JP2001134416A - Information processing system and display device to be used in the same system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing system in which AP processing and the switching of static pictures are simultaneously operated at low costs without need of any special memory in a picture display device, and a display dev ice to be used in the system. SOLUTION: This information processing system a provided wit a switch mechanism 19 for instructing a read operation and a write operation to a storage device MM 13 of an information processor and a control means (switch controller 18) for storing a picture which is being displayed at present in the prescribed area of a storage device based on the write operation instructed by the switch mechanism 19, and displaying the picture stored in the prescribed area of the storage device at a display device (a display part 17) based on the read operation instructed by the switch mechanism 19. Thus, the pictures stored in an AP screen and the storage device can be switched by one action.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing system such as a personal computer (PC: Personal Computer) or a workstation (WS: Work Station) and a display device used for the information processing system. The present invention relates to an information processing system capable of instantaneously switching between an image displayed in a memory and image information held in a memory such as a main memory by a simple operation, and a display device used in the information processing system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, personal computers (PCs)
In an image display device connected to an information processing device such as a computer or a workstation (WS), switching of display contents displayed on a screen is performed by an operation system (OS: Ope).
Using the keyboard or mouse to switch the image displayed by the currently executed application program (AP) to an image displayed by another application program under the rating system) process Is commonly done. Less than,
Personal computer (PC) as information processing device
An example using is described.

For example, in order to allow a personal list such as a personal schedule table or a telephone number list to be constantly referred to on a PC, the personal list is created in advance as a file and registered in a memory. When the user wants to refer to the personal list during the execution of the application program processing, (1) first interrupts the current application program by using a keyboard or a mouse, and (2) thereafter refers to the memory. This requires a complicated operation of calling the file of the personal list to be executed, performing the expansion processing, and displaying the file on the screen, which is very inconvenient.

In order to deal with such inconveniences,
For example, there is a liquid crystal display device having a still image storage memory proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-44122. FIG.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a liquid crystal display device proposed in the above publication. This is because a control circuit 10 having a switch function (switches 107, 108, 109) is provided in the liquid crystal display device 100.
6 and a still image storage memory 105.
A digital input signal 101 from an input device of a computer main body is received, and a segment driver (SEG driver) 102 and a common driver (COM driver) 103 are used to display an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display).
y) 104 is converted into a display drive signal for displaying.

Here, the digital input signal 101 is controlled by a control circuit 106, and the contents of the digital input signal 101 are stored in a still image storage memory 105 by a switch 107. Further, the switches 108 and 109 are configured to perform a contradictory operation, so that either one of the digital input signal 101 and the display content of the still image storage memory 105 can be selected and displayed.

According to this, the liquid crystal display device 100 is independent of the operating system (OS) of the PC.
However, not only the effect that the content of the still image storage memory 105 can be displayed alone, but also the image by the digital input signal 101 from the computer main body and the still image storage memory There is an effect that the display can be instantaneously switched to the image by the display 105. In particular, for a person who is unfamiliar with a keyboard or a mouse, the fact that the screen can be switched only by one-touch operation using a switch is a great advantage in operability.

[0007]

However, the liquid crystal display device 100 requires a still image storage memory 105 when viewed from a hardware point of view. Further, the liquid crystal display device 100 does not consider the processing when the power is turned off, and therefore, when the power is turned off, the contents of the still image storage memory 105 are erased. There was a problem in operability, such as a write operation to the still image storage memory 105 was required.

A main object of the present invention is to enable instantaneous switching between AP processing and a still image at low cost without requiring a special memory (the above-mentioned still image storage memory) in the image display device. And a display device used for the information processing system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for restoring the contents of a still image immediately before power-off to the original state even if the power is turned off and on again, so as not to hinder the switching operation. An object of the present invention is to provide a processing system and a display device used for the processing system. Another object of the present invention is to provide an information processing system capable of synthesizing and displaying image information stored in a storage device of an information processing system and image information displayed on a display device, and a display used therefor. It is to provide a device.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, an information processing system according to the present invention does not provide a special memory in a display device, only a switch mechanism is provided, and an information memory is used as an image memory. The storage device of the processing apparatus body is used.

Specifically, a switch mechanism (2, 3, 19) for instructing a read operation and a write operation to a storage device (MM13) of the information processing apparatus main body, and the switch mechanism in an image display state. When a write operation is instructed by the user, the currently displayed image is stored as it is or the display luminance is changed and stored in a predetermined area of the storage device based on the instruction, and a read operation is instructed by the switch mechanism. Control means (switch controller 18) for controlling the display of an image stored in a predetermined area of the storage device based on the instruction. This makes it possible to instantaneously switch between the AP processing and the still image at low cost without requiring a special memory (the above-mentioned still image storage memory) or the like in the image display device.

Further, the storage device may be provided with a main memory (M
M13) and / or a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk (HD14). By using a nonvolatile memory, it is possible to cope with a power failure. Also, when using both, the volatile memory (main memory MM
13) By simultaneously storing the display contents of the still image to be stored in the non-volatile memory such as the hard disk (HD14), the image data is retained in the non-volatile memory when the power is turned off, and is stored in the non-volatile memory when the power is turned on the next time. Volatile memory (main memory) for still image data based on information
It is possible to restore the state immediately before the power is turned off by laying it out.

Further, the image stored in the memory and the currently displayed image can be combined and displayed. The operability is improved by mounting the switch mechanism on a display device or a keyboard.

Further, the display device of the present invention performs a read operation of reading and displaying image information stored in a storage device (main memory MM13) of the information processing device main body, and an information processing device for processing the displayed image information. It has a switch mechanism (2, 3, 19) for instructing a write operation to write to the storage device (main memory MM13) of the main body. This eliminates the need for a special memory (the above-mentioned still image storage memory) or the like in the image display device, and allows instantaneous switching between AP processing and a still image only by operating the switch mechanism of the display device. Accordingly, a display device with good operability that can be reduced in cost can be realized.

[0015]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of an information processing system according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing one embodiment of a mounting portion of a switch mechanism and its appearance. FIG. 3 is an example of a processing flowchart in the present invention.

In FIG. 1, among the personal computer (PC), of the block diagram of the liquid crystal integrated type which has recently been in the limelight, a simplified block is shown mainly for a portion related to the present invention. ing. Integrated body 1
Is a microcomputer (CPU) 1 that is the heart of the
Under the control of one, it is connected to each device via the system bus 12.

The device group relating to the present invention includes a main memory (MM: Main Memory) 13, a hard disk (HD: Hard Disk) 14, and a keyboard (KB: KeyB).
oard) 20, a mouse 21, and a display unit 17 is a graphic controller (GC) 15
Is connected to the system bus 12 via a PC and results of application processing and the like are displayed. The display is performed by a frame memory (FM) 16 under the control of a graphic controller (GC) 15.
Is refreshed and displayed on the display unit 17. The switch mechanism (SW) 18 is a feature of the present invention, and is connected to the system bus 12 via a switch controller (SWC) 19.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of switch arrangement when the switch mechanism (SW) 18 according to the present invention is applied to various types of PC devices. FIG. 3A shows a liquid crystal integrated type P
This is an example of application to the C device 4, in which a switch mechanism is arranged on the left side of the display screen frame. FIG. 2B shows a general configuration of a desktop PC, in which a switch mechanism is used.
An example is shown in which the display device 6 connected to the C main body device 5 is arranged on the left side of the display screen frame. The keyboard 8 is connected to the PC main unit 5. FIG. 3C shows an example in which the switch mechanism is embedded in the keyboard 9 in the configuration of FIG.

Further, examples of the switch mechanism itself are shown as reference numeral 2 in FIGS. 2A and 2B and as reference numeral 3 in FIG. 1C. Here, in these examples of the switch mechanism, the switch “WR” is a switch used for a light operation, and is a switch for storing the contents displayed on the screen as a still image in the main memory (MM). is there. As a method of using the switch “WR”, the switches “Memo-1”, “Memo-2”,.
By simultaneously pressing this switch “WR” and any one of these switches “Memo-1”, “Memo-2”,..., The contents of the image currently displayed on the display device are displayed. Stored as a still image in a predetermined area (corresponding relationship is set in advance) corresponding to one of the pressed switches "memo-1", "memo-2",... Of the main memory (MM). .

The switches "memo-1" and "memo-
If any of 2 ”,... Is pressed alone, A
The screen of the P image is switched and displayed on the screen of the still image stored in the area corresponding to the switch in the main memory (MM). When the switch "display" returns to the original AP image screen when the still image stored in the main memory area is displayed by the switches "memo-1", "memo-2",. To use.

Next, an embodiment of the processing of the switch mechanism will be described. PCs are generally Microsoft's "WI
It is operated by an operating system (OS) of NDWSxx or “Macintosh” of Apple Inc., and the device system is controlled based on these (OS) .When each device is supported, BIOS (BIOS: By creating a device driver based on Basic Input / Output System and installing it on a PC, the device can operate.
In order to support the switch mechanism (SW) shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, it is necessary to create a device driver for the hardware together with the hardware shown in FIG. 4 to be described below. FIG. 3 shows an example of a flowchart of the processing. 3 are the same as those in FIGS. 1 and 2.

First, it is detected whether or not any switch is pressed (step 51). If the switch is pressed (step 51: Y), it is determined which switch is pressed (step 51). Step 52).

As a result of the judgment, the switches "WR" and "Memo-
X ”is determined to be pressed at the same time, the contents of the frame memory (FM) 16 are stored in the main memory (M
M) Store as a still image in a predetermined area of 13 (step 53). Thereby, the displayed image can be stored in a predetermined area of the main memory.

When it is determined that the switch "Memo-X" is pressed alone, the display contents of a predetermined area of the main memory (MM) corresponding to the pressed switch are stored in the frame memory (FM). ) (Step 5)
4). As a result, the still image stored in the memory can be displayed.

If it is determined that the switch "display" is depressed, the contents of the application screen (AP image) by the PC processing are stored in the frame memory (FM) (step 55). Thereby, the display state of the still image can be returned to the display state of the AP image of the PC processing.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing one embodiment of the switch controller (SWC) 18 and the switch mechanism (SW) 19 which are features of the present invention shown in FIG. The switch mechanism (SW) 19 includes a switch group 71 and is connected to the switch controller (SWC) 18. In the switch controller (SWC) 18, the signal of the switch group is pulled up by the resistor group (R) 72 and “I0” which is an input terminal of the selector 73,
It is an input signal to “I1”.

On the other hand, the address bus 7 of the system bus 12
6 is decoded by the decoder 75, and the output signal is connected to the chip select (CS) of the selector 73. As a result, the selector 73 is controlled. PC (CP
U), the chip select (C
S) When the signal is turned on, the input signal of the selector 73 is sent to the output terminals "D0", "D1",... And transferred to the (CPU) via the data bus 74 of the system bus 12. . This makes it possible to detect which switch has been pressed.

In the above, an example in which a still image is stored in the main memory (MM) has been described.
Since is a volatile memory, information is lost when the power is turned off. Therefore, a nonvolatile memory such as a hard disk (HD) or a nonvolatile semiconductor memory may be used instead of the volatile main memory. By using a nonvolatile memory, information can be retained even when power is turned off.

Further, the main memory (M
By using both M) and a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk (HD), the still image information in the main memory (MM) can be restored when the power is turned on / off, and the operability can be improved. it can.

That is, at the time of write operation, when data is stored in the main memory (MM), the data is stored in the hard disk (HD).
The same contents are also stored in a non-volatile memory such as at the same time. Then, as a function in the device driver when the power is turned on, a process of transferring the still image information stored in the hard disk (HD) to the main memory (MM) is added to the main memory (MM) prior to general work. Restoration becomes possible.

Next, a process of synthesizing and displaying the application screen on the PC and the still image stored in the main memory (MM) by the above method will be described. In this case, when the data to be referred to is in another file, the two screens in these different files are combined and displayed, so that the reference data can be directly referred to on the same screen without making any notes. Things.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining that two screens are combined and displayed on one screen. In the figure,
Reference numeral 201 denotes an application screen on the PC.
Reference numeral 02 denotes a screen of a file containing data to be referred to.
The screen 202 is stored as a still image in the main memory (MM). The two screens are combined into a screen 203. By doing so, the dimensional drawings a, b, c
Can input data while referring to the table.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of an embodiment showing a process for displaying the composite screen. The display of a color screen generally constitutes one dot by each pixel of red (R), green (G), and blue (B).
Each pixel is represented by a size of 6 to 8 bits. Therefore, in the case of combining, it is only necessary to perform a sum operation in bit units for each pixel. For example, if the value of red (R) is “15” and “30” at a certain pixel, the sum thereof is “45”. In this way, the two shades can be combined, and a simple combined display can be performed.

FIG. 5 shows an example of this processing. First, data of one pixel in the frame memory (FM) is brought to the work area "A" (step 81).
Next, pixel data at the same display location in a predetermined area in the main memory (MM) corresponding to the switch of "Memo-X" is brought to the work area "B" (step 82). Then, the sum of "A" and "B" is calculated, and the result is returned to the frame memory (FM) (step 83).
This loop is performed for all pixels on the display screen.

As a result, the two screens are synthesized. As an example of an input means for performing this, a switch named, for example, "combination" is added to the switch group (71), and when the switch "composition" and the switch "Memo-X" are pressed simultaneously, This can be realized by performing this processing. Alternatively, the "display" switch may be substituted without providing the "synthesis" switch, and this processing may be performed when the "display" switch and the "memo-X" are simultaneously pressed.

Further, when two screens are combined, if they are in the same brightness state, it may be difficult to distinguish which screen is the displayed content, or one screen may be thin (or In some cases, it is preferable to display (dark).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of one embodiment of a process for reducing the apparent luminance (hereinafter, abbreviated as a low luminance function) in such a case. The display image is composed of a set of pixels, and the pixels are 6 to 8 pixels.
Because of the size of the bits, in order to realize the low-brightness function, a certain reduction coefficient (for example, 0.
9, 0.8, 0.7...). That is, in FIG. 6, first, a desired reduction coefficient is stored in the work area N (step 91).

Next, one pixel data of the frame memory (FM) is brought to the work area "A" (step 92). Then, multiplication of “N” and “A” is performed,
The result is stored in a predetermined location of the main memory (MM) (step 93). This loop is performed for all pixels on the display screen (step 94). As a result, the data of the still image with the low brightness function is stored in the predetermined area of the main memory (MM).

As an example of a method of obtaining the reduction coefficient, a switch having a name such as “low brightness” is added to the switch group (71), and the switch and the switch “Memo-X” are added. If the buttons are pressed at the same time, 0.9 → 0.8 → 0.7
By successively changing the values as follows, it is possible to continuously obtain a reduction coefficient. Or switch "low brightness"
Even if the switch "WR" is not provided, the present process can be performed when the switch "WR" and the switch "Memo-X" are simultaneously pressed.

As described above, instantaneous switching by one touch of the display screen can be realized at low cost by adding only the switch mechanism and using a part of the storage device. The one-touch instantaneous switching of the screen by the switch mechanism does not use a keyboard or a mouse.
C) to provide a suitable environment for those unfamiliar with
This provides great convenience for switching display of screens that are frequently referred to.

[0041]

According to the present invention, it is not necessary to provide a special memory in the image display device, and it is possible to instantaneously switch between AP processing and a still image at low cost. Also, by storing image data in a nonvolatile memory such as a hard disk along with a volatile memory such as a main memory, even if the power is turned off and then turned on again, the contents of the still image immediately before the power is turned off are restored. And the switching operation can be prevented. Furthermore, it becomes possible to combine and display the image information stored in the storage device of the information processing system and the image information displayed on the display device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of an information processing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a mounting portion of a switch mechanism and an appearance thereof.

FIG. 3 is an example of a processing flowchart in the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a switch controller (S) shown in FIG.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a switch mechanism (WC) and a switch mechanism (SW).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process for displaying a composite screen.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a process for reducing apparent luminance.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining that two screens are combined and displayed on one screen.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a conventional image display device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 4, 5, 101: Personal computer (P
C), 2, 3, 19: switch mechanism (SW), 71: switch, 6, 7, 17, 100: display device, 8, 9, 20: keyboard (KB), 11: microcomputer (CPU), 12 74, 75: signal bus, 13: main memory, 14: hard disk (HD), 15: graphic controller (GC), 16: frame memory (FM), 18: switch controller (SWC), 21: mouse, 72: Resistance: 73: selector, 76: decoder, 201, 202, 203: display screen.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An information processing system comprising an information processing device main body and a display device, comprising: a read operation of reading image information stored in a storage device of the information processing device main body and displaying the image information on the display device;
A switch mechanism for instructing a write operation for writing image information displayed on the display device to a storage device of the information processing apparatus main body; and a light operation performed by the switch mechanism when displaying an image on the display device. When instructed, the currently displayed image information is stored as it is or the display brightness is changed based on the instruction and stored in a predetermined area of the storage device, and a read operation is performed by the switch mechanism. Control means for controlling, when instructed, to display image information stored in a predetermined area of the storage device on the display device based on the instruction. Information processing system. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein said storage device is configured by one or both of a volatile memory and a nonvolatile memory. 3. The information according to claim 1, wherein the image information stored in the storage device and the image information displayed on the display device are combined and displayed on the display device. Processing system. 4. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the switch mechanism is mounted on the display device or the keyboard of the information processing system. 5. A read operation for reading and displaying image information stored in a storage device of the information processing device main body, and a write operation for writing the displayed image information to the storage device of the information processing device main body. A display device comprising the switch mechanism of (1).