JP3603674B2 - Computer system power control system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a power supply control system for a computer system, and more particularly, to a power supply control system using a suspend and resume function in a computer system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a power supply control system has been widely used for the purpose of suppressing power consumption and suppressing equipment consumption by a function of automatically shutting off a power supply and reducing power output.
[0003]
In particular, in computer systems, power supply control systems have conventionally been used for the purpose of suppressing power consumption, preventing burn-in of a display, preventing heating of the computer system, and reducing the time and effort required to turn off and on the power supply. It is common to provide. The power supply control method in the computer system mainly uses a suspend function, a resume function, and the like.
[0004]
Also, in the conventional power supply control system, as a method of recognizing whether or not the user is using the computer device, when a certain time has elapsed using the elapsed time from the last time when the device was directly operated. Recognition methods for determining that a device is not in use are widely used.
[0005]
Conventionally, a method using elapsed time is used in a device generally called a computer system such as a personal computer. Conventionally, this method does not require a special device such as a camera, and allows input from a keyboard, a mouse, or the like. This is because power supply control can be easily realized by monitoring. However, in these computer systems, the user often does not operate the keyboard or the like for a long time even when the user is in front of the display. In this case, the user is watching the display on the display or waiting for the end of the requested processing. Therefore, the power supply control method based on the elapsed time is not preferable. For this reason, a power supply control method of recognizing whether or not a user is present and performing power supply control is also used in computer systems such as personal computers.
[0006]
As a conventional technique of a power control method based on recognition of the presence of a user in a computer system, a method of judging a distance between a device and a user by using an infrared sensor (JP-A-5-199005, JP-A-10-326126) Gazette) has been proposed.
[0007]
Also, a method of taking an image of the front of the device using a camera, analyzing the image, analyzing and judging the position of the user's face, torso, etc., and performing power control (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. Hei 7-271482 and Hei 7-271482). No. 7-325639).
[0008]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-271482 describes a technique for processing an image captured from a camera, recognizing the presence of a user, and turning on or off the power of a computer system, or sleeping or canceling a sleep state. . In this prior art, the method of recognizing the presence of a user processes an image captured from a camera, and when the user recognizes that both the face and the torso are present in the image, the user works toward the computer system. Is determined to have been performed. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-325639 describes a technique for recognizing the interruption and resumption of work by recognizing a user's face with a camera and realizing a resume function in a computer system.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, the conventional power supply control system has the following problems.
[0010]
In the conventional power supply control system, the user needs to make his own settings. Further, in the conventional method, it is necessary to move a keyboard or a mouse or to turn on a power switch to return from a suspended state or the like or to restart when a resume function is operated.
[0011]
There is a need for power control that is simpler and does not require any user operation.
[0012]
The prior art disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-271482 has the following problems.
[0013]
In this conventional technique, the power supply of a computer system is turned on and off, but there is no resume function for backing up and restoring the system. Therefore, in this conventional technology, the application field of the power on / off function is limited to peripheral devices and the like, and is not suitable for shutting off the power to the power supply of the system body of the computer system. Is not enough.
[0014]
The operation of the power supply control according to this conventional technique is either an operation of turning on or off the power, or an operation of canceling the sleep state or the sleep state. The power control operation requires a more flexible and efficient method such as a combination of the resume function and the suspend function.
[0015]
According to the method for recognizing the presence of a user according to this conventional technique, it is determined that the user is using the camera when both the face and the torso are present in the image captured from the camera. There is a problem that it is recognized as being used even though the face or eyes are not turned toward the user. As a result, at the desk where the device is installed, the user stops using the device and starts other work. Does not start. Also, it is determined that the device is in use only by passing a person in front of the device, and a problem such as suspension being released occurs.
[0016]
The prior art disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-325639 has the following problems.
[0017]
Since this conventional technique has a resume function, it is possible to perform power control including shutting off power to the power of the system body of the computer system. However, only the resume function has no suspend function, and when the work is interrupted, the resume function is executed without suspending. When the resume function is performed and the power is turned off, it takes more time to resume the operation than when the peripheral device is temporarily stopped due to suspending.To perform the resume function, more extensive work such as backup is required. I need.
[0018]
Therefore, when the work is interrupted or restarted frequently, there are problems such as a waiting time until the work can be restarted and equipment consumption.
