JP2005316332A - Information processing apparatus and method, recording medium, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make screen luminance smoothly adjustable. <P>SOLUTION: A polling control part 221 acquires illuminance data from an optical sensor; a utility calculates a luminance value based on the acquired illuminance data; and an inverter illuminance control part 215 converts the calculated illuminance value into an output value to be set to an inverter, and stores the converted output value as a target value. Moreover, the inverter illuminance control part 215 makes a comparison between the present value to be set to the inverter at present, and calculates the output value based on the result of the comparison, and the screen luminance is made smoothly adjustable by setting the calculated output value to the inverter. This invention is applicable to the information processing apparatus. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing device and method, a recording medium, and a program, and more particularly to an information processing device and method, a recording medium, and a program for adjusting the brightness of a screen.

  Recently, LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is used in a wide range of applications such as personal computers, mobile phones, and car navigation systems.

  LCDs are thinner and lighter than other display devices such as CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), so devices equipped with LCDs are easy to carry, and are not limited to certain places, but should be used in various places. There are many. Therefore, since the ambient brightness varies greatly depending on the environment in which the LCD is used, it is necessary to change the brightness of the LCD according to the surrounding environment.

  Some LCDs manually adjust the brightness of the LCD to a predetermined level (brightness level). In addition, there is a type that automatically adjusts the luminance level according to the ambient brightness.

  In addition, the external light detection cycle is variable, the brightness adjustment speed is changed, the brightness adjustment speed is variable, and even when the usage environment is significantly different, such as indoors and in a moving vehicle, in each case, a configuration that responds to changes in external light In this case, external light is converted into voltage for each typical environmental condition, and the converted voltage is read by a microcomputer as the input voltage, and brightness control is performed. In some cases, a relationship with a reference voltage to be compared is stored in a storage device such as a nonvolatile memory, and control is performed by taking out data from the storage device (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2001-142446 A

  However, when adjusting the luminance level manually, the user must manually change the luminance level. Further, when there are a plurality of luminance levels, from the set luminance level to the luminance level that the user wants to set, One or more setting operations must be performed. In addition, temporarily changing the settings is troublesome for the user and is not optimal usability. That is, a troublesome operation is required to adjust the brightness.

  Furthermore, when the brightness level is automatically adjusted according to the ambient brightness, the brightness level changes instantaneously, so that the user is aware that the brightness level has changed, and the ambient brightness is Under circumstances that change rapidly in a short time, the brightness change of the screen itself causes the user to feel stress.

  Even when both manual and automatic functions are provided, it is not easy to switch the setting because there is no means for easily switching between manual and automatic.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is to enable a screen to be displayed with a brightness that is easier to see according to the brightness of the surroundings without a troublesome operation.

  The information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a display unit that displays a screen and a first state in which the screen brightness is controlled without an instruction from the user, or a second state in which the screen brightness is controlled based on an instruction from the user. A setting means for setting a state so as to set the brightness, and a brightness for controlling the brightness of the screen so that the brightness is sequentially increased or decreased by a predetermined change amount with respect to a predetermined unit time when being set to the first state. And control means.

  When the brightness control means is set to the first state, the first illumination means for obtaining illuminance data indicating the brightness of the display means from the sensor, and the illuminance obtained based on the predetermined setting information A first calculation means for calculating a luminance value from the data; a second calculation means for calculating a final luminance target value of the screen of the display device; and a predetermined unit time based on the target value. And instructing means for instructing the display means to increase or decrease the luminance sequentially with a predetermined change amount.

  When the information processing apparatus according to the present invention is set to the first state, the comparison means for comparing the target value with the instruction value for indicating the luminance to the display means by the instruction means, and based on the result of the comparison means, And third calculating means for calculating the next instruction value for instructing the luminance to the display means by the instruction means after the unit time has elapsed.

  The third calculating means adds a predetermined value to the instruction value when the target value is larger than the instruction value based on the result of the comparison means, and from the instruction value when the target value is smaller than the instruction value. A value is calculated by subtracting a predetermined value.

  The setting means further sets a third state that maximizes the brightness of the screen of the display means.

  A second acquisition unit configured to acquire a key operation notification indicating an operation of a predetermined key of the keyboard by the user; and a setting unit configured to select the second state when the first state is set based on the key operation notification. Is set.

  The information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a change amount setting unit that sets a desired value as a change amount with respect to a unit time, and a time setting unit that sets a desired time as a unit time.

  The information processing method of the present invention includes a display step for displaying a screen and a first state in which the screen brightness is controlled without an instruction from the user, or a second state in which the screen brightness is controlled based on an instruction from the user. A setting step for setting the state so as to set the brightness, and a brightness for controlling the brightness of the screen so that the brightness is sequentially increased or decreased by a predetermined change amount with respect to a predetermined unit time when being set to the first state. And a control step.

  The recording medium program of the present invention includes a display step for displaying a screen, a first state in which the screen brightness is controlled without an instruction from the user, or a second state in which the screen brightness is controlled based on an instruction from the user. The setting step for setting the state to set the state, and when set to the first state, the screen brightness is controlled so that the brightness is sequentially increased or decreased by a predetermined change amount with respect to a predetermined unit time. And a luminance control step.

  The program of the present invention sets a display step for displaying a screen and a first state for controlling the screen brightness without an instruction from the user, or a second state for controlling the screen brightness based on an instruction from the user. A setting step for setting the state to perform, and a luminance control step for controlling the luminance of the screen so that the luminance is sequentially increased or decreased by a predetermined change amount with respect to a predetermined unit time when the state is set to the first state And making the computer execute.

  In the information processing apparatus and method, the storage medium, and the program of the present invention, the screen is displayed, and the first state in which the screen brightness is controlled without an instruction from the user, or the screen brightness is based on the instruction from the user. When the state is set so as to set the second state to be controlled, and when the first state is set, the brightness of the screen is increased or decreased sequentially with a predetermined change amount with respect to a predetermined unit time. Be controlled.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to always set an optimal luminance level that is easy on the eyes according to the ambient brightness, without setting an optimal luminance level each time according to changes in ambient brightness. it can.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the luminance level is automatically changed, the luminance can be changed smoothly, so that even if the ambient brightness changes rapidly in a short time, it is a burden on the eyes of the user. It is possible to set the optimum luminance level without applying.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, since the setting can be switched between manual and automatic more easily and more quickly, it is possible to set the luminance level according to the user's preference.

  BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The best mode of the present invention will be described below. The correspondence relationship between the disclosed invention and the embodiments is exemplified as follows. Although there are embodiments which are described in this specification but are not described here as corresponding to the invention, the embodiments correspond to the invention. It does not mean that it is not a thing. Conversely, even if an embodiment is described herein as corresponding to an invention, that means that the embodiment does not correspond to an invention other than the invention. It is not a thing.

  Further, this description does not mean all the inventions described in the specification. In other words, this description is for the invention described in the specification and not claimed in this application, i.e., for the invention that will be applied for in the future or that will appear as a result of amendment and added. It does not deny existence.

  According to the present invention, an information processing apparatus is provided. This information processing apparatus includes display means for displaying a screen (for example, the LCD 16 in FIG. 1), a first state (for example, an automatic state) for controlling the screen brightness without an instruction from the user, or a screen brightness for the user. Setting means (for example, the state transition control unit 216 in FIG. 6) for setting a state so as to set a second state (for example, a manual state) to be controlled based on an instruction from, and the first state. In the case, the brightness control means (for example, the smoothing control unit 212 in FIG. 6) for controlling the brightness of the screen so as to sequentially increase or decrease the brightness by a predetermined change amount with respect to a predetermined unit time.

  The brightness control means is preset with a first acquisition means (for example, the polling control unit 221 in FIG. 6) that acquires illuminance data indicating the brightness of the display means from the sensor when set to the first state. Based on the obtained setting information, first calculation means for calculating a luminance value from the acquired illuminance data (for example, the luminance calculation unit 314 in FIG. 8), and the luminance value as a final luminance target of the screen of the display device Based on the second calculation means for calculating the value (for example, the output value calculation control unit 361 in FIG. 9) and the target value, the brightness is sequentially increased or decreased by a predetermined change amount with respect to a predetermined unit time. Instructing means (for example, the inverter output value setting unit 272 in FIG. 7) for instructing the brightness to the means.

  When the first state is set, a comparison unit (for example, the inverter luminance determination unit 274 in FIG. 7) that compares the target value with an instruction value that instructs the display unit to indicate the luminance, and a result of the comparison unit And a third calculation unit (for example, an inverter luminance calculation unit 275 in FIG. 7) that calculates the next instruction value for instructing the luminance to the display unit by the instruction unit after the unit time has elapsed.

  The third calculating means adds a predetermined value to the instruction value when the target value is larger than the instruction value based on the result of the comparison means, and from the instruction value when the target value is smaller than the instruction value. A value can be calculated by subtracting a predetermined value.

  The setting means can further set a third state that maximizes the brightness of the screen of the display means.

  The second acquisition unit (for example, the polling control unit 241 in FIG. 6) that acquires a key operation notification indicating the operation of a predetermined key on the keyboard by the user, and the setting unit are configured to display the first state based on the key operation notification. Is set, the second state is set.

  Change amount setting means (for example, the brightness level setting unit 321 in FIG. 8) for setting a desired value for the change amount with respect to unit time, and time setting means (for example, the brightness update in FIG. 6) for setting the desired time in unit time Controller 231).

  According to the present invention, an information processing method is provided. This information processing method includes a display step for displaying a screen (for example, the process of step S235 in FIG. 23), a first state in which the screen brightness is controlled without an instruction from the user, or an instruction from the user for the screen brightness. A setting step for setting the state so as to set the second state to be controlled based on (for example, the process of step S318 in FIG. 31), and a predetermined unit time for a predetermined unit time if set to the first state And a luminance control step (for example, the process of step S236 in FIG. 23) for controlling the luminance of the screen so that the luminance is sequentially increased or decreased by the change amount of.

  According to the present invention, a program is provided. According to this program, a display step for displaying a screen (for example, the process of step S235 in FIG. 23), a first state in which the screen brightness is controlled without an instruction from the user, or an instruction from the user for the screen brightness. A setting step for setting the state so as to set the second state to be controlled based on (for example, the process of step S318 in FIG. 31), and a predetermined unit time for a predetermined unit time if set to the first state And causing the computer to execute a luminance control step (for example, the process of step S236 in FIG. 23) for controlling the luminance of the screen so that the luminance is sequentially increased or decreased by the amount of change.

  This program can be recorded on a recording medium (for example, the magnetic disk 51 of FIG. 1).

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an electrical configuration inside the information processing apparatus 1. The information processing apparatus 1 can be, for example, a portable personal computer, a so-called notebook personal computer.

  The CPU 11 is constituted by, for example, a Pentium (registered trademark) processor manufactured by Intel, and is connected to a front side bus (FSB) 12. A north bridge 13 is further connected to the FSB 12, and the north bridge 13 has an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) 14 and is connected to a hub interface 19.

  The north bridge 13 is composed of, for example, 440BX, which is an AGP Host Bridge Controller manufactured by Intel, and controls a CPU 11 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 18 (so-called main memory). Further, the north bridge 13 controls the video controller 15 via the AGP 14. The video controller 15 controls the LCD 16.

  The video controller 15 receives data (image data, text data, etc.) supplied from the CPU 11 and generates image data for the received data, or a video memory (not shown) incorporating the received data as it is. ). The video controller 15 causes the LCD 16 to display an image corresponding to the image data stored in the video memory. The LCD 16 displays images or characters based on the data supplied from the video controller 15.

  The LCD 16 is further configured to include an LCD backlight 81 and an inverter 82. The LCD backlight 81 is a so-called illuminating device including a fluorescent lamp (fluorescent tube) or an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The LCD backlight 81 is driven by the inverter 82 and from the rear side of the LCD 16 screen viewed by the user. Light the liquid crystal (light the back side of the liquid crystal). The inverter 82 drives the LCD backlight 81 based on the control of the embedded controller 67. That is, by changing the output of the power supply supplied from the inverter 82, the brightness of the LCD backlight 81 changes, and thereby the brightness of the LCD 16 changes.

  The north bridge 13 is further connected to a cache memory 17. The cache memory 17 is configured by a memory that can execute a higher-speed write or read operation than the RAM 18 such as an SRAM (Static RAM), and caches (temporarily stores) a program or data used by the CPU 11. .

  The CPU 11 has a cache that can be operated at a higher speed than the cache memory 17 that is primary, and that is controlled by the CPU 11 itself.

  The RAM 18 is constituted by, for example, a DRAM (Dynamic RAM), and stores a program executed by the CPU 11 or data necessary for the operation of the CPU 11. More specifically, for example, the RAM 18 stores, from the HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 32, an OS (Operating System), a utility program (to be described later), and the like when the activation is completed.

  The OS is a program for controlling the basic operation of a computer, for example, a so-called Windows (registered trademark) XP of Microsoft Corporation or a so-called MacOS (registered trademark) of Apple Computer.

  The north bridge 13 is also connected to the south bridge 20 via the hub interface 19. The south bridge 20 is composed of, for example, PIIX4E manufactured by Intel Corporation, and includes an AC link interface 20A, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface 20B, an IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) interface 20C, and a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) interface 20D. , An LPC (Low Pin Count) interface 20E and a LAN (Local Area Network) interface 20F are incorporated.

  The south bridge 20 controls various I / Os (Input / Output) such as control of devices connected to the AC link bus 21, the USB bus 26, and the IDE bus 31.

  A modem 22 and a sound controller 23 are connected to the AC link bus 21. When the modem 22 is connected to the public line network, the modem 22 executes communication processing via the public line network or the Internet (both not shown). The sound controller 23 takes in sound from the microphone 24, generates data corresponding to the sound, and outputs the data to the RAM 18. Further, the sound controller 23 drives the speaker 25 to cause the speaker 25 to output sound.

  A USB connector 27 is connected to the USB bus 26 of the south bridge 20 so that various USB devices can be connected. In addition, a memory stick slot 28 and a Bluetooth communication unit 30 are provided via the USB bus 26. A memory stick (registered trademark) 29 is connected to the memory stick slot 28.

  The memory stick 29 is a type of flash memory card developed by Sony Corporation, the applicant of the present application. The memory stick 29 stores a flash memory element, which is a kind of EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), which is a nonvolatile memory that can be electrically rewritten and erased in a small and thin plastic case. Various data such as images, sounds, and music can be written and read via the 10-pin terminal.

  The Bluetooth communication unit 30 performs communication according to the Bluetooth standard. The USB interface 20B transmits data to an external device connected via the USB bus 26 and receives data from the device.

