CN1130650C

CN1130650C - LCD-type computer with input key to run application

Info

Publication number: CN1130650C
Application number: CN 99124738
Authority: CN
Inventors: 陈忠和; 许永明; 刘志坚
Original assignee: Compal Electronics Inc
Current assignee: Compal Electronics Inc
Priority date: 1999-12-17
Filing date: 1999-12-17
Publication date: 2003-12-10
Anticipated expiration: 2019-12-17
Also published as: CN1300987A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display type computer with input keys to run an application program, which comprises a casing body, a storage, a processor, a liquid crystal display device, a liquid crystal display controller, an output and input controller, a keyboard device, at least one input keys and an AC power supply device, wherein the liquid crystal display controller is electrically connected with the processor and the liquid crystal display device; the output and input controller is electrically connected with the processor; the keyboard device is electrically connected with the output and input controller via a flexible cable and is used for inputting data; the input keys are arranged on the casing body and are electrically connected with the output and input controller to generate a running signal. When the input keys are pressed, the running signal makes a stored operating system run the stored application program and an image picture can be displayed to the liquid crystal display device via the operating system by the application program.

Description

Utilize the LCD-type computer and the method for input key to run application

Technical field

The present invention refers to a kind of method of utilizing the LCD-type computer of input key to run application and utilize input button startup application program in this LCD-type computer especially relevant for a kind of LCD-type computer.

Background technology

See also Fig. 1.Fig. 1 is the external view of a known LCD-type computer 10.Known LCD-type computer 10 includes a housing 12, one processor (not shown), one liquid crystal indicator (LiquidCrystal Display Device, LCD Device) 14, one LCD controller (LCDcontroller) is located at (not shown) in the housing 12, one keyboard, 16, one mouses 18, and an AC power supply (A/C Power Supply; Show) be arranged at and be used for the supply system power supply in this housing.The LCD controller of known LCD-type computer 10 is the relevant digital image signals of instruction generation according to this processor, with control liquid crystal indicator 14.Liquid crystal indicator 14 then can receive the digital image signal that this LCD controller transmits, to show relevant image frame.Because liquid crystal indicator 14 is thin than conventional screen, and its display screen than conventional screen more near the plane, so existing universal day by day trend of the use of LCD-type computer 10.

When operation LCD-type computer 10, if user's desire is used a certain application program, as a browser or E-mail software, known method of operating is that the index (pointer) that sees through on the mouse 18 control screens is double-clicked the program image (program icon) of (dobule click) this application program to start this application program; Or, start this application program with enter key (enter key) again with the keyboard 16 first program images of selecting this application program of putting.No matter yet any method of operating, the user must have being familiar with of certain degree to the mode of operation of computer, the application program that startup desire that could be correct is used, this is for the user who very is not familiar with computer, and reality has the difficulty of certain degree.For many users, the application program that often uses is in fact also few in addition, if even if some application programs of using always of each startup must then for the user who is familiar with computer, also be burdens via above-mentioned program all.

Summary of the invention

Therefore, fundamental purpose of the present invention is to provide a kind of and utilizes the LCD-type computer of input key to run application and utilize the input button to start the method for application program in this LCD-type computer, make the user can be simple and easy and start the application program that its desire is used fast, address the above problem.

