U.S. patent application number 12/169320 was filed with the patent office on 2008-11-06 for method and apparatus for controlling display monitors provided on an electronic apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA. Invention is credited to Shigeru Kizaki.
Application Number | 20080272984 12/169320 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32767897 |
Filed Date | 2008-11-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080272984 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kizaki; Shigeru |
November 6, 2008 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING DISPLAY MONITORS PROVIDED ON
AN ELECTRONIC APPARATUS
Abstract
Disclosed herein is an electronic apparatus that can use not
only an LCD monitor provided as a standard component, but also a
DVI monitor. The apparatus incorporates a BIOS. The BIOS acquires
display parameters from the DVI monitor if the DVI monitor is
connected to the apparatus and causes the DVI monitor to function
as display device of the apparatus.
Inventors: |
Kizaki; Shigeru; (Ome-shi,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PILLSBURY WINTHROP SHAW PITTMAN, LLP
P.O. BOX 10500
MCLEAN
VA
22102
US
|
Assignee: |
KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
32767897 |
Appl. No.: |
12/169320 |
Filed: |
July 8, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10795345 |
Mar 9, 2004 |
7411568 |
|
|
12169320 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
345/3.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09G 5/363 20130101;
G09G 2360/02 20130101; G09G 5/006 20130101; G06F 3/1431 20130101;
G09G 2370/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/3.1 |
International
Class: |
G09G 5/12 20060101
G09G005/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 10, 2003 |
JP |
2003-063686 |
Claims
1.-20. (canceled)
21. An electronic apparatus comprising: a graphics control module
configured to control a first display unit; a connector configured
to connect a second display unit to the graphics control module,
the second display unit receiving digital video signals and display
images represented by the digital video signals; a determining
module configured to determine whether the second display unit is
connected to the graphics control module; a executing module
configured to execute a video-data reproducing application program;
and a control module configured to control the second display unit
by using the graphics control module when the second display unit
is connected to the graphics control module, at the time of
activating the video-data reproducing application program, the
control module controlling the first display unit by using the
graphics control module when the second display unit is
disconnected from the graphics control module.
22. The electronic apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the
first display unit is a liquid crystal display or an analog
display, and the second display unit is a DVI (Digital Visual
Interface) display.
23. The electronic apparatus according to claim 21, further
comprising: a setup module configured to set up the first display
unit as a main display unit, the first display unit being used as
the main display unit when the electronic apparatus is
activated.
24. An electronic apparatus comprising: a first display unit
configured to operate as a main display unit connected to a main
body of the electronic apparatus; a connector configured to connect
a second display unit to the main body, the second display unit
receiving digital video signals and display images represented by
the digital video signals; a determining module configured to
determine whether the second display unit is connected to the main
body; a executing module configured to execute a video-data
reproducing application program; and a control module configured to
control the operation of the second display unit when the second
display unit is connected to the graphics control module, at the
time of activating the video-data reproducing application program,
the control module controlling the operation of the first display
unit when the second display unit is disconnected from the main
body.
25. A method of controlling a operation of display units for an
electronic apparatus including a first display unit, said method
comprising: setting up the first display unit as a main display
unit connected to a main body of the electronic apparatus at the
time of starting of the electronic apparatus; determining whether a
second display unit is connected to the main body, the second
display unit receiving digital video signals and display images
represented by the digital video signals; and controlling the
operation of the second display unit when the second display unit
is connected to the main body, at the time of activating a
video-data reproducing application program, and the operation of
the first display unit when the second display unit is disconnected
from the main body.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of
priority from prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-063686,
filed Mar. 10, 2003, the entire contents of which are incorporated
herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to an electronic
apparatus provided on which display monitors of different types can
be used. More particularly, the invention relates to a technique of
selectively controlling display monitors.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Generally, electronic devices, such as notebook-type
personal computers and mobile digital players, have a liquid
crystal display (LCD) monitor as standard display.
[0006] In recent years, monitors (hereinafter referred to as "DVI
monitors") that accord with the standards of digital displays
called DVIs (Digital Visual Interfaces) are used in increasing
numbers. The DVI monitor is a display that generates images
directly from digital signals. It can display high-quality
images.
[0007] A notebook-type personal computers has either an analog RGB
monitor (usually, a CRT monitor) or an LCD monitor, no matter
whether it can be connected to a DVI monitor or not. The user may
use a DVI monitor to display images reproduced from, for example, a
DVD drive or a TV tuner. Special utility software must be executed
to use the DVI monitor. That is, it is necessary for the user to
switch the standard monitor, e.g., an LCD monitor, to the DVI
monitor.