  The IDE interface 20C includes two IDE controllers, a so-called primary IDE controller and a secondary IDE controller, and a configuration register (none of which is shown).

  An HDD 32 is connected to the primary IDE controller via an IDE bus 31. The HDD 32 stores, for example, a program executed by the CPU 11 such as the OS or a utility program described later, and various data.

  Also, when a so-called IDE device such as a CD-ROM drive 33 or HDD (not shown) is attached to another IDE bus, the attached IDE device is electrically connected to the secondary IDE controller. The

  The wireless LAN communication unit 34 is connected to the network by wireless LAN communication such as IEEE802.11a or IEEE802.11b. The LAN interface 20F transmits data to the network connected to the wireless LAN communication unit 34 and receives data.

  A BIOS (Basic Input Output System) 62, an I / O (Input / Output) interface 63, and an embedded controller 67 are connected to the LPC bus 61. The BIOS 62 is a group of programs that collect basic operation instructions of the information processing apparatus 1, and is stored in, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory). The BIOS 62 controls data exchange (input / output) between the OS or application program and peripheral devices.

  A serial terminal 64 and a parallel terminal 65 are connected to the I / O interface 63, and data is exchanged with devices connected to the respective terminals.

  The optical sensor 66 detects its own brightness (illuminance) and outputs data indicating brightness (hereinafter referred to as illuminance data) to the embedded controller 67. The optical sensor 66 is provided in the vicinity of the LCD 16, and therefore detects the brightness in the vicinity of the LCD 16 and outputs illuminance data indicating the brightness of the LCD 16.

  In addition to the optical sensor, the embedded controller 67 is connected to a mouse 68, a keyboard 69, a jog dial 70, or a button 71. The button 71 is a switch operated to be pressed by the user for adjusting the luminance of the LCD 16. When the button 71 is pressed by the user, the button 71 outputs a signal indicating that the button 71 is pressed to the embedded controller 67.

  An IEEE1394 interface 36 and a PC card interface 38 are connected to the PCI bus 35. The IEEE1394 interface 36 transmits and receives data conforming to the IEEE1394 standard (data stored in a packet) via the IEEE1394 port 37.

  The PC card interface 38 supplies the data supplied from the device (card) connected to the slot 39 to the CPU 11 or the RAM 18 and outputs the data supplied from the CPU 11 to the card connected to the PC card slot. . A drive 40 can be connected to the PCI bus 35 via a slot 39 and a PC card interface 38.

  The drive 40 reads data stored in the mounted magnetic disk 51, optical disk 52, magneto-optical disk 53, or semiconductor memory 54, and supplies the read data to the RAM 18. Further, the data generated by the processing of the CPU 11 can be stored in the magnetic disk 51, the optical disk 52, the magneto-optical disk 53, or the semiconductor memory 54 mounted on the drive 40.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a mechanism for adjusting the luminance of the LCD 16 serving as a display device in the information processing apparatus 1.

  The CPU 11 executes various processes by executing programs stored in the HDD 32 or the like. The CPU 11 executes various processes based on input signals or data supplied from an input device such as the keyboard 69 or the button 71, or the HDD 32, etc., and generates control signals (hereinafter referred to as CPU control signals). The LCD 16 is controlled by generating and supplying the generated CPU control signal to the embedded controller 67 via various buses.

  The optical sensor 66 is configured by a sensor that detects illuminance, such as a photodiode or a phototransistor. The optical sensor is provided at a predetermined position such as an edge or side surface of the LCD 16 or a portion of the keyboard 69 where no key is provided when the information processing apparatus 1 is a notebook personal computer. The optical sensor 66 acquires illuminance data in the vicinity of the optical sensor 66 and supplies the acquired illuminance data to the embedded controller 67.

  When a predetermined predetermined key is pressed, the keyboard 69 performs a so-called polling signal (hereinafter referred to as an “FN hot key notification signal”) by so-called polling based on the control of the embedded controller 67. 67.

  That is, when the Fn key of the keyboard 69 and a predetermined function key (hereinafter referred to as an FH hot key) are pressed at the same time, an FH hot key notification signal corresponding to the combination of the FH hot keys is sent to the embedded controller. By supplying to 67, the brightness of the LCD 16 can be adjusted. More specifically, for example, when the Fn key and the F5 key are pressed at the same time, the embedded controller 67 increases the brightness value by one level based on the FM hot key notification signal notified from the keyboard 69. When the and F6 keys are pressed at the same time, the brightness value is decreased by one level.

  More specifically, the FM hot key notification signal is notified not only when the Fn key and a predetermined function key are pressed at the same time, but also when each is pressed alone, and the embedded controller 67 is notified. It is determined whether or not a predetermined function key has been pressed based on the FM hot key notification signal. For example, when only the Fn key is pressed, the embedded controller 67 does not adjust the luminance value because a predetermined function key has not been pressed based on the FM hot key notification signal. In addition, when the F hot key is pressed, the embedded controller 67 determines the brightness value via the utility program (described later) because the F hot key is pressed based on the F hot key notification signal. Make adjustments.

  Note that the key combined with the Fn key is not limited to a predetermined function key, and may be, for example, the U key or D key of the keyboard 69. For example, when the Fn key and U key are pressed at the same time, the luminance value is increased by one step, and when the Fn key and D key are pressed at the same time, the luminance value is decreased by one step. be able to.

  The button 71 is provided at a predetermined position such as an edge or a side surface of the information processing apparatus 1 that is a notebook personal computer. When the button 71 is pressed, the button 71 supplies a signal (hereinafter referred to as a button notification signal) for notifying the embedded controller 67 based on the control of the CPU 11. More specifically, when the button 71 is pressed, by supplying a button notification signal to the embedded controller 67, the state of adjusting the brightness of the LCD 16 (for example, automatic or manual) can be changed.

  The embedded controller 67 is a controller for controlling an embedded device called a so-called embedded controller. The embedded controller 67 controls the LCD 16 and the like based on the control of the CPU 11. The embedded controller 67 acquires illuminance data from the optical sensor 66 as necessary based on the FC hot key notification signal supplied from the keyboard 69 or the button notification signal supplied from the button 71, and the inverter 82 By controlling, the luminance of the LCD backlight 81 is adjusted.

  The inverter 82 is a circuit for driving the LCD backlight 81. The inverter 82 changes the voltage or frequency of the output power supply based on the control of the embedded controller 67. That is, when the inverter 82 changes the voltage or frequency of the power supplied to the LCD backlight 81, the luminance of the LCD backlight 81 changes.

  The LCD backlight 81 is composed of, for example, a fluorescent lamp or an LED, and is driven by an inverter 82.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an interface between the CPU 11 and the embedded controller 67.

  The CPU 11 and the embedded controller 67 are connected by an LPC (Low Pin Count) interface which is a kind of interface for LSI (Large Scale Integration) of a personal computer.

  The embedded controller 67 includes a keyboard controller 101, an ACPI EC (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface Embedded Controller) 102, and a SPIC (Sony Programmable I / O Controller) (trademark) 103. In this case, the keyboard controller 101, ACPI EC 102, and SPIC 103 are mechanisms realized by executing the program of the embedded controller 67.

  The keyboard controller 101 is used for communication between the BIOS 62 and the embedded controller 67. The ACPI EC 102 is used for communication related to power control of the embedded controller 67. The SPIC 103 is used for communication between the embedded controller 67 and the utility program executed by the CPU 11.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating each channel of LCP.

  For the LPC channel “Channel 1”, a function “KBC” and a port “0x60 / 0x64” are set. That is, the keyboard controller 101 uses the “0x60 / 0x64” that is the port of “Channel 1” of the LPC to communicate with the CPU 11 that executes the BIOS 62.

  A function “ACPI EC” and a port “0x62 / 0x66” are set for the LPC channel “Channel 2”. That is, the ACPI EC 102 communicates with the CPU 11 regarding power control using “0x62 / 0x66” which is a port of “Channel 2” of LPC.

  For the LPC channel “Channel 3”, a function “SPIC” and a port “0x1080 / 0x1084” are set. That is, the SPIC 103 communicates with the CPU 11 that executes the utility program by using “0x1080 / 0x1084”, which is the port of “Channel 3” of the LPC.

  Next, the configuration of software (program) layers of the information processing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The embedded controller firmware 152 is arranged above the hardware 151 as the lowest layer. The BIOS 62 is arranged as an upper layer of the hardware 151 or the embedded controller firmware 152. Further, the driver 153 is arranged as an upper layer of the BIOS 62. The OS 154 is arranged as an upper layer of the BIOS 62 or the driver 153.

  The utility program 155 and the application program 156 are executed on the OS 154.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of each layer will be described.

  The hardware 151 includes, for example, an optical sensor 66, a keyboard 69, a button 71, or an inverter 82.

  The embedded controller firmware 152 is stored in, for example, a storage device (not shown) such as a ROM or a RAM provided in the embedded controller 67 and executed by the embedded controller 67. That is, the embedded controller 67 executes the embedded controller firmware 152 that is a program. For example, the inverter 82 drives the LCD backlight 81 based on a control signal (for example, arrow 161) supplied from the embedded controller 67.

  The BIOS 62 exchanges data between the OS 154 or the utility program 155 and peripheral devices based on the control of the CPU 11. For example, the BIOS 62 acquires a luminance value from the embedded controller 67 (for example, arrow 164) in response to an inquiry from the utility program 155 (for example, arrow 163), converts the acquired luminance value to the utility program 155 after conversion. (For example, arrow 163).

  The driver 153 is a program for controlling a specific device, and controls the specific device in accordance with an instruction from the OS 154.

  The OS 154 is software for managing the entire information processing apparatus 1 based on the control of the CPU 11 and is commonly used for input of the keyboard 69, output to the LCD 16, or management of the RAM 18 or the HDD 32. Functions are provided to the utility program 155.

  The utility program 155 is appropriately stored in the RAM 18 from the HDD 32 based on the control of the CPU 11 and executes various processes. An application refers to a program 156, for example, a program designed for a specific purpose (business) such as document creation or numerical calculation, and the utility program 155 includes, for example, memory management and computer virus removal. Software that supplements the functions of the OS 154 and the application program 156 and improves functions or operability.

  In the present invention, there is a utility program for controlling the adjustment of the brightness of the LCD as the utility program 155. For example, the utility program 155 is stored in the RAM 18 when the OS is started or by the user's operation of the information processing apparatus 1, and is always resident on the RAM 18. doing.

  Because the utility program 155 resides on the RAM 18, for example, when the user presses the button 71, the utility program 155 receives a notification indicating that the button 71 has been pressed from the embedded controller 67 (for example, Arrow 162).

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the details of the embedded controller firmware 152. Note that firmware generally refers to software (program) incorporated in a device in order to perform basic control of hardware. Such software is called firmware as an intermediate between hardware and software. FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the embedded controller firmware 152 as a program.

  The embedded controller firmware 152 is a program executed by the embedded controller 67, that is, firmware of the embedded controller 67. For example, the embedded controller firmware 152 is stored in a storage device (not shown) such as a ROM or a RAM provided in the embedded controller 67. Then, the brightness of the LCD 16 is adjusted in accordance with an FC hot key notification signal or a button notification signal which is executed by the embedded controller 67 and transmitted from the CPU 11.

  The embedded controller firmware 152 includes an automatic brightness control unit 211, a smoothing control unit 212, an FC hot key control unit 213, a hardware button control unit 214, an inverter control unit 215, a state transition control unit 216, and an LED control unit 217. .

  The automatic brightness control unit 211 is executed in an automatic state in which the brightness of the LCD 16 is automatically adjusted.

  The smoothing control unit 212 controls the smoothing function. For example, the smoothing control unit 212 controls switching of the smoothing function on and off.

  Here, the smoothing function is a function that smoothly changes the luminance that is sequentially changed corresponding to a predetermined stage. When the smoothing function is turned on, the smoothing control is enabled. Conversely, when the smoothing function is turned off, the smoothing control is disabled. For example, when the mode is in the automatic state and the smoothing function is on, the luminance is smoothly changed, so that the user can use the information processing apparatus 1 without being aware of the luminance change.

  Hereinafter, controlling the smoothing function is simply referred to as smoothing control.

  When the F hot key of the keyboard 69 is pressed, the F hot key control unit 213 supplies a notification corresponding to the F hot key notification signal to the utility program 155. When the button 71 is pressed, the hardware button control unit 214 supplies a notification corresponding to the button notification signal to the utility program 155.

  The inverter control unit 215 controls the inverter 82 and adjusts the luminance of the LCD backlight 81 driven by the inverter 82. Details of the inverter control unit 215 will be described later.

  The state transition control unit 216 controls transition of a state (hereinafter referred to as a mode) for adjusting luminance.

  Here, the mode will be described in more detail. The mode in which the brightness is adjusted includes, for example, an automatic state, a manual state, or a maximum state. In the automatic state, the luminance is automatically adjusted, in the manual state, the luminance is adjusted according to a user instruction, and in the maximum state, the luminance is adjusted to the maximum value. More specifically, for example, when the mode is set to the automatic state, the optimum luminance can be set without a user instruction. In addition, when the mode is set to the manual state, the luminance is adjusted based on the user's instruction, so that the luminance can be set to the user's preference. Furthermore, when the mode is set to the maximum state, the maximum luminance can be set with fewer procedures.

  Note that the mode and the smoothing function can be set separately according to the use situation. For example, the smoothing function can be set to ON when the mode is in the automatic state, and the smoothing function can be set to OFF when the mode is in the manual state.

  When the luminance reaches the maximum, the LED control unit 217 turns on an LED (not shown) notifying that. That is, when the mode reaches the maximum state, the LED lights up.

  The automatic luminance control unit 211 includes a polling control unit 221, an illuminance data comparison unit 222, an illuminance change notification issuance unit 223, an illuminance data transfer unit 224, and a luminance transfer unit 225.

  Based on the control of the embedded controller 67, the polling control unit 221 acquires illuminance data from the optical sensor 66 by so-called polling, and determines whether or not the acquired illuminance data is a valid value. When the acquired illuminance data is a valid value, the polling control unit 221 uses the illuminance data acquired this time (hereinafter referred to as the current value) and the illuminance data acquired immediately before (hereinafter referred to as the previous value). It is stored in a RAM (not shown).

  The illuminance data comparison unit 222 determines whether or not the difference between the previous value and the current value is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value.

  Based on the determination result of the illuminance data comparison unit 222, the illuminance change notification issuance unit 223 provides a notification indicating that the illuminance data is greater than or equal to the threshold (hereinafter referred to as illuminance change notification). This is supplied to the utility program 155.

  The illuminance data transfer unit 224 supplies the latest illuminance data acquired from the optical sensor 66 to the utility program 155 in response to a request from the utility program 155.

