System for controlling display panel

Abstract

The present disclosure is a system comprising: a plurality of sensors which detect the state of a user of a display panel; an information collection unit which collects sensor information that has been obtained by the plurality of sensors and providing the sensor information to a control device; and the control device, which controls the output intensity of the display panel on the basis of the sensor information that has been obtained by the plurality of sensors.

Description

Display panel control system

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a system for reducing the power consumption of a display panel.

[0002] Various devices, such as communication terminals, computers, and televisions, are equipped with various display panels suited to their applications. As such, there are a wide variety of display panels available on the market. Most display panels use a backlight to display information. The power consumed by this backlight has a significant impact on the power-saving performance of the device. Therefore, methods for reducing the power consumption of display panels have been proposed (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1).

[0003] In Non-Patent Document 1, the line of sight of a display panel is detected and only the area of ​​the display panel that is determined by the line of sight is displayed. In this way, Non-Patent Document 1 prevents power consumption outside the display area of ​​the display panel and reduces the power consumption of the display panel.

[0004] V. G. Moshnyaga and E. Morikawa, “LCD display energy reduction by user monitoring,” 2005 International Conference on Computer Design, San. Jose, CA, USA, 2005, pp. 94-97.

[0005] However, in Non-Patent Document 1, the gaze analysis takes time, which causes a problem of a large time lag between the user's state and the display on the display panel. On the other hand, if an attempt is made to shorten the gaze analysis time, an error occurs in the gaze analysis result, and the display on the display panel does not match the user's state. If the display on the display panel does not match the user's state, what the user wants to see will not be displayed on the display panel. For this reason, controlling the display panel based on the user's gaze may cause a burden on the user.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to reduce the power consumption of a display panel without imposing a burden on the user.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the system of the present disclosure comprises a plurality of sensors that detect the state of a user of a display panel, an information collection unit that collects the sensor information obtained by the plurality of sensors and provides it to the control device, and a control device that controls the display panel based on the sensor information obtained by the plurality of sensors.

[0008] The output intensity of the display panel is controlled in accordance with, for example, the behavioral pattern of the user of the display panel predicted based on the sensor information, thereby reducing the power consumption of the display panel without causing a burden to the user.

[0009] The sensor information may include at least any of the following: (i) sound information obtained by detecting sounds around a user of the display panel; (ii) light information obtained by detecting light around a user of the display panel; (iii) pressure information obtained by detecting pressure on an object used by the user of the display panel; (iv) screen information on a computer connected to the display panel; and (v) application information running on the computer connected to the display panel. In this case, the control device determines the output intensity of the display panel using parameters defined for each of the sound information, light information, pressure information, screen information, and application information.

[0010] The above disclosures can be combined as much as possible.

[0011] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of a display panel without causing a burden to the user.

[0012] 1 shows an example of a system configuration of the present disclosure. 2 shows an example of an embodiment of the present disclosure. 3 shows an example of the operation of the system when sound is generated. 4 shows an example of a setting table. 5 shows an example of the operation of a control device. 6 shows an example of an example of determining a user's behavior pattern. 7 shows an example of an embodiment of the present disclosure. 8 shows an example of control of a display panel based on a user's line of sight. 9 shows an example of control of a display panel based on sound information. 10 shows an example of control of a display panel based on light information. 11 shows an example of control of a display panel based on pressure information. 12 shows an example of control of a display panel based on pressure information and screen information. 13 shows an example of control of a display panel based on screen information and application information.

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments shown below. These implementation examples are merely illustrative, and the present disclosure can be implemented in various forms with various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. Note that components with the same reference numerals in this specification and drawings indicate the same components.

[0014] 1 shows an example of a system configuration according to the present disclosure. The system according to the present disclosure includes a display panel 91, a control device 92 for the display panel 91, a group of sensors 95, and an information collection unit 94 for the group of sensors 95.