[0008] Some computers have a DVI-monitor connector and the function
of detecting the connection of a DVI monitor to the DVI-monitor
connector. (Such a computer is disclosed in, for example, Jpn. Pat.
Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2002-169532.) In other words, any
computer that has this function can automatically detect the
connection of the DVI monitor to it.
[0009] Nonetheless, the user must do something to execute the
special utility software to make the DVI monitor perform its
function.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0010] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of
the invention, and together with the general description given
above and the detailed description of the embodiments given below,
serve to explain the principles of the invention.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a
computer system according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a flowchart explaining the sequence of a BIOS
process performed in the computer system shown in FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a diagram depicting a setup menu displayed on the
computer system of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a flowchart explaining the sequence of a BIOS
process carried out while the computer system is being set up;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a flowchart explaining the operation of another
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0016] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the computer system shown in
FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] Embodiments of this invention will be described, with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
(System Configuration)
[0018] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the system configuration
of, for example, a notebook-type personal computer that is an
electronic apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is
a perspective view of the notebook-type personal computer.
[0019] As FIG. 1 shows, the computer has a microprocessor (CPU) 11,
a graphic-memory controller hub 12, a memory (system memory) 13, a
graphics controller 14, and an I/O hub 15.
[0020] The graphics controller 14 uses a video memory (VRAM) 141
and controls display devices 142 to 145 of different types.
[0021] The display device 142 is a CRT monitor including an analog
RGB monitor. The display 144 is a television monitor (TV monitor).
The display devices 142 and 144 can be connected to the graphics
controller 14. The display device 143 is an LCD monitor that is
permanently connected to the graphics controller 14. Further, a DVI
monitor 145 can be connected to the graphics controller 14 by a
DVI-standard connector 140 as is illustrated in FIG. 6. The DVI
monitor 145 accords with the distal-display standards and can
display images of high resolution.
[0022] Usually the graphics controller 14 is connected to the
graphic-memory controller hub 12 by an AGP (Accelerated Graphics
Port) bus 30 that is a bus dedicated to graphic data. The graphics
controller 14 outputs a digital video signal to the DVI monitor 145
if the monitor 145 is connected to it.
[0023] To the I/O hub 15 there are connected a ROM 16 and a hard
disk drive (HDD) 17. The ROM (or BIOS-ROM) 16 stores BIOS (Basic
Input/Output System). BIOS is a program that controls the display
devices as will be later explained with reference to FIGS. 2 and
3.
[0024] A PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus 50 and an LPC
(Low Pin Count) bus 60 are connected to the I/O hub 15, too. The
PCI bus 50 connects a sound controller 18 to the I/O hub 15. The
LPC bus 60 connects an embedded controller 19 (hereinafter referred
to as "EC") to the I/O hub 15. The EC 19 is a microcomputer that
functions as a controller. It controls the power supply and
performs the input control at a keyboard 20. A TV tuner 200 and a
DVD (Digital Video Disc) player 300 can be connected, as optional
devices, to the I/O hub 15.
[0025] As FIG. 6 shows, the computer comprises a main unit 10 and a
display unit 601. The display unit 601 is coupled to the main unit
10 and can rotate. The display unit 601 has an LCD monitor 143,
which is a standard component.
[0026] As long as the computer remains unused, the display unit 601
usually takes a closed position, covering the keyboard 20 provided
on the main unit 10. The main unit 10 incorporates main components,
such as the CPU 11, graphic-memory controller hub 12, memory 13,
graphics controller 14 and I/O hub 15, which are shown in FIG.
1.
[0027] In this embodiment, the main unit 10 has the DVI-standard
connector 140 for connecting the DVI monitor 145 to the graphics
controller 14. As FIG. 6 shows, a cable 600, which is connected to
the DVI-standard connector 140, connects the DVI monitor 145 to the
graphics controller 14.
[0028] As will be described later, the DVI monitor 145 is used as
an external display device for the computer once it is connected to
the graphics controller 14. Hence, the computer can cause the
monitor 145 to display images.
(Sequence of Controlling the Display Devices)
[0029] How the display devices are controlled in the computer
system according to the present embodiment will be described, with
reference to FIG. 1 and the flowchart of FIG. 2.
[0030] When the power-supply switch to the system is closed, the
BIOS is activated, performing various initialization processes
(step S1). More precisely, the BIOS (program) is read from the
BIOS-ROM 16 and stored into the memory 13. The BIOS thus stored
into the memory 13 is activated.
