JP3290868B2 - Display control device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a computer system having a display controller that supports a plurality of display modes, and more particularly to a display control device for reducing the power consumption of the display controller.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a personal computer having a display controller that supports a plurality of display modes, the voltage supplied to the display controller is independent of the display mode of the screen (the operation clock of the display controller). It was always constant.

The display mode referred to here does not simply indicate the number of the screen mode (screen mode), but indicates the type of display device (only internal display, simultaneous display of internal display and external CRT, only external CRT, etc.) and state. (Screen refresh rate, etc.).

At this time, the display controller changes the operation clock in accordance with the display mode of the screen. In the display mode using the low-frequency operation clock, the display controller is lower than in the display mode using the high-frequency operation clock. Operation is possible at the operating voltage.

However, conventionally, regardless of the operation clock speed in various display modes, the display controller always supplies a constant operating voltage (herein referred to as a standard voltage) capable of performing a stable operation with a high-frequency operating clock. )
Was supplying.

That is, conventionally, even in a display mode using a low-frequency operation clock operable at an operation voltage lower than the standard voltage, an operation power supply using a standard voltage similar to that in the display mode using a high-frequency operation clock. Was supplied to the display controller. Therefore, conventionally, useless power has been consumed in a display mode using a low-frequency operation clock.

[0007]

As described above, conventionally, in a personal computer having a display controller that supports a plurality of display modes, the voltage supplied to the display controller is controlled by the display mode of the screen. Irrespective of the operation clock of the display controller), it is always constant, and thus wasteful power is consumed in the display mode using the operation clock having a low frequency.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances,
In a computer system having a display controller that supports a plurality of display modes, for each of the plurality of display modes having different operating frequencies,
To provide a display control device capable of controlling a supply of a useless operating voltage to a display controller, eliminating unnecessary power consumption of the display controller and reducing power consumption, and an operation voltage switching control method of the display controller. With the goal.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a display control apparatus applied to a computer system such as a personal computer having a display controller that supports a plurality of display modes. A table that defines the relationship between the display controller operable voltage in each screen display mode and the display mode to be changed when the display mode is changed is determined, and the display mode to be changed is supported. Means for acquiring an operating voltage value of a display controller operable in a display mode that is changed by referring to the table when the operation is performed, and a power supply unit for supplying an operating power supply according to the operating voltage value acquired by the means to the display controller And characterized in that:

Further, the present invention provides the display control device, wherein an OS (operating system) or an application (software) changes the display mode.
The system BIOS is started, and in the processing of the system BIOS, it is determined whether or not the display mode to be changed is supported by referring to the table. A supply voltage value of the operable display controller is determined.

Further, according to the present invention, in the above display control device, when the OS or the application changes the display mode, the display BIOS is started up, and in the display BIOS processing, the change is performed by referring to the table. Determining whether a display mode to be changed is supported, and determining a supply voltage value of a display controller operable in the display mode when the display mode to be changed is supported.

Further, in the present invention, in a computer system having a display controller supporting a plurality of display modes, a plurality of display modes and an operable voltage of the display controller in each of the screen display modes are provided. Prepare a table that defines the relationship, and when the display mode to be changed is a display mode that operates with a low-frequency operation clock, display the operation power supply with a voltage value that can operate in the display mode by referring to the table. It is supplied to a controller.

[0013]

According to the present invention, as a first embodiment, in the processing of the system BIOS, it is determined whether or not the display mode to be changed is supported by referring to the table and the display mode to be changed is determined. When supported, a supply voltage value of a display controller operable in the display mode is determined.

At this time, a table is prepared in advance that defines the relationship between the plurality of display modes and the operable voltage of the display controller in each of the screen display modes. or,
Video (VIDEO) called when the display mode is changed
O)-The interrupt vector to the BIOS is transferred to the system BIOS.
The program is changed in advance so as to go to a program having a processing routine for realizing the display mode changing process by referring to the above table.

When the OS or the application changes the display mode, when the VIDEO-BIOS 6 is called, the processing is shifted to the system BIOS 5 by the change of the interrupt vector, and the processing by referring to the table is executed.

In this process, the system BIOS reads a table defining the relationship between the display mode and the operating voltage,
Check whether there is a change in the operating voltage. If it is possible to change the operating voltage to a lower voltage, send a command to switch the operating voltage to a lower voltage to the power supply unit that supplies power to the display controller, and set the operating voltage supplied to the display controller to (For example, 5V is changed to 3.3V).

After that, once the system BIOS
The processing is shifted to DEO-BIOS, and VIDEO-BIOS
S changes the display mode. Through the above operation, a lean operating voltage whose voltage value is minimized in accordance with the display mode can be supplied to the display controller, and the power consumption of the display controller can be reduced.

