JP2013050873A - Information processor, display control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize an information processor which can promote interaction between different display interfaces.SOLUTION: Switching means switches a first interface to a second interface in response to disconnection between a first external display and the first interface while displaying a first screen image on the first external display. On the basis of an identifier of a second external display connected to the second interface and an identifier of the first external display, the switching means determines whether those displays are the same display, and when they are the same display, controls second display control means to display the same screen image as the first screen image on the second external display.

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an information processing apparatus capable of wirelessly transmitting a video signal to an external display, a display control method and a program applied to the apparatus.

  In recent years, various computers such as a laptop personal computer (PC) and a tablet PC have been developed. Many computers of this type have an external display connection terminal. By connecting an external display having a large screen to an external display connection terminal of the computer, various digital contents in the computer can be displayed on the large screen.

  Recently, a wireless display interface has been developed as a new external display interface for displaying a computer screen image on an external display. This wireless display interface wirelessly transmits a video signal to an external display (wireless display). This wireless display interface allows digital content in the computer to be displayed on the wireless display without a cable.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-312155

  However, at present, the wireless display interface is implemented in a computer as a separate function independent of a wired display interface that is an existing external display interface. Therefore, the display screen of the wireless display and the display screen of the wired display (external display connected to the computer via a cable) are logically and physically different display screens. The display setting for the wireless display is also performed separately from the display setting for the wired display. Therefore, the user is required to operate the wireless display interface and the wired display interface separately.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing apparatus and a display control method that can achieve cooperation between different display interfaces.

  According to the embodiment, the information processing apparatus includes a first interface and a second interface. The information processing apparatus includes first display control means, second display control means, and switching means. In the first display control means, a first screen image based on first display setting information associated with a first external display connected to the first interface is displayed on the first external display. As described above, a video signal is transmitted to the first external display via the first interface. In the second display control means, a second screen image based on second display setting information associated with a second external display connected to the second interface is displayed on the second external display. As described above, the video signal is transmitted to the second external display via the second interface. The switching means is responsive to disconnection of the connection between the first interface and the first external display during display of the first screen image on the first external display. The interface is switched to the second interface. The switching means determines whether the first external display and the second external display are the same display based on the identifier of the first external display and the identifier of the second external display. When the first external display and the second external display are the same display, the screen image having the same content as the first screen image is displayed on the second external display. 2 display control means.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. The perspective view which shows the external appearance which looked at the expansion unit with which the information processing apparatus of the embodiment is detachably mounted from the back side. 2 is an exemplary block diagram showing an example of the system configuration of the information processing apparatus of the embodiment. FIG. The figure which shows a mode that the external display interface of the information processing apparatus of the embodiment is switched between a wireless interface and a wired interface. The block diagram which shows the structural example of the two display control systems provided in the information processing apparatus of the embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure of the wired-wireless switch part contained in the connection switching program performed by the information processing apparatus of the embodiment. The figure which shows the structural example of the wireless-wired switching part contained in the connection switching program performed by the information processing apparatus of the embodiment. The figure for demonstrating two display setting information each used by the wired display system and wireless display system of the information processing apparatus of the embodiment. 4 is an exemplary view showing an example of a screen image drawn in each of two frame buffers by the wired display system of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen image drawn in each of two frame buffers by the wireless display system of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. The figure which shows the display setting synchronous process performed by the information processing apparatus of the embodiment at the time of wired-wireless switching. The figure which shows the display setting synchronous process performed by the information processing apparatus of the embodiment at the time of wireless-wired switching. 6 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating a part of a procedure of connection switching processing executed by the information processing apparatus of the embodiment. 6 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating the remaining part of the procedure of connection switching processing executed by the information processing apparatus of the embodiment. 6 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating another example of the procedure of connection switching processing executed by the information processing apparatus of the embodiment. 6 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating an example of an operation procedure of an external display which can be connected to the information processing apparatus of the embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, the configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. This information processing apparatus can be realized as a portable terminal, for example, a laptop or notebook personal computer, a tablet personal computer, or a PDA. In the following, it is assumed that the information processing apparatus is realized as the tablet personal computer 10.

  FIG. 1 shows the appearance of the tablet personal computer 10 in a state where it is mounted on the dock 2. The dock 2 is an expansion unit called a cradle or a docking station. The tablet personal computer 10 is configured to be detachably mounted on the dock 2.

  The computer 10 includes a computer main body 1 and a touch screen display 17. The computer main body 1 has a thin box-shaped housing. The touch screen display 17 is disposed on the surface of the computer main body 1. The touch screen display 17 includes a flat panel display (for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD)) and a touch panel. The touch panel is provided so as to cover the screen of the LCD. The touch panel is configured to detect a position on the touch screen display 17 touched by a user's finger or pen.