  In response to a request from the utility program 155, the luminance transfer unit 225 converts a value output from the inverter 82 to the LCD backlight 81 (hereinafter referred to as an output value) into a luminance via the BIOS 62, The converted luminance is supplied to the utility program 155.

  The smoothing control unit 212 includes a brightness update control unit 231.

  The luminance update control unit 231 sets the luminance change speed in the smoothing control. For example, when the brightness change speed is increased, the brightness is changed more quickly, so that the user can use the information processing apparatus 1 without being aware of the change in brightness.

  The FC hot key control unit 213 includes a polling control unit 241 and a state change notification unit 242.

  The polling control unit 241 acquires an FC hot key notification signal from the keyboard 69 by so-called polling based on the control of the embedded controller 67.

  When a predetermined FM hot key is pressed (pressed), the state change notification unit 242 notifies the utility program 155 that the key has been pressed (hereinafter referred to as “Make notification”). When the FM hot key that has been released is released, a notification indicating that it has been released (hereinafter referred to as Break notification) is sent to the utility program 155.

  The hardware button control unit 214 includes a state change determination unit 251 and a button change notification issue unit 252.

  The state change determination unit 251 determines whether or not the shape of the button 71 has changed based on a button notification signal supplied when the button 71 is pressed.

  Based on the determination result of the state change determining unit 251, the button change notification issuing unit 252 indicates that the button 71 has been pressed when the shape of the button 71 changes (hereinafter referred to as a hardware button change notification). Is issued to the utility program 155.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating details of the inverter control unit 215.

  Inverter control unit 215 includes a smoothing control determination unit 271, an inverter output value setting unit 272, an inverter output value storage unit 273, an inverter luminance determination unit 274, and an inverter luminance calculation unit 275.

  The smoothing control determination unit 271 determines whether or not the smoothing control is set to ON.

  The inverter output value setting unit 272 sets a value (hereinafter referred to as an output value) that the inverter 82 outputs to the LCD backlight 81 based on the determination result of the smoothing control determination unit 271. That is, the brightness of the LCD 16 can be changed by changing the setting of the output value.

  The inverter output value storage unit 273 temporarily stores a value (hereinafter referred to as a target value) held for comparing the output values. That is, since the target value becomes the final output value, as will be described later, processing is performed so that the current value approaches the target value.

  The inverter luminance determination unit 274 compares the target value with the current value, and supplies the comparison result (hereinafter referred to as a comparison result) to the inverter luminance calculation unit 275. Determine whether they are equal.

  The inverter luminance calculation unit 275 calculates an output value based on the comparison result supplied from the inverter luminance determination unit 274. More specifically, for example, in the case of a comparison result indicating that the target value is larger than the current value, a predetermined value is added to the current value, and the comparison result indicating that the target value is smaller than the current value. In this case, the output value is calculated by subtracting a predetermined value from the current value.

  That is, the inverter luminance calculation unit 275 adds a predetermined value to the current value, so that the luminance is higher than the current value, so that the LCD 16 can be brightened. Further, by subtracting a predetermined value from the current value, the luminance is lower than the current value, so that the LCD 16 can be darkened. As a result, the brightness of the LCD 16 can be changed according to the surrounding environment.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the details of the utility program 155.

  The utility program 155 includes an automatic luminance control unit 311, an FC hot key control unit 312, a hardware button control unit 313, a luminance calculation unit 314, a luminance acquisition unit 315, a luminance notification unit 316, and an illuminance data acquisition unit 317.

  The automatic brightness control unit 311 executes processing in the mode that is in the automatic state. The FM hot key control unit 312 executes processing when the FM hot key on the keyboard 69 is pressed. The hardware button control unit 313 executes processing when the button 71 is pressed.

  The luminance calculation unit 314 calculates a luminance value from the illuminance data based on a predetermined user setting. For example, when the latest luminance data is acquired from the embedded controller in an automatic state, the luminance calculation unit 314 calculates an optimal luminance value based on a predetermined user setting. The mode is not limited to the automatic state, and an optimal luminance value can be calculated even in the manual state or the maximum state.

  The luminance acquisition unit 315 requests the luminance value from the embedded controller 67 via the BIOS 62, and acquires the luminance value according to the request from the embedded controller 67.

  The luminance notification unit 316 notifies the BIOS 62 of the luminance value calculated by the luminance calculation unit 314. For example, when a new luminance value is acquired, the luminance notification unit 316 notifies the BIOS 62 of the new luminance value, so that the BIOS 62 calculates an output value based on the new luminance value, and the calculated output value is embedded. It supplies to the controller 67. The embedded controller 67 can change the value output from the inverter 82 to the LCD backlight 81 by setting the output value supplied from the BIOS 62.

  The illuminance data acquisition unit 317 acquires the illuminance change notification issued from the illuminance change notification issue unit 223, and acquires the latest illuminance data from the embedded controller 67 via the SPIC according to the acquired illuminance change notification.

  The automatic brightness control unit 311 includes a brightness level setting unit 321.

  The luminance level setting unit 321 sets a luminance value when the luminance is automatically controlled. More specifically, for example, when the brightness value when the brightness is automatically controlled is set to be brighter, the output value that the inverter 82 outputs to the LCD backlight 81 based on the illuminance data supplied from the light sensor 66 Is calculated brighter. On the other hand, when the luminance value when the luminance is automatically controlled is set to be dark, the output value output from the inverter 82 to the LCD backlight 81 is calculated to be dark.

  As described above, since the luminance value when changing automatically can be set according to the preference of the user of the information processing apparatus 1, it is possible to set the luminance more suitable for the use environment.

  The FC hot key control unit 312 includes a notification determination unit 331, a manual luminance setting control unit 332, a long press control unit 333, a luminance state display unit 334, and a mode switching control unit 335.

  The notification determination unit 331 determines whether the notification issued from the embedded controller 67 is a Make notification.

  The manual brightness setting control unit 332 changes the brightness value based on the notification in accordance with the FC hot key notification signal. More specifically, for example, when the F5 key is pressed while pressing the Fn key, the brightness value is decreased by one level, and when the F6 key is pressed while pressing the Fn key, the brightness value is increased by one level.

  The long press control unit 333 sets a timer when a predetermined FM hot key is pressed, and when a predetermined key is pressed continuously for a predetermined time (period) measured by the timer, It is determined that the FM hot key is pressed (determined as a long press). Hereinafter, a state in which a predetermined FM hot key is continuously pressed for a predetermined time or longer is referred to as “long press”. In addition, the release immediately after pressing a predetermined FM hot key is referred to as “short press” with respect to “long press”. Further, a state where the button 71 is kept pressed for a predetermined time or longer is also referred to as “long press”.

  The luminance state display unit 334 displays a GUI (Graphical User Interface) indicating the current luminance state. More specifically, for example, when the mode is in the automatic state, a dialog indicating the automatic state is displayed. When the mode is in the manual state, a dialog indicating the manual state is displayed, and the mode is in the maximum state. If it is, a dialog showing the maximum state is displayed.

  The mode switching control unit 335 controls the mode. More specifically, for example, when the mode is in the automatic state, the mode is switched from the automatic state to the manual state when the predetermined FC hot key is pressed, and when the mode is in the maximum state, the predetermined FC hot When the key is pressed, the mode is switched from the maximum state to the manual state. When the mode is the manual state, the mode is switched from the manual state to the maximum state when a predetermined FM hot key is pressed.

  More specifically, for example, when the mode is in the automatic state and the Fn key and the F6 key are pressed at the same time, the luminance value is increased by one step, and the mode is changed from the automatic state to the manual state. Furthermore, in the above example, if the Fn key and F6 key are pressed at the same time before the maximum brightness value and the Fn key is pressed at the same time, the brightness value is increased by one step, resulting in the maximum brightness value. Is changed from the manual state to the maximum state.

  The hardware button control unit 313 includes a luminance state display unit 341, an automatic luminance setting dialog display unit 342, and a mode switching control unit 343.

  The luminance state display unit 341 displays a GUI indicating the current luminance state on the LCD 16. More specifically, for example, the luminance state display unit 341 displays a dialog indicating the automatic state on the LCD 16 when the mode is in an automatic state, and displays a manual state when the mode is in a manual state. When the mode reaches the maximum state, a dialog indicating the maximum state is displayed.

  The automatic brightness setting dialog display unit 342 causes the LCD 16 to display an automatic illuminance setting dialog for setting the brightness in the automatic state. For example, by entering a value in the automatic brightness setting dialog, the brightness adjustment in the automatic state can be set to brighter or darker.

  The mode switching control unit 343 controls mode switching. More specifically, for example, when the mode is in the automatic state, the mode switching control unit 343 switches the mode from the automatic state to the manual state when the button 71 is pressed, and when the mode is in the maximum state, the button 71 When is pressed, the mode is switched from the maximum state to the normal state. When the mode is the normal state, the mode is switched from the normal state to the maximum state when the button 71 is pressed.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the details of the BIOS 62.

  The BIOS 62 includes an output value calculation control unit 361 and an output value notification unit 362.

  The output value calculation control unit 361 converts the luminance value supplied from the utility program 155 into an output value based on the conversion table. Here, the conversion table is stored in, for example, a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory or an EEPROM, and is appropriately read according to a request from the output value calculation control unit 361. In addition, for example, information for associating luminance values and output values on a one-to-one basis is recorded in the conversion table.

  The output value notification unit 362 notifies the embedded controller 67 of the output value converted by the output value calculation control unit 361. In other words, the luminance of the LCD 16 can be changed by setting the output value notified from the output value notification unit 362 in the inverter 82 by the embedded controller 67.

  Next, processing for automatically setting the brightness when the mode is in the automatic state will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining automatic brightness setting processing.

  In step S <b> 1, the automatic brightness control unit 211 of the embedded controller firmware 152 acquires the illuminance data from the optical sensor 66 by executing the optical sensor polling process. Details of the optical sensor polling process will be described later.

  When the difference between the previous value and the current value is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold, the automatic luminance control unit 211 notifies the utility program 155 of a notification indicating that the illuminance has changed (hereinafter referred to as an illuminance change notification).

  In step S <b> 2, the automatic luminance control unit 311 of the utility program 155 executes a luminance value calculation process in response to the illuminance change notification notified from the automatic luminance control unit 211. Details of the luminance value calculation process will be described later.

  The luminance notification unit 316 of the utility program 155 notifies the BIOS 62 of the luminance value calculated by the luminance calculation unit 314.

  In step S <b> 3, the BIOS 62 executes output value calculation processing according to the luminance value notified from the luminance notification unit 316. Details of the output value calculation process will be described later.

  The output value notification unit 362 of the BIOS 62 notifies the embedded controller 67 of the output value calculated by the output value calculation control unit 361.

  In step S4, the inverter control unit 215 of the embedded controller firmware 152 executes the inverter value setting process according to the output value notified from the output value notification unit 362, and the process ends. Details of the inverter value setting process will be described later.

  Next, the polling process of the optical sensor with respect to the process of step S1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S11, the automatic luminance control unit 211 determines whether or not a predetermined update interval for the optical sensor polling process has elapsed.

  Here, the predetermined update interval refers to an interval at which the optical sensor polling process is executed. For example, when the update interval is set to 1, the process of step S11 is executed at intervals of 1 second.

  If it is determined in step S11 that the predetermined update interval of the optical sensor polling process has not elapsed, the process returns to step S11 and the determination process is repeated.

  If it is determined in step S11 that the predetermined update interval of the optical sensor polling process has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S12, and the polling control unit 221 determines whether or not the mode is in the automatic state.

  If it is determined in step S12 that the mode is the automatic state, the process proceeds to step S13, and the polling control unit 221 acquires illuminance data from the optical sensor 66.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S12 that the mode is not automatic, the process returns to step S11 and the above-described processing is repeated.

  In step S14, the polling control unit 221 determines whether the acquired illuminance data is a valid value. For example, in step S14, the polling control unit 221 determines whether the acquired illuminance data is a valid value by comparing the value of the acquired illuminance data with a threshold value that defines an upper limit value and a lower limit value. To do.

  If it is determined in step S14 that the acquired illuminance data is not a valid value, the process returns to step S11 and the above-described processing is repeated.

  If it is determined in step S14 that the acquired illuminance data is a valid value, the process proceeds to step S15, and the automatic luminance control unit 211 sets the current value, which is the illuminance data acquired from the light sensor 66, as the previous value. Remember. The previous value is stored in, for example, a storage device (not shown) provided in the LCD 16 or a storage device (not shown) provided in the embedded controller 67.

  In step S <b> 16, the polling control unit 221 stores the illuminance data acquired from the optical sensor 66 as the current value. The previous value is stored in, for example, a storage device (not shown) provided in the LCD 16 or a RAM provided in the embedded controller 67.

  In step S17, the illuminance data comparison unit 222 determines whether or not the difference between the previous value and the current value is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value.

  If it is determined in step S17 that the difference between the previous value and the current value is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value, the process proceeds to step S18, and the illuminance change notification issuing unit 223 supplies the illuminance change notification to the utility program 155.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S17 that the difference between the previous value and the current value is not greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold value, the process returns to step S11 and the above-described processing is repeated.

  Next, the luminance value calculation process for the process of step S2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S31, the illuminance data acquisition unit 317 acquires the illuminance change notification supplied from the illuminance change notification issue unit 223.

  In step S <b> 32, the illuminance data acquisition unit 317 acquires illuminance data from the embedded controller 67. For example, in step S32, the illuminance data acquisition unit 317 acquires the latest illuminance data supplied from the illuminance data transfer unit 224 via the SPIC.

  In step S <b> 33, the luminance acquisition unit 315 acquires the currently set luminance value supplied from the luminance transfer unit 225 via the BIOS.

  FIG. 13 is a sequence flow for explaining processing in which the utility program 155 inquires the embedded controller 67 about the currently set luminance value.

  The left figure shows the process performed by the embedded controller 67, the figure shows the process performed by the BIOS 62, and the right figure shows the process performed by the utility program 155. Each process is executed in time series according to the arrows shown in the figure.

  In step S <b> 51, the luminance acquisition unit 315 sends an inquiry about the luminance value to the BIOS 62.

  In step S <b> 52, the BIOS 62 receives an inquiry about the luminance value from the luminance acquisition unit 315. In step S <b> 53, the BIOS 62 transmits an inquiry about the current output value in response to the received inquiry about the luminance value to the luminance transfer unit 225.

  In step S <b> 54, the luminance transfer unit 225 receives an output value inquiry from the BIOS 62. In step S <b> 55, the luminance transfer unit 225 returns the current luminance output value to the BIOS 62 in response to the output value inquiry from the BIOS 62.

