CN1172283C

CN1172283C - Display system

Info

Publication number: CN1172283C
Application number: CNB008162344A
Authority: CN
Inventors: S・卢特奈斯; S·卢特奈斯
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
Current assignee: Clastres LLC; WIRELESS PLANET LLC
Priority date: 1999-11-25
Filing date: 2000-11-08
Publication date: 2004-10-20
Anticipated expiration: 2020-11-08
Also published as: EP1254449A1; AU1564501A; SE9904271D0; CN1399772A; SE516923C2; WO2001039167A1; SE9904271L; JP2003515765A

Abstract

According to the present invention, in an electronics device having a display unit (11), the display unit (11) comprises according to the present invention at least two interfaces (38, 39), controlled by one display control unit (30, 31) each. The electronics device comprises further an arbitrator (42), resolving any access conflicts between the interfaces (30, 31). The arbitrator (42) can be implemented as a switching means in the display unit or as a software communication between the display control units. The interfaces (30; 31) preferably control mutually overlapping areas (40, 41) of the display unit (11). One of the interfaces (39) may be slow, and accessed e.g. by a serial connection, being responsible for the information display during stand-by or inactivity periods, when only limited information display is needed. During such periods, the display control device (31) for the other interface (38) and associated circuitry are preferably turned off. The other interface (38) is preferably of a fast type, accessed by e.g. a parallel connection, being responsible for a full utilization of the display unit (11).

Description

Display system

The invention technical field

The present invention relates generally to electronic display unit, relate in particular to the LCD in the portable electronics.

Correlation technique is described

Now, the common development trend of telecommunications and computer equipment is to reduce size as far as possible, reduces the movability of power demand and increase equipment.Such as pocket computer, move and the portable equipment of wireless phone and so on becomes more common and can comprise increasing processing capacity.A common problem of relevant these equipment provides electric power.Owing to be movably, power supply must rely on the wireless energy transfer of battery or other types, for example, and solar cell.Battery be comparatively speaking large volume with heaviness, even the battery of up-to-date exploitation, the running time of equipment is fully limited before battery need charge.

A kind of method that increases battery operating time is to reduce the electric power that needs.It is available that many equipment and methods that are used to reduce power demand are arranged in the charged use of entire equipment.The another part that is used for saving power is the power that reduces whole standby and need non-cycle of activity.A power consumption in a typical mancarried electronic aid is a display unit, is typically a LCD unit.Several methods that are used to save power were arranged in whole non-cycle of activity,, perhaps for example reduce the illumination intensity that shows by closing display or its wherein part.At patent document EP-A0,811,866, US5 can find the example of this settling mode in 805,121 and GB-A2,320,591.In first document, the part that LCD shows in the whole standby operation process is closed, and has saved the power demand that is used for actual LCD unit.Second is used the minimizing number of picture elements to replace, and this has also reduced the power demand that is used for the LCD unit.

By using equipment, reduced required power significantly according to above-mentioned technology.Yet, be appreciated that the method for many possible further minimizing power consumptions, because it can increase abundant life-span of the battery of charging.Because the recent development and the computer equipment of field of telecommunications need show increasing information, for example, be used for mobile phone or the advanced pocket computer that the Internet connects, display unit is normally sizable, and need provide the information processing power that is shown to increase.These big display units need be than the more electric power of small-sized mobile phone such as routine with the processing unit that is connected.Even use the power reduction method according to state-of-art, the power consumption of these equipment is still very high.Therefore, need the further power consumption that reduces in the mancarried electronic aid usually.

General introduction

With respect to the battery life of request, be too high power consumption according to a common problem of the mancarried electronic aid that has display of prior art.

Therefore, general objects of the present invention is to reduce the power consumption of the electronic equipment with information display.Another object of the present invention is the power demand that reduces in whole standby or the non-cycle of activity process.Another object of the present invention is to reduce the power consumption of the equipment relevant with the display unit operation, but needs not to be display unit itself.

Realize above-mentioned purpose by equipment and method according to the claim of protected patent.Under general condition, have a display unit in the electronic equipment, comprise two interfaces at least according to display unit of the present invention, each is controlled by an indicative control unit.Electronic equipment comprises an arbiter in addition, resolves any access conflict between the interface.Arbiter can be realized as in the display unit switchgear or as a software communication between the indicative control unit.Interface is preferably controlled the overlapped zone of display unit.One in the interface can be low speed, promptly has an arrowband, and for example visits by a series connection, and when the information that only needs restriction showed, the information of undertaking whole standby or non-cycle of activity showed.In whole such cycle, the display control apparatus that is used for other interface is preferably closed with relevant circuit.Other interface is a kind of quick type preferably, promptly has a high bandwidth, for example by a visit in parallel, undertakes making full use of of display unit.