[0015] The display panel 91 is a display device that displays a screen by emitting light from a light source such as a backlight. The sensor group 95 is a plurality of sensors that detect the state of a user of the display panel 91. The user of the display panel 91 can be one or more people who are present within a predetermined range from the display panel 91.

[0016] The information collection unit 94 is a device that collects sensor information obtained by the sensor group 95 and provides the information to the control device 92. The information collection unit 94 can use a wireless access point that can communicate with the sensor group 95 wirelessly.

[0017] The control device 92 is a device that acquires sensor information from the information collection unit 94 and controls the output intensity of the display panel 91 based on the sensor information. The control device 92 may be provided in the display panel 91 or in a communication device that can wirelessly communicate with the sensor group 95.

[0018] The system of the present disclosure includes a sensor group 95, which allows for more multifaceted detection of the state of the user of the display panel 91. As a result, the system of the present disclosure allows the control device 92 to gradually reduce the output intensity of the display panel 91 in accordance with the behavioral pattern predicted based on the sensor information. As a result, the present disclosure allows for reduction in the power consumption of the display panel 91 without imposing a burden on the user.

[0019] 2 shows an example embodiment of the present disclosure. In the system of this embodiment, a display panel 91 includes a backlight 11 and a liquid crystal panel 12, and a control device 92 includes a display panel control unit 22 and a behavior prediction function unit 23. This embodiment also shows an example in which a sensor group 95 includes a sound detection sensor 51, an external light detection sensor 52, a pressure detection sensor 53, a display screen detection function unit 54, and an application detection function unit 55.

[0020] The sound detection sensor 51 has a function of detecting sounds around the user of the display panel 91 and linking the detected sound information (volume, directivity, frequency) to the information collection unit 94. The external light detection sensor 52 has a function of detecting light around the user of the display panel 91 and linking the detected light information (light direction, light intensity) to the information collection unit 94. The pressure detection sensor 53 has a function of detecting pressure on an object used by the user of the display panel 91 and linking the detected pressure information to the information collection unit 94. Examples of the object used by the user of the display panel 91 include an input device (mouse, keyboard) and a chair of the electronic computer (PC) 33 connected to the display panel 91 as an external medium. The display screen detection function unit 54 has a function of detecting screen information on the electronic computer (PC) 33 connected to the display panel 91 as an external medium and linking the detected screen information to the information collection unit 94. The application detection function unit 55 has the function of detecting information about applications being executed on the electronic computer (PC) 33 connected to the display panel 91 as an external medium of the display panel 91, and linking the detected application information to the information collection unit 94.

[0021] 3 , when sound is generated around the display panel 91, the sound detection sensor 51 detects the generation of an external sound and transmits the detected sound information to the information collection unit 94 (S111). The information collection unit 94 then collects sensor information including the sound information and transmits the information to the behavior prediction function unit 23 (S112). The behavior prediction function unit 23 determines the output intensity of the backlight 11 based on the sensor information transmitted from the information collection unit 94 and notifies the display panel control unit 22 of the determined output intensity (S113). This controls the output intensity of the display panel 91 to an output intensity corresponding to the sound information.

[0022] When the light around the display panel 91 changes, in step S111 shown in Fig. 3, the light detection sensor 52 detects the generation of external light and shares the detected light information with the information collection unit 94. When the pressure on an object used by the user on the display panel 91 changes, in step S111 shown in Fig. 3, the pressure sensor 53 detects a change in pressure from the input device 31 or the chair 32 and shares the detected pressure information with the information collection unit 94. When the screen of the electronic computer 33 changes, in step S111 shown in Fig. 3, the screen detection function unit 54 detects a change in the screen of the electronic computer 33 and shares the detected screen information with the information collection unit 94. When the state of an application on the electronic computer 33 changes, in step S111 shown in Fig. 3, the application detection function unit 55 detects a change in the application on the electronic computer 33 and shares the detected application information with the information collection unit 94.

