence or absence of a person to the system processing unit 310. Specifically, for example, if a face area is detected from the captured image, the HPD processing unit 211 determines that a person is present, and outputs presence information indicating the presence of a person. Furthermore, if a face area is not detected from the captured image, the HPD processing unit 211 outputs absence information indicating the absence of a person.

[0065] The system processing unit 310 is a functional configuration realized by executing a system program by the CPU 301. For example, the system processing unit 310 controls the operating state of the system, such as starting up the system, transitioning to a standby state, and shutting down the system.

[0066] As an example, the system processing unit 310 controls the operating state of the system based on the detection result of the presence or absence of a person by the HPD processing unit 211. Specifically, for example, when the system processing unit 310 acquires presence information from the HPD processing unit 211 in the standby state, it detects that a person has approached (Approach) and starts up the system. Also, when the system processing unit 310 acquires absence information from the HPD processing unit 211 in the normal operating state, it detects that a person has left (Leave) and transitions the system to the standby state.

[0067] The power-off processing unit 220 is a functional configuration that performs processing to turn off the power of the notebook PC 1 when the power of the external display 500 is turned off while the external display 500 is connected, by the EC 200 executing a specific program. For example, the power-off processing unit 220 includes a display setting confirmation unit 221, an external display connection determination unit 222, and a stop control unit 223.

[0068] The display settings confirmation unit 221 checks the displays detected by the OS by monitoring the display settings of the OS. For example, the display settings confirmation unit 221 acquires information about the OS display settings from the system processing unit 310, and when the display settings change (display configuration change), it checks whether the external display 500 is detected. When the external display 500 that was detected up until that point is no longer detected, the display settings confirmation unit 221 notifies the external display connection determination unit 222 that the external display 500 is no longer detected.

[0069] The external display connection determination unit 222 performs a connection determination process to determine whether or not the external display 500 is connected to the display terminal 130. For example, when the external display connection determination unit 222 notifies the external display connection determination unit 222 that the external display 500 is no longer detected (i.e., when the external display 500 is no longer detected by the OS), the external display connection determination unit 222 switches the connection from the display terminal 130 from the GPU 102 to the EC 200, and reads a specific address (e.g., 0x50) from the external display 500 via the display terminal 130.

[0070] Then, if the external display connection determination unit 222 is able to read a specific address (for example, 0x50) from the external display 500, it determines that the external display 500 is connected to the display terminal 130. In other words, the external display connection determination unit 222 determines that the reason the external display 500 is no longer detected by the OS is because the power to the external display 500 was turned off while the external display 500 was connected to the display terminal 130.

[0071] On the other hand, if the external display connection determination unit 222 is unable to read the specific address (for example, 0x50) from the external display 500, it determines that the external display 500 is not connected to the display terminal 130. In other words, the external display connection determination unit 222 determines that the reason the external display 500 is no longer detected by the OS is because the external display 500 has been unplugged from the display terminal 130 and is no longer connected.

[0072] When the external display connection determination unit 222 determines that the external display 500 is connected to the display terminal 130, the stop control unit 223 performs a stop control process to turn off the power of the notebook PC 1. Specifically, when the external display connection determination unit 222 determines that the external display 500 is connected to the display terminal 130, the stop control unit 223 instructs the system processing unit 310 to transition the system to a standby state or to shut down the system.

[0073] That is, the stop control unit 223 stops at least a part of the system processing when the power of the external display 500 is turned off while the external display 500 is connected to the display terminal 130. As a result, the system processing unit 310 transitions the system to a standby state or shuts down the system.

[0074] Furthermore, the stop control unit 223 may disable the HPD process when the external display connection determination unit 222 determines that the external display 500 is connected to the display terminal 130. This prevents the notebook PC 1 from starting up against the user's intention when it detects the presence of a person, even though the system has been transitioned to a standby state.