  In step S <b> 56, the BIOS 62 receives the current luminance output value from the embedded controller 67, converts the received luminance output value into a luminance ID, and returns the converted luminance ID to the luminance acquisition unit 315. Here, the luminance ID is, for example, a value that uniquely identifies a luminance value, and the luminance acquisition unit 315 recognizes the luminance ID as a luminance value.

  In step S <b> 57, the brightness acquisition unit 315 receives the current brightness value from the BIOS 62. In step S58, the luminance acquisition unit 315 stores the received current luminance value in, for example, a ROM or a RAM, and the process ends.

  In this way, the current output value output from the inverter 82 to the LCD backlight 81 can be acquired.

  Returning to FIG. 12, in step S34, the luminance calculation unit 314 calculates an appropriate luminance from the illuminance data acquired in the process of step S32 or the luminance value acquired in the process of step S33, based on a predetermined user setting. Calculate the value.

  Here, the appropriate luminance value is, for example, when the user sets the automatic luminance adjustment to “brighter” in the automatic luminance setting dialog described later, the luminance value is calculated as “brighter”, and conversely, When the setting is set to “dark”, the luminance value is calculated to “dark”.

  In step S35, the brightness notification unit 316 notifies the BIOS 62 of the brightness value calculated in the process of step S34, and the process ends.

  Next, output value calculation processing for the processing in step S3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S <b> 71, the BIOS 62 acquires the luminance value notified from the luminance notification unit 316 and supplies the acquired luminance value to the output value calculation control unit 361.

  In step S72, the output value calculation control unit 361 calculates an output value corresponding to the luminance value so that the inverter 82 can output the output value to the LCD backlight 81, based on the luminance value supplied from the BIOS 62. The calculated output value is supplied to the output value notification unit 362.

  In step S73, the output value notification unit 362 notifies the embedded controller 67 of the output value supplied from the output value calculation control unit 361, and the process ends.

  Next, the inverter value setting process for the process of step S4 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S91, the inverter control unit 215 acquires the output value notified from the output value notification unit 362 of the BIOS 62.

  In step S92, the smoothing control determination unit 271 inquires of the smoothing control unit 212 about the state of the smoothing function, and determines whether smoothing control is on based on the result of the inquiry.

  If it is determined in step S92 that the smoothing control is not on (the smoothing control is off), the process proceeds to step S93, where the inverter output value setting unit 272 directly outputs the output value notified from the output value notification unit 362. The inverter 82 is set.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S92 that the smoothing control is on, the process of step S93 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S94.

  In step S94, the inverter output value storage unit 273 stores the output value as the target value, and the process ends.

  Here, the details of the inverter value setting process will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17.

  First, FIG. 16 is a sequence flow for explaining luminance setting processing in a state where the smoothing control is off.

  The left figure shows the process performed by the embedded controller 67, the figure shows the process performed by the BIOS 62, and the right figure shows the process performed by the utility program 155. Each process is executed in time series according to the arrows shown in the figure.

  In step S <b> 111, the luminance notification unit 316 transmits a new luminance value to the BIOS 62.

  In step S112, the BIOS 62 receives the luminance value from the luminance notification unit 316. In step S113, the output value calculation control unit 361 converts the received luminance value into an output value based on the data in the table. In step S <b> 114, the output value notification unit 362 transmits the converted output value to the inverter control unit 215.

  In step S115, the inverter control unit 215 receives the output value from the BIOS 62. In step S116, since the smoothing control is off, the inverter output value setting unit 272 immediately changes the output value, and the process ends.

  That is, when the smoothing control is off, the output value is immediately changed because the luminance does not have to be changed smoothly. As a result, the brightness of the LCD 16 can be set to an optimum brightness without a user instruction.

  Next, FIG. 17 is a sequence flow for explaining luminance setting processing in a state where the smoothing control is on.

  The left figure shows the process performed by the embedded controller 67, the figure shows the process performed by the BIOS 62, and the right figure shows the process performed by the utility program 155. Each process is executed in time series according to the arrows shown in the figure.

  In step S131, the luminance notification unit 316 transmits a new luminance value to the BIOS 62.

  In step S <b> 132, the BIOS 62 receives a luminance value from the luminance notification unit 316. In step S113, the output value calculation control unit 361 converts the received luminance value into an output value based on the data in the table. In step S134, the output value notification unit 362 transmits the converted output value to the inverter control unit 215.

  In step S <b> 135, the inverter control unit 215 receives an output value from the BIOS 62. In step S136, since the smoothing control is on, the inverter output value storage unit 273 does not immediately change the output value but stores it as a new target value, and the process ends.

  That is, when smoothing control is on, the luminance must be changed smoothly, so that the output value is not changed immediately, but is temporarily stored in the inverter output value storage unit 273 as the target value. Further, the brightness can be smoothly changed by executing the brightness setting process of the inverter described later based on the target value.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining the brightness setting process of the inverter.

  In step S151, the inverter control unit 215 determines whether or not a predetermined update interval for the inverter brightness setting process has elapsed.

  Here, the predetermined update interval refers to an interval for executing the brightness setting process of the inverter. For example, when 5 milliseconds (msec) is set, the process of step S151 is performed at an interval of 5 milliseconds. Is done. Further, the predetermined update interval can be set as appropriate, but in order to smoothly change the luminance, a time shorter than the update interval (for example, 1 second) of the above-described optical sensor polling process (for example, 1 second). 5 milliseconds) is desirable.

  If it is determined in step S151 that the predetermined update interval of the brightness setting process of the inverter has not elapsed, the process returns to step S151 and the above-described process is repeated.

  If it is determined in step S151 that the predetermined update interval of the brightness setting process of the inverter has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S152, and the state transition control unit 216 determines whether or not the mode is an automatic state.

  If the mode is in the automatic state in step S152, the process proceeds to step S153, and the inverter luminance determination unit 274 determines whether or not the target value set in the process of step S94 is equal to the current value acquired in the process of step S33. judge.

  On the other hand, if the mode is not the automatic state (manual or maximum state) in step S152, the inverter brightness setting process does not need to be performed at a predetermined interval, so the process returns to step S151 and the above-described processes are repeated.

  When it is determined in step S153 that the target value is not equal to the current value, the process proceeds to step S154, and the inverter luminance determination unit 274 determines whether or not the target value is larger than the current value.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S153 that the target value is equal to the current value, there is no need to change the set value of the inverter, so the process returns to step S151 and the above-described processing is repeated.

  When it is determined in step S154 that the target value is larger than the current value, the process proceeds to step S155, where the inverter luminance calculation unit 275 adds a predetermined value to the current value, and the process proceeds to step S157.

  In this way, by adding a predetermined value to the current value, the luminance is higher than the current value, so that the LCD 16 can be brightened. As a result, the brightness of the LCD 16 can be changed according to the surrounding environment.

  The predetermined value can be set arbitrarily. However, if the value is increased too much, the increase (decrease) in the luminance value at each update interval increases, so the luminance changes abruptly. (Luminance increases in a short time) and makes the user aware that the luminance has been changed. On the other hand, if the value is too small, the increase (decrease) in the luminance value at the update interval becomes small, and it takes a long time to change the luminance, and the luminance does not change substantially. Therefore, a predetermined value is set while considering the balance between the two.

  In step S155, the value added to the current value may be a predetermined fixed value or a value set by the user.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S154 that the target value is smaller than the current value, the process proceeds to step S156, and the inverter luminance calculation unit 275 subtracts a predetermined value from the current value.

  Thus, by subtracting a predetermined value from the current value, the luminance is lower than the current value, so the LCD 16 can be darkened. As a result, the brightness of the LCD 16 can be changed according to the surrounding environment.

  In step S157, the inverter output value setting unit 272 sets the value calculated by the process of step S155 or the process of step S156 in the inverter 82, returns to step S151, and repeats the above-described process.

  In this way, when the smoothing control is on, the luminance can be adjusted smoothly, so that the user can use the information processing apparatus 1 without being aware that the luminance of the LCD 16 has changed.

  Next, processing when the button 71 of the information processing apparatus 1 is pressed will be described.

  FIG. 19 is a state transition diagram when the button 71 is pressed.

  As described above, there are three modes: an automatic state 401 in which the luminance is automatically adjusted, a manual state 402 in which the luminance is manually adjusted, and a maximum state 403 in which the luminance is adjusted to the maximum luminance.

  In the automatic state 401, the brightness of the LCD 16 is set to a brightness other than the maximum, and the smoothing control is set to ON. That is, since smoothing control is performed in the automatic state, the luminance value can be changed automatically and smoothly according to the ambient brightness.

  When the button 71 is pressed in the automatic state 401, the mode transitions to the manual state 402.

  In the manual state 402, the brightness of the LCD 16 is set to a brightness other than the maximum, and the smoothing control is set to OFF. That is, in the manual state 402, when the maximum luminance is reached, the mode is set to the maximum state 403, and thus the luminance is set at a luminance other than the maximum. Further, since the brightness is adjusted by a user instruction, it is not necessary to perform smoothing control.

  When the button 71 is pressed in the manual state 402, the mode transitions to the maximum state 403.

  In the maximum state 403, the brightness of the LCD 16 is set to the maximum brightness, and the smoothing control is set to OFF. That is, in the maximum state, when the luminance is other than the maximum, the mode is set to the manual state 402, and is set at the maximum luminance. Further, since it is not necessary to adjust the luminance, it is not necessary to perform smoothing control.

  As described above, since the mode can be easily changed by simply pressing the button 71, optimum usability can be provided to the user of the information processing apparatus 1.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating the button state determination process.

  In step S201, the hardware button control unit 214 determines whether or not a predetermined update interval of the button shape determination process has elapsed.

  Here, the predetermined update interval refers to an interval at which button shape determination processing is executed. For example, the processing is executed at intervals of 5 milliseconds by being set at 5 (msec).

  If it is determined in step S201 that the predetermined update interval of the button shape determination process has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S202, and the LED control unit 217 determines whether the luminance is maximum.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S201 that the predetermined update interval of the button shape determination process has not elapsed, the process returns to step S201 and the above-described process is repeated.

  If it is determined in step S202 that the luminance is maximum, the process proceeds to step S203, and the LED control unit 217 turns on the LED. For example, the LED is provided inside a button 71 provided at a predetermined position such as an edge or a side surface of the information processing apparatus 1, and the button 71 is lit when the maximum luminance is reached.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining lighting of the LED at the maximum luminance.

  In the example shown in FIG. 21, since the LED is lit at the maximum luminance, the button 71 is also lit.

  In this way, in the case of the maximum luminance, it is possible to inform the user of the information processing apparatus 1 that the luminance of the LCD 16 is maximum by turning on the LED, so that the user has the maximum luminance. Can be known instantly.

  Returning to FIG. 20, on the other hand, if it is determined in step S202 that the luminance is not maximum, the process of step S203 is skipped, and the process proceeds to step S204 to turn off the LED. That is, since the LED that has been turned on in step S203 has no maximum luminance, it is turned off in step S204.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining the turn-off of the LED at a brightness other than the maximum.

  In the example shown in FIG. 22, when the brightness is other than the maximum, the LED is not lit, so the button 71 is not lit.

  In this way, in the case of a brightness other than the maximum, it is possible to inform the user of the information processing apparatus 1 that the brightness of the LCD 16 is not the maximum by turning off the LED, so that the user can confirm that the current brightness is not the maximum. You can know instantly.

  Returning to FIG. 20, in step S <b> 205, the state change determination unit 251 determines whether or not the button 71 has changed with the signal from the button 71 downward.

  If it is determined in step S205 that the button 71 has changed, the process proceeds to step S206, and the hardware button control unit 214 removes so-called chattering. Here, chattering refers to the initial unstable state when a switch is turned on at a mechanical contact or the like. As a countermeasure, for example, by taking in data while avoiding chattering (continues for a predetermined period of time). In other words, it is possible to eliminate chattering by determining whether or not the signal value is maintained.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S205 that the button 71 has not changed, the button 71 has not been pressed, so the process returns to step S201 and the above-described processing is repeated.

  In step S207, the button change notification issuing unit 252 issues a hardware button change notification to the utility program 155, returns to step S201, and repeats the above-described processing.

  FIG. 23 is a flowchart for explaining processing when the button of the utility program is pressed when the hardware button change notification is received from the button change notification issuing unit 252.

  In step S <b> 221, the hardware button control unit 313 inquires of the hardware button control unit 214 about the state of the button 71 in response to the hardware button change notification notified from the button change notification issuing unit 252.

  In step S222, the hardware button control unit 313 determines whether or not the button 71 is pressed based on the notification from the hardware button control unit 214 corresponding to the processing in step S222. That is, when the button 71 is pressed, for example, when a notification indicating that the button 71 has been pressed (hereinafter referred to as a button press notification) is received from the hardware button control unit 214, the button 71 is pressed. judge. Conversely, when a notification indicating that the button 71 has been released from the hardware button control unit 214 (hereinafter referred to as a button release notification) is notified, it is determined that the button 71 has been released.

  In step S222, when a button press notification is notified from the hardware button control unit 214 and it is determined that the button 71 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S223, and the hardware button control unit 313 sets a timer. Here, the timer is set to determine whether or not the button 71 has been pressed by a long press, and the button 71 has not been released within a predetermined time set in the timer (the button release notification is not notified). ) Is determined to be a long press.

  In step S224, the hardware button control unit 313 determines whether the timer has elapsed. That is, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time by the timer set in step S223 has elapsed.

  If it is determined in step S224 that the timer has elapsed, the time set in the timer has elapsed without a new button change notification being acquired (for example, the button 71 has been pressed for a long time). Then, the automatic brightness setting dialog display unit 342 displays an automatic brightness setting dialog.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of an automatic brightness setting dialog.

  The tab 431 is configured to include system information, startup setting, power-on password, device, S button setting, plug and play, automatic brightness setting, and station / port replicator. When the user's instruction is to select the automatic brightness setting 432 on the tab, an automatic brightness setting dialog 421 is displayed.

  The automatic brightness setting dialog 421 includes an automatic brightness adjustment slider 433, an OK button 434, a cancel button 435, an apply button 436, a default button 437, a help button 438, and a brightness button description 439.

  The slider 433 sets the brightness adjustment level in the automatic state. For example, the brightness adjustment in the automatic state can be set brighter by moving the slider 433 upward (brightening from the standard). In addition, the brightness adjustment in the automatic state can be made dark by moving the slider 433 downward (from dark to normal).

  In this way, it is possible to adjust the preference suitable for the use environment of the user.

  Next, each button will be described. In the description of each button, it is assumed that each button is pressed according to a user instruction.