Advantage of the present invention is the power consumption part, the display unit that is used for controlling active mode can be closed in standby or in non-cycle of activity, because the interface of a separation of use shows to control and then can carry out by the interchangeable indicative control unit of a low-power consumption.

Read the preferred embodiment that describes in detail below, will be appreciated that other advantages of the present invention and characteristics.

The summary accompanying drawing

By the following description that combination is carried out with reference to the accompanying drawings, other purposes of the present invention and advantage will be more apparent, wherein:

Fig. 1 is the schematic block diagram according to a mobile phone example of prior art;

Fig. 2 is the structural drawing according to an embodiment of a display device of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is the structural drawing according to another embodiment of a display device of the present invention;

Fig. 4 a is the synoptic diagram that is in an a kind of mobile phone of folded state;

Fig. 4 b is the synoptic diagram that is in an a kind of mobile phone of open mode;

Fig. 4 c is the part synoptic diagram of the mobile phone that shows among Fig. 4 a and the 4b;

Fig. 5 is a synoptic diagram according to mobile phone of the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a synoptic diagram according to a pocket computer of the present invention;

Fig. 7 is a synoptic diagram according to a display unit of the present invention;

Fig. 8 is the process flow diagram that show control of example according to the inventive method.

Embodiment is described in detail in detail

At first, with the equipment of discussing according to prior art, this is can more clearly illustrate feature of the present invention for the back.In Fig. 1, the example of signal according to an example of a mobile phone of prior art.For example be equipped with this mobile phone and can be connected to an internet network.A display device 10 comprises a display unit 11, controls it by an indicative control unit 12, and indicative control unit 12 is parts of a central processing control unit (CPU) 13 in this embodiment.Indicative control unit 12 connects through an interface 14 that connects 15 usefulness display units.CPU13 is used to handle the large information capacity of for example access to the Internet and so on.CPU13 is connected to the

memory devices

20,21 such as random access memory.In order to communicate by letter with any communication network, phone is equipped with a radio-cell 18 and an antenna 19 so that transmit and receive wireless signal.Radio-cell is connected to a baseband controller 17, is connected to CPU13 successively.Interface 14 can be dissimilar, and for example, the part screen solves, and wherein depends on the previous mode of working as of operation, and an active part of display 16 can be changed every now and then.

In such equipment, there are four main objects to need electric power; Radio-cell 18, baseband controller 17 has the CPU13 and the display unit 11 of annex.Preferably development research reduces the power consumption of display 11, for example, and by using part screen settling mode or the like.Mainly determine the power consumption of radio-cell 18, will not do here further to discuss by the effectiveness in the antenna function.Baseband controller 17 has quite limited power consumption and does not need directly to cause concern.Yet CPU needs many electric power for the CPU of equipment especially for the outfit of advanced task such as access to the Internet.In order to reduce whole power consumptions, for example CPU is closed in the whole standby cycle.But, in order to keep a little simple information representation, such as the time, the date, signal intensity and/or battery charging state, display unit must regular being activated.This renewal for the treatment of machine information is carried out by starting CPU element 13 usually, transmits the information that needs and also closes CPU13 once more to display interface 14.Yet this process also comprises for

example storer

20,21 usually, the cost that they are common unnecessary quantity of power.

Basic thought of the present invention provides an additional interface and control module is given display unit, so that can have a display access that needs few power.This thought can be applicable to all types of electronic equipments that are equipped with display, and they have with a kind of active mode of intensive display operation with a kind of standby mode of sparse display operation.For this reason, display unit must be equipped with at least two interfaces.A serial ports or a parallel port can be selected to use in the current LCD unit that exists, but these interfaces are mutual exclusions, because according to the selection of the hardware executive's interface of physical connection.

In Fig. 2, example according to an embodiment of a display device 10 of the present invention.Display device 10 comprises a display unit 11, preferably a LCD (liquid crystal display) unit.Display unit 11 comprises first interface 39 and second interface 38.First interface 39 shows that through first connecting 34 indicative control units 30 that are connected to shows that through second being connected 33 is connected to second indicative control unit 31 with second interface 38.In the present invention, second indicative control unit 31 is realized as the part of a CPU (central processing unit) (CPU) 32.

Control module

30,31 is preferably realized by microprocessor.Interconnection 37 of CPU32 and first indicative control unit, 30 usefulness is interconnected, and is two parts of same treatment unit 35, although be independent exercisable part.Connecting 36 through one provides and treats that machine information is to first indicative control unit.This origin for the treatment of machine information can be in processing unit 35, in display device 10 or from an external source.