  The computer main body 1 includes a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) terminal 4, a universal serial bus (USB) connector 13, and a docking port 45. The HDMI terminal 4 is an external display connection terminal for connecting an external display to the computer 10 via a cable. The HDMI terminal 4 and the USB connector 13 are arranged on one side of the computer main body 1. The docking port 45 is a connector for electrically and physically connecting the computer main body 1 and the dock 2. The docking port 45 is arranged on one side of the computer main body 1, for example, on a side different from the side on which the HDMI terminal 4 and the USB connector 13 are provided. The docking port 45 can be connected to a docking connector 30 provided in the dock 2. The computer 10 is mounted on the dock 2 in a state where the display surface of the touch screen display 17 is substantially horizontal, that is, the computer 10 is erected.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an HDMI terminal 20 and several USB terminals 21 are provided on the back of the dock 2. The HDMI terminal 20 is an external display connection terminal for connecting an external display. When the computer 10 is mounted on the dock 2, the computer 10 can use the HDMI terminal 20 and each USB terminal 21 of the dock 2 as expansion ports. Although not shown, the dock 2 may be provided with a power supply terminal for connecting an external power supply such as an AC adapter. In this case, in a state where the computer 10 is mounted on the dock 2, the computer 10 is driven by electric power from an external power source connected to the dock 2. When the computer 10 is mounted on the dock 2, the battery in the computer 10 is charged with power from an external power source.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of the computer 10.
The computer 10 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 101, a north bridge 102, a main memory 103, a south bridge 104, a graphics processing unit (GPU) 105, a sound controller 106, a BIOS-ROM 107, a LAN controller 108, and a solid state drive (SSD). 109, a BT (Bluetooth (registered trademark)) module 110, a wireless LAN controller 112, an embedded controller (EC) 113, an EEPROM 114, a docking port 45, an HDMI control circuit 3, a touch screen display 17, a video memory (VRAM) 300, and the like. .

  The CPU 101 is a processor that controls the operation of each unit in the computer 10. The CPU 101 executes an operating system (OS) 201 and various application programs loaded from the SSD 109 to the main memory 103. The application program includes a connection switching program 202.

  The connection switching program 202 is a program for achieving cooperation between the two display control systems of the computer 10. One of the two external display control systems is a wired display system that displays a screen image on an external display (wired display) via a wired interface (HDMI terminal 4 or docking port 45), and the other is a wireless interface (for example, This is a wireless display system that displays a screen image on an external display (wireless display) via a wireless LA controller 112).

  The wired display system may control an external display (wired display) in the multi-display mode. In this case, the wired display system displays the same or different screen images on the touch screen display 17 which is an internal display and an external display (wired display) connected to the computer 10 by wire. Of course, the screen image can be displayed only on the internal display, or the screen image can be displayed only on the external display.

  The wireless display system wirelessly transmits a video signal to an external display (wireless display) wirelessly connected to the computer 10 to display a screen image on the wireless display. The wireless display system may also support a multi-display mode for displaying the same or different screen images on the touch screen display 17 and the wireless display.

  The wired display system and the wireless display system are realized as separate functions. The wired display system displays the screen image on the external display or the screen image on the external display based on the first display setting information # 1 associated with the external display wired to the wired interface of the computer 10. Control both the display and the display of the screen image on the internal display. In other words, the wired display system transmits the first video signal to the external display via the wired interface so that the screen image based on the first display setting information # 1 is displayed on the external display.

  On the other hand, the wireless display system displays the screen image on the wireless display or the screen on the wireless display based on the second display setting information # 2 associated with the wireless display that can be wirelessly connected to the wireless interface of the computer 10. Control both the display of images and the display of screen images on the internal display. In other words, the wireless display system wirelessly transmits the second video signal to the wireless display via the wireless interface so that the second screen image based on the second display setting information # 2 is displayed on the wireless display. To do.

  When the wired connection between the computer 10 and the external display is disconnected while the screen image is displayed on the external display by the wired display system, the connection switching program 202 wirelessly transfers the external display control system to be used from the wired display system. You can automatically switch to a display system.

The CPU 101 also executes a BIOS (basic input / output system) stored in the BIOS-ROM 107. The BIOS is a program for hardware control.
The north bridge 102 is a bridge device that connects the local bus of the CPU 101 and the south bridge 104. The north bridge 102 also includes a memory controller that controls access to the main memory 103. The north bridge 102 also has a function of executing communication with the GPU 105 via, for example, a PCI EXPRESS serial bus.

  The GPU 105 is a display controller that controls the LCD 17 </ b> A used as a display monitor of the information processing apparatus 10. A video signal (also referred to as a display signal) generated by the GPU 105 is sent to the LCD 17A. The GPU 105 can also send a video signal to the external display 40 via the HDMI control circuit 3 and the HDMI terminal 4. The HDMI terminal 4 can send an uncompressed digital video signal and a digital audio signal to an external display 40 such as a television with a single cable. The HDMI control circuit 3 is an interface for sending a digital video signal to an external display 40 called an HDMI monitor via the HDMI terminal 4. The digital video signal output from the HDMI control circuit 3 is also sent to the docking port 45.

  The south bridge 104 controls each device on a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus and each device on a low pin count (LPC) bus. The south bridge 104 incorporates an IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) controller for controlling the SSD 109. Further, the south bridge 104 has a function of executing communication with the sound controller 106.