[0023] The behavior prediction function unit 23 determines the output intensity of the backlight 11 based on all of the sound information, light information, pressure information, screen information, and application information linked from the information collection unit 94. For example, the behavior prediction function unit 23 refers to a setting table that defines parameters Ls, Ll, Lp, Ld, and La for each piece of information, as shown in FIG. 4 , and calculates the output intensity of the backlight 11 using the parameters Ls, Ll, Lp, Ld, and La.

[0024] The output intensity LS of the backlight 11 can be calculated using, for example, the following equation: (Equation 1) LS=Ls×Ll×Lp×Ld×La (1) Here, Ls, Ll, Lp, Ld, and La are the ratios of intensity to the output intensity LS when the output intensity of the backlight 11 is 100%, as follows: Ls: a parameter determined by sound information. Ll: a parameter determined by light information. Lp: a parameter determined by pressure information. Ld: a parameter determined by screen information. La: a parameter determined by application information.

[0025] 5 shows an example of a flow in which the behavior prediction function unit 23 determines the output intensity of the backlight 11 in response to the influence of the external environment. In this embodiment, steps S211, S221, S231, S241, S251, and S261 are executed in this order. When the sound detection sensor 51 detects a specific sound (Yes in S211), Ls is set (S212). When the external light detection sensor 52 detects a specific light (Yes in S221), Ll is set (S222). When the pressure detection sensor 53 detects a specific pressure change (Yes in S231), Lp is set (S232). When the display screen detection function unit 54 detects a specific screen state (Yes in S241), Ld is set (S242). When the application detection function unit 55 detects a specific application state (Yes in S251), La is set (S252).

[0026] In step S261, the behavior prediction function unit 23 uses the parameters set in steps S212, S222, S232, S242, and S252 to calculate the output intensity LS of the backlight 11. The display panel control unit 22 controls the output intensity of the backlight 11 in accordance with the output intensity LS of the behavior prediction function unit 23.

[0027] Here, the behavior prediction function unit 23 may control the output intensity of the backlight 11 according to the behavior pattern of the user predicted from the sensor information. Examples of the behavior pattern include a first pattern in which the user's attention is diverted from the display panel 91, and a second pattern in which the user moves away from in front of the display panel 91. For example, in the case of a sound like a police car siren, the behavior prediction function unit 23 determines it to be the first pattern. In the case of a crying baby or the sound of an alarm, the behavior prediction function unit 23 determines it to be the second pattern.

[0028] In the setting table shown in FIG. 4, two behavioral patterns are set for sound information, pressure information, and screen information. Therefore, in steps S212, S232, and S242, the behavior prediction function unit 23 determines which behavioral pattern is present. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, in step S212, the behavior prediction function unit 23 sets Ls to 80% if the sound information is a first pattern, and sets Ls to 50% if the sound information is a second pattern. The same applies to steps S232 and S242. These are merely examples, including the parameter values, and there may be three or more patterns. Furthermore, in the present disclosure, the output intensity of the display panel 91 may be controlled in stages by assigning weights according to the type of sensor information used for control.

[0029] As described above, the system disclosed herein predicts the behavior of the user of the display panel 91 based on the user information obtained from the sensor information, and controls the output intensity of the backlight 11 based on the prediction. In this embodiment, the power consumption of the display panel 91 is suppressed in accordance with the user's behavior, so that the power consumption of the display panel 91 can be reduced.

[0030] Second Embodiment The system of the present disclosure may control the display on the display panel 91 based on the user's line of sight. For example, as shown in FIG. 7 , the system of this embodiment may include a line of sight detection sensor 93, and the control device 92 may include a line of sight position determination unit 21.

[0031] An example of the operation of the system of this embodiment is shown in Fig. 8. The gaze detection sensor 93 detects the gaze information of the user on the display panel 91, and transmits the detected gaze information to the gaze position determination unit 21 (S201).

[0032] The gaze position determination unit 21 determines the gaze position of the user on the display panel 91 from the gaze information of the gaze detection sensor 93, and determines the display area D according to the gaze information. Ｉ (S202). Ｉ and hidden area D Ｏ is determined. Display area D Ｉ The information is linked to the display panel control unit 22. The display panel control unit 22 receives the information about the display area D from the eye gaze position determination unit 21. Ｉ The backlight 11 is controlled so as to display the image at the output intensity of the backlight 11 received from the behavior prediction function unit 23 (S203).