  The OK button 434 enables the automatic brightness adjustment setting by the slider 433 and closes the automatic brightness setting dialog 421. A cancel button 435 invalidates the automatic brightness adjustment setting by the slider 433 and closes the automatic brightness setting dialog 421. The apply button 436 enables the automatic brightness adjustment setting by the slider 433. The default button 437 returns the automatic brightness adjustment setting to the initial value. For example, the help button 438 activates a help application program of the automatic brightness setting dialog 421.

  The brightness button description 439 describes the position of the button 71 that is a brightness button in the information processing apparatus 1.

  Returning to FIG. 23, if it is determined in step S224 that the timer has not elapsed, the process of step S224 is repeated until a predetermined time elapses or a button release notification is notified.

  In step S222, when the button release notification is notified from the hardware button control unit 214 and it is determined that the button 71 is released, the process proceeds to step S226, and the hardware button control unit 313 determines whether the timer is operating. Determine whether.

  If it is determined in step S226 that a timer exists, the process proceeds to step S227 and the timer is stopped. That is, while the timer is running, as described above, since the button press notification is already notified, when the button release notification is notified, the timer set according to the button press notification is stopped. Thus, a series of operations of pressing and releasing the button 71 is completed.

  In step S228, the hardware button control unit 313 determines whether or not the changed mode is an automatic state.

  If it is determined in step S228 that the changed mode is not the automatic state, the changed mode is the manual or maximum state, so the process proceeds to step S229, and the mode switching control unit 343 sets the smoothing control to OFF. To do.

  Here, step S230 is the same as the above-described process in which the utility program 155 of FIG. 13 inquires the embedded controller 67 for the currently set luminance value, and therefore description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  In step S230, the luminance acquisition unit 315 acquires the current luminance value from the luminance transfer unit 225 via the BIOS 62.

  Here, the processing in step S231 is the same as the luminance setting processing in the state in which the smoothing control in FIG. 16 is off, and thus the description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  In step S231, the luminance notification unit 316 converts the luminance value acquired in the process of step S230 via the BIOS 62 and notifies the embedded controller 67 of the converted output value.

  In step S232, the luminance state display unit 341 displays a luminance state dialog. Here, the dialog in the luminance state is a manual or maximum state dialog.

  The luminance state dialog is configured to include, for example, a name indicating a mode and an indicator indicating the luminance state.

  FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an example of a dialog of a luminance state when the mode is a manual state.

  In the example shown in FIG. 25, the brightness state dialog when the mode is the manual state displays a name indicating the mode being “luminance” and a variable indicator 451.

  For example, when a predetermined FM hot key is pressed, the variable indicator 451 increases or decreases according to the luminance value after the change.

  FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of a dialog of the luminance state when the mode is the maximum state.

  In the example shown in FIG. 26, the dialog of the luminance state when the mode is the maximum state displays a name indicating the mode that is “luminance (maximum)” and a maximum fixed indicator 456.

  When the mode is in the maximum state, the indicator 456 always indicates the maximum because it is the maximum luminance value.

  Returning to FIG. 23, if it is determined in step S228 that the changed mode is the automatic state, the process proceeds to step S233, and the automatic luminance control unit 311 is supplied from the illuminance data transfer unit 224 via the SPIC. Get the latest illuminance data.

  Here, the processing in step S234 is the same as the luminance setting processing in the state where the smoothing control in FIG. 16 is off, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  In step S234, the illuminance data acquired in the process of step S233 is converted via the BIOS 62, and the converted output value is notified to the embedded controller 67.

  In step S235, the luminance state display unit 341 displays a luminance state dialog. Here, the dialog in the luminance state is an automatic state dialog.

  FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an example of a dialog of a luminance state when the mode is an automatic state.

  In the example shown in FIG. 27, the brightness state dialog when the mode is the automatic state displays a name indicating the mode of “brightness (automatic)” and an inactive indicator 461.

  When the mode is the automatic state, the indicator 461 is displayed in gray or the like, for example, to indicate that the indicator is invalid, and transits to an inactive state.

  Returning to FIG. 23, in step S236, the mode switching control unit 343 sets the smoothing control to ON because the mode after the change is in the automatic state, and the process ends.

  Next, various patterns when the button 71 is pressed will be described with reference to the sequence flow of FIGS.

  First, FIG. 28 is a sequence flow for explaining the details of the processing when the user presses the button for a long time.

  From the left of the figure, the operation of the button 71 performed by the user of the information processing apparatus 1, the process performed by the embedded controller 67, the process performed by the BIOS 62, and the process performed by the utility program 155 are illustrated. Each process is executed in time series according to the arrows shown in the figure.

  In step S251, the button 71 is long pressed in accordance with a user instruction.

  In step S252, the state change determination unit 251 detects a change in the button 71. The hardware button control unit 214 removes chattering and confirms that there is no change for a certain period of time and no noise.

  In step S253, the button change notification issuing unit 252 notifies the hardware button control unit 313 of the hardware button change notification via the BIOS 62.

  In step S254, the hardware button control unit 313 acquires the hardware button change notification notified from the button change notification issuing unit 252.

  In step S255, the hardware button control unit 313 sends an inquiry about the state of the button 71 (hereinafter referred to as a hardware button state request) via the BIOS 62 in response to the hardware button change notification. Call 214.

  In step S <b> 256, the hardware button control unit 214 receives a hardware button state request from the hardware button control unit 313 via the BIOS 62.

  In step S257, the hardware button control unit 214 returns a button press notification corresponding to the hardware button state request to the hardware button control unit 313 via the BIOS 62 because the user has long pressed the button 71. .

  In step S258, the hardware button control unit 313 receives a button press notification from the hardware button control unit 214 via the BIOS 62, and confirms that the button 71 is pressed.

  In step S259, the hardware button control unit 313 sets a timer and starts measuring time.

  In step S260, when the hardware button control unit 313 confirms that the button 71 has been pressed for a certain period of time by the timer, the automatic brightness setting dialog display unit 342 displays the automatic brightness setting dialog 421, and the process ends. To do.

  Next, FIG. 29 is a sequence flow for explaining the details of the processing when the button is pressed and released after being pressed.

  From the left of the figure, the operation of the button 71 performed by the user of the information processing apparatus 1, the process performed by the embedded controller 67, the process performed by the BIOS 62, and the process performed by the utility program 155 are illustrated. Each process is executed in time series according to the arrows shown in the figure.

  In step S271, the long-pressed button 71 (for example, the example shown in FIG. 28) is released according to a user instruction.

  In step S272, the state change determination unit 251 detects a change in the button 71. The hardware button control unit 214 removes chattering and confirms that there is no change for a certain period of time and no noise.

  In step S <b> 273, the button change notification issuing unit 252 notifies the hardware button control unit 313 of the hardware button change notification because the long-pressed button 71 is released via the BIOS 62.

  In step S274, the hardware button control unit 313 acquires the hardware button change notification notified from the button change notification issuing unit 252.

  In step S275, the hardware button control unit 313 transmits a hardware button state request to the hardware button control unit 214 via the BIOS 62 in response to the hardware button change notification.

  In step S276, the hardware button control unit 214 receives a hardware button state request from the hardware button control unit 313 via the BIOS 62.

  In step S277, the hardware button control unit 214 releases the button 71 that has been pressed for a long time. Therefore, the hardware button control unit 214 notifies the hardware button control unit 313 of a button release according to the hardware button state request via the BIOS 62. return.

  In step S278, the hardware button control unit 313 receives the button release notification from the hardware button control unit 214 via the BIOS 62, and confirms that the button 71 is released.

  In step S279, the hardware button control unit 313 does not perform any processing because the automatic brightness setting dialog is displayed, and the processing ends.

  Next, FIG. 30 is a sequence flow for explaining details of processing when a button is pressed for a short time in an automatic state.

  From the left of the figure, the operation of the button 71 performed by the user of the information processing apparatus 1, the process performed by the embedded controller 67, the process performed by the BIOS 62, and the process performed by the utility program 155 are illustrated. Each process is executed in time series according to the arrows shown in the figure.

  In step S291, the utility program 155 acquires the current brightness value from the embedded controller 67 via the BIOS 62 by executing a process for inquiring about the current brightness value. The process for inquiring about the current luminance value is the same as the process in which the utility program 155 of FIG. 13 inquires the embedded controller 67 for the currently set luminance value, and therefore the description thereof is omitted.

  In step S292, the mode switching control unit 343 transmits a request (hereinafter referred to as an automatic control off setting request) indicating that automatic control is set to OFF to the state transition control unit 216 via the BIOS 62. Here, automatic control refers to control that automatically adjusts brightness.When automatic control is on, the mode is in an automatic state.When automatic state is off, the mode is either manual or maximum state. Become.

  In step S293, the state transition control unit 216 receives an automatic control-off setting request from the mode switching control unit 343 via the BIOS 62, and in step S294, based on the received automatic control-off setting request. Set automatic control to off.

  In step S295, since the mode has changed from the automatic state to the manual state, the luminance state display unit 341 notifies the display and change of a dialog that is a GUI indicating the manual state (for example, the luminance state dialog in FIG. 25). Play a sound (for example, a beep).

  In step S296, the LED control unit 217 keeps the LED off because the mode is not the maximum state.

  In step S297, by executing the brightness setting process in the smoothing control off state, the embedded controller 67 receives the brightness value acquired by the process in step S291 from the utility program 155 as an output value, and receives it immediately. The output value thus set is set in the inverter 82. Since the luminance setting process in the smoothing control off state is the same as the luminance setting process in the smoothing control off state in FIG. 16, the description thereof is omitted.

  Next, FIG. 31 is a sequence flow for explaining details of processing when the button is pressed for a short time in the maximum state.

  From the left of the figure, the operation of the button 71 performed by the user of the information processing apparatus 1, the process performed by the embedded controller 67, the process performed by the BIOS 62, and the process performed by the utility program 155 are illustrated. Each process is executed in time series according to the arrows shown in the figure.

  In step S <b> 311, the illuminance data acquisition unit 317 sends an illuminance information inquiry to the illuminance data transfer unit 224 via the BIOS 62.

  In step S <b> 312, the illuminance data transfer unit 224 receives an inquiry about illuminance information from the illuminance data acquisition unit 317 via the BIOS 62.

  In step S313, the illuminance data acquisition unit 317 acquires the current illuminance data from the optical sensor 66 in response to the received illuminance information inquiry, and returns the acquired illuminance data to the utility program 155.

  In step S <b> 314, the illuminance data acquisition unit 317 receives the current illuminance data from the illuminance data transfer unit 224 via the BIOS 62.

  In step S315, the luminance calculation unit 314 calculates an appropriate luminance value based on the received illuminance data and user settings.

  In step S316, by executing the brightness setting process in the smoothing control off state, the embedded controller 67 receives the brightness value acquired by the process in step S315 from the utility program 155 as an output value, and receives it immediately. The output value thus set is set in the inverter 82. Since the luminance setting process in the smoothing control off state is the same as the luminance setting process in the smoothing control off state in FIG. 16, the description thereof is omitted.

  In step S317, the mode switching control unit 343 transmits a request (smoothing on request) indicating that the smoothing is set to ON to the smoothing control unit 212 via the BIOS 62, and further sets the automatic control to ON. A request indicating that this is to be performed (hereinafter, automatic control ON setting request) is transmitted to the state transition control unit 216.

  In step S318, the state transition control unit 216 receives the automatic control OFF setting request from the mode switching control unit 343 via the BIOS 62. Further, the smoothing control unit 212 receives a smoothing-on request from the mode switching control unit 343 via the BIOS 62.

  In step S319, the state transition control unit 216 sets automatic control to ON based on the received automatic control ON setting request. That is, the mode is set to the automatic state.

  In step S320, the smoothing control unit 212 sets the smoothing control to ON based on the received request for smoothing ON.

  In step S321, since the mode has changed from the maximum state to the automatic state, the luminance state display unit 341 notifies the display and change of a dialog that is a GUI indicating the automatic state (for example, the luminance state dialog in FIG. 27). Play a sound (for example, a beep).

  In step S322, the LED control unit 217 keeps the LED off because the mode is not the maximum state.

  Next, FIG. 32 is a sequence flow for explaining details of processing when the button is pressed for a short time in the manual state.

  From the left of the figure, the operation of the button 71 performed by the user of the information processing apparatus 1, the process performed by the embedded controller 67, the process performed by the BIOS 62, and the process performed by the utility program 155 are illustrated. Each process is executed in time series according to the arrows shown in the figure.

  In step S341, the utility program 155 acquires the current brightness value from the embedded controller 67 via the BIOS 62 by executing a process for inquiring about the current brightness value. The process for inquiring about the current luminance value is the same as the process in which the utility program 155 of FIG. 13 inquires the embedded controller 67 for the currently set luminance value, and therefore the description thereof is omitted.

  In step S342, by executing the brightness setting process in the smoothing control off state, the embedded controller 67 receives the brightness value acquired by the process in step S341 from the utility program 155 as an output value, and receives it immediately. The output value thus set is set in the inverter 82. Since the luminance setting process in the smoothing control off state is the same as the luminance setting process in the smoothing control off state in FIG. 16, the description thereof is omitted.

  In step S343, since the mode is changed from the manual state to the maximum state, the luminance state display unit 341 notifies the display and change of a dialog that is a GUI indicating the maximum state (for example, the luminance state dialog in FIG. 26). Play a sound (for example, a beep).

  In step S344, the LED control unit 217 turns on the LED because the mode is in the maximum state and the luminance output value is maximum. In this way, it can be directly known that the luminance is maximized.

  Next, FIG. 33 is a state transition diagram when the FM hot key is pressed.

  In the state transition diagram when the FM hot key shown in FIG. 33 is pressed, the same parts as those in the state transition diagram when the button 71 in FIG. The description will be omitted as appropriate.

  As described above, there are three modes: an automatic state 401 in which the luminance is automatically adjusted, a manual state 402 in which the luminance is manually adjusted, and a maximum state 403 in which the luminance is adjusted to the maximum luminance.

  In addition, the FM hot key is preset to decrease the brightness when pressed in combination with the Fn key and F5 key, and increase the brightness when pressed in combination with the Fn key and F6 key. Shall.

  In the automatic state 401, when the Fn key and F5 key or the combination of the Fn key and F6 key is pressed, the mode transitions to the manual state 402. Also, if the combination of the Fn key and F6 key is pressed at a level one level lower than the maximum, the level will increase to the maximum level by increasing the level by one level, so the mode transitions to the maximum state 403 and the LED Lights up.

