sh: convert /proc/cpu/aligmnent, /proc/cpu/kernel_alignment to seq_file

[safe/jmp/linux-2.6] / Documentation / leds-class.txt

diff --git a/Documentation/leds-class.txt b/Documentation/leds-class.txt
index 8c35c04..8fd5ca2 100644 (file)
--- a/Documentation/leds-class.txt
+++ b/Documentation/leds-class.txt
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+
 LED handling under Linux
 ========================
 
@@ -5,10 +6,10 @@ If you're reading this and thinking about keyboard leds, these are
 handled by the input subsystem and the led class is *not* needed.
 
 In its simplest form, the LED class just allows control of LEDs from
-userspace. LEDs appear in /sys/class/leds/. The brightness file will
-set the brightness of the LED (taking a value 0-255). Most LEDs don't
-have hardware brightness support so will just be turned on for non-zero
-brightness settings.
+userspace. LEDs appear in /sys/class/leds/. The maximum brightness of the
+LED is defined in max_brightness file. The brightness file will set the brightness
+of the LED (taking a value 0-max_brightness). Most LEDs don't have hardware
+brightness support so will just be turned on for non-zero brightness settings.
 
 The class also introduces the optional concept of an LED trigger. A trigger
 is a kernel based source of led events. Triggers can either be simple or
@@ -19,6 +20,12 @@ optimises away.
 
 Complex triggers whilst available to all LEDs have LED specific
 parameters and work on a per LED basis. The timer trigger is an example.
+The timer trigger will periodically change the LED brightness between
+LED_OFF and the current brightness setting. The "on" and "off" time can
+be specified via /sys/class/leds/<device>/delay_{on,off} in milliseconds.
+You can change the brightness value of a LED independently of the timer
+trigger. However, if you set the brightness value to LED_OFF it will
+also disable the timer trigger.
 
 You can change triggers in a similar manner to the way an IO scheduler
 is chosen (via /sys/class/leds/<device>/trigger). Trigger specific
@@ -39,12 +46,33 @@ LED Device Naming
 
 Is currently of the form:
 
-"devicename:colour"
+"devicename:colour:function"
 
 There have been calls for LED properties such as colour to be exported as
 individual led class attributes. As a solution which doesn't incur as much
 overhead, I suggest these become part of the device name. The naming scheme
-above leaves scope for further attributes should they be needed.
+above leaves scope for further attributes should they be needed. If sections
+of the name don't apply, just leave that section blank.
+
+
+Hardware accelerated blink of LEDs
+==================================
+
+Some LEDs can be programmed to blink without any CPU interaction. To
+support this feature, a LED driver can optionally implement the
+blink_set() function (see <linux/leds.h>). If implemented, triggers can
+attempt to use it before falling back to software timers. The blink_set()
+function should return 0 if the blink setting is supported, or -EINVAL
+otherwise, which means that LED blinking will be handled by software.
+
+The blink_set() function should choose a user friendly blinking
+value if it is called with *delay_on==0 && *delay_off==0 parameters. In
+this case the driver should give back the chosen value through delay_on
+and delay_off parameters to the leds subsystem.
+
+Setting the brightness to zero with brightness_set() callback function
+should completely turn off the LED and cancel the previously programmed
+hardware blinking function, if any.
 
 
 Known Issues
@@ -55,10 +83,6 @@ would cause nightmare dependency issues. I see this as a minor issue
 compared to the benefits the simple trigger functionality brings. The
 rest of the LED subsystem can be modular.
 
-Some leds can be programmed to flash in hardware. As this isn't a generic
-LED device property, this should be exported as a device specific sysfs
-attribute rather than part of the class if this functionality is required.
-
 
 Future Development
 ==================