JP2018077561A - Electronic device, control method thereof, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic apparatus capable of improving performance in accordance with a use situation is provided.
A detection unit 112 that detects that a keyboard, an electronic device, and an external keyboard are connected, and a temperature adjustment unit 111 that executes a process of suppressing a temperature rise due to heat generation of the electronic device are provided. The temperature adjustment unit 111 varies the conditions for executing the process for suppressing the temperature rise depending on whether or not an external keyboard is connected.
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device, a control method thereof, and a program.

  In general, an electronic device such as a notebook personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “notebook personal computer”) includes an electronic device such as a CPU (central processing unit), a memory, a battery, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) inside a housing. Implemented. Since these electronic devices generate heat in accordance with the operation of the electronic device, it is assumed that the temperature of the housing rises more than necessary due to the generated heat. In a notebook personal computer, since the keyboard is integrated with the housing, the user places his / her hand on the housing (for example, palm rest) when operating the keyboard. At that time, it is necessary to take measures so that the user does not feel hot due to the heat generated from the electronic device. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2004-228561 discloses that when the heat generation of the CPU is large, the operation speed of the CPU is reduced and the electric fan is driven.

JP-A-8-328698

  By the way, as in Patent Document 1, if the operating speed of the CPU is reduced or the electric fan is driven, it may cause a reduction in processing capacity and noise (noise). Therefore, depending on the usage status of the notebook computer, it is assumed that it is possible to meet the demands of users by improving the performance such as processing capacity and quietness as much as possible rather than lowering the temperature of the housing, and there is room for improvement. is there.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an electronic device capable of improving performance in accordance with usage conditions.

  An electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention suppresses a temperature increase due to heat generation of a first keyboard, an electronic device, a detection unit that detects that a second keyboard is connected from the outside, and the electronic device. A temperature adjusting unit that executes processing, and the temperature adjusting unit varies a condition for executing processing for suppressing temperature rise depending on whether or not the second keyboard is connected.

  An electronic apparatus control method according to an aspect of the present invention is an electronic apparatus control method including a first keyboard and an electronic device, and a detection step of detecting that a second keyboard is connected from the outside. A temperature adjustment step for executing a process for suppressing a temperature rise due to heat generation of the electronic device, and the temperature adjustment step executes a process for suppressing the temperature rise depending on whether or not the second keyboard is connected. Different conditions to do.

  A computer according to one embodiment of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute a control method of an electronic device including a first keyboard and an electronic device, and detects that a second keyboard is connected from the outside. And a temperature adjustment step for executing a process for suppressing a temperature rise due to heat generation of the electronic device, and the temperature adjustment step detects a temperature rise depending on whether or not the second keyboard is connected. Different conditions for executing the suppression process.

  According to these aspects, it is configured so that it can be detected that the second keyboard is connected, and then a condition for executing the process of suppressing the temperature rise when the second keyboard is connected. The condition for executing the process for suppressing the temperature rise when the second keyboard is not connected can be set to a different condition.

  The electronic device may further include a temperature sensor, and the temperature adjustment unit may execute a process for suppressing a temperature rise based on a temperature measured by the temperature sensor.

  According to such a structure, the temperature which becomes object can be monitored, and when the temperature rises more than necessary, the process which suppresses a temperature rise can be performed.

  The electronic device further includes a heat dissipation fan, and the temperature adjustment unit executes a process of increasing the rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor reaches a threshold for the heat dissipation fan, and the second keyboard is connected. In such a case, the threshold value for the heat dissipating fan may be increased.

  According to such a configuration, when the second keyboard is connected, the heat dissipating fan can be driven when the temperature reaches a higher temperature than when the second keyboard is not connected. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the power consumption by the heat radiating fan and reduce the noise caused by the heat radiating fan.

  The threshold value for the heat dissipation fan may be provided in multiple stages in association with the presence or absence of the connection of the second keyboard.

  According to such a configuration, when the second keyboard is connected, the rotational speed of the heat dissipation fan is sequentially increased when the temperature reaches a higher temperature than when the second keyboard is not connected. Therefore, it is possible to reduce power consumption by the heat radiating fan and to reduce noise by the heat radiating fan.