  When the manual state 402 is pressed with a combination of the Fn key and the F5 key, the luminance value is lowered in the manual state 402. In addition, when the combination of the Fn key and the F6 key is pressed at a luminance level one level lower than the maximum, the luminance level is increased by one level and the maximum luminance level is obtained. Therefore, the mode transitions to the maximum state 403. In other words, at a luminance lower by two or more steps than the maximum, the luminance value increases in the manual state 402 when pressed by a combination of the Fn key and the F6 key.

  When the combination of the Fn key and the F5 key is pressed in the maximum state 403, the luminance value decreases and the maximum luminance is lost, so the mode transitions to the manual state 402. When the combination of the Fn key and the F6 key is pressed in the maximum state 403, the luminance value cannot be increased any more, so the mode remains at the maximum state 403 and the luminance value does not change.

  Next, FIG. 34 is a flowchart illustrating keyboard polling processing.

  In step S401, the polling control unit 241 determines whether or not a predetermined update interval of the keyboard polling process has elapsed.

  Here, the predetermined update interval refers to an interval at which the keyboard polling process is executed. For example, when the update interval is set to 5 (msec), the process is executed at an interval of 5 milliseconds.

  If it is determined in step S401 that the predetermined update interval of the keyboard polling process has elapsed, the process advances to step S402, and the polling control unit 241 determines whether the F5 key or the F6 key is pressed while pressing the Fn key. Determine whether.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S401 that the predetermined update interval of the keyboard polling process has not elapsed, the process returns to step S11 to repeat the above-described process.

  In step S402, when it is determined that the F5 key or the F6 key is pressed while pressing the Fn key, the process proceeds to step S403, and the state change notification unit 242 sends a Make notification indicating that the FM hot key is pressed. Issued to the utility program 155, the process returns to step S401, and the above-described processing is repeated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S402 that the F5 key or the F6 key is not pressed while pressing the Fn key, the process proceeds to step S404, and the polling control unit 241 selects either the Fn key and the F5 key or the F6 key. It is determined whether or not is released.

  If it is determined in step S404 that either the Fn key and the F5 key or the F6 key have been released, the process proceeds to step S405, and the state change notification unit 242 sends a Break notification indicating that the FC hot key has been released. Issued to the utility program 155, the process returns to step S401, and the above-described processing is repeated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S404 that neither the Fn key, F5 key, or F6 key has been released, the process returns to step S401 and the above-described processing is repeated.

  FIG. 35 is a notification (hereinafter referred to as button change) in which the FC hot key control unit 312 indicates a change in a button state supplied from the FC hot key control unit 213 (for example, when a predetermined FC hot key is pressed). It is a flowchart explaining the process (process when an FM hot key is pressed) of the utility pro program 155 when acquiring a notification).

  In step S421, the notification determination unit 331 acquires a notification indicating the state of the button 71 from the state change notification unit 242 in response to the received button change notification, and the notification indicating the state of the acquired button 71 is a Make notification. It is determined whether or not there is. That is, by determining whether or not the notification indicating the state of the button 71 is a Make notification, it is possible to determine whether or not the Fn key and F5 key, or the Fn key and F6 key are pressed.

  If it is determined in step S421 that the button change notification is a make notification, the process proceeds to step S422, and the long press control unit 333 sets a timer. By setting a timer when a predetermined FH hot key is pressed, it can be determined that the FH hot key is pressed while the timer is present (determined as a long press). (For example, the process of step S430 described later).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S421 that the button change notification is not a make notification, a break notification is acquired, and thus the process proceeds to step S431, the timer is turned off, and the process ends. In other words, when the predetermined FM hot key is released, the timer is turned off, so that it can be determined that the predetermined FM hot key is released while the timer is not present (for example, a step described later). Process of S430).

  In step S423, the mode switching control unit 335 determines whether or not the mode is an automatic state.

  If it is determined in step S423 that the mode is the automatic state, the process proceeds to step S424, and the mode switching control unit 335 sets the smoothing control to OFF. That is, as described above, in the automatic state, when a predetermined FM hot key is pressed, the manual or maximum state is set, so that the smoothing control is set to OFF.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S423 that the mode is not the automatic state, the smoothing control is set to OFF, so the process of step S424 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S426.

  In step S425, the luminance acquisition unit 315 acquires the current luminance value via the BIOS 62. The process for obtaining the current brightness value is the same as the process for the utility program 155 of FIG. 13 inquiring the currently set brightness value to the embedded controller 67, and therefore the description thereof is omitted.

  In step S426, the FM hot key control unit 312 determines whether the Fn key and F6 key have been pressed at the maximum luminance value or the Fn key has the minimum luminance value based on predetermined information included in the button change notification. And F5 key is pressed.

  If it is determined in step S426 that the Fn key and F6 key have been pressed at the maximum luminance value, or the Fn key and F5 key have been pressed at the minimum luminance value, the luminance value cannot be changed, so step S427. Thru | or the process of step S429 are skipped and it progresses to step S430.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S426 that the Fn key and F6 key are not pressed at the maximum brightness value, or the Fn key and F5 key are not pressed at the minimum brightness value, the process proceeds to step S427. The manual brightness setting control unit 332 changes the brightness value by one level. That is, the manual luminance setting control unit 332 increases the luminance value by one step when the Fn key and the F6 key are pressed, and decreases the luminance value by one step when the Fn key and the F5 key are pressed.

  In step S428, the luminance notification unit 316 issues a new luminance value, which is the luminance value changed by the processing in step S428, to the BIOS 62. The process of issuing a new brightness value to the BIOS 62 is the same as the brightness setting process in the smoothing control off state of FIG.

  In step S429, the luminance state display unit 334 displays a luminance state dialog and emits a sound notifying the change of the luminance state.

  That is, when the mode changes to the manual state, a dialog indicating the manual state (for example, the brightness state dialog in FIG. 25) is displayed. When the mode changes to the maximum state, the dialog indicating the maximum state (for example, FIG. 26). Display the brightness state dialog). In addition, a change is notified, for example, a sound such as a beep sound is generated.

  In step S430, long press controller 333 determines whether the period has elapsed (whether the timer set in the process of step S422 is operating) or not. If it is determined in step S430 that the period has elapsed, as described above, since the predetermined FM hot key has been pressed (long press), the process returns to step S426 and the above-described processing is repeated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S430 that the period has passed, the process ends because the predetermined FM hot key has been released as described above.

  Next, with reference to the sequence flow of FIGS. 36 to 46, various patterns when a predetermined FC hot key is pressed will be described in more detail.

  First, the details of processing when the Fn key and F5 key are pressed for a long time in the automatic state will be described with reference to the sequence flow of FIG.

  From the left side of the figure, the operation of the F hot key of the keyboard 69 performed by the user of the information processing apparatus 1, the process performed by the embedded controller 67, and the process performed by the BIOS 62 are shown. The right side of the figure shows the utility program 155. Indicates the processing to be performed. Each process is executed in time series according to the arrows shown in the figure. Since the mode is an automatic state and not the maximum luminance, the LED is turned off. In such a state, the user holds down the Fn key and F5 key for a long time.

  In step S451, since the user has long pressed the Fn key and F5 key, the mode switching control unit 335 changes the mode from the automatic state to the manual state as described above. Set smoothing control to off.

  In step S452, the state transition control unit 216 changes the mode from the automatic state to the manual state as described above because the user has long pressed the Fn key and the F5 key. Further, since the smoothing control unit 212 is in the manual state, the smoothing control is set to off.

  In step S453, the utility program 155 acquires the current brightness value from the embedded controller 67 via the BIOS 62 by executing a process for inquiring about the current brightness value. The process for inquiring about the current luminance value is the same as the process in which the utility program 155 of FIG. 13 inquires the embedded controller 67 for the currently set luminance value, and therefore the description thereof is omitted.

  In step S454, the manual luminance setting control unit 332 decreases the luminance value by one step because the Fn key and the F5 key are pressed based on the current luminance value acquired by the processing in step S453.

  In step S455, by executing the brightness setting process in the smoothing control off state, the embedded controller 67 receives the brightness value lowered by one step by the process in step S454 from the utility program 155 as an output value, and immediately Then, the received output value is set in the inverter 82. Since the luminance setting process in the smoothing control off state is the same as the luminance setting process in the smoothing control off state in FIG. 16, the description thereof is omitted.

  In step S456, since the mode has changed from the automatic state to the manual state, the luminance state display unit 334 displays a dialog that is in the manual state (for example, the luminance state dialog in FIG. 25), and a sound for notification of the change (for example, , Beep).

  In step S457, the FM hot key control unit 312 determines whether the Fn key and the F5 key are pressed with the minimum luminance value, and if the Fn key and the F5 key are pressed with the minimum luminance value, the luminance Since the value cannot be changed, the process ends. On the other hand, if it is not the minimum luminance value, the process proceeds to step S458.

  In step S458, the FM hot key control unit 312 sends an inquiry about the state of the button to the FC hot key control unit 213 via the BIOS 62.

  In step S459, the FM hot key control unit 213 receives an inquiry about the state of the button from the FC hot key control unit 312 via the BIOS 62.

  In step S460, the polling control unit 241 confirms that the Fn key and the F5 key are pressed, and the state change notification unit 242 indicates, for example, that the Fn key and the F5 key are pressed. The notification is returned to the notification determination unit 331.

  In step S461, the notification determination unit 331 acquires the Make notification supplied from the state change notification unit 242, and confirms that the Fn key and the F5 key are pressed.

  In step S462, the long press controller 333 sets a timer and starts measuring time. As described above, by setting the timer, it can be assumed that the Fn key and the F5 key are pressed while the timer is present.

  In step S463, the manual luminance setting control unit 332 decreases the luminance value by one step because the Fn key and the F5 key are pressed.

  In step S464, by executing the luminance setting process in the smoothing control off state, the embedded controller 67 receives the luminance value lowered by one step by the process in step S463 from the utility program 155 as an output value, and immediately Then, the received output value is set in the inverter 82. Since the luminance setting process in the smoothing control off state is the same as the luminance setting process in the smoothing control off state in FIG. 16, the description thereof is omitted.

  In step S465, the luminance state display unit 334 displays the indicator 451 of the dialog displayed in the process of step S456 (for example, the luminance state dialog in FIG. 25) by reducing it by one, and a change notification sound (for example, a beep). Sound).

  In step S466, the FM hot key control unit 312 ends the process when the minimum luminance value is reached or when the button (Fn key or F5 key) is released. On the other hand, if the button (Fn key and F5 key) is pressed at a value other than the minimum luminance value, the process returns to step S458 and the process is repeated.

  Next, details of processing when the Fn key and F6 key are pressed and held in an automatic state will be described with reference to the sequence flow of FIG.

  From the left side of the figure, the operation of the F hot key of the keyboard 69 performed by the user of the information processing apparatus 1, the process performed by the embedded controller 67, and the process performed by the BIOS 62 are shown. The right side of the figure shows the utility program 155. Indicates the processing to be performed. Each process is executed in time series according to the arrows shown in the figure. Since the mode is an automatic state and not the maximum luminance, the LED is turned off. In such a state, the user has long pressed the Fn key and the F6 key.

  Since the processes in steps S481 to S483 are the same as the processes in steps S451 to S453 in FIG. 36, description thereof is omitted.

  In step S484, the manual luminance setting control unit 332 increases the luminance value by one step because the Fn key and F6 key are pressed based on the current luminance value acquired by the processing in step S483.

  The processing in step S485 and step S486 is the same as the processing in step S455 and step S456 in FIG.

  In step S487, the FM hot key control unit 312 determines whether the Fn key and the F6 key are pressed at the maximum luminance value, and when the Fn key and the F6 key are pressed at the maximum luminance value. Since the luminance value cannot be changed, the process ends. On the other hand, if it is not the maximum luminance value, the process proceeds to step S488.

  The processing in step S488 and step S489 is the same as the processing in step S458 and step S459 in FIG.

  In step S490, the polling control unit 241 confirms that the Fn key and the F6 key are pressed, and the state change notification unit 242 displays a button change notification indicating that the Fn key and the F6 key are pressed. (For example, Make notification) is returned to the utility program.

  In step S491, the FC hot key control unit 312 acquires the Make notification supplied from the state change notification unit 242, and confirms that the Fn key and the F6 key are pressed.

  Since the process of step S492 is the same as the process of step S462 of FIG. 36, the description thereof is omitted.

  In step S493, the manual luminance setting control unit 332 increases the luminance value by one level because the Fn key and the F6 key are pressed.

  In step S494, by executing the luminance setting process in the smoothing control off state, the embedded controller 67 receives the luminance value lowered by one step by the process of step S493 from the utility program 155 as an output value, and immediately Then, the received output value is set in the inverter 82. Since the luminance setting process in the smoothing control off state is the same as the luminance setting process in the smoothing control off state in FIG. 16, the description thereof is omitted.

  In step S495, the luminance state display unit 334 increases the indicator 451 of the dialog displayed in the process of step S486 (for example, the luminance state dialog in FIG. 25), and displays a change notification sound (for example, a beep). Sound).

  In step S496, the FM hot key control unit 312 ends the process when the maximum luminance value is reached or when the button (Fn key or F6 key) is released. On the other hand, if the button (Fn key and F6 key) is pressed at a value other than the maximum luminance value, the process returns to step S488 and the process is repeated.

  Further, when the maximum luminance value is obtained by performing the process of step S493, the following processes of step S497 to step S499 are performed.

  In step S497, the LED control unit 217 turns on the LED because it has reached the maximum luminance value. By doing in this way, the user can know directly that the brightness | luminance became the maximum.

  In step S498, since the state transition control unit 216 has reached the maximum luminance value, the mode is changed from the manual state to the maximum state. Incidentally, the smoothing control setting remains off.

  In step S499, since the mode has changed from the manual state to the maximum state, the luminance state display unit 334 displays a dialog in the maximum state (for example, the luminance state dialog in FIG. 26). Further, a sound for notifying the change (for example, a beep sound) may be sounded.

  Next, details of processing when the Fn key and F5 key or the Fn key and F6 key are short-pressed in an automatic state will be described with reference to the sequence flow of FIG.

  From the left side of the figure, the operation of the F hot key of the keyboard 69 performed by the user of the information processing apparatus 1, the process performed by the embedded controller 67, and the process performed by the BIOS 62 are shown. The right side of the figure shows the utility program 155. Indicates the processing to be performed. Each process is executed in time series according to the arrows shown in the figure. Since the mode is an automatic state and not the maximum luminance, the LED is turned off. In such a state, the user presses the Fn key and F5 key, or the Fn key and F6 key.

  Since each of the processing from step S511 to step S513 is the same as each of the processing from step S451 to step S453 in FIG. 36, the description thereof is omitted.