[0019]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a power control system for a computer system capable of controlling power without requiring an instruction from a user and efficiently reducing power consumption in order to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art. Is to do.
[0020]
Another object of the present invention is to provide a computer system that enables more efficient power control by appropriately determining whether the computer system is in use and combining the determination result with various power control methods. A power control system is provided.
[0021]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, the present invention provides In a power supply control system for controlling the power supply of a computer system, it is determined whether or not the computer system is in use by recognizing a user's face image by imaging at a fixed time interval, and the determination result and the current power state are determined. Based on the combination, control to change the state of the power supply from the normal operation state to the suspend state, from the suspend state to the power OFF state by the resume function, from the suspend state or the power OFF state by the resume function to the normal operation state, Do It is characterized by the following.
[0022]
According to the power supply control system of claim 2 of the present invention, By photographing means for photographing the user, and by analyzing the photographed image to extract a face image, the presence or absence of the user and whether the user's face and eyes face the display screen, Image determining means for determining whether the computer system is in use; and when the computer system is in an unused state, the power supply is in a suspended state, the computer system is in an unused state, and the power supply is in a suspended state. And control means for controlling the power supply so that the power supply is turned off by the resume function when the power supply is in use, and the power supply off state by the resume function is released when the power supply is in use. It is characterized by the following.
[0023]
According to the power supply control system of claim 3 of the present invention, A power supply state detection unit that detects whether the state of the power supply is a normal operation state, a suspend state, or a power supply OFF state by a resume function, and notifies the control unit as a power supply state signal; By matching the face image with a template prepared in advance, it is determined whether the user's face and eyes are facing the display screen, and a face image determination signal indicating whether the computer system is in use is provided. Notifying the control unit, the control unit controls the power based on the power state signal notified from the power state detection unit and the face image determination signal notified from the image determination unit. It is characterized by the following.
[0024]
According to the power supply control system of claim 4 of the present invention, The image capturing unit captures an image at a set image capturing time interval, and the control unit sets the image capturing time interval according to the content of the face image determination signal notified from the image determining unit. And changing the power supply to a suspend state or a power-off state by a resume function, and changing a condition for releasing the suspend state or the power-off state by a resume function to the normal operation state. It is characterized by the following.
[0025]
Claim 5 of the present invention According to the power supply control system, the power supply is set to a power-off state by a suspend state or a resume function, and as a condition for releasing the power-off state by a suspend state or a resume function to the normal operation state, the face image determination signal Set the number of receptions .
[0029]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a power supply control system based on face image recognition according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the power supply control system of the present invention is applied to a personal computer or a portable terminal which is a computer system.
[0030]
Referring to FIG. 1, a power supply control system 10 according to the present embodiment includes a camera control unit 100, a face image determination unit 200, a power supply control unit 300, and a power supply unit 400. The image captured by the unit 100 is processed by the face image determination unit 200 to analyze the face image, and the power control unit 300 controls the power unit 400 based on the analysis result and the current power state. Execute to change the state of the power supply.
[0031]
The camera control unit 100 includes an oscillator 110, a timer circuit 120, a switch 130, and a CCD camera 140. The camera control unit 100 captures an image from the CCD camera 140 at regular intervals, and transmits image data to the face image determination unit 200. . The oscillator 110 continues to transmit the clock pulse signal to the timer circuit 120 at regular intervals. The CCD camera 140 is arranged facing the front of the display screen of the computer system, and photographs a user of the computer system.
[0032]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the timer circuit 120 according to the first embodiment to which the present invention is applied.
[0033]
Referring to FIG. 2, the timer circuit 120 includes a counter 121 and a comparator 122, and counts the number of pulses of the clock pulse signal supplied from the oscillator 110 to measure a certain time, which is an image capturing interval. A camera switch ON signal is transmitted to the switch 130 at regular intervals.
[0034]
Each time the counter 121 receives the clock pulse signal from the oscillator 110, the counter 121 counts the number of the pulse and transmits a count value, which is the total number of received pulses, to the comparator 122. Each time the switch 130 is pressed, the counter 121 receives a counter reset signal from the switch 130 and resets the count value.
[0035]
The comparator 122 transmits a camera switch ON signal to the switch 130 when a predetermined value for measuring a certain time as an image capturing interval matches a count value received from the counter 121. .
