JP2004127022A - Information processor and program for selecting and rewriting nonvolatile vram and control method of vram - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor which makes screen display possible during bootstrap or resume by providing a nonvolatile VRAM. <P>SOLUTION: The information processor is provided with a first video memory area (132) which stores image data to be generated by normal processing, a second nonvolatile video memory area (134) which stores another piece of image data, selection means (136, S212, S224, S306, S316) which select one of the first and second memory areas and display an image indicating another piece of image data in the selected video memory area, and rewriting means (110, S342) which rewrites the image data in the second video memory area. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to display of images in an information processing apparatus, and more particularly to display of various images before a display image is supplied during bootstrap or resume in a personal computer.
[0002]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Usually, a specific image file is taken out according to software running on a personal computer (PC), transferred to a VRAM and stored, and the image file in the VRAM is displayed on a display.
[0003]
The memory space of the VRAM is divided into a plurality of banks, addresses are assigned to each bank, image data is stored in each of the banks, and switching between the plurality of banks is performed using the assigned addresses by software or hardware. Go to select one and display the image stored in the selected bank on the display.
[0004]
When the PC is started, a process called bootstrap for starting the PC is executed. In the bootstrap, various processes such as reading of basic software such as an OS, detection of connection of a device connected to a PC, and initialization of various processes are performed. Depending on the performance of the PC or the connected device, it may take several minutes from the start of bootstrap to the display of the initial screen. In addition, there are other time-consuming processes such as suspend and resume. In the suspend mode, information on a certain device and CPU is saved in a memory or a hard disk in order to save power of the PC, and then the device is powered off. In the resume operation, after the device is powered on, the saved information is returned to the original position, and the operation of the device returns to the state before the suspension.
[0005]
In a general OS of a PC, during bootstrapping, an image representing the contents being processed is displayed, or a progress bar for indicating a processing state is displayed. However, the displayed image or character string is always the same.
[0006]
In a PC, usually during bootstrap, suspend, or resume, while executing certain software, the display is performed according to a previously programmed operation. However, nothing is displayed on the display until the display data is read from the hard disk or the RAM into the VRAM.
[0007]
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2000-47876 (A) (Patent Document 1) discloses an information processing apparatus that changes an image displayed during bootstrap and displays various images.
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-47876 A
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 7-36937 (A) (Patent Literature 2) discloses an electronic book that displays a screen with appropriate contents in a resume so that a user does not feel a time gap.
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-7-36937 [0009]
The inventor has recognized that not only the bootstrap but also the various images displayed during the period before the proper image is supplied by the software makes the PC easier for the user to use. The inventor has recognized that by using a non-volatile VRAM as another VRAM in a PC, various images can be displayed in a period before an image is supplied by software.
[0010]
An object of the present invention is to select one of a plurality of VRAM areas including a non-volatile VRAM according to a predetermined condition and display an image stored in the selected area even during bootstrap or resume. That is, an information processing apparatus is realized.
[0011]
Another object of the present invention is to realize an information processing device in which a nonvolatile VRAM area is rewritten according to a predetermined condition.
[0012]
Summary of the Invention
According to a feature of the present invention, the information processing apparatus includes a first video memory area for storing image data generated by normal processing, and a non-volatile second video memory for storing another image data. Selecting an area and one of the first and second video memory areas according to predetermined conditions to display an image represented by the further image data in the selected video memory area Selection means for rewriting, and rewriting means for rewriting image data in the second video memory area.
[0013]
The information processing apparatus may include a determination unit that determines whether a condition for switching between the first and second video memory areas is satisfied. The selection means performs the selection according to the determination.
[0014]
The information processing apparatus may include a determination unit that determines whether a condition for the rewriting is satisfied. The rewriting means reads the rewritten data in accordance with the determination and performs the rewriting.
[0015]
According to another aspect of the invention, a program for an information processing device (which may be stored on a storage medium) comprises a first video memory area for storing image data generated by normal processing. Selecting one of the non-volatile second video memory areas for storing another image data; and representing the other image data in the selected video memory area. Operable to perform the steps of displaying an image and rewriting image data in the second video memory area.
