Brightness control apparatus and brightness control method

A brightness control apparatus and a brightness control method are provided. A basic input/output system unit determines to let a chip or an embedded controller to control the brightness of a display according to an environmental condition or an adjustment operation of a user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a control apparatus and particularly relates to a brightness control apparatus and a brightness control method.

2. Description of Related Art

Computers may be categorized into rugged computers and general computers, and the difference is that rugged computers are often used in harsh environments, such as high-temperature or low-temperature environments. Therefore, rugged computers are required to have much higher adaptability to the environmental temperature than the general computers. Factors, such as compactness and light weight, which may be important to general computers, are not the main concerns for rugged computers.

When a rugged computer is operated in a harsh environment, such as at high temperature or low temperature, the brightness of the display may need to be controlled from time to time in order to maintain normal operations of the rugged computer. For example, the brightness of the display needs to be reduced at a high temperature so as to prevent the problem of black screen. For powering on at a low temperature, the brightness of the display needs to be reduced to prevent excessive power consumption (because low-temperature power-on procedure takes more time and the power of other elements needs to be adjusted for heating). In a situation of heavy load, the brightness of the display also needs to be reduced to lower power consumption.

Before the window operating system Windows 8 appears, the brightness of the display is controlled by a pulse width modulation signal outputted by an embedded controller, so as to achieve the aforementioned function of brightness adjustment. However, under the configuration of Windows 8, the brightness of the display is controlled by the Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM). In other words, the brightness of the display is controlled by the pulse width modulation signal outputted by the Platform Controller Hub (PCH) under control of a driver of the Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM). For this reason, the brightness of the display cannot be adjusted by the traditional way in conditions of high temperature, low temperature, or heavy load to maintain normal operation of the computer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a brightness control apparatus and a brightness control method for adjusting a display to a special brightness, so as to meet an adjustment demand of the user or ensure a normal operation of an electronic device.

A brightness control method of the invention is adapted for a display of an electronic device and includes the following steps. An environmental condition of the electronic device is detected. Whether the environmental condition of the electronic device matches a preset condition is determined. The electronic device enters a special brightness adjustment mode if the environmental condition matches the preset condition. The brightness of the display is controlled by an embedded controller in the special brightness adjustment mode.

In an embodiment of the invention, the preset condition includes that an environmental temperature is higher than a first preset temperature or lower than a second preset temperature, wherein the first preset temperature is higher than the second preset temperature. The determining step further includes: determining whether the environmental temperature is higher than the first preset temperature or lower than the second preset temperature, and the environmental condition matches the preset condition if the environmental temperature is higher than the first preset temperature or lower than the second preset temperature. The step of entering the special brightness adjustment mode further includes that: the embedded controller adjusts the brightness of the display to be lower than a preset low brightness.

In an embodiment of the invention, the preset condition includes that an environmental light intensity is higher than a preset light intensity. The determining step further includes: determining whether the environmental light intensity is higher than the preset light intensity, and the environmental condition matches the preset condition if the environmental light intensity is higher than the preset light intensity. The step of entering the special brightness adjustment mode further includes that: the embedded controller adjusts the brightness of the display to be higher than a preset high brightness.

In an embodiment of the invention, the following steps are executed if the environmental condition does not match the preset condition. Whether a special brightness adjustment event occurs is detected. The electronic device enters the special brightness adjustment mode if the special brightness adjustment event occurs. The electronic device enters a general mode if the special brightness adjustment event does not occur, wherein the brightness of the display is controlled by a chip in the general mode.

In an embodiment of the invention, the step of detecting whether the special brightness adjustment event occurs includes: detecting whether a special brightness adjustment command is received to adjust the brightness of the display to be higher than a first threshold brightness or lower than a second threshold brightness, wherein the first threshold brightness is greater than the second threshold brightness.

In an embodiment of the invention, the step of detecting the environmental condition of the electronic device is to detect the environmental condition of the electronic device in a period of a power-on self test.

A brightness control method of the invention is adapted for a display of an electronic device and includes: detecting an environmental condition of the electronic device. Whether the environmental condition of the electronic device matches a preset condition is determined. If the environmental condition does not match the preset condition, the following steps are executed: detecting whether a special brightness adjustment event occurs. The electronic device enters a special brightness adjustment mode if the special brightness adjustment event occurs, wherein the brightness of the display is controlled by an embedded controller in the special brightness adjustment mode.

In an embodiment of the invention, the brightness control method further includes: causing the electronic device to enter a general mode if the special brightness adjustment event does not occur, wherein the brightness of the display is controlled by a chip in the general mode.