  The sound controller 106 is a sound source device and outputs audio data to be reproduced to the speakers 18A and 18B. The LAN controller 108 is a wired communication device that executes, for example, IEEE 802.3 standard wired communication, while the wireless LAN controller 112 is a wireless communication device that executes, for example, IEEE 802.11 standard wireless communication.

  The EC 113 is an embedded controller for power management. The EC 113 has a function of turning on / off the computer 10 in accordance with a user operation. The power supply circuit 121 generates operating power to be supplied to each component by using power supplied from the battery 122 in the computer 10 or power supplied from an external power source such as the AC adapter 123. The power supply circuit 121 also charges the battery 122 using power supplied from an external power supply. While the computer 10 is attached to the dock 2, the power supply circuit 121 can receive power from the dock 2 via the docking port 2, and the power is used to generate operating power and charge the battery 122. It can be carried out.

  In addition to the LCD 17A, the touch panel display 17 incorporates a touch panel 17B. The touch panel 17B arranged so as to overlap the LCD 17A includes a sensor, an MCU (Micro controller unit), and the like. When a touch operation is performed on the touch panel 17B, the touched position is detected by a sensor, and input information including the touched position on the touch panel 17B is output by the MCU.

  A video memory (VRAM) 300 is connected to the graphics controller 105. The video memory (VRAM) 300 stores, for example, screen image data corresponding to the screen image displayed on the external display 40 or the LCD 17A. When a screen image is displayed on the wireless display, a digital video signal corresponding to the screen image data on the VRAM 300 drawn by the graphics controller 105 is sent to the wireless LAN controller 112 via the north bridge 102 and the south bridge 104. . Of course, a digital video signal obtained by compressing and encoding the screen image data on the VRAM 300 may be sent to the wireless LAN controller 112.

  Next, a connection switching process for switching the interface with the external display between the wired interface and the wireless interface will be described with reference to FIG.

  In this embodiment, the computer 10 is connected to the external display 40 by two different interface connections. Two different interface connections are a wired interface connection and a wireless interface connection. The wired interface connection is an interface connection that connects the computer 10 and the external display 40 via the dock 2 and the HDMI cable 43. Of course, the HDMI terminal 4 of the computer 10 and the external display 40 may be connected via a cable without using the dock 2. The external display 40 may be a digital TV. The dock 2 is connected to the first HDMI input port of the external display 40 via the HDMI cable 43.

  The wireless interface connection is an interface connection for wirelessly connecting the computer 10 and the external display 40 having a wireless communication function. Although the external display 40 may have a built-in wireless communication function, a wireless display adapter 50 having a wireless communication function may be wired to the external display 40 as shown in FIG. In the latter case, the wireless display adapter 50 and the computer 10 are wirelessly connected by the wireless signal 44. The wireless display adapter 50 is connected to the second HDMI input port of the external display 40 via an HDMI cable.

  As described above, in the example of FIG. 4, the external display 40 is realized as a television having a wireless communication function, and can be wired to the computer 10 or wirelessly connected to the computer 10. In such a case, even if the method of connecting to the external display 40 is changed, the user who uses the computer 10 desires to continue displaying the screen image on the external display 40 without being aware of the change. There is a case. If an event occurs in which the computer 10 is removed from the dock 2 while the screen image is displayed on the wired display (in this case, the external display 40) using the wired interface connection, the connection switching program 202 is switched from the wired interface to the wireless interface. Switch to. That is, the connection switching program 202 automatically switches the interface connection to be used from the wired interface connection to the wireless interface connection. In this case, the connection switching program 202 determines whether the wireless display that can be wirelessly connected to the computer 10 and the external display (wired display) that has been used so far are the same display. In the example of FIG. 4, the wireless display and the wired display are the same external display 40. If the wireless display and the wired display are the same external display, the connection switching program 202 is configured so that the screen image having the same content as the screen image displayed so far on the wired display is continuously displayed on the wireless display. Control the wireless display system.

  Similarly, when an event occurs in which the computer 10 is attached to the dock 2 while the screen image is displayed on the wireless display (in this case, the external display 40) using the wireless interface connection, the connection switching program 202 is used. The interface connection to be automatically switched from the wireless interface connection to the wired interface connection. In this case, the connection switching program 202 determines whether or not the wired display wired to the dock 2 and the wireless display used so far are the same display. In the example of FIG. 4, the wired display and the wireless display are the same external display 40. If the wired display and the wireless display are the same external display, the connection switching program 202 is configured so that the screen image having the same contents as the screen image displayed so far on the wireless display is displayed on the wired display. Control the wired display system.

  In FIG. 4, the keyboard 41 is connected to the USB terminal 21 and the like of the dock 2. For example, the mouse 42 may be wirelessly connected to the BT module 110 of the computer 10 via Bluetooth (registered trademark). Therefore, for example, when the computer 10 is physically connected to the dock 2, the user can control the computer 10 using the keyboard 41 and the mouse 42.