A kind of LCD-type computer that utilizes the input key to run application provided by the invention, this LCD-type computer includes: a housing; One storer is used for storing an operating system and at least one application program; One processor is used for carrying out this operating system and this application program of storage; One liquid crystal indicator (LCD Device) is arranged at and is used for receiving digital image signal on this housing with the show image picture; One LCD controller is electrically connected on this processor and this liquid crystal indicator, is used for showing with the image frame of controlling this liquid crystal indicator according to the instruction of this processor; Controller is gone in one output, is electrically connected on this processor, and data are gone in the output that is used for controlling this computer; One key board unit is independent of this outside, is electrically connected on this with a flexible cable and exports into controller and be used for importing data; At least one input button is arranged on this housing and is electrically connected on this and exports into controller, to be used for producing an enabling signal; And an AC power supply, be arranged in this housing, be used for the supply system power supply; It is characterized in that comprising a plurality of input buttons in order to start corresponding application program, and one the ROM-BIOS wafer be electrically connected on this processor, it includes a ROM-BIOS program and can be executed in this processor, when one of them is pressed when these a plurality of buttons, this enabling signal can be exported controller via this and be sent in this processor, this processor then can be carried out this ROM-BIOS program to obtain the state of this input button, deposit in it in register and produce a look-at-me (IRQ), when this look-at-me is detected by a virtual bench driver, this virtual bench driver can be via this ROM-BIOS program obtaining the input key-press status that is stored in this register, and start corresponding application program according to this input key-press status.

The present invention also provides a kind of method of utilizing enter key to start application program in LCD-type computer, it is characterized in that including step:

Start LCD-type computer, this AC power supply provides required power supply to LCD-type computer, and processor begins the operation of executive operating system with the control LCD-type computer;

Press the input button, enabling signal is gone into controller through output and is transferred to south bridge control chip, south bridge control chip produces a system management interrupt signal to processor then, and this system management interrupt signal is that notice ROM-BIOS program has the input button to be pressed;

After receiving this system management interrupt signal, the ROM-BIOS program obtains the state (that is that input button is pressed) of input button 52, and this state deposited in the register (not shown), and produce a look-at-me in south bridge control chip;

When this look-at-me was detected by the virtual bench driver, it was that input button is pressed to learn that the virtual bench driver is called out the ROM-BIOS program, informs the corresponding application program of os starting then; With

Application program is shown in liquid crystal indicator with an image frame via operating system.

Description of drawings

Purpose of the present invention, feature and advantage will be elaborated in conjunction with the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The accompanying drawing simple declaration

Fig. 1 is the external view of a known LCD-type computer;

Fig. 2 is the external view of LCD-type computer of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is the functional-block diagram of LCD-type computer shown in Figure 2;

Fig. 4 is the software function block scheme of LCD-type computer shown in Figure 2.

Embodiment

See also Fig. 2.Fig. 2 is the external view of LCD-type computer 40 of the present invention.LCD-type computer 450 includes a horizontally disposed housing 42, one liquid crystal indicator 44 is vertically installed on the housing 42, be used for receiving digital image signal with the show image picture, one key board unit 46 is independent of housing 42 outsides, be electrically connected with input data with housing 42 inner members with a flexible cable (Flexible Cable) 48, two input buttons (Input Button) 52,53 are arranged on the housing 42, one indicating device (Indicator) 54 is arranged on the housing 42, and an AC power supply (not shown) is arranged at and is used for the supply system power supply in the housing 42.

Input button 52 is to be used for producing a browser enabling signal to start a browser (not being shown in Fig. 1), and input button 53 is to be used for producing an E-mail software enabling signal to start an E-mail software (not being shown in Fig. 1), and the user can borrow and press

input button

52 or 53 to start browser or the E-mail software that desire is used.Indicating device 54 (Indicator) is two light emitting diodes (LED) 55a, and 55b is used for showing the state of a control of this E-mail software, and on behalf of new mail, it arrive (Mail in) respectively and have mail not read the state of (Mail not read).When new mail is come in, then represent the LED 55a meeting of Mail in bright; And when mail is not read as yet, then represent the LED 55b meeting of Mail not read bright.Therefore the user does not need to see through mouse or keyboard, just can directly press its corresponding application program of input key to run, and is directly learnt the control situation of this application program by indicating device 54, and operation is very easy to.