[0036]
The face image determination unit 200 receives an image captured by the CCD camera 140 from the camera control unit 100, performs processing on the image, and performs matching with a template registered in advance to convert the captured image into a face image. A determination is made as to whether there is an image and whether the face and eyes are facing the display screen side of the computer system.
[0037]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an image processing operation of the face image determination unit 200 according to the first embodiment to which the present invention is applied.
[0038]
Referring to FIG. 3, the processing of the face image determination unit 200 of the present embodiment is based on three major steps of preprocessing (step 3002), feature extraction (steps 3003, 3007), and matching (steps 3004, 3006, 3008). Become.
[0039]
In the preprocessing, input image data is subjected to binarization processing, noise removal, size normalization, and the like (step 3002). Then, feature extraction is performed on the pre-processed data (step 3003). As a feature extraction method, a method of extracting a contour or the like is used.
[0040]
Then, matching is performed between the extracted feature and a face image template registered in advance, thereby determining whether or not there is a face image in the captured image (step 3004). That is, if there is a template close to the extracted feature, it is determined that there is a face image, and if there is no close template, it is determined that there is no face image.
[0041]
If there is no face image in the captured image, the computer system determines that the image is not in use, and transmits a face image determination signal indicating that to the power control unit 300 (step 3005). Here, a signal “0” indicating that no face image exists is transmitted as the face image determination signal.
[0042]
When a face image is present in the photographed image, matching is performed between the extracted feature and a template registered in advance in order to determine the direction of the face, so that the photographed face faces the display screen method of the computer system. It is determined whether or not there is (Step 3006).
[0043]
As a result of the determination, if it is determined that the captured face is not suitable for the display screen method of the computer system, it is determined that the computer system is not in use (non-use state), and a face image determination signal “0” indicating that is not used. Is transmitted to the power control unit 300 (step 3005).
[0044]
Next, when it is determined that the photographed face is facing the display screen method of the computer system, an image of the eye (eyeball) is further extracted from the face image (step 3007), and the extracted eye is extracted. It is determined whether the eyes of the face image face the display screen method of the computer system from the position of the portion where the black pixels corresponding to the pupils in the image are concentrated (step 3008). In this case, by registering the combination of the positions of the eyeballs in the case where the user seems to be looking at the display screen as a template in advance, and comparing the registered template with the position of the portion where the black pixels corresponding to the pupils are concentrated, Determine whether the eye is facing the display screen method of the computer system.
[0045]
If the result of the determination is that the eyes are not facing the display screen method of the computer system, it is determined that the computer system is not in use, and a face image determination signal “0” indicating this is sent to the power control unit 300. The message is transmitted (step 3005).
[0046]
If it is determined that the eyes are facing the display screen method of the computer system, it is finally determined that the computer system is in use (in use), and a face image determination signal indicating this is provided to the power control unit 300. (Step 3008). Here, the signal “1” is transmitted as the face image determination signal.
[0047]
The power supply control unit 300 includes a power supply state detection unit 310 and a control determination unit 320. The power supply control unit 300 supplies power to the power supply unit 400 based on the face image determination signal from the face image determination unit 200 and the current power supply state. The control for changing the state is performed.
[0048]
Power state detection section 310 checks the state of power section 400 and transmits the data to control determination section 320. Control determining section 320 performs control to change the state of power supply section 400 based on data transmitted from face image determining section 200 and power state detecting section 310.
[0049]
FIG. 5 is a table for explaining a detailed control operation under each condition of the control determination unit 320 according to the first embodiment to which the present invention is applied.
[0050]
The power state detecting unit 310 checks whether the state of the power unit 400 is a suspended state or a normal usable state, and transmits the suspended state signal to the control determining unit 320.
[0051]
Here, the suspend means that when the use of the computer system is suspended halfway, the function of the system is suspended by a method such as stopping the operation of the input / output device instead of the entire system in preparation for resuming the use. Thus, this is a power control method in which the functions of the system can be restarted immediately and the operation can be started immediately.
[0052]
In FIG. 5, the face image determination signal is a signal indicating whether or not the computer system is being used as described above. The signal is transmitted from the face image determination unit 200. The case is “0”. The suspend state signal transmitted from the power state detecting unit 310 is “1” when the power unit 400 is in the suspend state or the power OFF state, and is “0” when the power is ON and the suspend is not performed.