[0016]
According to still another feature of the present invention, a method of controlling a video memory in an information processing apparatus includes a first video memory area for storing image data generated by a normal process, and a video memory area for storing another image data. Selecting one of the non-volatile second video memory areas to be displayed, displaying an image represented by the further image data in the selected video memory area, Rewriting the image data in the second video memory area.
[0017]
According to the present invention, one of the VRAM areas can be selected according to a predetermined condition and an image stored in the selected area can be displayed even during bootstrapping or resuming. An information processing device in which the volatile VRAM area is rewritten can be realized.
[0018]
In the drawings, similar elements and functions have the same reference numerals.
[0019]
[0020]
Preferred Embodiment of the Invention
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a personal computer (PC) 100 as an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows only components of the PC 100 related to the present invention. The PC 100 includes a CPU 110, a RAM 140 storing an OS program 142 and an application program 144, a graphics chip 130 including a VRAM 132 and a non-volatile VRAM 134, and an input / output interface I / O 140 coupled to an input device 160. In the PC 100, a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) 120 is mounted (implemented) on the CPU 110, and a program of the BIOS 120 is stored in a ROM or the like. Graphics chip 130 is coupled to display device 150. The PC 100 is connected to a LAN 170 via an input / output interface I / O 140, and the LAN 170 is connected to the Internet.
[0021]
When the PC 100 is started, a bootstrap is executed, and the OS program 142 is read into the RAM 140. Thereafter, the necessary application programs to be executed are stored in the RAM 140 automatically or in response to the operation of the input device 160 by the user. The BIOS 120 includes an APM-BIOS or an ACPI-BIOS having a function of executing suspend and resume.
[0022]
The graphics chip 130 has a normal VRAM 132, a non-volatile VRAM 134 as another VRAM, and a switch 136 for selecting either the VRAM 132 or the non-volatile VRAM 134. The non-volatile VRAM 134 may be, for example, an FRAM or an MRAM (magnetic RAM) in which a ferroelectric film is used for a capacitor for holding data. Writing and reading to and from the non-volatile VRAM 134 are performed in the same manner as for a normal RAM. Even if the power of the PC 100 is turned off (deactivated), the data written in the nonvolatile VRAM 134 is saved. The graphics chip 130 selects one of the VRAM 132 and the VRAM 134 by the switch 136 under the control of the CPU 110 or the BIOS 120 and displays the image data on the display device 150.
[0023]
Since the non-volatile RAM can be used as a normal RAM, a non-volatile RAM may be used as the VRAM 132. It is also possible to physically divide one large-capacity nonvolatile RAM into a plurality of RAMs (132, 134). For this purpose, the memory space of the nonvolatile RAM is divided into a plurality of banks, and respective logical addresses are assigned to the respective banks. Switching between the plurality of banks is performed by designating the logical addresses.
[0024]
Switching between the VRAM 132 and the non-volatile VRAM 134 is controlled by the CPU 110 or the BIOS 120 using a predetermined interface between the CPU 110 or the BIOS 120 and the graphics chip 130, similarly to the control of a normal graphics chip.
[0025]
The switching between the VRAM 132 and the non-volatile VRAM 134 is performed, for example, when the PC 100 starts, ends, suspends, resumes, when a specific packet is received via the LAN 170, or when a predetermined time has elapsed from a certain point in the processing. This is sometimes done using the switch 136. Typically, the power on and off of the PC 100 is performed by the BIOS 120, and the suspend or resume is performed using the AMP-BIOS or the ACPI-BIOS. Therefore, the BIOS 120 can detect the start, end, suspend, or resume of the PC 100, and the switching between the VRAM 132 and the nonvolatile VRAM 134 may be triggered by the detection.
[0026]
The CPU 110 may switch between the VRAM 132 and the nonvolatile VRAM 134 by calling an interface with the graphics chip 130 according to a program. For this purpose, the program of the OS program 142 may be modified so that the interface with the graphics chip 130 is called at the end of the bootstrap and at the end of the resume. Alternatively, a special application program for switching between VRAM 132 and non-volatile VRAM 134 may be created.