  The electronic device includes a processor, and the temperature adjustment unit performs either a process of intermittently operating the processor or a process of reducing the operating frequency of the processor when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor reaches a threshold for the processor, When the second keyboard is connected, the threshold value for the processor may be increased.

  According to such a configuration, when the second keyboard is connected, the processor is intermittently operated when the temperature reaches a higher temperature than when the second keyboard is not connected, or the processor Therefore, it is possible to improve the processing capacity of the processor.

  The electronic apparatus may further include a display device and a display control unit that causes the display device to display temperature-related information based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor when the second keyboard is connected. Good.

  According to such a configuration, if the temperature rises more than necessary when the second keyboard is connected, the user can be alerted.

  It is possible to provide an electronic device that can improve performance in accordance with usage conditions.

1 is an external perspective view of a notebook computer (electronic device) according to an embodiment. It is a block diagram which illustrates the hardware constitutions of the notebook personal computer of FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the notebook computer of FIG. 1. It is a figure which illustrates the threshold value table for a thermal radiation fan. It is a figure which illustrates the threshold value table for a thermal radiation fan. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the notebook computer of FIG. 1.

  A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The electronic device according to the present invention can be applied to an electronic device integrated with a keyboard, such as a notebook computer.

  In the following embodiments, an example in which an electronic device according to the present invention is applied to a notebook computer will be described. In the following drawings, the same or similar members are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  The configuration of the notebook computer 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the appearance of the notebook computer 1, and FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of the notebook computer 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the notebook computer 1 includes a main body 2 and a lid 3 that is hinged to the rear end of the main body 2 and can be opened and closed with respect to the main body 2. For example, a liquid crystal display 4 is provided on the surface of the lid 3 facing the main body 2 as a display device for displaying various information.

  The main body 2 has a flat box-shaped housing 5. The housing 5 is configured by attaching a top cover 5a and a bottom cover 5b to face each other. Input devices such as a keyboard (first keyboard) 6 and a touch pad 7 are provided on the upper cover 5 a side of the housing 5. Inside the housing 5 are housed a substrate (not shown), various electronic devices described later, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the notebook computer 1 includes, for example, a CPU (processor) 11, a memory 12, a battery 13, an HDD 14, a temperature sensor 15, a heat radiating fan 16, a keyboard 6, a touch pad 7, and a liquid crystal display 4. The CPU 11, the memory 12, the battery 13, and the HDD 14 are examples of electronic devices. Hereinafter, the CPU 11, the memory 12, the battery 13, and the HDD 14 are collectively referred to as “electronic device”. Note that the electronic device is not limited to these devices, and can be applied to all devices that generate heat during operation.

  For example, the temperature sensor 15 may be disposed in the vicinity of any one of the electronic devices, or may be embedded in a chip of any one of the electronic devices. One temperature sensor 15 may be provided, or may be provided for each electronic device.

  The heat radiating fan 16 dissipates heat generated inside the housing 5 by taking outside air into the housing 5 and exhausting the air inside. The heat dissipating fan 16 can be driven at a plurality of stages of rotation speeds so that the amount of heat dissipated can be adjusted efficiently. The heat dissipating fan 16 in the present embodiment can be driven at three rotational speeds, for example, low speed rotation, medium speed rotation, and high speed rotation.

  The CPU 11 includes an arithmetic logic unit and various registers (program counter, data register, instruction register, general-purpose register, etc.). For example, the CPU 11 executes predetermined arithmetic processing by executing an operating system program, a driver program, an application program, and the like. The result is output, and various functions of the notebook personal computer 1 described later are realized.

  Here, when an external keyboard is connected to the notebook computer 1, the user operates the notebook computer 1 using the external keyboard. Therefore, it is assumed that the user operates without touching the casing 5 of the notebook computer 1. In this case, it is not necessary to control the temperature of the housing 5 of the notebook computer 1 so that the temperature does not rise to a temperature that the user feels hot. From such a viewpoint, the notebook computer 1 according to the embodiment has the following functions.