[0053]
Referring to FIG. 5, the control determination unit 320 changes the power supply state of the computer system to the normal operation state by releasing the suspend state when the computer system is in the suspend state and the computer system is being used. If the computer system is not in use in the state, the state is changed to the suspend state. In other cases, the state of the power supply unit 400 is not changed when the computer system is being used in the normal operation state or when the computer system is not being used in the suspended state.
[0054]
The control determination section 320 can be realized as a hardware circuit on a semiconductor or a board, and can also realize this function using software.
[0055]
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a circuit example of the control determination unit 320.
[0056]
This circuit is a two-input one-output circuit that receives a face image determination signal and a suspend state signal and outputs a control signal for power control, and the relationship between the input and output is shown in FIG. Here, by using the XNOR gate 321 and the XOR gate 322, when the input signals are both 0 or 1, the control signal for controlling the power supply state changes between the suspended state and the non-suspended state. And
[0057]
Next, the operation of the first embodiment configured as described above will be specifically described.
[0058]
Here, it is assumed that the fixed interval for photographing the CCD camera 140 is one minute, and the image of the CCD camera 140 is sent to the face image determination unit 200 every minute.
[0059]
FIG. 6 is a timing chart illustrating the operation of the camera control unit 100. Referring to FIG. 6, a clock pulse signal is sent from the oscillator 110 and the timer circuit 120 counts the time from time T0 to time T1 (one minute).
[0060]
When the timer circuit 120 counts 1 minute at the time T1, a switch ON signal is transmitted from the timer circuit 120 to the switch 130.
[0061]
The switch 130 is turned on by the switch ON signal, and the CCD camera 140 executes image shooting.
[0062]
When the switch 130 is turned on, a counter reset signal is transmitted from the switch 130 to the timer circuit 120, and the counter 121 of the timer circuit 120 is reset.
[0063]
Image data captured by the CCD camera 140 is transmitted to the face image determination unit 200. Then, by repeating the above-described processing, an image captured by the camera control unit 100 is transmitted to the face image determination unit 200 at regular intervals (one minute).
[0064]
Next, the face image determination unit 200 transmits a face image determination signal indicating whether or not the user is using the computer system to the control determination unit 320 of the power supply control unit 300 in accordance with the processing of FIG. 3 described above.
[0065]
The power supply state detection unit 310 recognizes the current power supply state of the power supply unit 400 and transmits this state to the control determination unit 320 as a suspend state signal.
[0066]
Then, the control determination unit 320 controls the state of the power supply unit 400 as shown in the timing chart of FIG.
[0067]
Referring to FIG. 7, during a period from time T0 to time T1, since the computer system is in use and is in the non-suspend state, a control signal for controlling to maintain the current state is output. As a result, the power supply unit 300 maintains the non-suspend state (normal use state).
[0068]
Then, at time T1, when the computer system is not in use, it outputs a control signal for changing the power supply state to the suspend state. As a result, the power supply unit 300 changes from the normal operation state to the suspend state.
[0069]
As long as it is determined that the computer system is not being used in the suspended state, a control signal for maintaining the suspended state is output (from time T2 to time T3).
[0070]
When it is determined that the computer system is being used in the suspended state (time T3), the power supply unit 300 outputs a control signal for releasing the suspended state and changing to the normal operation state.
[0071]
As described above, in the power supply control system based on face image recognition according to the first embodiment, the user pays attention to the direction of the face and the direction of the eyes (eyeballs) in the image. It is possible to determine whether or not the user is looking at the screen and whether the screen is in a suspended state when the user is not looking at the screen or cancel the suspension when the user is looking at the screen. This allows more efficient power supply control.
[0072]
Sometimes, you do something else without looking at the display screen at the desk, such as when you place your computer display on a desk. By recognizing that it is not in use even when the user is not looking at the screen and performing suspending or the like, power consumption can be saved without imposing a burden on the user.
[0073]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0074]
In the power supply control system based on face image recognition according to the second embodiment of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, the power supply control unit 300 sequentially executes power supply control using a resume function and a suspend function. It has a configuration that can be used. The entire system configuration and the configuration of the camera control unit 100 are the same as those in the first embodiment shown in FIG.
[0075]
Here, the resume function means that when the user turns off the power of the main unit, the computer system saves the current state of the application in use and the like, and the next time the power is turned on based on the stored data. This is a power supply control method that immediately reproduces the previous use state.