Arrange first interface 39 of display unit 11 to be used to operate the display unit 11 that is in first display mode, first viewing area 41 of visit display.Similarly arrange second interface 38 of display unit 11 to be used to operate the display unit 11 that is in second display mode, second viewing area 40 of visit display.First viewing area 41 and second viewing area 40 are overlapped, and preferably, first viewing area 41 constitutes a sub regions of second viewing area 40.

Because each

interface

38,39 has its

indicative control unit

31,30, in visit display unit 11, may have a conflict.In order to solve this conflict, provide an arbiter 42.In this embodiment, arbiter 42 is double switches by CPU32 control.

When high show events of needs, CPU32 concentrates relates to the processing corresponding data.Second interface 38 is effectively and uses the second big viewing area 40.Arbiter 42 keeps cutting out demonstration and connects 34, and prevents at any information flow that shows in the connection 34.Some information can arrive is treating that machine information connects on 36, before appearing on the display by second interface 38, is handled by CPU.

When a low activity or standby occurring during the cycle, reduced required processing power.The needs that are used for big viewing area also are reduced, because only there is a spot of parameters of interest.In the case, arbiter 42 is responsible for showing that control is turned to first indicative control unit 30 and connects first interface 39.The CPU32 and second indicative control unit 31 are closed so that reduce power consumption.In the whole standby cycle, only receive some restricted machine informations for the treatment of through connecting 36.Receive this by first indicative control unit 30 and treat machine information, thus can update displayed.This means in the whole standby cycle to have only first of low-power consumption to show that control 30 is movable.When the standby end cycle, CPU32 starts once more, and recovers presentation control function.

Because hypothesis is used first interface 39 in whole low cycle of activity.Thereby first shows that connection 34 preferably has a series connection of a relative low transmission rate, and promptly an arrowband connects.In addition, first viewing area 41 is preferably little, thereby has also reduced the required power of display unit.Preferably can use a kind of part screen settling mode.On the other hand, hypothesis is used second interface 38 in whole high cycle of activity.The requirement that transmits display message is very big, and therefore second connection, 33 preferably parallel connections, provides a kind of high information rate to display unit, and promptly high bandwidth connects.Thereby second viewing area 40 is more preferably greater than first viewing area 41.Because not conflict in the display driver of dual mode, zone 40,41 can be by overlapped, and best second viewing area 40 will cover the first whole viewing areas 41, so that use the capacity of the display unit of maximum.

Fig. 3 example according to another embodiment of a display device of the present invention.Represent that by identical reference number identical part is not discussed further.In this embodiment, by the example states of the power supply of processing unit 35 treat machine information.A battery 45 is connected to an adjustment unit 46, and it gives processing unit an operating voltage Vdd through a power supply connection 47.Voltage level connects 48 the voltage level of battery 45 is transferred to a analog-to-digital converter 44 in the processing unit.The result is sent to first indicative control unit 30.In the whole high activity operations process, this battery status information is transferred to CPU32.

In the embodiments of figure 3, on display unit 11, provide arbiter as a switch 43.The

interchangeable connecting interface

38,39 of switch.The software that switch is preferably controlled by for example CPU32 or first indicative control unit 30.

Above-mentioned display device with advantage is used for different mancarried electronic aids.The example of Fig. 4 a-c signal have a mobile phone 50 of access to the Internet function.In Fig. 4 a, the phone 50 of example is in a kind of folding configuration, being covered by a lid 52 of one of them elementary cell 51 part.A display device 53 is arranged in front in elementary cell 51.When lid 52 was folded on the elementary cell 51, shown in Fig. 4 a, it was visible having only the first 54 of less display.In a kind of like this structure, phone can be by as a common mobile phone, and the first 54 of display unit shows the information that needs.In Fig. 4 b, phone 50 is folded, and leaves elementary cell 51 by rotation lid 52.The whole viewing area 55 of display device 53 is visible, and can be used for showing for example internet information.In Fig. 4 c, shown the display part of the phone of Fig. 4 a and 4b example.In the figure, the difference of request has been pointed out to show in drawn jointly first zone 54 and whole viewing area.A kind of phone like this will be benefited from greatly according to a display device of the present invention.

In Fig. 5, example according to the sketch of a mobile phone of the present invention.Having identical reference number with similar portions in the previously described display device is not discussed further.Baseband controller 17 is equipped with one first indicative control unit 30, shows that by first connecting 34 is connected to the first area 54 that first interface 39 is controlled displays 11.As previously mentioned, CPU13 is equipped with one second indicative control unit 31, shows that by second connecting 33 is connected to the second area 55 that one second interface 38 is controlled displays 11.In this embodiment, in the interconnection between baseband controller 17 and the CPU13, arbiter 60 is realized as a software communication, handles the access rights of

interface

38,39.