[0075] [Power off processing] Next, with reference to FIG. 8, the operation of the power-off process for turning off the power of the notebook PC 1 when the power of the external display 500 is turned off while the external display 500 is connected will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the power-off process according to this embodiment.

[0076] (Step S101) The power-off processing unit 220 acquires information about the OS display settings from the system processing unit 310, and when the display settings change (display configuration change), determines whether the external display 500 is no longer detected. When the power-off processing unit 220 determines that the external display 500 is still being detected (NO), it performs the processing of step S101 again. On the other hand, when the power-off processing unit 220 determines that the external display 500 is no longer detected (YES), it proceeds to the processing of step S103, and checks whether the external display 500 is physically connected in the processing of steps S103 to S107.

[0077] (Step S103) The power-off processing unit 220 switches the connection from the display terminal 130 from the GPU 102 to the EC 200. Then, the process proceeds to step S105.

[0078] (Step S105) The power-off processing unit 220 reads a specific address (for example, 0x50) from the external display 500 via the display terminal 130. Then, the process proceeds to step S107.

[0079] (Step S107) The power-off processing unit 220 determines whether or not there is a response to reading the specific address (e.g., 0x50) in step S105. If the power-off processing unit 220 can read the specific address (e.g., 0x50) (YES: response received), it determines that the external display 500 is connected to the display terminal 130, and proceeds to the processing of step S109. On the other hand, if the power-off processing unit 220 cannot read the specific address (e.g., 0x50) (NO: no response), it does not turn off the power of the notebook PC 1 and ends the processing.

[0080] (Step S109) Power-off processing unit 220 determines that the power of external display 500 has been turned off while external display 500 is connected to display terminal 130, and disables HPD processing. Then, the process proceeds to step S111.

[0081] (Step S111) The power-off processing unit 220 turns off the power of the notebook PC 1. For example, when turning off the power of the notebook PC 1, the power-off processing unit 220 stops at least a part of the system processing. Specifically, the power-off processing unit 220 turns off the power of the notebook PC 1 by issuing an instruction to the system processing unit 310 to transition the system to a standby state or to shut down the system.

[0082] [Summary of the embodiment] As described above, the notebook PC 1 according to this embodiment includes a system memory 304 (an example of a memory) that temporarily stores a system program, a processor that executes system processing based on the program stored in the system memory 304, and a display terminal 130 (an example of a connection unit) that connects to the external display 500. The processor included in the notebook PC 1 performs a connection determination process that determines whether or not the external display 500 is connected to the display terminal 130, and a stop control process that stops at least a part of the system processing when the power of the external display 500 is turned off while the external display 500 is connected to the display terminal 130.

[0083] Here, examples of the processor included in the notebook PC 1 include a CPU 301, a GPU 302, a chipset 303, and an EC 200. The stop control process in which the notebook PC 1 stops at least a part of the system processing may be a process of transitioning the system to a standby state or a process of shutting down the system.

[0084] This allows the notebook PC 1 to automatically turn off the power (transition the system to standby mode or shut down) if the power to the external display 500 is turned off while the external display 500 is connected, thereby improving convenience when connected to and used with the external display 500.

[0085] Furthermore, regardless of the power state of the external display 500, when the external display 500 is unplugged from the display terminal 130 and becomes disconnected, the processor provided in the notebook PC 1 does not perform the above stop control process and allows the system processing to continue.

[0086] As a result, the notebook PC 1 does not turn off the power when the external display 500 is unplugged from the display terminal 130, which is convenient when the user moves to another seat and uses the notebook PC 1.

[0087] The notebook PC 1 also performs HPD processing (human detection processing) to detect the presence or absence of a person in the detection range FoV (an example of a predetermined detection range) and stop system startup or at least part of system processing based on the detection result. If the external display 500 is connected to the display terminal 130 and the power to the external display 500 is turned off, the processor included in the notebook PC 1 disables the HPD processing by the stop control processing.