See also Fig. 3.Fig. 3 is the functional-block diagram of LCD-type computer 40 shown in Figure 2.LCD-type computer 40 includes a storer 58 in addition, one processor 64, one north bridge control chip (NorthBridge Control Chip) 72, one south bridge control chip (South Bridge Control Chip) 74, one ROM-BIOS chip (BIOS Chip) 76, and controller (I/OController) 68 is gone in an output.Storer 58 is to be used for storing an operating system 60 (as Windows 98) and a plurality of application program 62, for example aforesaid browser or E-mail software.Processor 64 is to be used for executive operating system 60 and application program 62.North bridge control chip 72 is a kind of speed bus controller (Bus Controller) faster, is used for controlling the device higher to speed requirement.North bridge control chip 72 includes a LCD controller (LCD Controller) 66 and one Memory Controller (MemoryController) 70, wherein LCD controller 66 is to be electrically connected on processor 64 and liquid crystal indicator 44, is used for showing with the image frame of controlling liquid crystal indicator 44 according to the instruction of processor 64; Memory Controller 70 then is electrically connected on processor 64 and storer 58, and the data that is used between processor controls 64 and the storer 58 is transmitted.74 of south bridge control chips are a kind of slow bus controller, are used for controlling the device lower to speed requirement, and south bridge control chip 74 is to see through north bridge control chip 72 to be electrically connected on processor 64.

ROM-BIOS wafer 76 is to be electrically connected on processor 64 via south bridge control chip 74 and north bridge control chip 72, and ROM-BIOS chip 76 includes a ROM-BIOS program 78 and can be executed in the processor 64.It is to be electrically connected on processor 64 via south bridge control chip 74 that controller 68 is gone in output, and data are gone in the output that is used for controlling LCD-type computer 40, and are electrically connected the flexible cable 48 of

input button

52,53, indicating device 54 and key board unit 46.

Input button

52,53 can be used to produce an enabling signal to start corresponding application program 62, for example aforesaid browser or E-mail software.But the state of a control of 54 display application programs 62 of indicating device, for example state of the Mail in of this E-mail software or Mail not read.

As shown in Figure 3, LCD-type computer 40 includes a communication controller 82 in addition to be located in the housing 42 and to see through south bridge control chips 74 and be electrically connected on processor 64, and a communication module 84 is electrically connected on communication controller 82.Communication module 84 can be a modem or an Ethernet card.Processor 64 can see through the operation that communication controller 82 be controlled this modem or Ethernet card, makes communication signal be able to spread out of via modem or Ethernet card or import into LCD-type computer 40.

See also Fig. 4.Fig. 4 is the software function block scheme of LCD-type computer 40 shown in Figure 2.The software package of LCD-type computer 40 of the present invention contains ROM-BIOS program 78, be stored in the ROM-BIOS chip 76, being used for disposal system exports incoming event substantially, operating system 60 (as windows 98) is used for setting up a job platform, and various application programs 62, for example aforesaid browser 62a or E-mail software 62b are to provide every application function and user's operation-interface.Operating system 60 comprises a virtual bench driver (Pseudo Device Driver) 80, be used for according to

input button

52,53 incidents that are pressed, starting browser 62a or E-mail software 62b, and the state of a control of E-mail software 62b is seen through ROM-BIOS program 78 be passed to indicating device 54.Browser 62a or E-mail software 62b then can be via this modem or Ethernet card and extraneous communication link.

After LCD-type computer 40 was activated, this AC power supply can begin to provide LCD-type computer 40 required power supply, and processor 64 can beginning executive operating systems 60 with the operation of control LCD-type computer 40.Thereafter when

input button

52 or 53 is pressed, enabling signal can be gone into controller 68 via output and be transferred to south bridge control chip 74, (System Management Interrupt is SMI) to processor 64 for south bridge control chip 74 meeting generations one system management interrupt signal then.This system management interrupt signal is to notify the ROM-BIOS program 78 that is executed in processor 64 to have the input button to be pressed.After receiving this system management interrupt signal, ROM-BIOS program 78 can obtain the state (that is that input button is pressed) of input button 52, and this state deposited in the register (not shown), and in south bridge control chip 74 produce a look-at-me (Interrrupt requet signal, IRQ).When this look-at-me is detected by virtual bench driver 80, it is that input button is pressed to learn that virtual bench driver 80 can be called out ROM-BIOS program 78, inform that then operating system 60 starts corresponding application program 62, for example browser 62a or E-mail software 62b.Application program 62 then can be shown in an image frame on the liquid crystal indicator 44 via operating system 60.