[0031] The BIOS detects that the DVI monitor 145 has been connected
to the graphics controller 14 (by the DVI-standard connector 140)
(step S2). Upon detecting that DVI monitor 145 has been connected
to the graphics controller 14, the BIOS sets a flag indicating this
fact, in the memory 13.
[0032] Next, the BIOS determines, from the flag set in the memory
13, whether the DVI monitor 145 is connected to the graphics
controller 14 (step S3).
[0033] If the BIOS determines that DVI monitor 145 is not connected
to the graphics controller 14 (if NO in step S3), it determines
whether an analog RGB monitor is connected to the graphics
controller 14 (step S4). That is, the BIOS determines whether the
CRT monitor 142 or TV monitor 144 is connected to the graphics
controller 14 (step S4). If the CRT monitor 142 or TV monitor 144
is connected to the graphics controller 14, the BIOS initializes
the CRT monitor 142 or TV monitor 144 so that the monitor connected
to the controller 14 may perform its function (step S6).
[0034] If the analog RGB monitor is not connected to the graphics
controller 14 (if NO in step S4), the BIOS initializes the LCD 143,
i.e., the standard display, so that the LCD 143 may perform its
function (step S5).
[0035] In step S3, the BIOS may determines, from the flag set in
the memory 13, that the DVI monitor 145 is connected to the
graphics controller 14 (YES in step S3). In this case, the BIOS
reads display-parameter information from the ROM 100 incorporated
in the DVI monitor 145 as shown in FIG. 1 (step S7).
[0036] The display-parameter information represents display
parameters for controlling the DVI monitor 145, such as resolution,
refresh rate and the like. The information is stored into the
memory 13. The BIOS initializes the DVI monitor 145 in accordance
with the display-parameter information, so that the DVI monitor 145
may work as the display device of the system (step S8). This
enables the graphics controller 14 to control the DVI monitor
145.
[0037] Thus, the BIOS automatically can set the DVI monitor 145 as
the display device of the computer system immediately after the
power-supply switch to the system is closed, provided that the DVI
monitor 145 is connected to the graphics controller 14. Hence, the
user only needs to connect the DVI monitor 145 to the main unit 10
of the computer, in order to use this DVI monitor 145 that can
display high-resolution images.
[0038] More specifically, the user connects the DVI monitor 145 to
the DVI-standard connector 140 provided on the main unit 10 and
turns on the DVI monitor 145. Then, the DVI monitor 145 will
automatically function as the display device of the computer
system. In other words, the user need not do anything special to
use the DVI monitor 145 as the display device of the system.
(System Setup Menu)
[0039] FIG. 3 is a diagram depicting a setup menu 51 displayed on
the computer system of FIG. 1.
[0040] As FIG. 3 shows, the setup menu 51 contains the names of the
various display devices that can be used. The user can select one
of the display devices, that should be set when the computer system
is activated.
[0041] In FIG. 3, the square displayed besides "DVI Monitor" is
black. This means that the DVI monitor 145 is selected and will be
used as the display device of the system when the personal computer
is activated. The other choices displayed in the setup menu 51,
are: "LCD," "Analog RGB Monitor," "LCD+Analog RGB Monitor," and
"Automatic Selection." Recall that the LCD monitor and the analog
RGB monitor are the standard main display and external display to
the personal computer, respectively. If the user selects the menu
item "LCD+Analog RGB Monitor," both the LCD monitor and the analog
RGB monitor will be used at the same time.
[0042] If the user selects the menu item "Automatic Selection," the
external monitors connected to the main unit 10 will be detected
when the personal computer is activated, and the external monitors
that has the highest priority will be initialized first.
[0043] The information representing any menu item set in the setup
menu 51 is stored into the BIOS-ROM 16.
[0044] FIG. 4 is a flowchart explaining the sequence of a BIOS
process that is performed to set up one of the display devices.
[0045] First, the BIOS is activated, performing various
initialization processes, when the power switch to the system is
closed (step S11). At this time, part of the data in the BIOS-ROM
16 is copied into the memory 13, and the CPU 11 performs
initialization. The data representing the setup menu 51 is copied
into the memory 13, too.
[0046] In the process of setting up a display device or devices,
the BIOS detects whether the DVI monitor 145 is connected to the
graphics controller 14 (step S12). If the BIOS detects that the DVI
monitor 145 is connected to the graphics controller 14, it sets the
flag indicating the connection in the memory 13.