[0088] As a result, if the external display 500 is powered off while the external display 500 is connected, the notebook PC 1 can automatically power off and disable HPD processing, thereby preventing the notebook PC 1 from being started up unintentionally by the user after the power is turned off.

[0089] For example, the processors included in the notebook PC 1 include a CPU 301 (an example of a first processor) that executes system processing, a GPU 302 (an example of a second processor) that controls display on the external display 500 connected to the display terminal 130, and an EC 200 (an example of a third processor) that executes the connection determination process and the stop control process (for example, the power-off process shown in FIG. 8). When the external display 500 is no longer detected due to system (OS) processing executed by the CPU 301, the EC 200 switches the connection of the display terminal 130 from the GPU 302 to the EC 200, and determines whether the external display 500 is connected to the display terminal 130 based on whether a specific address (for example, 0x50) can be read from the external display 500. When the EC 200 determines that the external display 500 is connected to the display terminal 130, it determines that the power to the external display 500 has been turned off while the external display 500 is connected to the display terminal 130.

[0090] This allows the notebook PC 1 to determine, when the external display 500 is no longer detected, whether the external display 500 has been physically disconnected or whether the power has been turned off while the external display 500 is still connected.

[0091] In addition, the control method in the notebook PC 1 (an example of an information processing device) according to this embodiment includes a step of determining whether the external display 500 is connected to the display terminal 130, and a step of stopping at least a part of the system processing when the power of the external display 500 is turned off while the external display 500 is connected to the display terminal 130.

[0092] As a result, the control method in the notebook PC 1 can automatically turn off the power (transition the system to standby state or shut down) if the power to the external display 500 is turned off while the external display 500 is connected, thereby improving convenience when connecting and using the external display 500.

[0093] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configurations are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the present invention also includes designs that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention. For example, the configurations described in the above-described embodiments can be combined in any manner.

[0094] For example, the function of the power-off processing unit 220 may be performed by the chipset 303 instead of the EC 200, or may be included in the GPU .

[0095] In the above embodiment, an example of HPD processing is shown in which a person in front of the notebook PC 1 is detected based on an image captured by the imaging unit 120. However, a ToF (Time of Flight) sensor may be used instead of the imaging unit 120 to detect a person in front of the notebook PC 1. Also, an ultrasonic sensor may be used to detect a person in front of the notebook PC 1. For example, a speaker and a microphone (not shown) provided in the notebook PC 1 may be used as the ultrasonic sensor.

[0096] Furthermore, the CPU 301 and the chipset 303 may be configured as separate processors, or may be integrated into a single processor. Furthermore, the CPU 301 and the GPU 302 may be configured as separate processors, or may be integrated into a single processor. Furthermore, each unit included in the main processing unit 300 may be configured as a single chip as an SoC (System on a Chip).

[0097] In addition, in the above embodiment, an example has been shown in which the face detection unit 210 is provided separately from the CPU 301 and the chipset 303, but part or all of the face detection unit 210 may be provided in the chipset 303, or may be provided in a processor integrated with the CPU 301 or the chipset 303. For example, the CPU 301, the chipset 303, and the face detection unit 210 may each be configured as separate processors, or may be integrated into a single processor. Also, part or all of the face detection unit 210 may be provided in the EC 200.

[0098] The above-mentioned standby state may also include a hibernation state, which corresponds to, for example, the S4 state defined by ACPI.