Press

input button

52 or 53 when starting corresponding application program, the state of a control that indicating device 54 can display application programs 62.To start E-mail software 62b is example, and when E-mail software 62b started via input button 53, E-mail software 62b can see through this modem or Ethernet card and extraneous communication link.Whether the virtual bench driver 80 servo software of mail that can inquire after (Polling) far-end has new mail to arrive then, if have, then virtual bench driver 80 meeting calling ROM-BIOS programs 78 see through south bridge control chip 74 and export controller 68 and light the LED 55a that represents Mailin, if there is not a new mail, virtual bench program 80 state that can LED55a be maintained extinguish via same path then.And virtual bench driver 80 software 62b via e-mail learns whether have mail not read as yet, if have, then virtual bench driver 80 meeting calling ROM-BIOS programs 78 see through south bridge control chip 74 and export controller 68 and light the LED 55b that represents Mail notread, if there is not mail not read as yet, then virtual bench driver 80 can make LED 55b maintain the state that extinguishes via same path.

LED

55a, 55b in the LCD-type computer 40 of the present invention can also replace by a display panels.As long as add a display panels controller in addition, virtual bench driver 80 can be called out ROM-BIOS program 78 equally, and through exporting controller 68 and this display panels controller show relevant Mail in or Mail not read on this display panels message.In addition, application program 62 also can be other communication applications programs, and when

input button

52,53 was pressed, operating system 60 can start this communication applications program and set up communication with the external world.

Compared to known LCD computer 10, LCD-type computer 40 of the present invention can utilize

input button

52,53 to produce enabling signal to start application program 62, can also see through the state of a control of indicating device 54 display application programs 62.Make the easier use computer of user's energy.

The above only is preferred embodiment of the present invention, and all equalizations of being done according to claim scope of the present invention change and modify, and all should belong to the covering scope of patent of the present invention.

Claims

1. one kind is utilized the LCD-type computer of importing key to run application, and this LCD-type computer includes:

One housing;

One storer is used for storing an operating system and at least one application program;

One processor is used for carrying out this operating system and this application program of storage;

One liquid crystal indicator is arranged at the show image picture that is used for receiving digital image signal on this housing;

One LCD controller is electrically connected on this processor and this liquid crystal indicator, is used for showing with the image frame of controlling this liquid crystal indicator according to the instruction of this processor;

Controller is gone in one output, is electrically connected on this processor, and data is gone in the output that is used for controlling this computer;

One key board unit is independent of this outside, is electrically connected on this with a flexible cable and exports into controller and be used for input data;

At least one input button is arranged on this housing and is electrically connected on this and exports into controller, to be used for producing an enabling signal; And

One AC power supply is arranged in this housing, is used for the supply system power supply,

It is characterized in that comprising a plurality of input buttons in order to start corresponding application program, and one the ROM-BIOS wafer be electrically connected on this processor, it includes a ROM-BIOS program and can be executed in this processor, when one of them is pressed when these a plurality of buttons, this enabling signal can be exported controller via this and be sent in this processor, this processor then can be carried out this ROM-BIOS program to obtain the state of this input button, deposit in it in register and produce a look-at-me (IRQ), when this look-at-me is detected by a virtual bench driver, this virtual bench driver can be via this ROM-BIOS program obtaining the input key-press status that is stored in this register, and start corresponding application program according to this input key-press status.

2. method of utilizing enter key to start application program in LCD-type computer is characterized in that including step:

After receiving this system management interrupt signal, the ROM-BIOS program obtains the state (that is that input button is pressed) of input button (52), and this state deposited in the register (not shown), and produce a look-at-me in south bridge control chip;

3. the method for utilizing enter key to start application program as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that described application program is a browser.

4. the method for utilizing enter key to start application program as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that described application program is an E-mail software.