  With reference to FIG. 3, the functional configuration of the notebook computer 1 will be described. The notebook computer 1 includes, for example, a temperature adjustment unit 111, a detection unit 112, and a display control unit 113.

  Based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 15 (hereinafter also referred to as “measurement temperature”), the temperature adjustment unit 111 performs processing for suppressing temperature increase due to heat generation of the electronic device (hereinafter referred to as “temperature increase suppression processing”). Say).

  As the temperature rise suppression processing, for example, there are processing for driving the heat dissipation fan 16, processing for intermittent operation of the CPU 11, and processing for lowering the operating frequency of the CPU 11. The contents of each process will be described later.

  The temperature adjustment unit 111 varies the conditions for executing the temperature rise suppression process depending on whether an external keyboard (second keyboard) (not shown) is connected.

  Whether or not an external keyboard is connected is determined based on a detection result of the detection unit 112 that detects that an external keyboard is connected. The detection unit 112 detects that an external keyboard is connected after the external keyboard is connected to the notebook computer 1 until the connection is released.

  The external keyboard is a keyboard connected to the outside of the notebook computer 1. The external keyboard includes a keyboard connected to the notebook computer 1 via a function expansion unit such as a docking station in addition to a keyboard connected to the notebook computer 1 via a connection connector or a connection cable.

  The temperature adjustment unit 111 executes a process of increasing the rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan 16 when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 15 reaches a threshold value for the heat dissipation fan described later. When an external keyboard is connected, the temperature adjustment unit 111 increases the threshold value for the heat dissipation fan.

  The threshold value for the heat dissipation fan can be provided in association with, for example, presence / absence (presence or absence) of connection of an external keyboard. At this time, the threshold values for the heat dissipating fan may be provided in one step each, or may be provided in multiple steps. In this embodiment, the case where the threshold value for a heat radiating fan is provided in three stages will be described as an example.

  With reference to FIG.4 and FIG.5, the threshold value table for a thermal radiation fan is demonstrated. The threshold table for the heat dissipation fan may be provided for any one of the temperature sensors 15 or may be provided for each temperature sensor 15. In any case, it is preferable that the relationship between the measured temperature of each temperature sensor 15 and the temperature of the housing 5 is analyzed by repeating experiments and the like, and a table is appropriately provided based on the analysis result.

  FIG. 4 is an example of a threshold table for a heat dissipation fan that is referred to when an external keyboard is not connected. FIG. 5 is a threshold value for a heat dissipation fan that is referred to when an external keyboard is connected. It is an example of a table. Each table is stored in association with connection / non-connection of an external keyboard.

  FIG. 4 shows that when the measured temperature of the temperature sensor 15 reaches 54 [° C.], the rotation speed of the heat radiating fan 16 is set to a speed for low speed rotation and the rotation is started. When the temperature reaches 56 [° C.], the rotational speed of the heat radiating fan 16 is increased from the speed for low speed rotation to the speed for medium speed rotation, and when the measured temperature of the temperature sensor 15 reaches 91 [° C.] It is a table which shows the threshold value for a radiation fan set in order to raise the rotational speed of the fan 16 from the speed for medium speed rotation to the speed for high speed rotation.

  FIG. 5 shows that when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 15 reaches 59 [° C.], the rotation speed of the heat radiating fan 16 is set to a speed for low speed rotation and the rotation is started. When the temperature reaches 61 [° C.], the rotational speed of the heat radiating fan 16 is increased from the low speed to the medium speed, and the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 15 reaches 96 [° C.]. FIG. 10 is a table showing a threshold value for a heat radiating fan set to increase the rotational speed of the heat radiating fan 16 from a medium speed speed to a high speed speed.

  Returning to the description of FIG. The temperature adjustment unit 111 executes a process for causing the CPU 11 to intermittently operate when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 15 reaches a threshold value for the CPU described later. The temperature adjustment unit 111 increases the CPU threshold when an external keyboard is connected.

  For example, one CPU threshold value can be provided in association with whether or not an external keyboard is connected.

  Illustratively, 80 [° C.] is set as the threshold value for the CPU to be referred to when the external keyboard is not connected, and as the threshold value for the CPU to be referred to when the external keyboard is connected, 85 [° C.] can be set.