[0027]
The above-described program for switching between the VRAM 132 and the non-volatile VRAM 134 calls the interface to switch from the VRAM 132 to the non-volatile VRAM 134, and after a predetermined time elapses, calls the interface again to switch from the non-volatile VRAM 134 to the VRAM 132. A procedure for setting or changing the predetermined time by the user may be incorporated in the program so that the image in the nonvolatile VRAM 134 is displayed on the display device 150 for the set predetermined time.
[0028]
The program detects the usage rate of the CPU 110 or the length of time in a state where there is no input from the input device 160, and determines that the usage rate is lower than the threshold, or the time length is longer than the threshold. Is determined, the interface is called to switch from the VRAM 132 to the non-volatile VRAM 134. Thereafter, if the usage rate is determined to be equal to or higher than the threshold value or an input occurs, the interface is called again. The switching from the non-volatile VRAM 134 to the VRAM 132 may be performed. Such an interface is used in ordinary screen savers. The screen saver launches another application when the machine is idle, displaying various images on the screen and preventing the screen from burning. A normal screen saver displays an image according to a program registered as a screen saver. In this embodiment, an image stored in the nonvolatile VRAM 134 is displayed.
[0029]
Similar to the wake-up LAN function implemented in many recent PC LAN cards, the above-described program responds to the reception of a packet instructing switching from the LAN 170 by the graphics chip 130. The display image may be changed by switching from the middle VRAM 132 to the VRAM 134 or vice versa.
[0030]
The nonvolatile VRAM 134 may store image data for a plurality of frames in a plurality of banks. In this case, while the switch 136 is selecting the nonvolatile VRAM 134, the CPU 110 or the BIOS 120 selects one frame of the image data for a plurality of frames in the nonvolatile VRAM 134 and causes the display device 150 to display the selected frame. Alternatively, image data for a plurality of frames may be sequentially displayed on the display device 150 at predetermined time intervals.
[0031]
FIG. 2 shows processing for switching between the VRAM 132 and the VRAM 134 executed by the CPU 110 or the BIOS 120.
[0032]
When the power of the PC 100 is turned on by the user, the PC 100 is started in step 204. In the graphics chip 130, the switch 136 initially selects the nonvolatile VRAM 134. In step 206, the image stored in the nonvolatile VRAM 134 is displayed on the display device 150 of the PC 100.
[0033]
In step 210, for example, bootstrap or resume processing is performed. After the image data is written to the VRAM 132 in step 212, the CPU 110 or the BIOS 120 causes the switch 136 in the graphics chip 130 to switch from the nonvolatile VRAM 134 to the VRAM 132. At step 216, the image in VRAM 132 is displayed on display device 150.
[0034]
In this way, the CPU 110 or the BIOS 120 switches the switch 136 when the PC 100 bootstraps or when the operation is completed, thereby displaying the image in the non-volatile VRAM 134 on the display device 150 and switching the switch 136 when the bootstrap is completed. Then, the image in the normal VRAM 132 is displayed on the display device 150.
[0035]
Similarly, the CPU 110 or the BIOS 120 uses the switch 136 to switch to the non-volatile VRAM 134 at the start of the suspend or resume, and to switch to the normal VRAM 132 at the end of the resume, thereby replacing the image in the VRAM 132 displayed in the normal resume. , The image stored in the nonvolatile VRAM 134 is temporarily displayed.
[0036]
FIG. 3 shows processing for rewriting image data stored in the nonvolatile VRAM 134, which is executed by the CPU 110. Image data stored in the nonvolatile VRAM 134 can be rewritten. For that purpose, the CPU 110 calls a predetermined interface with the graphics chip 130 according to a program, and transfers the image data in the RAM 140 to the nonvolatile VRAM 134. This may be performed in the same manner as a normal interface for rewriting the normal VRAM 132 of the graphics chip 130.
[0037]
When a predetermined condition for rewriting the image data in the non-volatile VRAM 134 is satisfied, for example, the number of times of switching to the non-volatile VRAM 134 storing the same image data after the previous rewriting is counted, and the number is set as a threshold. When the time has arrived, that is, when the same image is continuously displayed for a predetermined number of times, or when the time that has been switched to the nonvolatile VRAM 134 is measured and the time exceeds a threshold value, that is, the same image is displayed for a predetermined time. Or when receiving a rewrite command packet from the LAN 170, the CPU 110 may call an interface for rewriting the image data in the nonvolatile VRAM 134, read the rewrite image data from the RAM 140, and rewrite the image data. . The CPU 110 can download various image data via the LAN 170 according to the program, write the image data into the RAM 140, and transfer the image data from the RAM 140 to the nonvolatile VRAM 134.
[0038]
In step 302, the CPU 110 or the BIOS 120 initializes a display count, a measurement time, and the like related to display of an image in the nonvolatile VRAM 134. In step 304, the CPU 110 or the BIOS 120 determines whether a condition for displaying an image in the nonvolatile VRAM 134 is satisfied. If it is determined that the condition is not satisfied, step 304 is repeatedly executed. The condition for displaying an image in the non-volatile VRAM 134 is, for example, that a state where there is no input from the input device 160 has continued for a predetermined time, or that bootstrap or resume has started. If it is determined that the condition is satisfied, in step 306, the CPU 110 or the BIOS 120 switches from the VRAM 132 to the non-volatile VRAM 134 in the graphics chip 130. In step 308, the image in the nonvolatile VRAM 134 is displayed on the display device 150. In step 312, the CPU 110 or the BIOS 120 increments the display count or starts measuring the display time.
[0039]
In step 314, the CPU 110 or the BIOS 120 determines whether a condition for displaying an image in the VRAM 132 is satisfied. If it is determined that the condition is not satisfied, step 314 is repeatedly executed. If it is determined that the condition is satisfied, in step 316, the CPU 110 or the BIOS 120 switches from the nonvolatile VRAM 134 to the VRAM 132. In step 316, the image stored in VRAM 132 is displayed on display device 150. In step 324, the CPU 110 or the BIOS 120 ends the display time measurement.
[0040]
In step 326, CPU 110 determines whether or not the condition for rewriting the image data in nonvolatile VRAM 134 has been satisfied according to the program.
[0041]
If it is determined in step 326 that the condition is not satisfied, the procedure returns to step 304. If it is determined in step 326 that the condition for rewriting the image data is satisfied, in step 330, the CPU 110 transfers the image file from the image file supply source 328 to the RAM 140. In step 342, the image file is read from the RAM 140, and the image data in the nonvolatile VRAM 134 is rewritten with the image file. Thereafter, the routine of FIGS. 3 and 4 is repeated.
[0042]
The image file from the source 328 may be, for example, an image file representing the schedule of the day created by the scheduler application, an image file of a web page represented by a specific URL, an image file created by the application, or an advertisement. Image file for displaying news and events of the day.
[0043]
As described above, by displaying the image stored in the nonvolatile VRAM 134, the user can enjoy various screens and obtain various information during the waiting time in the bootstrap or the like.
[0044]
The non-volatile VRAM 134 is not rewritten in bootstrap or the like. Since the CPU 110 accesses the normal VRAM 132, application programs that do not use VRAM switching can be used without modification. The switching of the VRAM may be performed by a user operation of the PC 100.
[0045]
In this embodiment, the processes of FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 may be implemented in software and hardware forms.
[0046]
The embodiments described above are given only as typical examples, modifications and variations thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and those skilled in the art may depart from the principle of the present invention and the scope of the invention described in the claims. Obviously, various modifications of the above-described embodiment can be made.
[0047]
(Supplementary Note 1) A first video memory area for storing image data generated by normal processing,
A second non-volatile video memory area for storing another image data;
Selecting means for selecting one of the first and second video memory areas according to a predetermined condition and displaying an image represented by the another image data in the selected video memory area When,
Rewriting means for rewriting image data in the second video memory area;
An information processing device comprising:
(Supplementary note 2) The supplementary note 1, wherein the first and second video memory areas correspond to different logically allocated banks in one nonvolatile video random access memory. Information processing device.