[0076]
The power supply state detection unit 310 of the power supply control unit 300 recognizes the current power supply state of the power supply unit 400 and transmits data of this state to the control determination unit 320 using the above-described suspend state signal and power supply state signal.
[0077]
The face image determination signal from the face image determination unit 200 is sent to the control determination unit 320 of the power supply control unit 300. The operation of the face image determination unit 200 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the description is omitted.
[0078]
FIG. 8 is a table for explaining a detailed control operation under each condition of the control determination unit 320 according to the second embodiment.
[0079]
The power supply state detection unit 310 detects whether the power supply unit 400 is in one of three states of a power supply OFF state (OFF state by a resume function), a suspend state, and a normal operable state. The detection signal is transmitted to the control determination unit 320. In the present embodiment, this detection signal is composed of two types of signals, a suspend state signal and a power state signal.
[0080]
In FIG. 8, a face image determination signal indicating whether the computer system is in use (in use) is transmitted from the face image determination unit 200, and is “1” when the computer is in use and “1” when not in use. 0 ".
[0081]
The suspend state signal is a signal transmitted from the power state detecting unit 310, and is “1” when the suspend state or the power OFF state (OFF state by the resume function), and “1” when the power is ON and the suspend is not working. 0 ". The power status signal is a signal transmitted from the power status detection unit 310, and is “1” when the power is off and “0” when the power is on.
[0082]
Referring to FIG. 8, the control determination unit 320 changes the power state of the computer system to the normal operation state by turning on the power supply unit 400 when the power supply is in the OFF state and the computer system is being used. If the computer system is in use and the suspend state is released, the system is changed to the normal operation state.If the computer system is suspended for a certain period of time and the computer system is not in use, the resume function is activated and the power is turned off. The state is changed to the OFF state, and if the computer system is not in use in the normal operation state, the state is changed to the suspend state.
[0083]
In other cases, that is, when the computer system is in use in the normal operation state and when the computer system is not in use in the power-off state, the state of the power supply unit 400 is maintained without changing the state.
[0084]
As described above, in the power supply control system based on face image recognition according to the second embodiment, power supply control combining both the resume function and the suspend function can be performed.
[0085]
FIG. 9 is a timing chart illustrating the operation of the control determination unit 320 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 9, the initial state is a state where the computer system is in use and is in a non-suspend state, and this state is maintained until an unused state of the computer system is recognized (from T0 to T1).
[0086]
Then, after that, when the non-use state of the computer system is recognized (T1), the state changes to the suspend state (T2).
[0087]
Unless the use state of the computer system is recognized in the suspend state, the suspend state is maintained (from T2 to T3).
[0088]
When the use state of the computer system is recognized in the suspend state (T3), the state changes to the non-suspend state (T4).
[0089]
When the computer system is not used (T5) and changes to the suspended state (T6), and then the computer system remains unused for a certain period of time, the resume function is started again, the current state is saved, and the main unit is saved. Is turned off (T7). The time to start the resume function can be arbitrarily set according to the computer system.
[0090]
When the use state of the computer system is recognized in the power-off state (T8), the main body is turned on again, the previous use state saved by the resume function is reproduced, and the state returns to the normal usable state. (T9).
[0091]
As described above, a more efficient power supply control system can be realized by combining the suspend function and the resume function.
[0092]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a power supply control system based on face image recognition according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
[0093]
Referring to FIG. 10, the power control system based on face image recognition according to the third embodiment of the present invention is different from the power control system according to the first embodiment in FIG. By setting a set value of the image capture interval for the image capturing 120a, the start time of the power control by suspend can be controlled.
[0094]
In the first and second embodiments, the time interval at which an image is captured by the CCD camera 140 when suspending and when suspending is released is constant.
[0095]
However, it is generally desirable that the time to release the suspend is shorter than the time to enter the suspend. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the interval at which an image is captured by the CCD camera 140 can be set according to the start and release of the power control.
[0096]
For example, since the power supply control such as the execution of the start of the suspension may be started relatively late, the interval at which images are captured by the CCD camera 140 may be set long. In addition, since power control such as canceling the suspension or turning on the power needs to be started relatively quickly, it is necessary to set a short interval for taking images with the CCD camera 140.
[0097]
FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a timer circuit 120a according to the third embodiment.