In an embodiment of the invention, the preset condition includes that an environmental temperature is higher than a first preset temperature or lower than a second preset temperature, wherein the first preset temperature is higher than the second preset temperature. The determining step further includes: determining whether the environmental temperature is higher than the first preset temperature or lower than the second preset temperature, and the environmental condition matches the preset condition if the environmental temperature is higher than the first preset temperature or lower than the second preset temperature.

In an embodiment of the invention, the preset condition includes that an environmental light intensity is higher than a preset light intensity. The determining step further includes: determining whether the environmental light intensity is higher than the preset light intensity, and the environmental condition matches the preset condition if the environmental light intensity is higher than the preset light intensity.

In an embodiment of the invention, the step of detecting whether the special brightness adjustment event occurs includes: detecting whether a special brightness adjustment command is received to adjust the brightness of the display to be higher than a first threshold brightness or lower than a second threshold brightness, wherein the first threshold brightness is greater than the second threshold brightness.

In an embodiment of the invention, the step of detecting the environmental condition of the electronic device is to detect the environmental condition of the electronic device in a period of a power-on self test.

A brightness control apparatus of the invention is adapted for controlling a brightness of a display of an electronic device, and the brightness control apparatus includes an environmental condition detecting unit, an embedded controller, a switch unit, and a basic input/output system unit. The environmental condition detecting unit is configured to detect an environmental condition of the electronic device. The embedded controller is coupled to the environmental condition detecting unit and configured to determine whether the environmental condition of the electronic device matches a preset condition. The switch unit is coupled to the embedded controller and the display. The basic input/output system unit is coupled to the embedded controller and the switch unit and configured to control the switch unit to electrically connect the display to the embedded controller to cause the electronic device to enter a special brightness adjustment mode if the environmental condition matches the preset condition, wherein the brightness of the display is controlled by the embedded controller in the special brightness adjustment mode.

In an embodiment of the invention, the environmental condition includes at least one of an environmental temperature and an environmental light intensity.

In an embodiment of the invention, the preset condition includes that the environmental temperature is higher than a first preset temperature or lower than a second preset temperature, wherein the first preset temperature is higher than the second preset temperature; wherein the embedded controller further determines whether the environmental temperature is higher than the first preset temperature or lower than the second preset temperature, and the environmental condition matches the preset condition if the environmental temperature is higher than the first preset temperature or lower than the second preset temperature; and wherein the embedded controller further notifies the basic input/output system unit to cause the electronic device to enter the special brightness adjustment mode when the environmental condition matches the preset condition, and the embedded controller adjusts the brightness of the display to be lower than a preset low brightness after the electronic device enters the special brightness adjustment mode.

In an embodiment of the invention, the preset condition includes that the environmental light intensity is higher than a preset light intensity. The embedded controller further determines whether the environmental light intensity is higher than the preset light intensity, and the environmental condition matches the preset condition if the environmental light intensity is higher than the preset light intensity. The embedded controller further notifies the basic input/output system unit to cause the electronic device to enter the special brightness adjustment mode when the environmental condition matches the preset condition, and the embedded controller adjusts the brightness of the display to be higher than a preset high brightness after the electronic device enters the special brightness adjustment mode.

In an embodiment of the invention, the brightness control apparatus further includes a chip and an adjustment detecting unit. The chip is coupled to the switch unit. The adjustment detecting unit is coupled to the basic input/output system unit and configured to detect whether a special brightness adjustment event occurs, wherein in a situation that the environmental condition does not match the preset condition, if the special brightness adjustment event occurs, the basic input/output system unit controls the switch unit to electrically connect the display to the embedded controller to cause the electronic device to enter the special brightness adjustment mode. If the special brightness adjustment event does not occur, the basic input/output system unit controls the switch unit to electrically connect the display to the chip to cause the electronic device to enter a general mode, wherein the brightness of the display is controlled by the chip in the general mode.

In an embodiment of the invention, the adjustment detecting unit further detects whether a special brightness adjustment command is received to adjust the brightness of the display to be higher than a first threshold brightness or lower than a second threshold brightness, so as to determine whether the special brightness adjustment event occurs, wherein the first threshold brightness is greater than the second threshold brightness.

In an embodiment of the invention, the environmental condition detecting unit further detects the environmental condition in a period of a power-on self test, and the embedded controller further determines whether the environmental condition matches the preset condition in the period of the power-on self text, wherein the embedded controller notifies the basic input/output system unit to cause the electronic device to enter the special brightness adjustment mode if the environmental condition matches the preset condition.