Next, a configuration example of a wired display system and a wireless display system provided in the computer 10 will be described with reference to FIG.
In FIG. 5, the system of the computer 10 is roughly divided into a part related to software and a part related to hardware. The part related to software is shown in the upper half of the figure, and is composed of a wireless display application 52, a connection switching program 202, and an OS 201. The hardware-related part is shown in the lower half of the figure, and is composed of a graphics controller 105, a wireless LAN controller 112, an external display (TV) 40, a wireless display adapter 50, and the like.

  The wired display system 49 includes an OS 201 and a graphics controller 105. The OS 201 includes software for executing the above-described multi-display function.

  The wireless display system 51 includes a wireless display application 52, a graphics controller 105, and a wireless LAN controller 112. The wireless display application 52 is a program for wirelessly transmitting a digital video signal to a wireless display using the graphics controller 105 and the wireless LAN controller 112. The wireless display application 52 also supports a multi-display function.

  Assume that the TV 40 and the wired display system 49 are connected by wired connection. The graphics controller 105 transmits a digital video signal (screen image data A) to the television 40 via the path 56 in accordance with an instruction from the OS 201. Hereinafter, a screen image displayed on an external display such as the television 40 during the wired connection is referred to as a wired screen image. Similarly, a screen image displayed on an external display such as the television 40 at the time of wireless connection is hereinafter referred to as a wireless screen image.

  Here, it is assumed that the wired connection between the computer 10 and the television 40 is disconnected while the wired screen image is displayed on the television 40. In the present embodiment, switching from a wired connection to a wireless connection is executed with the disconnection of the wired connection as a trigger. As this trigger, the other end of the HDMI cable whose one end is connected to the television 40 is disconnected from the HDMI terminal 4 of the computer 10 or the electrical connection between the docking connector 30 and the docking port 45 is released. That is. Further, the trigger may be that the power of the television 40 is turned off due to a malfunction such as malfunction of the television 40, for example. As described above, the trigger may be any trigger that causes the wired connection to be disconnected.

  When the wired connection is disconnected, the connection switching program 202 acquires display setting information at the time of wired connection (hereinafter also referred to as wired display setting information) from the OS 201 or the like, and stores the wired display setting information in the memory 103. The wired display setting information is the first display setting information # 1 described above. In other words, the wired display setting information is display setting information for a wired display (here, the television 40) set by the user through the user interface of the wired display system 49. The content of the wired display setting information can be set for each wired display that can be wired to the computer 10. When the television 40 is wired to the computer 10, the wired display system 49 uses the graphics controller 105 to generate a screen image to be displayed on the television 40 based on wired display setting information associated with the television 40. . The wired display setting information corresponding to each wired display includes the resolution of the wired display, the color setting of the wired display (screen color density, freshness, etc.), the direction of the wired display, the application displayed on the wired display, etc. The coordinate position of the window on the wired display, the multi-display mode (clone display mode, extended display mode), and the like. The mode designation information included in the wired display setting information designates a multi-display mode. This mode designation information is either a clone display mode for displaying the same screen image on the internal display or wired display, or an extended display mode for displaying different screen images in the virtual screen on the internal display or wired display. Show one.

  At the time of wireless connection, other display setting information (hereinafter also referred to as wireless display setting information) is usually used. The wireless display setting information is the above-described second display setting information # 2. That is, the wireless display setting information is display setting information for a wireless display (here, the television 40) set by the user through the user interface of the wireless display system 51. The contents of the wireless display setting information can also be set for each wireless display that can be wirelessly connected to the computer 10. When the television 40 is wirelessly connected to the computer 10, the wireless display system 51 uses the graphics controller 105 to generate a screen image to be displayed on the television 40 based on the wireless display setting information associated with the television 40. . The wireless display setting information corresponding to each wireless display includes the wireless display resolution, wireless display color settings (screen color density, freshness, etc.), wireless display direction, applications displayed on the wireless display, etc. The coordinate position of the window on the wireless display, the multi-display mode (clone display mode, extended display mode), etc. The wireless display setting information also includes mode designation information. This mode designation information is either a clone display mode for displaying the same screen image on the internal display and the wireless display, or an extended display mode for displaying different screen images in the virtual screen on the internal display and the wireless display, respectively. Show one.

  The connection switching program 202 activates the wireless display application 52 included in the wireless display system 51 via the path 54 and instructs the wireless display application 52 to start display control for the wireless display. Note that the connection switching program 202 may monitor whether or not the wireless display application 52 is activated via the path 55. If the wireless display application 52 is not activated, the connection switching program 202 may activate the wireless display application 52.

  In FIG. 5, the external display connected to the computer 10 is the television 40 in both wired connection and wireless connection. That is, the computer 10 is connected to the same external display in both wired connection and wireless connection. In this case, when switching from wired connection to wireless connection, the connection switching program 202 applies the stored wired connection display setting information to the wireless display system 51. In other words, the connection switching program 202 replaces the existing wireless connection display setting information corresponding to the television 40 with the stored wired connection display setting information as the display setting information associated with the television 40, and the wireless display system 51. Set to. In this case, the connection switching program 202 may transmit the wired connection display setting information to the OS 21 via the path 59, and the OS 21 may transmit the wired connection display setting information to the wireless display system 51 via the path 58.