[0047] Next, the BIOS determines whether the LCD monitor 143 has
been selected in the setup menu 51, from the display-setup data
stored in the memory 13 (step S13). If the LCD monitor 143 has been
selected (if YES in step S13), the BIOS initializes the LCD monitor
143, which can then function as display device (step S19).
[0048] If the LCD monitor 143 has not been selected (if NO in step
S13), the BIOS determines whether an analog RGB monitor has been
selected, from the display-setup data stored in the memory 13 (step
S14). If an analog RGB monitor has been selected (if YES in step
S14), the BIOS determines which RGB monitor is connected to the
graphics controller 14, the CRT monitor 142 or the TV monitor 144
(step S20).
[0049] If the CRT monitor 142 or the TV monitor 144 is connected to
the graphics controller 14 (if YES in step S20), the BIOS
initializes the monitor connected, so that the monitor may function
as display device (step S21). Neither the CRT monitor 142 nor the
TV monitor 144 may be connected to the graphics controller 14 (No
in step S20) even if the analog RGB monitor has been designated to
be preferentially used as display device. In this case, the BIOS
initializes the LCD monitor 143 that is a standard component, so
that the LCD monitor 143 may function as display device (step
S19).
[0050] If no analog RGB monitor has been selected in the setup menu
51 (if NO in step S14), the BIOS determines whether the DVI monitor
145 has been selected, on the basis of the display-setup data
stored in the memory 13 (step S15). If the DVI monitor 145 is
selected (if YES in step S15), the BIOS checks the flag set in the
set in the memory 13 (step S17). Then, the BIOS determines whether
the flag designates the DVI monitor 145 (step S18). If the flag
designates the DVI monitor 145 (if YES in step S18), the BIOS
determines that the DVI monitor 145 is connected to the graphics
controller 14.
[0051] Thus, the BIOS acquires display parameters from the ROM 100
that is incorporated in the DVI monitor 145 (step S23). Further,
the BIOS initializes the DVI monitor 145 in accordance with the
display parameters acquired from the ROM 100, so that the DVI
monitor 145 may function as display device of the system (step
S24).
[0052] The flag set in the memory 13 may not designate the DVI
monitor 145 (if NO in step S18). Then, the BIOS determines that the
DVI monitor 145 is not connected to the graphics controller 14. The
BIOS then determines whether an analog RGB monitor is connected to
the controller 14 (step S20). That is, the BIOS designates the
either the CRT monitor 142 or the TV monitor 144 as display device
of the system (step S21) if the monitor 142 or 244 is connected to
the controller 14, instead of the DVI monitor 145 (if YES in step
S20).
[0053] Neither the CRT monitor 142 nor the TV monitor 144 may be
connected to the graphics controller 14 (NO in step S20). In this
case, the BIOS designates the LCD monitor 143 as display device of
the system (step S19).
[0054] The BIOS may determine that the DVI monitor 145 is not
selected (if NO in step S15). If this is the case, the BIOS
determine whether both the LCD monitor 143 and the analog RGB
monitor have been selected, on the basis of the display-setup data
stored in the memory 13 (step S16). If YES in step S16, the BIOS
designates both the LCD monitor 143 and the analog RGB monitor as
display devices of the system (step S22). In effect, however,
either the CRT monitor 142 or the TV monitor 144 must be connected
as analog RGB monitor to the graphics controller 14. If neither the
CRT monitor 142 nor the TV monitor 144 is connected, only the LCD
monitor 143 will work as sole display device of the system.
[0055] The user may select "Automatic Selection" in the setup menu
51. In this case, the BIOS initializes the display devices, one
after another, in the order of priority as will be described
below.
[0056] If the DVI monitor 145 is connected to the graphics
controller 14, the BIOS will designate this monitor 145 as display
device of the system. If an analog RGB monitor, i.e., either CRT
monitor 142 or TV monitor 144, is connected to the controller 14,
it will be used as display device of the system. Neither the CRT
monitor 142 or the TV monitor 144 may be connected to the
controller 14. Then, the BIOS designates the LCD monitor 143, i.e.,
a standard component, as display device of the system.
[0057] In brief, the BIOS automatically designates the DVI monitor
145 as display device of the system if the DVI monitor 145 has been
selected in the setup menu 51 and is actually connected to the
graphics controller 14. Thus, the DVI monitor 145 will
automatically function as display device when the user connects
this monitor 145 to the main unit 10 and turns on the power switch
to the system, only if the user has selected the DVI monitor 145,
in the setup menu 51, as the first display device to be used.