Based on the above, the invention determines whether to use the chip or the embedded controller to control the brightness of the display through the basic input/output system unit according to the environmental condition or the adjustment made by the user, so as to meet the demand of the user or ensure normal operation of the electronic device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1is a schematic diagram of a brightness control apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. With reference toFIG. 1, a brightness control apparatus100includes an environmental condition detecting unit102, an embedded controller104, a switch unit106, a basic input/output system unit108, a chip110, and an adjustment detecting unit112. The brightness control apparatus100is configured to control a brightness of a display114of an electronic device. The electronic device may be a notebook computer, a desktop computer, or the like, for example. The chip110may be a south bridge chip, for example. The adjustment detecting unit112is coupled to the basic input/output system unit108. The basic input/output system unit108is coupled to the switch unit106and the embedded controller104. The switch unit106is coupled to the embedded controller104, the chip110, and the display114. The embedded controller104is coupled to the environmental condition detecting unit102.

The environmental condition detecting unit102is configured for detecting an environmental condition of the electronic device. The embedded controller104is capable of determining whether the environmental condition of the electronic device matches a preset condition, wherein the environmental condition may include at least one of an environmental temperature and an environmental light intensity. The basic input/output system unit108controls the switch unit106to electrically connect the display114to the embedded controller104or the chip110according to a determination result of the embedded controller104, wherein, when the display114is electrically connected to the chip110through the switch unit106, the electronic device is in a general mode, and the brightness of the display114is controlled by the chip110. When the display114is electrically connected to the embedded controller104through the switch unit106(that is, the brightness of the display114is controlled by the embedded controller104), the electronic device is in a special brightness adjustment mode. Unlike the chip110, the embedded controller104is not restricted by Windows 8 operating system. Therefore, the adjustment range of the brightness of the display114in the special brightness adjustment mode is larger than an adjustment range in the general mode.

To be more specific, the aforementioned preset condition may include that the environmental temperature is higher than a first preset temperature or lower than a second preset temperature, wherein the first preset temperature is higher than the second preset temperature. The embedded controller104determines whether the environmental temperature is higher than the first preset temperature or lower than the second preset temperature based on the environmental condition outputted by the environmental condition detecting unit102. If the environmental temperature is higher than the first preset temperature or lower than the second preset temperature, namely, the environmental temperature is too high or too low and exceeds a normal temperature range, the embedded controller104determines that the environmental condition matches the preset condition. Meanwhile, the embedded controller104notifies the basic input/output system unit108to cause the electronic device to enter the special brightness adjustment mode, such that the brightness of the display114is under control of the embedded controller104, and then the embedded controller104adjusts the brightness of the display114to be lower than a preset low brightness, so as to achieve the purpose of over-temperature protection or low-temperature use.

It should be noted that, in order to ensure that the electronic device operates properly in an extreme environmental temperature condition, the environmental condition detecting unit102may detect the environmental condition during a period of power-on self test. If the environmental temperature is higher than the first preset temperature or lower than the second preset temperature, the embedded controller104determines that the environmental condition matches the preset condition and notifies the basic input/output system unit108to cause the electronic device to enter the special brightness adjustment mode directly. Consequently, the electronic device enters the special brightness adjustment mode without going through the aforementioned over-temperature protection mechanism after the power-on is finished.

In addition, the embedded controller104also determines whether the environmental light intensity is higher than a preset light intensity. If the environmental light intensity is higher than the preset light intensity and causes that the user is not able to see the content shown by the display clearly, the embedded controller104determines that the environmental condition matches the preset condition. Meanwhile, the embedded controller104also notifies the basic input/output system unit108to cause the electronic device to enter the special brightness adjustment mode. When the electronic device enters the special brightness adjustment mode, the embedded controller104adjusts the brightness of the display114to be higher than a preset high brightness, so as to overcome the problem that the environmental light intensity affects the user's viewing of the content shown by the display.