  The wireless display application 52 sends a command necessary for establishing a wireless connection with the television 40 to the wireless LAN controller 112 and controls the graphics controller 105 using the received wired connection display setting information. The graphics controller 105 generates a video signal corresponding to the screen image based on the wired connection display setting information, and sends the video signal to the wireless LAN controller 112 via the path 65. The wireless LAN controller 112 wirelessly communicates the video signal to the wireless display adapter 50 via the path 57. The wireless display adapter 50 sends the received video signal to the television 40 via the path 66. The television 40 displays a screen image corresponding to the video signal on the screen of the television 40.

FIG. 6 shows a functional configuration of a wired-wireless switching unit included as a functional module in the connection switching program 202.
In the present embodiment, the internal display 17 and the external display 40 are used. Further, the external display 40 includes a wired display and a wireless display as described above.

  In the present embodiment, if the wired connection is disconnected while the screen image is being displayed on the television 40 via the wired connection, the wireless connection is automatically switched. However, for example, when there are a plurality of wireless displays around the computer 10 or when the wireless communication function of the television 40 is not usable (for example, the wireless display adapter 50 is turned off or the wireless display adapter 50 is connected to the television 10). The computer 10 is not necessarily wirelessly connected to the same external display as the external display that is disconnected from the wired connection to the computer 10. Therefore, it is necessary to determine whether the external display whose wired connection with the computer 10 is disconnected and the external display that can be wirelessly connected to the computer 10 are physically the same external display.

  Specifically, this will be described with reference to FIG. The connection switching program 202 includes an undock detection unit 60, a wired display setting value acquisition unit 61, a wireless display application activation unit 62, an ID check unit 63, and a setting value control unit 64.

  The undock detection unit 60 has disconnected the wired connection between the computer 10 and the wired display during transmission of the video signal to the external display via the wired connection, that is, the computer 10 has been removed from the dock 2. Is detected. When the undock is detected by the undock detection unit 60, the detection result is sent to the wired display setting value acquisition unit 61. The wired display setting value acquisition unit 61 acquires wired display setting information used for display control of the wired display from the OS 201. The acquired wired display setting information is sent to the set value control unit 64. Also, the wired display setting value acquisition unit 61 notifies the wireless display application activation unit 62 that acquisition of wired display setting information has been completed. Thereby, the wireless display application activation unit 62 activates the wireless display application 52. In addition, the wireless display application activation unit 62 notifies the ID check unit 63 that the wireless display application 52 has been activated.

  The ID check unit 63 acquires the identifier (ID) of the wired display in which the wired connection with the computer 10 is disconnected from the OS 201. Further, the ID check unit 63 acquires an identifier (ID) of a wireless display that can be wirelessly connected to the computer 10 from the wireless display application 52 or the wireless LAN controller 112. If the wireless display adapter 50 is connected to the television 40, the wireless display application 52 can obtain the television 40 ID via the wireless display adapter 50.

  The ID check unit 63 compares the ID of the wired display and the ID of the wireless display, and whether the ID of the wired display and the ID of the wireless display are the same, that is, whether the wired display and the wireless display are the same display. Determine whether. The ID check unit 63 sends the comparison determination result to the set value control unit 64.

  If the wired display and the wireless display are the same display, the setting value control unit 64 replaces the wireless display setting information associated with the wireless display with the wired display setting information sent from the wired display setting acquisition unit 61. Is set in the wireless display system 51. As a result, a screen image having the same content as the screen image displayed on the wired display is displayed on the wireless display.

  For example, if the wired display setting information indicates the extended display mode and the wireless display setting information indicates the clone display mode, the wireless display is controlled in the extended display mode instead of the clone display mode. As a result, even after the computer 10 is detached from the dock 2, the same screen image as that displayed on the television 40 when the computer 10 is attached to the dock 2 can be continuously displayed on the television 40.

  On the other hand, if the ID of the wired display and the ID of the wireless display are not the same, the wireless display system 51 displays the screen image on the wireless display as usual based on the wireless display setting information associated with the wireless display. To control. As a result, a screen image based on the wireless display setting information associated with the wireless display is displayed on the wireless display. For example, if the wired display setting information indicates the extended display mode and the wireless display setting information indicates the clone display mode, the wireless display is controlled in the clone display mode.

FIG. 7 shows a functional configuration of a wireless-wired switching unit included as a functional module in the connection switching program 202. A description of the same operations and functions as those described with reference to FIG. 6 is omitted.
The connection switching program 202 includes a dock detection unit 70, a wireless display setting value acquisition unit 71, a wired display system activation unit 72, an ID check unit 63, and a setting value control unit 64.
Assume that the computer 10 is connected to an external display via a wireless connection. The dock detection unit 70 detects that the wireless connection between the computer 10 and the external display (wireless display) is disconnected during transmission of the video signal to the external display via the wireless connection, that is, the computer 10 and the dock 2 An electrical and physical connection is detected (dock detection result). The dock detection result by the dock detection unit 70 is sent to the wireless display set value acquisition unit 71. The wireless display setting value acquisition unit 71 acquires wireless display setting information used for display control of the wireless display from the OS 201. The acquired wireless display setting information is sent to the set value control unit 64. In addition, the wireless display setting value acquisition unit 71 notifies the wired display system activation unit 72 that acquisition of the wireless display setting information has been completed. Thereby, the wired display system activation unit 72 activates the wired display system 49. Further, the wired display system activation unit 72 notifies the ID check unit 63 that the wired display system 49 has been activated.

  The ID check unit 63 acquires the wireless display ID from the OS 201. Further, the ID check unit 63 acquires the ID of the wired display newly connected to the computer 10 via the wired connection from the OS 201. The ID check unit 63 compares the wireless display ID with the wired display ID. If the compared IDs are the same, the setting value control unit 64 replaces the wired display setting information associated with the wired display with the wireless display setting information sent from the wireless display setting acquisition unit 71, using the wired display system. Set to 49. As a result, a screen image having the same content as the screen image displayed on the wireless display is displayed on the wired display.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining two pieces of display setting information used by the wired display system 49 and the wireless display system 51, respectively.

  First, FIG. 8A will be described. Display setting information # 1 shown in FIG. 8A shows an example of part of information included in the wired display setting information. Part of this information is information relating to screen resolution and multi-display (extended display mode). On the virtual screen 80, areas corresponding to two screens used in the multi-display mode are shown. The two screens are a screen A corresponding to the internal display and a screen B corresponding to the external display. FIG. 8A shows that screen A and screen B have the same resolution.

  In FIG. 8B, display setting information # 2 shows an example of part of information included in the wireless display setting information. The part of this information is information regarding the screen resolution and multi-display (extended display mode), as in FIG. In FIG. 8B, the area of the screen A ′ corresponding to the internal display on the virtual screen 80 is set smaller than the area of the screen B ′ corresponding to the external display. In other words, unlike the display setting information # 1, the display setting information # 2 indicates that the resolution of the internal display is smaller than the resolution of the external display. Therefore, the screen A and the screen A ′ can be regarded as different screens displayed on the internal display. Similarly, the resolution of the screen B ′ is larger than the resolution of the screen B, and the screen B ′ and the screen B can be regarded as different screens displayed on the external display.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a screen image drawn in each of two frame buffers by the wired display system 49.
Under the control of the wired display system 49, the graphics controller 105 receives the screen image data corresponding to the screen A and the screen image data corresponding to the screen B based on the display setting information # 1 described in FIG. Draw in A and frame buffer B, respectively. The screen image data in the frame buffer A is used to display the screen image on the internal display. The screen image data of the frame buffer B is used for displaying the screen image on the external display.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a screen image drawn in each of two frame buffers by the wireless display system 51.
Under the control of the wireless display system 51, the graphics controller 105 stores screen image data corresponding to the screen A ′ and screen image data corresponding to the screen B ′ on the VRAM 300 based on the display setting information # 2 described in FIG. Drawing is performed in the frame buffer A and the frame buffer B, respectively. The screen image data in the frame buffer A is used to display the screen image on the internal display. The screen image data of the frame buffer B is used for displaying the screen image on the external display.

FIG. 11 shows an example of display setting synchronization processing executed by the computer 10 at the time of wired-wireless switching.
As shown with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the screen image data stored in the VRAM 300 in the multi-display mode differs depending on whether the connection is wired or wireless. Therefore, when the wired connection is switched to the wireless connection, the data stored in the VRAM 300 is changed. Therefore, even if the connection switching program 202 automatically switches the connection from a wired connection to a wireless connection, the screen image may be displayed on the wireless display although it is different from the screen image displayed on the wired display. Therefore, the connection switching program 202 uses the display setting synchronization process to apply the setting value (display setting information # 1) of the wired display to the display control of the wireless display instead of the setting value (display setting information # 2) of the wireless display. Execute. As a result, when the wired connection is switched to the wireless connection, a screen image having the same content as the screen image displayed on the wired display can be displayed on the wireless display. Furthermore, a screen image having the same contents as the screen image displayed on the internal display at the time of wired connection can be continuously displayed on the internal display.

  FIG. 12 shows an example of display setting synchronization processing executed by the computer 10 at the time of wireless-wired switching. In addition, description is abbreviate | omitted about the content equivalent to the content described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 12, when the wireless connection is switched to the wired connection, the setting value of the wireless display is applied to the setting value of the wired display. Specifically, for example, the display setting information # 2 is applied to the display setting information # 1. As a result, even when the wireless connection is switched to the wired connection, the same screen image as that at the time of the wireless connection is displayed on the internal display 17 and the external display 40 even in the wired connection.

Next, a procedure of wired-wireless connection switching processing executed by the computer 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
At block 1300, the computer 10 is powered on. If the external display is wired to the computer 10 at block 1302, the process proceeds to block 1304. At block 1304, it is determined whether the computer 10 is set to multi-display mode. If the computer 10 is set to multi-display mode, proceed to block 1308. In block 1304, if the computer 10 is not set to the multi-display mode, the computer 10 operates in the single display mode.

