EP1031128B1 - Delay device for a visual display unit and method to deactivate such display unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention describes a turn-on delay device (10) for a visual display unit (14) which can be placed into an idle state by disabling at least one signal (H-SYNC IN, V-SYNC IN) controlling the visual display unit (14). The turn-on delay device contains, amongst other things, a disabling device (42, 44, 46) which disables the signal (H-SYNC IN, V-SYNC IN) for a predetermined delay period. When the delay period has elapsed, the signal (H-SYNC IN, V-SYNC IN) is supplied to the visual display unit (14).

Description

The invention relates to a switch-on delay device for a data display device and a method for deactivation of such a device.

In many areas of public life, for example in the service sector, computer systems are nowadays used that allow a user to to carry out transactions automatically, without relying on third parties Need help. An example is the ATMs of the financial institutions referenced with their Help a bank customer even outside of business hours Withdraw money from his account. Such computer systems usually contain a central computer to which one Input device and a visual display device, i.e. a monitor, are connected as an output device. about the input device guides the user to the computer system the required input information. As an input device can be, for example, a keyboard or a so-called touchscreen can be used. Under touchscreen one understands one in the screen of the data display device integrated input device that touches implemented by the user in input information.

Nowadays, data display devices are usually used for monitors used according to the so-called VGA standard, which contain text and graphic information Prepare analog signal and the corresponding pictures display on your screen. The analog signal is in the computer by a control device generated that matched to the data display device used is. A control device matched to a VGA monitor is also known as a VGA graphics card.

A computer system operated in the manner just described Now, like every other computer system, it must be replaced by To be restarted from time to time after it for example switched off for maintenance or his Power supply out of service for other reasons has been set. When starting the computer, i.e. at the Loading an operating system into the RAM of the Computers, system messages are usually on the The screen of the data display device is displayed. In this Phase must not be entered via the input device be made, otherwise in the computer system Failure is causing a complete failure of the computer system. Such a system failure is also known as a "system crash".

The problem often arises with ATMs that a user on the screen of the data display device displayed system messages interpreted incorrectly and in the start-up phase of the computer system, for example makes entries by touching the touchscreen, causing the system crash just described becomes. Such a system failure usually has to be fixed by a technician so that the cash dispenser is out of service for a long time.

There is a known solution to the problem just described in it, the power supply of the data display device switch off in the start-up phase of the computer system, so that the system messages in this phase are not on the Screen appear and the user is unable to operate the input device is animated. Using a touch screen as an input device is this solution however not practical as the touchscreen and the input control controlling it, also called touch controller, through the power supply of the data display device is supplied with voltage. When the data display device is switched off is the communication between the operating system the computer and the input control are interrupted, so that the input control and thus the Touchscreen after switching on the data display device not are operational.

EP-A-0 678 843 describes a method for deactivation known a visual display device in which the visual display device by blocking at least one of these controlling signals is in the idle state, which of a control device generated signal for a predetermined Delay period is locked.

It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus and a method through which the risk that a misdirected by system messages from the computer system User caused a computer system failure.

The invention solves this problem by means of a switch-on delay device for a data display device that through Lock at least one controlling the data display device Signal can be put into an idle state. The switch-on delay device contains at least one Input with a control device which supplies the signal is connected to a locking device that Blocks signal for a predetermined delay time, and at least one output connected to the data display device is connected and this the signal after the delay time supplies.

As a rule, modern data display devices have one So-called energy saving function, which ensures that the Data display devices in the absence of one or more control signals be darkened. Act as control signals usually a horizontal and a vertical synchronizing signal, that of a control device of a Computers, e.g. a graphics card, are generated and the Movement of an electron beam in the picture tube of the data display device coordinate by the horizontal sync signal the horizontal rewind and the vertical signal the vertical return of the electron beam controls during screen construction. The invention now provides between the control device of the computer and the data display device a switch-on delay device to turn on when you start the computer the control signals for a predetermined delay time blocked so that the screen of the data display device darkened while the operating system is loading and that otherwise shown on the screen System messages are not displayed. On in this way the risk that a user standing in front of the data display device through the prompted system messages displayed on the screen sees, via an input device, for example a keyboard or a touchscreen to make entries, and so a complete failure of the computer system causes.

The invention offers the possibility of an existing Computer system regardless of the operating system and the used Retrofitting software in the manner shown above, without major changes to the computer system to have to. The invention is particularly applicable to all Computer systems are applied in which one after VGA standard control device, i.e. a VGA graphics card, drives a VGA monitor. The connection between the switch-on delay device and the computer on the one hand and the switch-on delay device and the display device on the other hand can Standard plug connections are made, for example through D-subminiature plug connections and corresponding plug receptacles are given.

In an advantageous development of the invention contains the locking device has at least two switches which a first switch has a first input, that of a horizontal synchronizing signal is fed to the control device is connected to a first output, and a second switch a second input that from the control device a vertical synchronizing signal is supplied, connects to a second output. The assigned to each other Inputs and outputs are therefore directly above one each controlled by the locking device Switches connected together. They can be advantageous Switches can be designed as CMOS switches. Advantages of Switches made in CMOS technology are high Immunity to interference, low power consumption and large Temperature stability.

The locking device can also be a timer included that follow the first and second switches The delay time closes. As a timer can use inexpensive integrated circuits become.

The timer can be set in a particularly simple manner with a monostable multivibrator. At the Starting the computer system can be, for example, a Switch controlling output of the multivibrator the synchronization signals supplied to the delay device be switched to its unstable state. The output of the multivibrator in this state that the switches are opened and thus the synchronous signals are locked. After the delay time has expired, the Output of the multivibrator automatically in its stable State and closes the switches. The sync signals are now available to the data display device for screen construction to disposal. The delay time can be advantageous can be set by a potentiometer.

Is a through in the switch-on delay device the horizontal synchronous signal fed voltage supply provided, it can be connected to an external power supply or to a power supply in the form of a Battery are dispensed with. This lowers manufacturing and Operating costs and makes it easier to retrofit existing ones Computer systems with the switch-on delay device.

To the space requirement of the switch-on delay device can lower this in surface mounting technology, also called SMD technology.

According to another aspect of the invention is a method specified for deactivating a visual display device.

Further advantageous developments of the invention are Subject of the subclaims and the following description.

Figur 1

eine schematische Darstellung eines Systems bestehend aus Computer, Einschaltverzögerungsvorrichtung und Datensichtgerät und

Figur 2

eine Schaltungsanordnung der Einschaltverzögerungsvorrichtung nach Fig. 1.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. In it show:

Figure 1

is a schematic representation of a system consisting of computer, switch-on delay device and data display device and

Figure 2

2 shows a circuit arrangement of the switch-on delay device according to FIG. 1.

The principle of operation of the invention is shown in FIG 1 illustrates a power-on delay device 10 is shown, the one Computer 12 connects to a data display device 14. The Components shown in Figure 1 can be part of a system be used for example in a financial institution is used to transfer money automatically from a bank customer or have account debited.

Structure and operation of the computer 12 and the data display device 14 are known per se, so that the description of these components at this point kept short can be.

The computer 12 can be a personal computer of known type be an interface 16 for connecting the data display device 14 has. The computer 12 also includes one Controller 18, for example in the form of a pluggable graphics card, which the text and Graphic information prepared for the data display device 14. In the exemplary embodiment to be explained, the Controller 16 has a VGA graphics card that contains the text and graphics information converts into an analog signal and the Data display device 14 feeds, which in turn according to the VGA standard is working.

The data display device 14 includes a screen 20 an integrated input device 21, also touchscreen called, about which a bank customer by touching the Screen 20 can make entries. The data display device 14 also has an input control 22, i.e. a touch controller to control the touch screen, and a power supply 22.

In known systems there is one of the data display device 14 outgoing connection cable 26 directly to the interface 16 of the computer 12 connected. Usually done the connection between the connecting cable 26 and the interface 16 via a standardized plug connection. For example, the connecting cable 26 with one the usual 15-pin D-subminiature connector 28, the in a system according to the prior art in a corresponding connector receptacle 30 of the interface 16 of the computer 12 is inserted.

The system of Figure 1 is now distinguished from State of the art through the switch-on delay device 10 made between the computer 12 and the visual display device 14 is switched. On the switch-on delay device 10 is one to the D-subminiature connector 28 of the connecting cable 26 matching plug receptacle 32 provided the same as the connector 30 of the interface 16 of the computer 12 can. The D-subminiature connector 28 of the connection cable 26 is in the connector receptacle 32 of the switch-on delay device 10 inserted. Instead of Connecting cable 26 of the data display device 14 is a connecting cable 34 via a D-subminiature connector 36 connected to the connector receptacle 30 of the interface 16. The connecting cable 34 can be firmly attached to a housing Switch-on delay device 10 may be attached.