In addition to automatically adjusting the electronic device to the special brightness adjustment mode according to the environmental condition, the brightness control apparatus100may also cause the electronic device to enter the special brightness adjustment mode according to an operation of the user. As shown inFIG. 1, the adjustment detecting unit112in the brightness control apparatus100may include a machine-type-communication (MTC) service unit116and an advanced configuration and power interface (ACPI) driver118, wherein the machine-type-communication service unit116is configured to determine whether a brightness adjustment command is received. If the brightness adjustment command is received, the advanced configuration and power interface driver118is controlled to drive the basic input/output system unit108. In a situation that the environmental condition does not match the preset condition, the adjustment detecting unit112may detect whether a special brightness adjustment event occurs. If the special brightness adjustment event occurs, the basic input/output system unit108may also control the switch unit106to electrically connect the display114to the embedded controller104, so as to cause the electronic device to enter the special brightness adjustment mode. The special brightness adjustment event may be triggered, for example, when the user adjusts the brightness of the display114to be higher than a first threshold brightness or lower than a second threshold brightness, wherein the first threshold brightness is greater than the second threshold brightness. The first threshold brightness and the second threshold brightness may respectively represent a maximum brightness and a minimum brightness that the chip110may control the display114to display, and they are brightness limits of the display114under the configuration of Windows 8 operating system. When the user adjusts the brightness of the display114to be lower than the first threshold brightness or higher than the second threshold brightness (namely, adjusts the brightness of the display114back to a brightness range under control of the chip110), the basic input/output system unit108again controls the switch unit106to electrically connect the display114to the chip110, so as to turn the electronic device back to the general mode.

Here, in this embodiment, the brightness of the display114is adjusted to be higher than the first threshold brightness or lower than the second threshold brightness in a progressive manner. The user may use a physical or virtual brightness adjustment button of the electronic device to progressively adjust the brightness of the display114from the brightness range controllable by the chip110to outside the brightness range controllable by the chip110, so as to cause the electronic device to enter the special brightness adjustment mode. That is, the adjustment detecting unit112is capable of detecting whether a special brightness adjustment command is received, wherein the special brightness adjustment command instructs to directly adjust the brightness of the display114to be higher than the first threshold brightness or lower than the second threshold brightness. If the adjustment detecting unit112receives the special brightness adjustment command, it determines that the special brightness adjustment event occurs and notifies the basic input/output system unit108to control the switch unit106to electrically connect the display114to the embedded controller104, so as to cause the electronic device to enter the special brightness adjustment mode directly and adjust the brightness of the display114to be higher than the first threshold brightness or lower than the second threshold brightness.

It should be noted that the preset high brightness and the preset low brightness may be brightness limits that the display114presents under restriction of the configuration of Windows 8 operating system, which are the first threshold brightness and the second threshold brightness. However, the invention is not limited thereto. The preset high brightness and the preset low brightness may respectively be a brightness value higher than the first threshold brightness and a brightness value lower than the second threshold brightness.

In some embodiments, a physical or virtual hotkey of the electronic device may be used to cause the electronic device to enter the special brightness adjustment mode directly. When the user touches the physical or virtual hotkey, the embedded controller104controls the switch unit106through the basic input/output system unit108to electrically connect the display114to the embedded controller104, so as to enter the special brightness adjustment mode, thereby enabling the embedded controller104to directly control the brightness of the display114.

The brightness control mechanism of the invention may simultaneously support display architectures of different operating systems. In some embodiments, if the electronic device uses Windows 8 as the operating system, control of the brightness of the display114is switched to the chip110or the embedded controller104through the switch unit106; however, if the electronic device uses Windows 7 as the operating system, the brightness of the display114is controlled by the embedded controller104.

FIG. 2is a schematic diagram showing a brightness control method according to an embodiment of the invention. In view of the above, referring toFIG. 2, a brightness control method of the aforementioned brightness control apparatus includes the following steps. First, an environmental condition of the electronic device is detected (Step S202), wherein the environmental condition may include at least one of an environmental temperature and an environmental light intensity. Next, whether the environmental condition of the electronic device matches a preset condition is determined (Step S204), wherein the preset condition may be that the environmental temperature is higher than a first preset temperature or lower than a second preset temperature, for example. When the environmental temperature is higher than the first preset temperature or lower than the second preset temperature, it is determined that the environmental condition matches the preset condition. Or, the preset condition may be that the environmental light intensity is higher than a preset light intensity, for example. If the environmental light intensity is higher than the preset light intensity, it is determined that the environmental condition matches the preset condition.

If the environmental condition of the electronic device matches the preset condition, the electronic device enters a special brightness adjustment mode (Step S206), wherein in the special brightness adjustment mode, the brightness of the display of the electronic device is controlled by an embedded controller. Thus, the brightness presented by the display114is not restricted by the configuration of Windows 8 operating system. Furthermore, in the special brightness adjustment mode, in a situation that the environmental temperature is higher than the first preset temperature or lower than the second preset temperature, the embedded controller adjusts the brightness of the display to be lower than a preset low brightness so as to achieve over-temperature protection. On the other hand, in a situation that the environmental light intensity is higher than the preset light intensity, the embedded controller adjusts the brightness of the display to be higher than a preset high brightness, so as to overcome the problem that the environmental light intensity affects the user's viewing of the content shown by the display.