In block 1308, the multi-display mode is displayed based on the setting value of the wired connection (that is, wired display setting information).
At block 1312, the connection switching program 202 detects whether the computer 10 has been removed from the dock 2. The undocking may be detected when the cable 43 or the like connected to the external display 40 is disconnected from the HDMI terminal 4. If an undock is detected, proceed to block 1314. In block 1314, the connection switching program 202 acquires wired display setting information. At block 1316, the connection switching program 202 launches the wireless display application 52 to execute the multi-display mode over the wireless connection.

  At block 1318, the connection switching program 202 determines whether the IDs of the wired display and the wireless display match. If the IDs match, go to block 1320. If the IDs do not match, proceed to block 1322.

  In block 1320, the connection switching program 202 sets the wired display setting information as a wireless connection setting value (wireless display setting information) (or synchronizes). Based on the synchronized wireless display setting information, that is, based on the content of the wired display setting information, the wireless display system 51 displays the multi-display mode by wireless connection. At block 1322, display is performed in multi-display mode based on the wireless display setting information.

  Next, a procedure of wireless-wired connection switching processing executed by the computer 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Description of blocks having the same functions as those described with reference to FIG. 13 is omitted.

  If at block 1402 a wireless connection to an external display has been performed, proceed to block 1404. In block 1408, display is performed in the multi-display mode based on the wireless display setting information.

  At block 1412, it is detected that the computer 10 is attached to the dock. The dock detection may be detection that the cable 43 or the like connected to the external display 40 is connected to the HDMI terminal 4.

At block 1414, wireless display setting information is obtained. At block 1416, a wired connection is initiated.
If the IDs match at block 1418, proceed to block 1420. At block 1420, the wireless display setting information and the wired display setting information are synchronized. Based on the synchronized wired display setting information, that is, based on the wireless display setting information, display is performed in a multi-display mode via a wired connection.

  If the IDs do not match at block 1418, proceed to block 1422. In block 1422, multi-display is performed based on the wired display setting information.

  13 and 14, when displaying in the multi-display mode via the wired connection, if a dock is detected after switching from the wired connection to the wireless connection, the wireless connection is switched to the wired connection. Processing is performed. Similarly, when the multi-display mode is displayed by wireless connection, if an undock is further detected after switching from wireless connection to wired connection, processing for switching from wired connection to wireless connection is performed. In this way, it is possible to alternately switch from wired connection to wireless connection.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the procedure of connection switching processing executed by the computer 10 according to the present embodiment. Note that description of blocks having the same functions as those described with reference to FIG. 13 is omitted.

  In block 1500, the processing is started by turning on the power of the computer 10 or the like. At block 1502, display is performed in multi-display mode via a wired connection. If at block 1504 an undock is detected, proceed to block 1506.

  At block 1506, the remaining battery 122 of the computer 10 is detected. At block 1508, it is determined whether the detected remaining battery level is sufficient to perform the multi-display mode via the wireless connection. If the remaining battery level is not sufficient, the process proceeds to block 1514. If the battery is sufficient, go to block 1509.

In block 1514, the multi-display mode is not performed via the wireless connection, and the display is performed in the single display mode using the internal display 17 or the like.
At block 1509, it is determined whether a particular program is running. The specific program is a program that does not support display in the multi-display mode, such as BIOS. If the specific program is not running, go to block 1510.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation procedure of an external display connectable to the computer 10 according to the present embodiment.
The external display 40 has two input terminals. The two systems of input terminals are, for example, the HDMI terminal 1 (input port # 1) and the HDMI terminal 2 (input port # 2). The input port # 1 is connected to the dock 2 by a cable 43. That is, the input port # 1 is an input terminal for performing a wired connection with the computer 10. The input port # 2 is connected to the wireless adapter 50 through a path 66. That is, the input port # 2 is an input terminal for performing wireless connection with the computer 10.

  In the book 1600, the processing is started by turning on the power of the external display 40 or the like. Alternatively, a process for performing a wired connection with the computer 10 may be started. In block 1601, a screen is displayed based on the video data input to input port # 1.

  At block 1602, it is detected that the wired connection has been disconnected. The detection of the disconnection of the wired connection may be a detection that the computer 10 has been removed from the dock 2 or the like connected by the cable 43. Alternatively, the disconnection of the wired connection may be detected by detecting that the cable 43 is disconnected from the HDMI terminal 4 without going through the dock 2.