  The process of causing the CPU 11 to operate intermittently can be realized using, for example, a throttling technique. Throttling is a function that lowers the average processing speed by causing the CPU 11 to operate and stop at regular intervals to perform intermittent operation. By performing the throttling, the processing capacity of the CPU can be reduced and the heat generation amount can be reduced.

  Note that the temperature adjustment unit 111 may execute a process of lowering the operating frequency of the CPU 11 instead of the process of causing the CPU 11 to operate intermittently, or a process of lowering the operating frequency of the CPU 11 in addition to the process of operating the CPU 11 intermittently. It is good also as performing. The process of lowering the operating frequency of the CPU 11 can be realized using, for example, a speed step technique. The speed step is a function developed by Intel Corporation that can arbitrarily set the operating frequency and operating voltage of the CPU. By executing the speed step, the processing capacity of the CPU 11 can be reduced and the amount of heat generation can be reduced.

  When the process of lowering the operating frequency of the CPU 11 is executed, for example, similarly to the threshold table for the heat dissipating fan shown in FIGS. It is preferable to prepare a threshold value table for the CPU set with ().

  Further, when the process for intermittently operating the CPU 11 and the process for lowering the operating frequency of the CPU 11 are used in combination, for example, as the temperature increases, the process shifts to throttling while maintaining the minimum operating frequency by the speed step. It is good.

  When the external keyboard is connected, the display control unit 113 in FIG. 3 displays information about the temperature on the liquid crystal display 4 based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 15. For example, when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 15 reaches a predetermined warning temperature, a message that alerts that the temperature of the housing 5 (for example, the palm rest portion or the vicinity thereof) has increased, the current temperature, and the warning temperature. A graph representing the relationship between the two and the like can be displayed on the liquid crystal display 4. Thereby, when an external keyboard is connected, if the temperature of the housing 5 rises more than necessary, it is possible to alert the user.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 6, an example of the flow of the temperature rise suppression process executed in the notebook computer 1 will be described. A series of processes shown in FIG. 6 are repeatedly executed while the notebook computer 1 is activated.

  First, the temperature adjustment unit 111 determines whether an external keyboard is connected to the notebook computer 1 (step S101). If this determination is YES (step S101; YES), the temperature adjustment unit 111 is based on a threshold value (including threshold value threshold values; the same applies hereinafter) that is referred to when an external keyboard is connected. Then, it is determined whether or not the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 15 has reached a temperature that satisfies the condition for executing the temperature rise suppression process (step S102). If this determination is NO (step S102; NO), this process ends.

  When it is determined in step S102 that the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 15 has reached a temperature that satisfies the condition for executing the temperature rise suppression process (step S102; YES), the temperature adjustment unit 111 uses an external keyboard. Based on the threshold value that is referred to when connected, a temperature rise suppression process is executed (step S103). Then, this process ends.

  In step S101, when it is determined that the external keyboard is not connected to the notebook computer 1 (step S101; NO), the temperature adjustment unit 111 refers to when the external keyboard is not connected. Based on the threshold (including the threshold table; the same applies hereinafter), it is determined whether or not the measured temperature of the temperature sensor 15 has reached a temperature that satisfies the condition for executing the temperature rise suppression process (step S104). If this determination is NO (step S104; NO), this process ends.

  If it is determined in step S104 that the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 15 has reached a temperature that satisfies the condition for executing the temperature rise suppression process (step S104; YES), the temperature adjustment unit 111 uses an external keyboard. A temperature rise suppression process is executed based on a threshold value referred to when not connected (step S105). Then, this process ends.

  According to the notebook personal computer 1 in the embodiment, it is possible to detect that an external keyboard is connected, and to execute a temperature rise suppression process when the external keyboard is connected. The condition and the condition for executing the temperature rise suppression process when the external keyboard is not connected can be made different.

  In other words, when an external keyboard is connected, the heat dissipation fan 16 is driven when the temperature reaches a higher temperature or when the temperature reaches a higher temperature than when an external keyboard is not connected. In this case, the CPU 11 can be operated intermittently or the operating frequency of the CPU 11 can be lowered. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the power consumption by the heat radiating fan 16, reduce noise caused by the heat radiating fan 16, and improve the processing capability of the CPU 11.