The VGA graphics card 18 generates several control signals, which are required for image display in the data display device 14 and of which only one horizontal synchronizing signal in FIG. 1 H-SYNC IN and a vertical sync signal V-SYNC IN are shown. The sync signals H-SYNC IN, V-SYNC IN are connected via the connecting cable 34 of the switch-on delay device 10 fed there in the Starting phase of the computer in a manner to be described locked for a predetermined delay time and after Expiry of this delay time to the data display device 14 connected through. In Figure 1 are the through Synchronous signals labeled H-SYNC OUT and V-SYNC OUT. Coordinate the synchronization signals H-SYNC OUT and V-SYNC OUT the movement of an electron beam in one in figure 1 picture tube, not shown, of the data display device 14th

The data display device 14 has an energy saving function, as they are used in VGA monitors today is. If the data display device 14 registers the absence of the synchronous signals H-SYNC OUT and V-SYNC OUT, see above it is put into an idle state, for example by his screen 20 is darkened. The too For this purpose, apparatus precautions are required on the data display device 14 are known per se and are therefore not explained further here. It is essential that the data display device 14 in the manner just described the absence of the synchronous signals H-SYNC OUT and V-SYNC OUT responds.

FIG. 2 shows a possible circuit arrangement of the switch-on delay device 10, which shows that of the control 18 generated synchronous signals H-SYNC IN and V-SYNC IN after switching on or after a restart the computer 12 after the elapse of an adjustable Locking time is switched through to the data display device 14. The 2 contains a functional unit, the power supply in a manner to be described the switch-on delay device 10 builds. This functional unit consists of the resistors R1, R2, R3, R7, the diodes D1, D2, D3, the capacitors C1, C2, C3, and switch 40. A timer 42 forms with the resistors R4, R6, the potentiometer R5 and capacitors C4 and C5 another Functional unit. The timer 42 is in the explained embodiment by an integrated Circuit of the type ICM7555IBA given that as monostable Multivibrator is operated. The rest in figure 2 listed and connected to the timer 42 Components are the resistors R8, R9, R10, the capacitor C6 and switches 44, 46 and 48. These too Components can essentially be used as a functional unit to be viewed as.

The switch 40 and further switches 44, 46, 48 are in a four-way switch 50 summarized. The four-way switch 50 is made in CMOS technology and through an integrated circuit of the type HEF4066BT given. The circuit arrangement according to Figure 2 contains also inputs 52, 54, 56 and outputs 58, 60, 62. The inputs 52, 54, 56 are the connector receptacle 30 and the outputs 58, 60, 62 the D-subminiature connector 28 to assign to Figure 1.

The synchronization signals generated by the VGA graphics card 18 H-SYNC IN, V-SYNC IN become the on-delay device 10 fed via inputs 52 and 54, respectively. The Input 56 and output 62 of the switch-on delay device 10 are grounded (GND).

The following is the operation of the circuit arrangement explained according to Figure 2. At the stage when the Graphics card 18 no sync signals H-SYNC IN and V-SYNC IN is generated at inputs 52 and 54 of the Switch-on delay device 10 no signal on. The Switches 44, 46 of the integrated circuit 50 are closed open at this time. With the appearance of the synchronizing signals H-SYNC IN and V-SYNC IN at inputs 52, 54 in the switch-on delay device 10 Power supply built by the on-delay device 10 in the form of the synchronous signal H-SYNC IN supplied energy is used. To this Purpose is the synchronous signal H-SYNC IN of the aforementioned Functional unit supplied from resistors R1, R2, R3, the diodes D1, D2, D3 and the capacitors C1, C2, C3, and the switch 40 with the upstream Resistor R7 exists. The resistors R1, R2, R3, R7 serve to limit the current, and the diodes D1, D2 and D3 generate in combination with the capacitors C1, C2, C3 from the synchronous signal H-SYNC IN, which is an AC voltage signal is smoothed DC voltages. Reached the voltage at an input 64 of the switch 40 a predetermined value, the switch 40 closes, and the Power supply is established. As for the operation the switch-on delay device 10 required voltage through the synchronization signals H-SYNC IN and V-SYNC IN can be provided on an external power supply or on a power supply in the form a battery can be dispensed with.

After the power supply in the switch-on delay device 10 manufactured in just operated manner is that described as a monostable multivibrator Timer 42 started via an input 2, the one RC combination consisting of the resistor R6 and the Capacitor C5 is connected upstream. At that moment it will an output 3 of the timing circuit 42 in a non-stable State transferred for a predetermined delay time stops. In this phase, the duration of which is determined by the Resistor R4, capacitor C4 and the potentiometer R5 is set, the switches 44, 46 remain open. After the delay time, output 3 of the Timer 42 returns to a stable state and closes the capacitor via the resistors R8, R9, R10 C6, as well as the switch 48, the switch 44, 46 of the integrated Circuit 50. The synchronizing signals H-SYNC IN and V-SYNC IN are now switched on by switches 44, 46 the outputs 58 and 60 of the switch-on delay device 10 switched through and are thus the Data display device 14 available. The switched through Synchronous signals are in Figure 2 with H-SYNC OUT and V-SYNC OUT designated. Finally, in the data display device 14 using the sync signals H-SYNC OUT and V-SYNC OUT the screen structure.