[0033] The backlight 11 of the display panel 91 is connected to the display area D Ｉ The non-display area D Ｏ At this time, the backlight 11 does not emit light in the display area D linked from the display panel control unit 22 in accordance with the output intensity linked from the display panel control unit 22 (S204). Ｉ As a result, the liquid crystal panel 12 controls the output intensity of the display area D Ｉ is displayed at the output intensity linked from the display panel control unit 22 (S205).

[0034] As described above, in this embodiment, the non-display area D Ｏ Therefore, in this embodiment, in addition to the power saving effect of the first embodiment, it is possible to further reduce the power consumption of the display panel 91.

[0035] Third Embodiment An example of controlling a display panel 91 based on sound information will be described with reference to FIG. 9. Display Area D Ｉ The output intensity of the non-display area D is 100%. ＯThe output intensity of the display panel 91 is 0%, and the user is watching the display panel 91 in a quiet state. At this time, the display area D １ Display area D １ is determined based on the line of sight information obtained by the line of sight detection sensor 93.

[0036] When the sound detection sensor 51 detects the crying of an infant, the sound information is collected by the information collection unit 94 and transmitted to the control device 92. The crying of an infant is set to the second pattern. Therefore, the control device 92 refers to the setting table shown in FIG. 4 and sets Ls to 50%. As a result, the control device 92 sets the display area D １ Reduce the output intensity inside to 50%.

[0037] Note that only the sound detection sensor 51 is shown here as a representative example, and various types of sensor information are collected by the information collection unit 94. Furthermore, although the crying of an infant is used as the second pattern, any type of behavior pattern and any value of the parameter Ls may be used.

[0038] Fourth Embodiment An example of controlling a display panel 91 based on optical information will be described with reference to FIG. 10. Ｉ and hidden area D Ｏ The output intensity of L1 is the same as that of the third embodiment. When the external light detection sensor 52 detects that the room lights have been turned off, the light information is collected by the information collection unit 94 and transmitted to the control device 92. The reduction in light intensity is set to the first pattern. Therefore, the control device 92 refers to the setting table shown in FIG. 4 and sets L1 to 80%. As a result, the control device 92 reduces the light intensity of the display area D １ Reduce the output intensity inside to 80%.

[0039] Note that only the external light detection sensor 52 is shown here as a representative example, and various types of sensor information are collected by the information collection unit 94. Also, although a decrease in light intensity is set as the first pattern, any value can be adopted for the type of behavior pattern and the parameter Ll.

[0040] Fifth Embodiment An example of controlling the display panel 91 based on pressure information will be described with reference to FIG. 11. Ｉ and outside the display area D Ｏ The output intensity of the signal is the same as that of the third embodiment. When the user leaves the seat, the pressure detection sensor 53 detects that the pressure on the chair 32 has decreased, and the pressure information is collected by the information collection unit 94 and communicated to the control device 92. The decrease in pressure on the chair 32 is set to the second pattern. In this case, the control device 92 refers to the setting table shown in FIG. 4 and sets Lp to 70%. As a result, the control device 92 sets the display area D １ Reduce the output intensity inside to 70%.

[0041] Note that only the pressure detection sensor 53 is shown here as a representative example, and various types of sensor information are collected by the information collection unit 94. Also, although a decrease in pressure on the chair 32 is defined as the second pattern of pressure information, any type of behavior pattern and any value of the parameter Lp may be adopted.

[0042] Sixth Embodiment An example of controlling the display panel 91 based on pressure information and screen information will be described with reference to FIG. 12. Ｉ and hidden area D Ｏ The output intensity of is the same as that of the third embodiment. When the user releases the mouse of the electronic computer 33 and the top image of the desktop appears on the screen of the electronic computer 33, the information collecting unit 94 collects the mouse pressure information and screen information at this time.