  Therefore, according to the notebook computer 1 in the embodiment, performance when an external keyboard is connected can be improved.

(Modification)
The above embodiment is an example for explaining the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention only to the embodiment. The present invention can be variously modified without departing from the gist thereof.

(A) Threshold Value In the above-described embodiment, the case where the threshold value for the heat radiating fan and the threshold value for the CPU are used as reference temperatures when starting each temperature increase suppression process (including switching to another stage) will be described. However, the threshold value for the heat radiating fan and the threshold value for the CPU can also be used as reference temperatures when each temperature rise suppression process is ended (including switching to another stage). Further, the threshold value for the heat dissipation fan and the threshold value for the CPU are set to a reference temperature (enable temperature) when starting each temperature increase suppression process and a reference temperature (disable temperature) when ending each temperature increase suppression process. It is good also as setting up and distinguishing. By setting the disable temperature to a value lower than the enable temperature, it is possible to prevent the start / end of the temperature rise suppression process from being repeated in a short period when the measured temperature fluctuates near the threshold value.

  In the above-described embodiment, the temperature rise suppression process is performed using the preset threshold for the heat dissipation fan and the threshold for the CPU. However, the threshold for the heat dissipation fan and the threshold for the CPU are set in advance. It is good also as not changing to the set value but changing arbitrarily.

1 ... Note PC, 2 ... Main body, 3 ... Cover, 4 ... Liquid crystal display, 5 ... Case, 5a ... Top cover, 5b ... Bottom cover, 6 ... Keyboard, 7 ... Touch Pad, 11 ... CPU, 12 ... Memory, 13 ... Battery, 14 ... HDD, 15 ... Temperature sensor, 16 ... Heat dissipation fan, 111 ... Temperature adjustment unit, 112 ... Detection unit, 113 ... Display control unit

Claims (8)

A first keyboard;
An electronic device;
A detection unit for detecting that the second keyboard is connected from the outside;
A temperature adjusting unit that executes a process of suppressing a temperature rise due to heat generation of the electronic device;
With
The temperature adjustment unit varies a condition for executing the process of suppressing the temperature rise, depending on whether the second keyboard is connected.
Electronics. A temperature sensor,
The temperature adjusting unit executes a process of suppressing the temperature rise based on a temperature measured by the temperature sensor.
The electronic device according to claim 1. It is further equipped with a heat dissipation fan,
When the temperature measured by the temperature sensor reaches the threshold for the heat dissipation fan, the temperature adjustment unit performs a process of increasing the rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan, and when the second keyboard is connected, Increase the threshold for the heat dissipation fan;
The electronic device according to claim 2. The threshold for the heat dissipation fan is provided in multiple stages in association with the presence or absence of connection of the second keyboard,
The electronic device according to claim 3. The electronic device includes a processor;
When the temperature measured by the temperature sensor reaches a threshold value for the processor, the temperature adjustment unit executes either a process of intermittently operating the processor or a process of reducing the operating frequency of the processor, and the second keyboard Is connected, increase the threshold for the processor,
The electronic device as described in any one of Claim 2 to 4. A display device;
A display control unit that displays information about temperature on the display device based on a temperature measured by the temperature sensor when the second keyboard is connected;
The electronic device according to any one of claims 2 to 5. A method for controlling an electronic apparatus including a first keyboard and an electronic device,
A detection step of detecting that the second keyboard is connected from the outside;
A temperature adjustment step for performing a process of suppressing a temperature rise due to heat generation of the electronic device;
Including
The temperature adjustment step varies a condition for executing the process for suppressing the temperature rise, depending on whether or not the second keyboard is connected.
Control method of electronic equipment. A program for causing a computer to execute a control method of an electronic device including a first keyboard and an electronic device,
A detection step of detecting that the second keyboard is connected from the outside;
A temperature adjustment step for performing a process of suppressing a temperature rise due to heat generation of the electronic device;
And execute
The temperature adjustment step varies a condition for executing the process for suppressing the temperature rise, depending on whether or not the second keyboard is connected.
program.

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