When mobile phone operated in the Internet mode, CPU13 all utilized, and had control according to arbiter 60 communications second indicative control unit 31 on display 11.Flooding is exercisable.When mobile phone was folded and enter the standby mode, only the common information that shows was signal intensity, the state of battery charge and time and date.Baseband controller easily provides this information.CPU13 then is closed, and arbiter 60 is showing that control switches to first indicative control unit 30.Know in the prior art in a kind of method of closing host CPU that non-cycle of activity is such.Less first area 54 on display 11 can be used for the finite information needs now, and the power consumption of CPU13 and

storer

20,21 has been avoided now fully.

The phone of comparison diagram 1 and Fig. 5 will clearly have been seen clearly essence of the present invention.Display is equipped with two interfaces, by two independently

indicative control unit

30,31 drive them.Unit 31 and the high active process of power consumption unit 13 are relevant and must big viewing area 55 of visit.Another 30 is to be independent of the high active process of power consumption unit 13, and drives a less zone 54 in whole low cycle of activity, thereby has reduced power consumption and extending battery life.

Fig. 6 example another significant equipment, it preferably is equipped with according to a display device of the present invention.A pocket computer 70 comprises a bottom 72 and a top 71, and they rely on each other and can fold.The button that bottom 72 is equipped with according to prior art, mouse function or the like.The top is equipped with a big lcd screen 73.During the whole normal running, whole screen zone 74 is generally used for showing the information of needs.Computing machine and display operation are in high power consumption mode.Yet, between whole nonmobile phase, be positioned at the information that must be updated usually of having only of restriction screen area 75, time and battery charge indication.Under a kind of like this state, primary processor can be switched off, and saves power, is responsible for treating the renewal of machine information simultaneously with the demonstration control of a simple low-power consumption.

The example of Fig. 7 signal according to a preferred embodiment of a display unit of the present invention.A LCD unit 11 comprises a LCD zone 53.A line driver 82 and row driver 81 control LCD districts 53.Row driver is included in the driving control unit 80.First interface 39 and second interface 38 are inputs of driving control unit 80.Driving control unit further comprises a controll block 89 and a display random access memory 90.In this embodiment, first interface 39 constitutes a serial ports, has a serial data I/O and connects 83 and be connected 84 with a serial clock.Second interface 38 constitutes a parallel port in this embodiment, has 85, one command of one 16 bit BDB Bi-directional Data Bus and selects signal to connect 86, one read gates to connect 87 and be connected 88 with a write gate.Therefore be the while physical connection according to interface of the present invention, but have only a job in time.In display unit itself or an arbiter of in correlation unit, realizing carry out this arbitration.In a preferred embodiment, a piece in controll block 89 48 is carried out arbitration.

Fig. 8 is the process flow diagram of example according to a display control method of the present invention.Begin to handle in step 100.In step 102, make an arbitration and handle.Here, it determines whether display will be driven in first mode or be not.If first mode is selected, in step 104, drive the first display unit interface, operate demonstration relevant in first mode.But, if first mode is not significant,, drive the second display unit interface in step 106, operate demonstration relevant in second mode.In step 108 end process.The processing of example should not be interpreted into a kind of process flow diagram of rule, but and just example two kinds of display modes of alternate access.

As those skilled in the art, many possible modifications and variations can be arranged in the scope of protected claim.For example, the principle of independent operation interface can be implemented on more than two interfaces, regulates demonstration with many steps and controls to Activity Level.Previously described, a kind of possible situation is a mobile phone, and wherein first mode can be a kind of pure standby mode, and second mode can be that a kind of normal mode and Third Way can be a kind of the Internet modes.These modes need the viewing area and different processing powers of different amounts.

Should be understood that do not breaking away under the category that is defined within claims, for the present invention, various modifications and changes may be made.

Claims

1. display device (10) has a display unit (11; 53; 73), be characterised in that described display unit (11; 53; 73) comprise a display (53), driver (81,82) and at least the first (39) and second interface (38), two interfaces all are connected to identical driver (81,82), described first interface (39) is connected to first indicative control unit (30), described second interface (38) is connected to second indicative control unit (31) and an arbiter (42; 43; 48; 60), between described interface (38,39), arbitrate.

2. according to the display device of claim 1, be characterised in that described arbiter is the arbiter (42 of a software control; 43; 48; 60).

3. according to the display device of claim 2, be characterised in that described arbiter is at described display unit (11; 53; 73) switch (43) on.