[0099] The above-described notebook PC 1 includes an internal computer system. A program for implementing the functions of each component of the notebook PC 1 may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program may be loaded into a computer system and executed to perform processing in each component of the notebook PC 1. Here, "loading a program recorded on a recording medium into a computer system and executing it" includes installing the program into a computer system. The term "computer system" here includes hardware such as an operating system and peripheral devices. The term "computer system" may also include multiple computer devices connected via a network, including the Internet, a WAN, a LAN, a dedicated line, or other communication lines. The term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, or a CD-ROM, as well as storage devices such as a hard disk built into a computer system. The recording medium storing the program may also be a non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

[0100] The recording medium also includes internal or external recording media accessible from a distribution server for distributing the program. The program may be divided into multiple parts, downloaded at different times, and then combined into various components of the notebook PC 1, or each divided program may be distributed by a different distribution server. Furthermore, the term "computer-readable recording medium" also includes a medium that stores a program for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory (RAM) within a computer system that serves as a server or client when a program is transmitted over a network. The program may also be a medium that realizes part of the above-described functions. Furthermore, the program may be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can realize the above-described functions in combination with a program already stored in the computer system.

[0101] Furthermore, some or all of the functions of the notebook PC 1 in the above-described embodiment may be realized as an integrated circuit such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration). Each function may be individually implemented as a processor, or some or all of the functions may be integrated into a processor. The integrated circuit method is not limited to LSI, and may be realized by a dedicated circuit or a general-purpose processor. Furthermore, if an integrated circuit technology that can replace LSI emerges due to advances in semiconductor technology, an integrated circuit based on that technology may be used.

[0102] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the notebook PC 1 has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to notebook PCs, and can also be applied to, for example, tablet PCs. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] 1 Notebook PC, 5 Cable, 10 First housing, 20 Second housing, 15 Hinge mechanism, 110 Display unit (internal display), 120 Imaging unit, 130 Display terminal, 140 Power button, 150 Input device, 151 Keyboard, 153 Touchpad, 160 Communication unit, 170 Memory unit, 200 EC, 210 Face detection unit, 211 HPD processing unit, 220 Power off processing unit, 221 Display setting confirmation unit, 222 External display connection determination unit, 223 Stop control unit, 300 Main processing unit, 301 CPU, 302 GPU, 303 Chipset, 304 System memory, 310 System processing unit, 400 Power supply unit, 500 External display, 510 Display processing unit, 550 External keyboard

Claims

1. a memory for temporarily storing system programs; a processor that executes processing of the system based on a program stored in the memory; a connector for connecting to an external display; Equipped with The processor: a connection determination process for determining whether or not the external display is connected to the connection unit based on whether or not a specific address can be read from the external display when the external display is no longer detected by the processing of the system; a stop control process for determining that the power supply of the external display has been turned off while the external display is connected to the connection unit, and for stopping at least a part of the processing of the system, when it is determined that the external display is connected to the connection unit; An information processing device that performs the above.

2. The processor: When the external display is disconnected from the connection unit regardless of the power supply state of the external display, the stop control process is not performed and the system continues processing. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. The processor: performing a person detection process for detecting whether or not a person is present within a predetermined detection range, and activating the system or terminating at least a part of the processing of the system based on the detection result; When the power supply of the external display is turned off while the external display is connected to the connection unit, the person detection process is disabled by the stop control process. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

4. The processor: a first processor that executes processing of the system; a second processor that controls display on the external display connected to the connection unit; a third processor that executes the connection determination process and the stop control process; Including, The third processor When the external display is no longer detected by the processing of the system executed by the first processor, the connection of the connection unit is switched from the second processor to the third processor; determining whether the external display is connected to the connection unit based on whether a specific address can be read from the external display; If it is determined that the external display is connected to the connection unit, it is determined that the power supply of the external display has been turned off while the external display is connected to the connection unit. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

5. A control method for an information processing device including a memory that temporarily stores a system program, a processor that executes processing of the system based on the program stored in the memory, and a connection unit that connects to an external display, comprising: the processor: When the external display is no longer detected by the processing of the system, determining whether the external display is connected to the connection unit based on whether a specific address can be read from the external display; when it is determined that the external display is connected to the connection unit, determining that the power supply of the external display has been turned off while the external display is connected to the connection unit, and stopping at least a part of the processing of the system; A control method comprising:

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