[0043] The action of releasing the mouse of the computer 33 is set to the first pattern of pressure information. The top image of the desktop is set to the second pattern of screen information. The control device 92 refers to the setting table shown in FIG. 4 and sets Lp to 90% and Ld to 30%. As a result, the control device 92 sets the display area D １ The output intensity inside is reduced to 90 x 30 = 27%.

[0044] Here, only the pressure detection sensor 53 and the display screen detection function unit 54 are shown as representatives, and various sensor information is collected by the information collection unit 94. Furthermore, the pressure information when the mouse of the computer 33 is released is set as the first pattern, and the screen information when the top image of the desktop is displayed is set as the second pattern, but the type of behavior pattern and the parameters Lp and Ld can be set as any values.

[0045] Seventh Embodiment An example of controlling the display panel 91 based on screen information and application information will be described with reference to FIG. 13. Ｉ and outside the display area D Ｏ The output intensity of is the same as in the third embodiment. When the wireless communication of the electronic computer 33 is terminated and the Web conference screen of the electronic computer 33 is finished, the application information and screen information at this time are collected by the information collecting unit 94.

[0046] The application information for which wireless communication is to be terminated is set to the first pattern. The screen information for which the Web conference screen is to be terminated is set to the first pattern of screen information. The control device 92 refers to the setting table shown in FIG. 4 and sets Ld to 50% and La to 80%. As a result, the control device 92 sets the display area D １ The output intensity inside is reduced to 50 x 80 = 40%.

[0047] Note that only the display screen detection function unit 54 and the application detection function unit 55 are shown here as representatives, and various sensor information is collected by the information collection unit 94. Furthermore, application information in which wireless communication is terminated is set as the first pattern, and screen information in which the web conference screen ends is set as the first pattern of screen information, but the type of behavior pattern and the parameters Ld and La can adopt any values.

[0048] While the above-described embodiment illustrates an example in which the display panel 91 includes the backlight 11 and the liquid crystal panel 12, the present disclosure may employ any mode in which a screen is displayed by controlling light from a light source. For example, the display panel 91 may be a panel that displays a screen by controlling the light source itself, such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) display.

[0049] The devices according to the present disclosure, such as the information collecting unit 94 and the control device 92, can also be realized by a computer and a program, and the program can be recorded on a recording medium or provided via a network. The program according to the present disclosure is a program for causing a computer to realize each function of the device according to the present disclosure, and is a program for causing a computer to execute each procedure of the method executed by the device according to the present disclosure.

[0050] 11: Backlight 12: Liquid crystal panel 21: Gaze position determination unit 22: Display panel control unit 23: Action prediction function unit 31: Input device 32: Chair 33: Electronic computer 51: Sound detection sensor 52: External light detection sensor 53: Pressure detection sensor 54: Display screen detection function unit 55: Application detection function unit 91: Display panel 92: Control device 93: Gaze detection sensor 94: Information collection unit 95: Sensor group

Claims

1. A control device that controls a display panel based on sensor information obtained from a plurality of sensors that detect the state of a user of the display panel.

2. The control device according to claim 1, further comprising: a display control unit for controlling an output intensity of the display panel in accordance with a behavior pattern of a user of the display panel predicted based on the sensor information.

3. The control device of claim 1, wherein the sensor information includes at least any of the following: (i) sound information obtained by detecting sounds around the user of the display panel; (ii) light information obtained by detecting light around the user of the display panel; (iii) pressure information obtained by detecting pressure on an object used by the user of the display panel; (iv) screen information on a computer connected to the display panel; and (v) application information running on a computer connected to the display panel, and wherein the output intensity of the display panel is determined using parameters defined for each of the sound information, light information, pressure information, screen information and application information.

4. A system comprising: a control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3; a plurality of sensors for detecting the state of a user of the display panel; and an information collection unit for collecting the sensor information obtained by the plurality of sensors and providing the information to the control device.

Images