(Supplementary Note 3) A determination unit that determines whether a condition for switching the first and second video memory areas is satisfied,
The selecting means performs the selection according to the determination.
The information processing device according to claim 1 or 2.
(Supplementary Note 4) The selection means selects image data stored in the second video memory area when new image data is not stored in the first video memory area. An information processing apparatus according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 3.
(Supplementary Note 5) A determination unit that determines whether a condition for the rewriting is satisfied,
The rewriting means reads the rewriting data according to the determination and performs the rewriting.
The information processing device according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 4.
(Supplementary note 6) The information processing apparatus according to supplementary note 5, wherein the condition for rewriting is a lapse of a predetermined time period.
(Supplementary note 7) The information processing according to supplementary note 5, wherein the condition for rewriting is that the number of times of switching from the first video memory area to the second video memory area has reached a predetermined number. apparatus.
(Supplementary note 8) The information processing apparatus according to supplementary note 5, wherein the condition for rewriting is reception of a rewriting command from a network.
(Supplementary Note 9) A program for an information processing device stored in a storage medium,
Select one of a first video memory area for storing image data generated by normal processing according to a predetermined condition and a non-volatile second video memory area for storing another image data Steps to
Displaying an image represented by the another image data in the selected video memory area;
Rewriting image data in the second video memory area;
A program operable to execute.
(Supplementary Note 10) Further, it is operable to execute a step of determining whether a condition for switching the first and second video memory areas is satisfied,
The step of selecting is to perform the selection according to the determination,
The program according to supplementary note 9.
(Supplementary Note 11) The device is operable to execute a step of determining whether a condition for rewriting is satisfied,
The rewriting in the rewriting step is performed according to the determination.
The program according to supplementary note 9 or 10.
(Supplementary Note 12) A method for controlling a video memory in an information processing apparatus, the method comprising:
Selecting one of a first video memory area for storing image data generated by normal processing and a non-volatile second video memory area for storing another image data;
Displaying an image represented by the another image data in the selected video memory area;
Rewriting image data in the second video memory area;
A method that includes
[0048]
【The invention's effect】
According to the above-described feature, the present invention can select one of the VRAM areas according to a predetermined condition and display an image stored in the selected area even during bootstrap or resume, and An information processing device in which the nonvolatile VRAM area is rewritten according to the conditions can be realized.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a personal computer as an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows a process for switching between VRAMs performed by a CPU or a BIOS.
FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show processing for rewriting image data stored in a non-volatile VRAM, which is executed by a CPU.
FIGS. 3 and 4 show processing for rewriting image data stored in a nonvolatile VRAM, which is executed by a CPU.
[Explanation of symbols]
110 CPU
120 BIOS
132 VRAM
134 Nonvolatile VRAM
136 switch

Claims (5)

A first video memory area for storing image data generated by normal processing;
A non-volatile second video memory area for storing another image data according to a predetermined condition;
Selecting means for selecting one of the first and second video memory areas to display an image represented by the another image data in the selected video memory area;
Rewriting means for rewriting image data in the second video memory area;
An information processing device comprising: And determining means for determining whether a condition for switching between the first and second video memory areas is satisfied,
The selecting means performs the selection according to the determination.
The information processing device according to claim 1. Determining means for determining whether a condition for the rewriting is satisfied,
The rewriting means reads the rewriting data according to the determination and performs the rewriting.
The information processing device according to claim 1. A program for an information processing device,
Selecting one of a first video memory area for storing image data generated by normal processing and a non-volatile second video memory area for storing another image data;
Displaying an image represented by the another image data in the selected video memory area;
Rewriting image data in the second video memory area;
A program operable to execute. A method for controlling a video memory in an information processing apparatus, comprising: a first video memory area for storing image data generated by normal processing; and a non-volatile second video memory for storing another image data. Selecting one of the memory regions;
Displaying an image represented by the another image data in the selected video memory area;
Rewriting image data in the second video memory area;
A method that includes

Images