[0098]
Referring to FIG. 11, the difference from the timer circuit 120 according to the first embodiment of the present invention in FIG. 2 is that the image capturing interval setting value is received and set from the control determining unit 320a for the comparator 122a. This means that the timer circuit 120a changes the interval at which the switch 130 outputs the camera switch ON signal to the switch 130 by comparing it with the pulse count value received from the counter 121 based on the set value.
[0099]
FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the control determination unit 320a. Referring to FIG. 12, the difference from the control determining unit 320 according to the first embodiment of FIG. 4 is that a set value determining unit 323, a counter 324, and a comparator 325 are provided therein.
[0100]
The set value determination unit 323 transmits the image capture interval set value to the timer circuit 120a based on the face image determination signal, and controls the comparator 325 for each power supply control such as suspend according to the transmitted image capture interval set value. The set value of the number of receptions of the face image determination signal until the start of the operation is transmitted.
[0101]
The counter 324 counts the number of face image determination signals received by the control determination unit 320a, and transmits the count to the comparator 325.
[0102]
The comparator 325 compares the number of face image determination signals transmitted from the counter 324 with the set value of the number of received face image determination signals set by the set value determination unit 323, and determines whether the number of received face image determination signals is When the value reaches the set value or more, a signal for changing the state of each power supply control is output.
[0103]
Next, the operation of the third embodiment will be described in detail. In the third embodiment, a set value of an image capturing interval is transmitted from the control determining unit 320a to the timer circuit 120a, and the interval at which the camera control unit 100 takes an image is changed based on the set value.
[0104]
Here, a case will be described in which the interval between image captures by the CCD camera 140 when the normal power supply is used is 20 seconds, and the interval between image captures by the CCD camera 140 in the suspended state is 5 seconds.
[0105]
When the face image determination signal indicates that the computer system is in use, the set value determination unit 323 of the control determination unit 320a transmits “20 seconds” as the set value of the image capture interval to the comparator 122a of the timer circuit 120a. And, "3" is set to the comparator 325 as the set value of the reception number of the face image determination signal. When the face image determination signal indicates that the computer system is not used, “5 seconds” is transmitted to the comparator 122 a of the timer circuit 120 a as a set value of the image capture interval, and the face image is transmitted to the comparator 325. It is assumed that “2” is set as the set value of the number of receptions of the determination signal.
[0106]
Here, the operation of the control determination unit 320a shown in FIG. 12 will be described step by step.
[0107]
The process is executed twice (after 10 seconds) when canceling the suspended state, and three times (after 60 seconds) when the suspended state is set, when the control judgment unit 320a counts the reception of the face image judgment signal.
[0108]
When the control determination unit 320a receives the face image determination signal “1” and the suspended state signal “1” and the signal is a combination that cancels the suspended state, the counter 324 measures the number of receptions and compares the number of receptions with a comparator. 325. Further, the comparator 325 compares this number with “2” which is a set value at the time of canceling the suspend. If the number is equal to or more than the set value, the comparator 325 transmits a signal of “1” to change the power supply state. Otherwise, a signal of "0" is transmitted.
[0109]
When the control determination unit 320a receives the face image determination signal “0” and the suspend state signal “0”, and the signal is a combination for executing the suspend, the counter 324 measures the number of receptions and compares this number with the comparator 325. Further, the comparator 325 compares "3", which is the set value at the time of executing the suspend, and transmits a signal of "1" to change the power supply state if the number is equal to or more than the set value. Otherwise, a signal of "0" is transmitted.
[0110]
When the comparator 325 outputs the signal “1”, the comparator 325 sends a counter reset signal to the counter 324 to reset the counter 324.
[0111]
Further, when the signal is neither of the above cases, that is, when the face image determination signal “1” and the suspend state signal “0” are received, and when the face image determination signal “0” and the suspend state signal “1” are received In this case, the counter 324 does not count.
[0112]
When receiving the face image determination signal, the set value determination unit 323 transmits the set value of the interval at which the CCD camera 140 takes in the image to the timer circuit 120a, and determines the face image until the start of each power control such as suspend. The set value of the number of received signals is transmitted to the comparator 325. As described above, the image capture interval is set to 5 seconds when the face image determination signal is “1” and to 20 seconds when the face image determination signal is “0”.
[0113]
Other operations are the same as those in the first embodiment.
[0114]
When the suspend and resume functions are combined as in the second embodiment, the above configuration is also applied when the resume function is executed (power OFF) and when the resume function is canceled (power ON). It is possible.