The delay time after which the as a monostable multivibrator operated timer 42, the switches 44, 46 closes via its output 3, corresponds to the blocking time, in which the screen 20 of the data display device 14 darkened after starting the operating system of the computer 10 is. This delay time can be seen on the Set potentiometer R5, its resistance value, for example adjustable from the outside using a screwdriver is. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 2 the delay time can be between 0.5 and 5 minutes can be set.

The invention is not limited to the circuit arrangement according to FIG. 2, which is only to be regarded as a special exemplary embodiment. The dimensions of the components used in the circuit arrangement according to FIG. 2 are matched to the synchronous signals H-SYNC IN and V-SYNC IN, as are generated by the VGA graphics card 18. The components for the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 2 are dimensioned as follows:
R1 = 680 Ω, R2 = 1.8 kΩ, R3 22 = kΩ, R4 = 22 kΩ, R5 to 1MΩ, R6 = 1MΩ, R7 = 100 kΩ, R8 = 1MΩ, R9 = 100 kΩ, R10 = 1.8kΩ, C1: 1µF / 16V, C2: 10µF / 16V, C3: 1µF / 16V, C4: 100µF / 10V, C5: 100nF / 50V, C6: 100nF / 50V.

The capacitors C2 and C4 are electrolytic capacitors with the polarity indicated in Figure 2. As diodes D1 and D2 become BAR43S diodes and one as diode D3 BAR42 diode used.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Turn-on delay

12

computer

14

Visual display unit

16

interface

18

control

20, 21

Integrated screen input device

22

input control

24

Power supply for the data display device

26

connection cable

28

D-subminiature connector

30

plug receptacle

32

plug receptacle

34

cable

36

D-subminiature connector

40

switch

42

timing

44

switch

46

switch

48

switch

50

Quadruple switch

52

entrance

54

entrance

56

entrance

58

output

60

output

62

output

R1 to R10

resistors

C1 to C6

capacitors

D1, D2, D3

diodes

Claims (11)

1. Turn-on delay device (10) for a visual display unit (14) which can be placed in an idle state by disabling at least one signal (H-SYNC IN, V-SYNC IN) controlling the visual display unit (14),

   having at least one input (52, 54) which is connected to a control device (18) supplying the signal (H-SYNC IN, V-SYNC IN) to it,

   having a disabling device (42, 44, 46) which disables the signal (H-SYNC IN, V-SYNC IN) for a predetermined delay time,

   and having at least one output (58, 60) which is connected to the visual display unit (14) and supplies the signal to the latter when the delay time (H-SYNC OUT, V-SYNC OUT) has elapsed.
2. Turn-on delay device (10) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the disabling device contains at least two switches (44, 46), of which a first switch (44) connects a first input (52), to which the control device supplies a horizontal sync signal (H-SYNC IN), to a first output (58), and a second switch (46) connects a second input (54), to which the control device supplies a vertical sync signal (V-SYNC IN), to a second output (60).
3. Turn-on delay device (10) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the switches (44, 46) are in the form of CMOS switches.
4. Turn-on delay device (10) according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the disabling device contains a timing circuit (42) which turns on the first and the second switch (44, 46) when the delay time has elapsed.
5. Turn-on delay device (10) according to Claim 4, characterized in that the timing circuit (42) is a monostable multivibrator.
6. Turn-on delay device (10) according to Claim 4 or 5, characterized by a potentiometer (R5), connected upstream of the timing circuit (42), for setting the delay time.
7. Turn-on delay device (10) according to one of Claims 2 to 6, characterized by a voltage supply fed by the horizontal sync signal (H-SYNC IN).
8. Turn-on delay device (10) according to Claim 7, characterized in that the voltage supply has means (D1 to D3, C1 to C3) for rectifying and smoothing the horizontal sync signal (H-SYNC IN).
9. Turn-on delay device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is produced using surface mount technology.
10. Turn-on delay device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, for a VGA visual display unit.
11. Method of deactivating a visual display unit (14) which can be placed into an idle state by disabling at least one signal (H-SYNC IN, V-SYNC IN) controlling the visual display unit (14), in which the signal (H-SYNC IN, V-SYNC IN) produced by a control device (18) is disabled for a predetermined delay period, characterized in that the signal (H-SYNC IN, V-SYNC IN) is enabled and supplied to the visual display unit (14) when the delay time has elapsed.

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