At block 1604, switching from input port # 1 to input port # 2 is performed. That is, the port is switched in order to establish a wireless connection.
At block 1606, a screen is displayed based on the video data input to input port # 2. That is, the wireless screen image is displayed through the wireless connection.
As described above, according to the present embodiment, switching from the wired interface to the wireless interface is executed in response to disconnection of the wired connection while the screen image is being displayed on the external display via the wired interface. In this case, whether or not the wireless display and the external display are the same display is determined based on the identifier of the wireless display that can be wirelessly connected to the computer 10 and the identifier of the external display that is disconnected from the wired connection. . When the wireless display and the external display are the same display, a screen image having the same content as the screen image displayed on the external display at the time of wired connection is displayed on the wireless display. Therefore, even if the display setting information associated with the external display (wired display) and the display setting information associated with the wireless display have different setting values, the screen image displayed on the external display (wired display) The same screen image can be displayed on the wireless display. Therefore, cooperation between different display interfaces can be achieved.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the display setting of the multi-display mode before switching can be inherited to the display setting of the multi-display mode after switching. That is, when the computer 10 is used in the multi-display mode, even if the connection interface to the external display is changed, the user can use the computer 10 in the multi-display mode without being aware of the change. . Even when the connection interface is switched, the display screens in the multi-display mode before and after the switching are displayed in the same layout. Therefore, complicated display setting by switching the connection interface to the external display can be automatically performed, and the process can be simplified. Furthermore, it becomes possible to achieve cooperation between different interfaces for the external display related to the multi-display mode.

  Further, all procedures related to the connection switching process of the present embodiment can be executed by software. For this reason, the effect similar to this embodiment can be easily realized only by installing and executing this program on a normal computer through a computer-readable storage medium storing the program for executing this procedure.

  6 and 7 may be realized by hardware such as a dedicated LSI or a DSP. Furthermore, although the case where two different interfaces are a wired interface and a wireless interface has been described in the present embodiment, the two different interfaces may be two different wired interfaces or two different wireless interfaces. For example, the two different wired interfaces may be a wired interface using a digital signal (such as HDMI) and a wired interface using an analog signal (such as a composite terminal).

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Dock, 10 ... Computer, 20 ... HDMIl terminal, 40 ... External display, 50 ... Wireless display adapter, 52 ... Wireless display application, 60 ... Undock detection part, 63 ... ID check part, 64 ... Setting value control part, 202 ... Connection switching program.

Claims (9)

An information processing apparatus having a first interface and a second interface,
The first interface such that a first screen image based on first display setting information associated with a first external display connected to the first interface is displayed on the first external display. First display control means for transmitting a video signal to the first external display via
The second interface such that a second screen image based on second display setting information associated with a second external display connected to the second interface is displayed on the second external display. Second display control means for transmitting a video signal to the second external display via
In response to a disconnection between the first interface and the first external display during display of the first screen image on the first external display, the first interface to the first external display. Switching means for switching to the two interfaces,
The switching means is
It is determined whether the first external display and the second external display are the same display based on the identifier of the first external display and the identifier of the second external display, and the first display When the second external display and the second external display are the same display, the second display control means displays the same screen image as the first screen image on the second external display. Information processing apparatus configured to control   When the first external display and the second external display are the same display, the switching means replaces the second display setting information with the first display setting information and replaces the second external display with the second external display. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information is set in the second display control unit as display setting information associated with a display.   When the first external display and the second external display are not the same display, the second display control means is configured such that the second screen image based on the second display setting information is the second external display. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second video signal is transmitted to the second external display so as to be displayed on the display. Further comprising an internal display,
The first display setting information includes a first mode for displaying the same screen image on the internal display and the first external display, and different screens in a virtual screen on the internal display and the first external display. Including at least first mode designation information indicating any one of the second modes for displaying images,
The second display setting information includes a third mode for displaying the same screen image on the internal display and the second external display, and different screen images in the virtual screen on the internal display and the wireless display. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least second mode designation information indicating any one of the fourth modes for displaying each.   The information processing apparatus is connected to the first external display via an extension unit to which the information processing apparatus is detachably mounted, and the first interface of the information processing apparatus is electrically connected to the extension unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a connector connected to the.   The switching means is configured not to switch from the first interface to the second interface when a remaining battery level in the information processing apparatus is smaller than a predetermined threshold value. 1. An information processing apparatus according to 1. The first interface is a wired interface and the second interface is a wireless interface;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first external display is wired to the wired interface, and the second external display is wirelessly connected to the wireless interface. The first screen image based on first display setting information associated with a first external display connected to the first interface of the information processing apparatus is displayed on the first external display. A video signal is transmitted to the first external display via the interface of 1;
When the connection between the first interface and the first external display is disconnected during the display of the first screen image on the first external display, the second interface of the information processing apparatus Determining whether or not the first external display and the second external display are the same display based on the identifier of the second external display connected to the first external display and the identifier of the first external display ,
When the first external display and the second external display are the same display, the second external display is configured such that a screen image having the same content as the first screen image is displayed on the second external display. A display control method for transmitting a video signal to the second external display via the interface. On the computer,
The first screen image is displayed on the first external display based on first display setting information associated with a first external display connected to a first interface of the computer. Transmitting a video signal to the first external display via an interface;
When the connection between the first interface and the first external display is disconnected during the display of the first screen image on the first external display, the second interface of the information processing apparatus Whether the first external display and the second external display are the same display is determined based on the identifier of the second external display connected to the first external display and the identifier of the first external display Procedure and
When the first external display and the second external display are the same display, the second external display is configured such that a screen image having the same content as the first screen image is displayed on the second external display. And a procedure for transmitting a video signal to the second external display via the interface.

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