Further, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, when the OS or the application changes the display mode, the VIDEO
In the process of the O-BIOS, it is determined whether or not the display mode to be changed is supported by referring to the above table, and when the display mode to be changed is supported, the display controller operable under the display mode is determined. Determine the supply voltage value.

At this time, when the OS or the application calls the VIDEO-BIOS in order to change the screen mode, the VIDEO-BIOS executes the above-described processing with reference to the table.

The VIDEO-BIOS reads a table defining the relationship between the display mode and the operating voltage, and determines whether or not the mode to be changed is supported. If so, read the voltage information for the desired display mode from the table and select the lowest supported operating voltage. If not supported, VIDEO-B
The processing of the IOS ends, and the display mode change processing ends.

Further, when the VIDEO-BIOS determines that the mode to be changed is supported, the VIDEO-BIOS calls the system BIOS to set the operating voltage of the display controller, shifts the processing to the system BIOS, and stores the obtained operating voltage. Transfer to system BIOS5.

The system BIOS uses the VIDEO-BI
A power supply control command according to the operating voltage obtained in the processing of the OS is sent to the power supply unit, and the operating voltage of the display controller is changed (low voltage shift).

Thereafter, the process returns to the VIDEO-BIOS, the VIDEO-BIOS changes the display mode, and ends the display mode change process. Through the above operation, a lean operating voltage whose voltage value is minimized in accordance with the display mode can be supplied to the display controller, and the power consumption of the display controller can be reduced.

[0024]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a CPU that controls the entire system.
A program process involving a change in the display mode by application software or the like, and a display mode change process by the system BIOS 15 and the VIDEO-BIOS 16 as shown in FIG. 2 or 3 are executed. In this display mode change processing, as shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, the operating voltage sent from the power supply unit 12 to the display controller 13 is referred to by referring to a table (TBL) 17 defining the relationship between the display mode and the operating voltage. Processing is performed until changed.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a power supply unit.
The operation voltage supplied to the display controller 13 can be changed in accordance with the operation voltage change instruction by the power supply control command from the PC. Further, the state of the operating voltage currently supplied to the display controller 13 can be read by the CPU 11.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a display controller which controls display of a screen, and operates by receiving operation power from the power supply unit 12. Here, the power supply unit 12 operates at a standard operating voltage at which a stable operation can be performed in a display mode using a high-frequency operation clock, or an operation at a lower level than a standard operating voltage at which a stable operation can be performed under a display mode using a low-frequency operation clock. It operates by receiving a voltage (low operating voltage).

Reference numeral 15 denotes a system BIOS, which is a basic program for performing input / output of a computer system.
Here, in the first embodiment, there is a display mode change processing routine which is executed under the control of the CPU 11 and refers to a table 17 defining the relationship between the display mode and the operating voltage as shown in FIG.

Reference numeral 16 denotes VIDEO- serving as a display BIOS.
The BIOS is a basic program that controls the display controller 13. Here, in the second embodiment, C
As shown in FIG. 3, which is executed under the control of the PU 11,
There is a display mode change processing routine that refers to a table 17 that defines the relationship between the display mode and the operating voltage.

Reference numeral 17 denotes a table (TB) which is defined on a RAM (not shown) and defines the relationship between the display mode and the operating voltage.
L), and the relationship between a plurality of display modes that can be handled by the system and the minimum operating voltage under each display mode is defined. Here, the system BI shown in FIG.
OS15 processing or VIDEO-BIO shown in FIG.
Each is referred to in the processing of S16.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a display mode changing process executed by the system BIOS 15 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the display mode change processing executed by the VIDEO-BIOS 16 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

The operation of each embodiment will now be described. First, the display mode change processing operation according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In the first embodiment, the system BIOS 1
In the process 5, it is determined whether or not the display mode to be changed is supported by referring to the table (TBL) 17. If the display mode to be changed is supported, it is possible to operate under the display mode. It is characterized in that the supply voltage value of the display controller 13 is determined.

In this embodiment, a table (TBL) 17 which defines the relationship between a plurality of types of display modes and the operable voltage of the display controller in each screen display mode is prepared in advance. Further, the interrupt vector to the VIDEO-BIOS 16 called when the display mode is changed or the like is changed in advance so as to go to the processing routine for executing the display mode change processing in the system BIOS 15.

When the OS or the application changes the display mode, when the VIDEO-BIOS 16 is called,
By changing the interrupt vector described above, the system BIO
The process proceeds to S15, and the process is performed by referring to the table (TBL) 17 (steps S1 to S4 in FIG. 2).
).

The processing at this time is firstly performed by the system BIOS
15 determines whether or not the display mode to be changed is supported by referring to a table (TBL) 17 defining the relationship between the display mode and the operating voltage (step S1 in FIG. 2).
, S2).

Here, the display mode to be changed is not supported (the display mode to be changed is a table (TBL)
17 is not registered), the display mode change processing is terminated, and the display mode is left as it is.