(Another Embodiment)
[0058] FIG. 5 is a flowchart explaining the operation of another
embodiment of the present invention.
[0059] In this embodiment, the display device is switched by using
application software that is executed under the control of the OS
(Operating System) once the OS has been activated.
[0060] As indicated above, the sequence of initialization,
including the designating a display device, is carried out when the
BIOS is activated immediately after the closing of the power switch
to the system. More correctly, the LCD monitor 143 is initialized
upon activation of the BIOS and is then used prior to any other
display device available. After the BIOS finishes the
initialization, the OS is activated, whereby the various
applications can be executed.
[0061] Assume that the DVD (Digital Video Disc) player 300 is
connected to the I/O hub 15 as illustrated in FIG. 1. In this case,
the system activates the video-data reproducing application program
stored in the HDD 17 (step S31). The OS determines whether video
data should be reproduced from the DVD incorporated in the DVD
player 300 (step S32). If YES in step S32, the system will start
the process of reproducing video data from the DVD.
[0062] At this time, the OS checks the flag set in the memory 13,
determining whether the DVI monitor 145 is connected to the
graphics controller 14 (step S33). As mentioned earlier, the BIOS
has set the flag in the memory 13 right after the closing of the
power switch to the system.
[0063] The OS may determine that the DVI monitor 145 is connected
to the graphics controller 14 (YES in step S33). Then, the OS
acquires display parameters from the ROM 100 incorporated in the
DVI monitor 145 (step S34).
[0064] Further, the OS switches the display device selected at this
time, e.g., the LCD monitor 143, to the DVI monitor 145 that should
be used as display device of the system (step S35).
[0065] Therefore, the video-data reproducing application program
reproduces video data from the DVD set in the DVD player 300 and
the DVI monitor 145. The graphics controller 14 outputs the video
data thus reproduced, to the DVI monitor 145. The DVI monitor 145
displays the high-resolution images represented by the video data
(step S36).
[0066] The OS may not determine that the DVI monitor 145 is
connected to the graphics controller 14 (NO in step S33). If this
is the case, the OS acquires determines whether the analog RGB
monitor is actually connected to the graphics controller 14 (step
S37). If the analog RGB monitor is connected to the controller 14,
instead of the DVI monitor 145 (if YES in step S37), the OS selects
the CRT monitor 142 or the TV monitor 144 as display device of the
system (step S38).
[0067] Thus, the video-data reproducing application program
reproduces the video data from the DVD set in the DVD player 300
and the CRT monitor 142 or the TV monitor 144 displays the images
represented by the video data reproduced (step S36).
[0068] If neither the DVI monitor 145 nor the analog RGB monitor is
connected to the graphics controller 14 (if NO in steps S33 and
S37), the OS keeps designating the LCD monitor 143 (the standard
component) as display device of the system (step S39). Therefore,
the video-data reproducing application program reproduces the video
data from the DVD set in the DVD player 300 and the LCD monitor 143
displays the images represented by the video data thus reproduced
(step S36).
[0069] In the embodiments of this invention described above, the OS
switches the display device initially selected (e.g., LCD monitor
143) to the DVI monitor 145 when the video-data reproducing
application program is activated. Hence, the DVI monitor 145 will
be automatically selected as display device of the system when it
is connected to the system to display, for example, the
high-resolution images represented by the video data stored in a
DVD. To have high-resolution images displayed on the DVI monitor
145, the user need not do anything, but connect the DVI monitor 145
to the system.
[0070] Each embodiment described above is a notebook-type personal
computer that uses the LCD monitor (i.e., a standard component).
The present invention is not limited to such personal computers.
Rather, it can be applied to electronic apparatuses of any other
type that can use various types of display devices, one of which is
selected by the method explained above.
[0071] More specifically, the invention can be applied to, for
example, a portable DVD player that comprises a TV tuner and an LCD
monitor (a standard component). When a DVI monitor, i.e., an
optional component, is connected to the DVD player, it is
automatically designated as display device of the DVD player. The
user of the DVD player can use a DVI monitor, if available, only by
connecting the DVI monitor to the DVD player. In any place where no
DVI monitors are unavailable, the user uses the LCD monitor.
[0072] As has been described in detail, the present invention makes
it possible for the user of an electronic apparatus to use a DVI
monitor that can display high-resolution images, merely by
connecting the DVI monitor to the electronic apparatus.
[0073] Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur
to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its
broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and
representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly,
various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit
or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the
appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *