Abstract:
A method for controlling a computer system comprising, determining an ambient light level, starting a lighting device operative to illuminate an input device responsive to determining that the ambient light level is below a threshold value, and stopping the lighting device responsive to determining that the ambient light level is above the threshold value.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates generally to a methods and systems involving diurnal computing. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Background 
         [0004]    Computer systems often include displays and input devices such as, for example, keyboards. Some systems include lights that may be used to illuminate input devices. Displays also include settings that may be adjusted to compensate for ambient light in an environment. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are achieved through an exemplary method for controlling a computer system, including determining an ambient light level, starting a lighting device operative to illuminate an input device responsive to determining that the ambient light level is below a threshold value, and stopping the lighting device responsive to determining that the ambient light level is above the threshold value. 
         [0006]    An exemplary embodiment of a computer system includes a lighting device operative to illuminate an input device, and a processor determine an ambient light level, wherein the processor is further operative to start the lighting device responsive to determining that the ambient light level is below a threshold level, and stop the lighting device responsive to determining that the ambient light level is above the threshold level. 
         [0007]    Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the invention are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed invention. For a better understanding of the invention with advantages and features, refer to the description and to the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The subject matter that is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a computer system. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2   a  illustrates a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a computer system. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2   b  illustrates a rear view of the exemplary embodiment of a computer system of  FIG. 2   a.    
           [0012]      FIG. 3  illustrates block diagram of an exemplary method of operation of the computer system of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
       [0013]    The detailed description explains the preferred embodiments of the invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    Methods and systems involving diurnal computing are provided. 
         [0015]    In this regard, diurnal computing refers to computing during daily cycles particularly in relation to ambient light available during different times of the day. 
         [0016]    Computer systems, particularly mobile computer systems, may be used in locations that have differing amounts of ambient light based, in part, on the time of day the computer system is being used. Some computer systems include lighting devices that illuminate input devices such as, for example, keyboards in the system. The light from the lighting device assists a user in operating the input devices. Computer systems also include displays, such as, for example, liquid crystal displays (LCDs) that have backlighting that may be adjusted for viewing. Different ambient light levels may make some backlighting settings uncomfortable. It is desirable for a computer system to determine ambient light levels and adjust settings of the display and to turn lighting devices on and off depending on the determined ambient light levels. 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a block diagram of a computer system. The computer system includes a processor  102  communicatively linked to the Internet  116 , a memory  108 , a system clock  114 , and an input device  106 . The input device  106  may include, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, or other similar input devices. The processor  102  is also communicatively linked to a display device  104 . The display device  104  may, for example, be a LCD display, or a cathode ray tube type display. An ambient light sensor  112 , such as, for example, a photoresistor, a photoreceiver, and a photoreceptor diode is communicatively linked to the processor  102 . A lighting device  110  such as, for example, a light emitting diode (LED) is also communicatively linked to the processor  102 . 
         [0018]      FIG. 2   a  illustrates a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a computer system  200 . The embodiment of the computer system  200  is a portable computer system including the display device  104  in a housing portion  202 . The input device  106  is a keyboard that may be, in operation, illuminated by the lighting device  110 , located in the housing portion  202 . 
         [0019]      FIG. 2   b  illustrates a rear view of the computer system  200  including an ambient light sensor  112 . The ambient light sensor  112  may be located in a position such that light from the display device  104  does not appreciably effect the sensing of ambient light in the environment. 
         [0020]      FIG. 3  illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary method of operation of the system  200 . The method starts in block  302 . The start may be initiated, for example, upon a boot-up of the system  200 , an exit from a “sleep mode” of the system  200 , or during operation of the system  200 . In block  304 , the system time is determined from the system clock  114  (of  FIG. 1 ). The local time may be determined in block  306 . The local time may be determined by a user input designating the location of the system  200 , or from another source, such as, for example, the Internet  116  using the network time protocol (NTP). The determination of the local time allows the processor  102  to determine whether the system  200  is operating at night or during the day. The determination allows the processor  102  to estimate the ambient light from sunlight that may be present in the system  200  operating environment. 
         [0021]    The ambient light sensor  112  may also send a signal to the processor  102  that may be used to determine the ambient light level in the system  200  environment. The signal from the ambient light sensor  112  may be used with, or independently to determine ambient light in block  308 . 
         [0022]    The determined ambient light may be compared to an ambient light threshold value  311  to determine if the ambient light is low (below the ambient light threshold value  311 ) in block  310 . If the ambient light is low, the lighting device  110  may be turned on in block  312  to illuminate the input device  106 . Additionally, the display device  104  may be set to a low ambient light setting in block  314 . The low ambient light setting may, for example, be a lower amount of backlighting than would be used in a brighter ambient light environment. In block  316 , a low ambient light routine may be started. 
         [0023]    A low ambient light routine may, for example, be a number of macros defined by a user that initiate particular settings desirable in low ambient light, or during a particular local time. Additionally, a low light routine may include starting particular programs that are desirable during operation in low ambient light environments such as, for example, particular types of music, opening particular Internet websites, or starting productivity software. 
         [0024]    If the ambient light is not low, and is above the ambient light threshold value  311 , the lighting device  110  may be turned off in block  318 . The display device  104  may be set to a high ambient light setting in block  320 . A high ambient light routine may be started in block  322 . The high ambient light routine may be similar to the low ambient light routine, however it includes settings desirable in a high ambient light environment. 
         [0025]    The use of local and system times along with the ambient light sensor, offer the system  200  the ability to operate with diurnal settings reflecting operating times and ambient light in the operating environment. These elements offer flexibility and ease of use to the system  200 . 
         [0026]    While the preferred embodiment to the invention has been described, it will be understood that those skilled in the art, both now and in the future, may make various improvements and enhancements which fall within the scope of the claims which follow. These claims should be construed to maintain the proper protection for the invention first described.