4. according to the display device of claim 2, be characterised in that described arbiter comprises the communicator (60) between the described indicative control unit (30,31).

5. according to arbitrary display device of claim 1-4, be characterised in that described interface (38,39) is controlled at described display unit (11; 53; 73) the overlapped district (40,41 on; 53; 54; 74,75).

6. according to the display device of claim 1, be characterised in that described first interface (39) is a low-bandwidth interfaces.

7. according to the display device of claim 6, be characterised in that described first interface (39) is a serial line interface.

8. according to the display device of claim 1, be characterised in that described second interface (38) is a high bandwidth interface.

9. according to the display device of claim 8, be characterised in that described second interface (38) is a parallel interface.

10. according to the display device of claim 1, be characterised in that during whole non-cycle of activity, described second indicative control unit (31) is closed with relevant device.

11., be characterised in that by a microprocessor and realize at least one described indicative control unit (30,31) according to the display device of claim 1.

12., be characterised in that described display unit (11 according to the display device of claim 1; 53; 73) be a liquid crystal display.

13., be characterised in that described first interface (39) is arranged to be used for drive described display unit (11 under a kind of part display mode according to the display device of claim 1; 53; 73).

14. mancarried electronic aid (50,70) has a display unit (11; 53; 73), be characterised in that described display unit (11; 53; 73) comprise a display (53), driver (81,82) and at least the first (39) and second interface (38), two interfaces all are connected to identical driver (81,82), described first interface (39) is connected to first indicative control unit (30), described second interface (38) is connected to second indicative control unit (31) and an arbiter (42; 43; 48; 60), between described interface (38,39), arbitrate.

15., be characterised in that described arbiter is the arbiter (42 of a software control according to the mancarried electronic aid of claim 14; 43; 48; 60)

16., be characterised in that described arbiter is the switch (43) on described display unit according to the mancarried electronic aid of claim 15.

17., be characterised in that described arbiter comprises the communicator (60) between the described indicative control unit (30,31) according to the mancarried electronic aid of claim 15.

18., be characterised in that described interface (38,39) is controlled at described display unit (11 according to arbitrary mancarried electronic aid of claim 14-17; 53; 73) the overlapped district (40,41 on; 53; 54; 74,75).

19., be characterised in that described first interface (39) is a low-bandwidth interfaces according to the mancarried electronic aid of claim 14.

20., be characterised in that described first interface (39) is a serial line interface according to the mancarried electronic aid of claim 19.

21., be characterised in that described second interface (38) is a high bandwidth interface according to the mancarried electronic aid of claim 14.

22., be characterised in that described second interface (38) is a parallel interface according to the mancarried electronic aid of claim 21.

23., be characterised in that during whole non-cycle of activity, described second indicative control unit (31) is closed according to the mancarried electronic aid of claim 14.

24., be characterised in that by a microprocessor and realize at least one described indicative control unit (30,31) according to the mancarried electronic aid of claim 14.

25., be characterised in that described display unit (11 according to the mancarried electronic aid of claim 14; 53; 73) be a liquid crystal display.

26., be characterised in that described first interface (39) is arranged to be used for drive described display unit (11 under a kind of part display mode according to the mancarried electronic aid of claim 14; 53; 73).

27. show the method for control, comprise the steps:

Under first pattern, drive a display unit (11 through first interface (39) by first display control unit (30) with a display (53) and driver (81,82); 53; 73);

Under second pattern, drive described display unit (11 by second display control unit (31) through second interface (38); 53; 73);

Two interfaces (38,39) all are connected to identical driver (81,82); With

Between described first and second patterns, arbitrate.

28. the method according to claim 27 is characterised in that further step:

When under described first pattern, driving described display unit (11; 53; 73) time, close described second display control unit (31).

29., be characterised in that described first and second patterns relate at described display unit (11 according to the method for claim 27 or 28; 53; 73) the overlapped district (40,41 on; 53,54; 74,75).

30., be characterised in that described first pattern comprises a part display mode according to the method for claim 27.

31. method according to claim 27, be characterised in that the step of arbitrating comprise the steps: when described second display control unit (31) be to be in non-activity for a preset time cycle time always, from described first mode switch to described second pattern.

32. liquid crystal display (11; 53; 73), comprise a display (53) and driver (81,82), be characterised in that at least two interfaces (38 of physical connection simultaneously, 39), two interfaces (38,39) all are connected to identical driver (81,82), the liquid crystal display district (40,41 that described interface (38,39) control is overlapped; 53,54; 74,75).

33., be characterised in that described interface (38,39) can alternately be visited according to the LCD of claim 32.