  In step S514, the manual luminance setting control unit 332 increases the luminance value by one step when the Fn key and the F6 key are pressed, and decreases the luminance value by one step when the Fn key and the F5 key are pressed.

  Since the processing of step S515 and step S516 is the same as the processing of step S455 and step S456 of FIG. 36, the description thereof is omitted.

  In step S517, the FC hot key control unit 312 determines whether the Fn key and the F6 key are pressed at the maximum luminance value, or whether the Fn key and the F5 key are pressed at the minimum luminance value.

  Here, when the user releases either the Fn key or the F5 key (F6 key) (short press), in step S518, the polling control unit 241 determines whether either the Fn key or the F5 key (F6 key) is used. It is detected that it has been released and there is no change for a certain period of time and it is not noise.

  In step S519, the FC hot key control unit 213 notifies the FC hot key control unit 312 of a button change notification indicating a change in the button state (for example, when either the Fn key or the F5 key is released).

  In step S520, the FC hot key control unit 312 receives the button change notification supplied from the FC hot key control unit 213. In step S <b> 521, the FM hot key control unit 312 transmits a request to inquire about the button state to the FM hot key control unit 213 based on the received button change notification.

  In step S <b> 522, the FC hot key control unit 213 receives a request for inquiring about the state of the button transmitted from the FC hot key control unit 312. In step S523, the state change notification unit 242 acquires the button state from the polling control unit 241 in response to the received request for inquiring the button state, and notifies the button according to the acquired button state (for example, the button is released). (Break notification indicating that this has been done) is issued to the notification determination unit 331.

  In step S524, the notification determination unit 331 confirms that the button has been released based on the notification (for example, the Break notification) transmitted from the state change notification unit 242.

  Next, details of processing when the Fn key and F5 key are pressed and held in the maximum state will be described with reference to the sequence flow of FIG.

  From the left side of the figure, the operation of the F hot key of the keyboard 69 performed by the user of the information processing apparatus 1, the process performed by the embedded controller 67, and the process performed by the BIOS 62 are shown. The right side of the figure shows the utility program 155. Indicates the processing to be performed. Each process is executed in time series according to the arrows shown in the figure. Since the mode is the maximum state and has the maximum luminance, the LED is lit as described above. In such a state, the user holds down the Fn key and F5 key for a long time.

  In step S541, the utility program 155 acquires the current brightness value from the embedded controller 67 via the BIOS 62 by executing a process for inquiring about the current brightness value. The process for inquiring about the current luminance value is the same as the process in which the utility program 155 of FIG. 13 inquires the embedded controller 67 for the currently set luminance value, and therefore the description thereof is omitted.

  In step S542, the manual luminance setting control unit 332 decreases the luminance value by one step because the Fn key and F5 key are pressed based on the current luminance value acquired by the processing in step S541.

  In step S543, by executing the brightness setting process in the smoothing control off state, the embedded controller 67 receives the brightness value lowered by one step by the process in step S542 from the utility program 155 as an output value, and immediately Then, the received output value is set in the inverter 82. Since the luminance setting process in the smoothing control off state is the same as the luminance setting process in the smoothing control off state in FIG. 16, the description thereof is omitted.

  In step S544, since the mode has changed from the maximum state to the manual state, the luminance state display unit 334 displays a dialog in the manual state (for example, the luminance state dialog in FIG. 25) and notifies the change notification (for example, , Beep).

  In step S545, the FC hot key control unit 312 determines whether the Fn key and the F5 key are pressed with the minimum brightness value. If the Fn key and the F5 key are pressed with the minimum brightness value, the brightness value is determined. Since it cannot be changed, the process ends. On the other hand, if it is not the minimum luminance value, the process proceeds to step S546.

  In step S <b> 546, the FC hot key control unit 312 sends an inquiry about the button state to the FC hot key control unit 213 via the BIOS 62.

  In step S547, the FC hot key control unit 213 receives an inquiry about the state of the button from the FC hot key control unit 312 via the BIOS 62.

  In step S548, the polling control unit 241 confirms that the Fn key and the F5 key are pressed, and the state change notification unit 242 indicates, for example, that the Fn key and the F5 key are pressed. Returns a notification to the utility program.

  In step S549, the FC hot key control unit 312 acquires the Make notification supplied from the state change notification unit 242, and confirms that the Fn key and the F5 key are pressed.

  In step S550, long press controller 333 sets a timer and starts measuring time. As described above, by setting the timer, it can be assumed that the Fn key and the F5 key are pressed while the timer is present.

  In step S551, the manual luminance setting control unit 332 decreases the luminance value by one step because the Fn key and the F5 key are pressed.

  In step S552, by executing the brightness setting process in the smoothing control off state, the embedded controller 67 receives the brightness value lowered by one step by the process in step S551 from the utility program 155 as an output value, and immediately Then, the received output value is set in the inverter 82. Since the luminance setting process in the smoothing control off state is the same as the luminance setting process in the smoothing control off state in FIG. 16, the description thereof is omitted.

  In step S553, the luminance state display unit 334 displays the indicator 451 of the dialog displayed in the process of step S544 (for example, the luminance state dialog in FIG. 25) by reducing it by one, and a change notification sound (for example, a beep). Sound).

  In step S554, the FM hot key control unit 312 ends the process when the minimum luminance value is reached or when the button (Fn key or F5 key) is released. On the other hand, if the button (Fn key and F5 key) is pressed at a value other than the minimum luminance value, the process returns to step S546 and the process is repeated.

  Next, details of processing when the Fn key and F6 key are pressed for a long time in the maximum state will be described with reference to the sequence flow of FIG.

  From the left side of the figure, the operation of the F hot key of the keyboard 69 performed by the user of the information processing apparatus 1, the process performed by the embedded controller 67, and the process performed by the BIOS 62 are shown. The right side of the figure shows the utility program 155. Indicates the processing to be performed. Each process is executed in time series according to the arrows shown in the figure. Since the mode is the maximum state and has the maximum luminance, the LED is lit as described above. In such a state, the user has long pressed the Fn key and the F6 key.

  The processing in step S571 is the same as the processing in step S541 in FIG.

  In step S572, when the mode is in the maximum state, the luminance state display unit 334 cannot increase the luminance any more even if the Fn key and the F6 key are pressed long, and the mode remains in the maximum state. Therefore, the dialog in the maximum state (for example, the brightness state dialog in FIG. 26) is displayed.

  Since each of the processing from step S573 to step S577 is the same as each of step S546 to step S550 in FIG. 39, the description thereof is omitted.

  In step S578, as described above, the luminance state display unit 334 displays the dialog in the maximum state (for example, the luminance state dialog in FIG. 26) because the mode remains unchanged in the maximum state.

  Next, details of processing when the Fn key and F5 key are short-pressed in the maximum state will be described with reference to the sequence flow of FIG.

  From the left side of the figure, the operation of the F hot key of the keyboard 69 performed by the user of the information processing apparatus 1, the process performed by the embedded controller 67, and the process performed by the BIOS 62 are shown. The right side of the figure shows the utility program 155. Indicates the processing to be performed. Each process is executed in time series according to the arrows shown in the figure. Since the mode is the maximum state and has the maximum luminance, the LED is lit as described above. In such a state, the user presses the Fn key and the F5 key.

  Each of the processes in steps S591 to S594 is the same as each of the processes in steps S541 to S544 in FIG. 39, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In step S595, the FM hot key control unit 312 determines whether the Fn key and the F5 key are pressed with the minimum luminance value.

  Here, when the user releases either the Fn key or the F5 key (short press), in step S596, the polling control unit 241 detects that either the Fn key or the F5 key is released, Check that there is no change for a certain time and that it is not noise.

  In step S597, the FC hot key control unit 213 notifies the utility program 155 of a button change notification indicating a button state change (for example, when either the Fn key or the F5 key is released).

  In step S598, the FC hot key control unit 312 receives the button change notification supplied from the FC hot key control unit 213. In step S599, the FM hot key control unit 312 transmits a request to inquire about the button state to the FC hot key control unit 213 based on the received button change notification.

  In step S <b> 600, the FC hot key control unit 213 receives a request for inquiring about the state of the button transmitted from the FC hot key control unit 312. In step S601, the state change notification unit 242 acquires the button state from the polling control unit 241 in response to the received request for inquiring the button state, and notifies the button according to the acquired button state (for example, the button is released). (Break notification indicating that this has been done) is issued to the notification determination unit 331.

  In step S602, the notification determination unit 331 confirms that the button has been released based on a notification (for example, a Break notification) transmitted from the state change notification unit 242.

  Next, with reference to the sequence flow of FIG. 42, details of processing when the Fn key and F6 key are pressed for a short time in the maximum state will be described.

  From the left side of the figure, the operation of the F hot key of the keyboard 69 performed by the user of the information processing apparatus 1, the process performed by the embedded controller 67, and the process performed by the BIOS 62 are shown. The right side of the figure shows the utility program 155. Indicates the processing to be performed. Each process is executed in time series according to the arrows shown in the figure. Since the mode is the maximum state and has the maximum luminance, the LED is lit as described above. In such a state, the user presses the Fn key and the F6 key.

  Since the processing of step S621 and step S622 is the same as the processing of step S571 and step S572 of FIG. 40, description thereof will be omitted.

  Since each of the processing from step S623 to step S629 is the same as each of the processing from step S596 to step S602 in FIG. 41, the description thereof is omitted.

  Next, details of processing when the Fn key and F5 key are long pressed in the manual state will be described with reference to the sequence flow of FIG.

  From the left side of the figure, the operation of the F hot key of the keyboard 69 performed by the user of the information processing apparatus 1, the process performed by the embedded controller 67, and the process performed by the BIOS 62 are shown. The right side of the figure shows the utility program 155. Indicates the processing to be performed. Each process is executed in time series according to the arrows shown in the figure. Since the mode is a manual state and not the maximum luminance, the LED is turned off. In such a state, the user long presses the Fn key and the F5 key.

  In step S641, the utility program 155 acquires the current brightness value from the embedded controller 67 via the BIOS 62 by executing a process for inquiring about the current brightness value. The process for inquiring about the current luminance value is the same as the process in which the utility program 155 of FIG. 13 inquires the embedded controller 67 for the currently set luminance value, and therefore the description thereof is omitted.

  In step S642, the manual luminance setting control unit 332 decreases the luminance value by one step because the Fn key and F5 key are pressed based on the current luminance value acquired by the processing in step S641.

  In step S643, by executing the brightness setting process in the smoothing control off state, the embedded controller 67 receives the brightness value lowered by one step by the process of step S642 from the utility program 155 as an output value, and immediately Then, the received output value is set in the inverter 82. Since the luminance setting process in the smoothing control off state is the same as the luminance setting process in the smoothing control off state in FIG. 16, the description thereof is omitted.

  In step S644, the luminance state display unit 334 displays the dialog in the manual state (for example, the luminance state dialog in FIG. 25) and displays the change notification sound (for example, beep) because the mode remains in the manual state. Sound).

  In step S645, the FC hot key control unit 312 determines whether the Fn key and the F5 key are pressed with the minimum brightness value. If the Fn key and the F5 key are pressed with the minimum brightness value, the brightness value is determined. Since it cannot be changed, the process ends. On the other hand, if it is not the minimum luminance value, the process proceeds to step S646.

  In step S646, the FM hot key control unit 312 sends an inquiry about the button state to the FC hot key control unit 213 via the BIOS 62.

  In step S647, the FC hot key control unit 213 receives an inquiry about the button state from the FC hot key control unit 312 via the BIOS 62.

  In step S648, the polling control unit 241 confirms that the Fn key and the F5 key are pressed, and the state change notification unit 242 indicates, for example, that the Fn key and the F5 key are pressed. The notification is returned to the notification determination unit 331.

  In step S649, the notification determination unit 331 acquires the Make notification supplied from the state change notification unit 242, and confirms that the Fn key and the F5 key are pressed.

  In step S650, long press controller 333 sets a timer and starts measuring time. As described above, by setting the timer, it can be assumed that the Fn key and the F5 key are pressed while the timer is present.

  In step S651, the manual luminance setting control unit 332 decreases the luminance value by one step because the Fn key and the F5 key are pressed.

  In step S652, by executing the luminance setting process in the smoothing control off state, the embedded controller 67 receives the luminance value lowered by one step by the process of step S651 from the utility program 155 as an output value, and immediately Then, the received output value is set in the inverter 82. Since the luminance setting process in the smoothing control off state is the same as the luminance setting process in the smoothing control off state in FIG. 16, the description thereof is omitted.

  In step S653, the luminance state display unit 334 displays the indicator 451 of the dialog displayed in the process of step S544 (for example, the luminance state dialog in FIG. 25) by reducing it by one, and a change notification sound (for example, a beep). Sound).

  In step S654, the FM hot key control unit 312 ends the process when the minimum luminance value is reached or when the button (Fn key or F5 key) is released. On the other hand, if the button (Fn key and F5 key) is pressed at a value other than the minimum luminance value, the process returns to step S646 and the process is repeated.

  Next, with reference to the sequence flow of FIG. 44, details of processing when the Fn key and F6 key are pressed and held in the manual state will be described.

  From the left side of the figure, the operation of the F hot key of the keyboard 69 performed by the user of the information processing apparatus 1, the process performed by the embedded controller 67, and the process performed by the BIOS 62 are shown. The right side of the figure shows the utility program 155. Indicates the processing to be performed. Each process is executed in time series according to the arrows shown in the figure. Since the mode is a manual state and not the maximum luminance, the LED is turned off. In such a state, the user long presses the Fn key and the F6 key.

  The process in step S671 is the same as the process in step S641 in FIG.

  In step S672, the manual luminance setting control unit 332 increases the luminance value by one step because the Fn key and F6 key are pressed based on the current luminance value acquired by the processing in step S671.

  Since the process of step S673 is the same as the process of step S643, the description thereof is omitted.

  In step S674, since the mode remains unchanged in the manual state, the luminance state display unit 334 displays a dialog that is in the manual state (for example, the luminance state dialog of FIG. 25) and notifies the change (for example, a beep). Sound).

  In step S675, the FM hot key control unit 312 determines whether the Fn key and the F6 key are pressed at the maximum luminance value. If the Fn key and the F6 key are pressed at the maximum luminance value, the luminance value is set. Since it cannot be changed, the process ends. On the other hand, if it is not the maximum luminance value, the process proceeds to step S676.

  Since each of the processing from step S677 to step S680 is the same as the processing from step S646 to step S650 in FIG. 43, the description thereof is omitted.

  In step S681, the manual luminance setting control unit 332 increases the luminance value by one level because the Fn key and the F6 key are pressed.