[0115]
As described above, in the power supply control system based on face image recognition according to the third embodiment, since the control determination unit 320a includes the set value determination unit 323, the counter 324, and the comparator 325, power supply control such as suspension is performed. Can be set as a condition that the computer system is not in use or not in use once but the same state continues for a certain number of times or more set for each power supply control. As a result, the time until each power supply control is started can be flexibly determined, and more efficient power supply control can be performed.
[0116]
Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments and examples, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above embodiments and examples, and various modifications may be made within the scope of the technical idea. Can be implemented.
[0117]
In the above-described second embodiment, the power supply control functions of the suspend and the resume functions are provided together. However, by selecting these functions in use and providing a setting for setting the functions not to be used not to operate. , A function for switching to a power control such as only a suspend function or a resume function, and a function for switching not to operate all of these power control functions.
[0118]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the power supply control system using face image recognition of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.
[0119]
First, it is possible to correctly recognize whether or not the apparatus is being used without requiring any special operation by the user, thereby saving power consumption. The reason is that by processing the user's face image, it is possible to recognize the direction of the face and the direction of the eyes, thereby determining whether or not the apparatus is currently used, and changing the power supply state. is there.
[0120]
Second, power consumption can be simply and efficiently reduced without requiring any special operation by the user. The reason is that efficient power control can be performed by combining the suspend and resume functions as the power control method.
[0121]
Third, the time until each power supply control is started can be flexibly determined, and more efficient power supply control can be performed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a power supply control system based on face image recognition according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a timer circuit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an image processing operation of a face image determination unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of a control determination unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a table illustrating a control operation under each condition of a control determining unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a timing chart illustrating the operation of the camera control unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a timing chart illustrating the operation of the control determination unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a table for explaining a control operation under each condition of a control determination unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a timing chart illustrating an operation of a control determination unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a power supply control system based on face image recognition according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a timer circuit according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of a control determination unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
10. Power supply control system
100 Camera control unit
110 oscillator
120, 120a Timer circuit
121 counter
122, 122a comparator
130 switch
140 CCD camera
200 face image judgment unit
300 Power control unit
310 power supply state detector
320, 320a control determination unit
323 Set value determination unit
324 counter
325 comparator

Claims (5)

In a power supply control system for controlling a power supply of a computer system,
By recognizing the user's face image by imaging at regular time intervals, it is determined whether the computer system is in use,
Based on a combination of the determination result and the current power supply state , from the normal operation state to the suspend state, from the suspend state to the power OFF state by the resume function, from the suspend state or the power OFF state by the resume function to the normal operation state, A power supply control system for a computer system, wherein the control is performed to change the state of the power supply. Photographing means for photographing the user;
By analyzing the captured image and extracting a face image, the presence or absence of the user and whether or not the user's face and eyes are facing the display screen indicate whether the computer system is in use. Image determination means for determining
When the computer system is in an unused state, the power supply is in a suspended state, and when the computer system is in an unused state and the power supply is in a suspended state, the power supply is in a power OFF state by a resume function, and is in use. 2. The power supply control system for a computer system according to claim 1 , further comprising control means for controlling the power supply such that the power supply is released from a suspended state or a power-off state by a resume function in such a case. Power supply state detection means for detecting whether the state of the power supply is a normal operation state, a suspend state, or a power OFF state by a resume function, and notifying the control means as a power supply state signal,
The image determining means includes:
By matching the extracted face image with a template prepared in advance, it is determined whether the orientation of the user's face and eyes is directed to a display screen, and a face image indicating whether the computer system is in use. Notifying the control means of a determination signal ,
The control means,
3. The computer system according to claim 2, wherein the power supply is controlled based on a power supply state signal notified from the power supply state detection unit and the face image determination signal notified from the image determination unit. Power control system. The photographing means photographs an image at a set image capturing time interval,
The control unit changes the setting of the image capturing time interval according to the content of the face image determination signal notified from the image determination unit, and sets the power supply to a suspend state or a power OFF state by a resume function. , the power supply control system of a computer system according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterized in that to change the conditions for canceling the power OFF state by the suspended state or the resume function to the normal operating state. The power supply is set to a power-off state by a suspend state or a resume function, and the number of receptions of the face image determination signal is set as a condition for releasing from the power-off state by a suspend state or a resume function to the normal operation state. The power supply control system for a computer system according to claim 4, wherein:

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