It should be noted that the step of detecting the environmental condition of the electronic device (Step S202) may also be executed in a period of a power-on self test for the electronic device to enter the special brightness adjustment mode directly. Consequently, the electronic device enters the special brightness adjustment mode without going through the aforementioned over-temperature protection mechanism after the power-on is finished, thereby ensuring that the electronic device operates properly at an extreme temperature.

In contrast, if the environmental condition of the electronic device does not match the preset condition, whether a special brightness adjustment event occurs is detected (Step S208). For example, whether a special brightness adjustment command is received is detected, wherein the special brightness adjustment command instructs to adjust the brightness of the display to be higher than a first threshold brightness or lower than a second threshold brightness. If the special brightness adjustment event occurs, Step S206is performed to cause the electronic device to enter the special brightness adjustment mode. If the special brightness adjustment event does not occur, the electronic device enters a general mode (Step S210), wherein in the general mode, the brightness of the display is controlled by a chip. That is, the brightness of the display is restricted by the configuration of Windows 8 operating system.

FIG. 3is a schematic diagram showing a brightness control method according to another embodiment of the invention. With reference toFIG. 3, the brightness control method of this embodiment includes the following steps. First, a power-on procedure is executed (Step S302). Next, a power-on self test (POST) is executed (Step S304). Then, whether the electronic device enters a special brightness adjustment mode is checked (Step S306), which is for example to check whether an environmental condition of the electronic device matches a preset condition. If the electronic device is to enter the special brightness adjustment mode (e.g. the electronic device enters the special brightness adjustment mode when the environmental condition of the electronic device matches the preset condition), the switch unit is controlled to switch the connection to the embedded controller (Step S308). In contrast, if the electronic device does not enter the special brightness adjustment mode and enters the general mode (Step S314), the switch unit is controlled to switch the connection to the chip (Step S316) for the display to display a preset brightness. In the general mode, the brightness of the display is restricted by the configuration of Windows 8 operating system.

In the situation that the switch unit switches the connection to the embedded controller, the embedded controller then adjusts the brightness of the display according to the environmental condition (Step S310). Thereafter, whether the electronic device remains in the special brightness adjustment mode is checked (Step S312). If the electronic device remains in the special brightness adjustment mode (e.g. the electronic device remains in the special brightness adjustment mode when the environmental condition of the electronic device matches the preset condition), the method returns to Step S310to continue adjusting the brightness of the display according to the environmental condition. If the electronic device is not in the special brightness adjustment mode (e.g. the environmental condition of the electronic device does not match the preset condition), Step S314is performed to cause the electronic device to enter the general mode, and then Step S316is performed to control the switch unit to switch the connection to the chip, such that the brightness of the display is restricted by the configuration of Windows 8 operating system. After entering the general mode, the embedded controller may continue detecting whether the environmental condition of the electronic device matches the preset condition (Step S318). If the environmental condition of the electronic device does not match the preset condition, whether a special brightness adjustment event occurs is detected (Step S320). If no special brightness adjustment event occurs, the method goes back to Step S318to continue detecting whether the environmental condition of the electronic device matches the preset condition. If the special brightness adjustment event occurs or if the environmental condition of the electronic device is determined as matching the preset condition in Step S318, the electronic device enters the special brightness adjustment mode (Step S322) and then the switch unit is controlled to switch the connection to the embedded controller (Step S324) for the embedded controller to adjust the brightness of the display according to the environmental condition (Step S326). In addition, after the embedded controller adjusts the brightness of the display according to the environmental condition, the method may go back to Step S318to continue detecting whether the environmental condition of the electronic device matches the preset condition.

To sum up, the invention determines whether to use the chip or the embedded controller to control the brightness of the display through the basic input/output system unit according to the environmental condition or the adjustment made by the user, so as to meet the demand of the user or ensure normal operation of the electronic device. Moreover, because the brightness of the display can be controlled by the chip, the brightness of the display conforms to the test of Windows Hardware Certification Kit (WHCK). According to the invention, control of the electronic device over the brightness of the display is more flexible, and one brightness control apparatus can simultaneously support multiple operating systems.

Although the invention has been disclosed by the above embodiments, they are not intended to limit the invention. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that modifications and variations to the invention may be made without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the protection scope of the invention falls in the appended claims.