  Since the process of step S682 is the same as the process of step S652 of FIG. 43, the description thereof is omitted.

  In step S683, the luminance state display unit 334 increases the indicator 451 of the dialog displayed in the process of step S674 (for example, the luminance state dialog in FIG. 25), and displays a change notification sound (for example, a beep). Sound) Sounds.

  That is, when the Fn key and the F6 key are pressed for a long time, each time the luminance value increases by one step, the dialog indicator 451 is also sequentially increased and displayed.

  In step S684, the FC hot key control unit 312 ends the process when the maximum luminance value is reached.

  In step S685, the LED control unit 217 turns on the LED because it has reached the maximum luminance value. By doing in this way, the user can know directly that the brightness | luminance became the maximum.

  In step S686, since the state transition control unit 216 has reached the maximum luminance value, the mode is changed from the manual state to the maximum state. Incidentally, the smoothing control setting remains off.

  In step S687, the luminance state display unit 334 displays the dialog in the maximum state (for example, the luminance state dialog in FIG. 26) because the mode has changed from the manual state to the maximum state. Further, a sound for notifying the change (for example, a beep sound) may be sounded.

  Next, referring to the sequence flow of FIG. 45, details of processing when the Fn key and F6 key are pressed for a short time when the brightness value is lower than the maximum brightness value by one step in the manual state. explain.

  From the left side of the figure, the operation of the F hot key of the keyboard 69 performed by the user of the information processing apparatus 1, the process performed by the embedded controller 67, and the process performed by the BIOS 62 are shown. The right side of the figure shows the utility program 155. Indicates the processing to be performed. Each process is executed in time series according to the arrows shown in the figure. Since the mode is a manual state and not the maximum luminance, the LED is turned off. In such a state, the user presses the Fn key and the F6 key.

  Each of the processes in steps S701 to S705 is the same as each of the processes in steps S671 to S675 in FIG. 44, and the description thereof is omitted.

  Here, when the user releases either the Fn key or the F6 key (short press), in step S706, the polling control unit 241 detects that either the Fn key or the F6 key is released, Check that there is no change for a certain time and that it is not noise.

  In step S707, the FM hot key control unit 213 notifies the FC hot key control unit 312 of a button change notification indicating a change in the button state (for example, when either the Fn key or the F6 key is released).

  In step S <b> 708, the FC hot key control unit 312 receives the button change notification supplied from the FC hot key control unit 213. In step S709, the FM hot key control unit 312 transmits a request for inquiring about the state of the button to the FM hot key control unit 213 based on the received button change notification.

  In step S <b> 710, the FC hot key control unit 213 receives a request for inquiring about the state of the button transmitted from the FC hot key control unit 312. In step S711, the state change notification unit 242 acquires the button state from the polling control unit 241 in response to the received request for the button state, and notifies the button according to the acquired button state (for example, the button is released). (Break notification indicating that this has been done) is issued to the notification determination unit 331.

  In step S712, the notification determination unit 331 confirms that the button has been released based on the notification (for example, Break notification) transmitted from the state change notification unit 242.

  Next, referring to the sequence flow of FIG. 46, the Fn key and the F5 key, or the Fn key and the F6 key are short-pressed in the manual state and when the luminance value is one level lower than the maximum luminance value. Details of the processing at that time will be described.

  From the left side of the figure, the operation of the F hot key of the keyboard 69 performed by the user of the information processing apparatus 1, the process performed by the embedded controller 67, and the process performed by the BIOS 62 are shown. The right side of the figure shows the utility program 155. Indicates the processing to be performed. Each process is executed in time series according to the arrows shown in the figure. Since the mode is a manual state and not the maximum luminance, the LED is turned off. In such a state, the user presses the Fn key and F5 key, or the Fn key and F6 key.

  The processing in step S731 is the same as the processing in step S641 in FIG.

  In step S732, the manual luminance setting control unit 332 increases the luminance value by one step when the Fn key and the F6 key are pressed, and decreases the luminance value by one step when the Fn key and the F5 key are pressed.

  Since the processing of step S733 and step S734 is the same as the processing of step S643 and step S644 of FIG. 43, the description thereof is omitted.

  In step S735, the FC hot key control unit 312 determines whether the luminance value is the maximum. That is, when the Fn key and the F6 key are pressed, the luminance value is increased by one step from the luminance value one step lower than the maximum luminance value, so that the maximum luminance value is obtained. Hereinafter, a case where the Fn key and the F6 key are pressed to reach the maximum luminance value will be described.

  In step S736, the LED control unit 217 turns on the LED because it has reached the maximum luminance value. By doing in this way, the user can know directly that the brightness | luminance became the maximum.

  In step S737, since the state transition control unit 216 has reached the maximum luminance value, the mode is changed from the manual state to the maximum state. Incidentally, the smoothing control setting remains off.

  In step S738, since the mode has changed from the manual state to the maximum state, the luminance state display unit 334 displays the maximum state dialog (for example, the luminance state dialog in FIG. 26). Further, a sound for notifying the change (for example, a beep sound) may be sounded.

  Since each of the processing of step S739 to step S745 is the same as each of the processing of step S706 to step S712 of FIG. 45, the description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, it is possible to always set the optimal brightness level that is kind to the eyes according to the ambient brightness, without setting the optimal brightness level each time according to the change in ambient brightness. .

  In addition, when changing the brightness level automatically, the brightness can be changed smoothly, so even under circumstances where the surrounding brightness changes rapidly in a short time, it is optimal without burdening the user's eyes. Brightness level can be set.

  Furthermore, since the setting can be switched between manual and automatic more easily and more quickly, it is possible to set the luminance level according to the user's preference.

  Although the present invention has been described using a notebook personal computer, the present invention is not limited to a personal computer, and may be any device including a display device such as an in-vehicle display device or a mobile phone.

  The series of processes described above can be executed by hardware, but can also be executed by software. When a series of processing is executed by software, a program constituting the software may execute various functions by installing a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware or various programs. For example, it is installed from a recording medium in a general-purpose personal computer or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 1, this recording medium is distributed to provide a program to a user separately from a computer, and includes a magnetic disk 51 (including a flexible disk) on which a program is recorded, an optical disk 52 (CD- ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), DVD (including Digital Versatile Disc)), magneto-optical disk 53 (including MD (Mini-Disc) (trademark)), or a package medium composed of semiconductor memory 54, etc. In addition, it is configured by a ROM 32 on which a program is recorded, a hard disk included in the recording unit 38, and the like provided to the user in a state of being incorporated in a computer in advance.

  The program for executing the above-described series of processing is installed in a computer via a wired or wireless communication medium such as a local area network, the Internet, or digital satellite broadcasting via an interface such as a router or a modem as necessary. You may be made to do.

  In the present specification, the step of describing the program stored in the recording medium is not limited to the processing performed in chronological order according to the described order, but is not necessarily performed in chronological order. It also includes processes that are executed individually.

  Further, in this specification, the system represents the entire apparatus constituted by a plurality of apparatuses.

It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structural example inside an information processing apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the example of a structure of information processing apparatus. It is a figure explaining the interface of CPU and an embedded controller. It is a figure explaining each channel of LCP. It is a figure which shows the structure of the layer of the software of information processing apparatus. It is a figure explaining the detail of an embedded controller firmware. It is a figure explaining the detail of an inverter control part. It is a figure explaining the detail of a utility program. It is a figure explaining the detail of BIOS. It is a flowchart explaining the process of an automatic brightness | luminance setting. It is a flowchart explaining the process of polling of an optical sensor. It is a flowchart explaining the calculation process of a luminance value. It is a sequence flow explaining the process in which a utility program inquires the embedded controller about the currently set luminance value. It is a flowchart explaining the process of calculation of an output value. It is a flowchart explaining the value setting process of an inverter. It is a sequence flow explaining the brightness | luminance setting process in the state in which smoothing control is OFF. It is a sequence flow explaining the process of the brightness | luminance setting in the state where smoothing control is on. It is a flowchart explaining the brightness | luminance setting process of an inverter. It is a state transition diagram when a button is pushed. It is a flowchart explaining the process of button shape determination. It is a figure explaining lighting of LED in the maximum brightness | luminance. It is a figure explaining LED extinction in brightness other than the maximum. It is a flowchart explaining a process when the button of a utility program is pushed. It is a figure which shows the example of the setting change dialog of an automatic state. It is a figure which shows the example of the dialog of a brightness | luminance state when a mode is a manual state. It is a figure which shows the example of the dialog of a brightness | luminance state when a mode is a maximum state. It is a figure which shows the example of the dialog of a brightness | luminance state when a mode is an automatic state. It is a sequence flow explaining the details of processing when a button is pushed long. It is a sequence flow explaining the details of processing when a button is long-pressed and then released. It is a sequence flow explaining the details of processing when a button is pressed for a short time in an automatic state. It is a sequence flow explaining the details of processing when the button is pressed for a short time in the maximum state It is a sequence flow explaining the details of processing when a button is pressed for a short time in a manual state. It is a state transition diagram when the FM hot key is pressed. It is a flowchart explaining the polling process of a keyboard. It is a flowchart explaining a process when a predetermined | prescribed FM hot key is pressed. It is a sequence flow for explaining details of processing when the Fn key and F5 key are pressed and held in an automatic state. It is a sequence flow for explaining details of processing when the Fn key and F6 key are pressed and held in an automatic state. It is a sequence flow for explaining details of processing when the Fn key and F5 key or the Fn key and F6 key are pressed for a short time in the automatic state. It is a sequence flow explaining the details of processing when the Fn key and F5 key are long pressed in the maximum state. It is a sequence flow explaining the details of processing when the Fn key and F6 key are long pressed in the maximum state. It is a sequence flow explaining the details of processing when the Fn key and F5 key are pressed for a short time in the maximum state. It is a sequence flow explaining the details of processing when the Fn key and F6 key are pressed for a short time in the maximum state. It is a sequence flow explaining the details of processing when the Fn key and the F5 key are long pressed in the manual state. It is a sequence flow explaining the details of processing when the Fn key and F6 key are long pressed in the manual state. It is a sequence flow explaining the details of processing when the Fn key and the F6 key are pressed for a short time in a manual state and less than a luminance value one step lower than the maximum luminance value. It is a sequence flow for explaining details of processing when the Fn key and F5 key, or the Fn key and F6 key are pressed for a short time when the luminance value is one step lower than the maximum luminance value in the manual state.

Explanation of symbols

  1 Information processing device, 11 CPU, 62 BIOS, 67 Embedded controller, 69 Keyboard, 71 button, 81 LCD backlight, 82 Inverter, 101 Keyboard controller, 102 ACPI EC, 103 SPIC, 152 Embedded controller firmware, 155 Utility program, 211 Automatic brightness control unit, 212 smoothing control unit, 213 F hot key control unit, 214 hardware button control unit, 215 inverter control unit, 216 state transition control unit, 217 LED control unit, 221 polling control unit, 222 Illuminance data comparison Unit, 223 illuminance change notification issuing unit, 224 illuminance data passing unit, 225 luminance passing unit, 231 luminance updating control unit, 241 polling system Control unit, 242 state change notification unit, 251 state change determination unit, 252 button change notification issue unit, 271 smoothing control determination unit, 272 inverter output value setting unit, 273 inverter output value storage unit, 274 inverter luminance determination unit, 275 inverter Luminance calculation unit, 311 automatic luminance control unit, 312 F hot key control unit, 313 hardware button control unit, 314 luminance calculation unit, 315 luminance acquisition unit, 316 luminance notification unit, 317 illuminance data acquisition unit, 321 luminance level setting Unit, 331 notification determination unit, 332 manual luminance setting control unit, 333 long press control unit, 334 luminance state display unit, 335 mode switching control unit, 341 luminance state display unit, 342 automatic luminance setting dialog display unit, 343 mode Toggles control unit, 361 output value calculation control section, 362 output value notification unit

Claims (10)

Display means for displaying a screen;
Setting means for setting a state so as to set a first state in which the brightness of the screen is controlled without an instruction from the user, or a second state in which the brightness of the screen is controlled based on an instruction from the user;
Brightness control means for controlling the brightness of the screen so as to sequentially increase or decrease the brightness by a predetermined amount of change with respect to a predetermined unit time when set to the first state. Information processing device. The luminance control means, when set to the first state, a first acquisition means for acquiring illuminance data indicating brightness in the display means from a sensor;
First calculation means for calculating a luminance value from the obtained illuminance data based on predetermined setting information;
Second calculation means for calculating a target value of a final luminance of the screen of the display device, the luminance value;
The display unit according to claim 1, further comprising: an instruction unit that instructs the display unit to indicate the luminance so that the luminance is sequentially increased or decreased by a predetermined change amount with respect to a predetermined unit time based on the target value. The information processing apparatus described. A comparison means for comparing the target value with an instruction value for indicating the luminance to the display means when the target value is set in the first state;
And a third calculating means for calculating a next instruction value indicating the luminance to the display means by the instruction means after the unit time has elapsed, based on the result of the comparing means. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The third calculation means adds a predetermined value to the instruction value when the target value is larger than the instruction value based on the result of the comparison means, and the target value exceeds the instruction value. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the value is small, a value is calculated by subtracting a predetermined value from the instruction value. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit further sets a third state that maximizes the luminance of the screen of the display unit. Second acquisition means for acquiring a key operation notification indicating an operation of a predetermined key of the keyboard by the user;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit sets the second state when the first state is set based on the key operation notification. Change amount setting means for setting a desired value to the change amount with respect to the unit time;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a time setting unit that sets a desired time in the unit time. A display step for displaying a screen;
A setting step for setting a state so as to set a first state in which the luminance of the screen is controlled without an instruction from the user, or a second state in which the luminance of the screen is controlled based on an instruction from the user;
A luminance control step of controlling the luminance of the screen so as to sequentially increase or decrease the luminance by a predetermined amount of change with respect to a predetermined unit time when set in the first state. Information processing method. A display step for displaying a screen;
A setting step for setting a state so as to set a first state in which the luminance of the screen is controlled without an instruction from the user, or a second state in which the luminance of the screen is controlled based on an instruction from the user;
A luminance control step of controlling the luminance of the screen so as to sequentially increase or decrease the luminance by a predetermined amount of change with respect to a predetermined unit time when set in the first state. A recording medium on which a computer-readable program is recorded. A display step for displaying a screen;
A setting step for setting a state so as to set a first state in which the luminance of the screen is controlled without an instruction from the user, or a second state in which the luminance of the screen is controlled based on an instruction from the user;
A luminance control step for controlling the luminance of the screen so as to sequentially increase or decrease the luminance by a predetermined amount of change with respect to a predetermined unit time when set in the first state; A featured program.

Images