When the display mode to be changed is supported (the display mode to be changed is registered in the table (TBL) 17), the operation currently supplied from the power supply unit 12 to the display mode controller 13 is performed. Voltage information is obtained, and from the table (TBL) 17, information on an operating voltage that can be operated in the display mode to be changed is obtained, and whether or not the operating voltage can be changed (operation in the display mode to be changed) is determined. It is determined whether or not a possible operating voltage is currently supplied (step S3 in FIG. 2).

Here, if there is no need to change, the process of changing the display mode is terminated. If the operation voltage can be changed, the power supply control command for changing the operation voltage is transmitted to the power supply unit 12 so that the operation voltage operable in the display mode to be changed is set as the change instruction value (step S4 in FIG. 2).

When the power supply unit 12 receives the power control command, it changes the operating voltage supplied to the display controller 13 to the voltage value specified by the command (for example, 5 V to 3, 3 V).

Thereafter, the system BIOS 15 sends the VID
The processing is shifted to the EO-BIOS 16 and the VIDEO-BI
The OS 16 changes the display mode. VIDEO-B
When the IOS 16 changes the display mode, the system BIO
The process returns to S5, and the display mode change process ends.

Through the above operation, a lean operating voltage whose voltage value is minimized in accordance with the display mode can be supplied to the display controller 13, thereby reducing the power consumption of the display controller 13.

Next, a display mode change processing operation according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In the second embodiment, the VIDEO-BIO
In the processing of the S (display BIOS) 16, the table (TB)
L) Referring to 17, it is determined whether or not the display mode to be changed is supported, and when the display mode to be changed is supported, the supply voltage value of the display controller 13 operable under the display mode Is determined.

In this embodiment, a table (TBL) 17 which defines the relationship between a plurality of types of display modes and the operable voltage of the display controller in each screen display mode is prepared in advance. This table (TBL) 17 is VI
It is referred to in the processing of the DEO-BIOS16.

When the OS or the application changes the display mode, when the VIDEO-BIOS 16 is called,
The VIDEO-BIOS 16 uses the table (T
BL) 17 is executed (steps S11 to S14 in FIG. 3).

The processing at this time is as follows: first, VIDEO-BI
The OS 16 refers to the table (TBL) 17 defining the relationship between the display mode and the operating voltage, and determines whether or not the display mode to be changed is supported (Steps S11 and S12 in FIG. 3).

When the display mode to be changed is supported, information on the operating voltage currently supplied to the display mode controller 13 from the power supply unit 12 is obtained.
Further, from the table (TBL) 17, information on the operating voltage operable in the display mode to be changed is acquired, and it is determined whether the operating voltage can be changed (step S1 in FIG. 3).
3).

Here, if the operating voltage can be changed, the operating voltage operable in the display mode to be changed is changed to the system B
The information is stored in a predetermined storage unit readable by the IOS 15, and the control is transferred to the system BIOS 15.

From the VIDEO-BIOS 16 to the system B
When the control is passed to the IOS 15, the system BIOS 15
Sends a power control command to the power supply unit 12 using the operation voltage held in the storage unit as a change instruction value in order to set the operation voltage in accordance with the change of the display mode (step S14 in FIG. 3).

Upon receiving the power control command, the power supply unit 12 changes the operating voltage supplied to the display controller 13 to the voltage value specified by the command (for example, 5 V to 3, 3 V).

After that, the system BIOS 15 sends the VID
The processing is shifted to the EO-BIOS 16 and the VIDEO-BI
The OS 16 changes the display mode. VIDEO-B
When the IOS 16 changes the display mode, the system BIO
The process returns to S5, and the display mode change process ends.

Through the above operation, a lean operating voltage whose voltage value is minimized in accordance with the display mode can be supplied to the display controller 13, thereby reducing the power consumption of the display controller 13.

In the above embodiment, the table (TBL) 17 directly shows the relationship between a plurality of display modes that can be handled by the system and the minimum operating voltage under each display mode. Although the configuration is defined, the operating voltage does not necessarily need to be directly indicated, but may be indicated indirectly. For example, a table (TBL) of the display mode and the operation clock may be used to determine that “the clock is a standard voltage when the clock is a certain value or more, and is low when the clock is less than a certain value”.

The display mode change processing function according to the embodiment of the present invention includes various computer systems such as a pocket type, a notebook type, a laptop type, and a desktop type, and a display controller supporting a plurality of types of display modes. The present invention can be applied to various electronic devices such as a word processor provided.

[0054]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, in a computer system having a display controller supporting a plurality of display modes, each of a plurality of display modes having different operating frequencies is used. , Always supply and control the operating voltage without waste to the display controller,
A display control device capable of eliminating unnecessary power consumption of a display controller and reducing power consumption, and a method of controlling operating voltage switching of the display controller can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a system BIO according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a display mode change process executed by S.

FIG. 3 shows a VIDEO-B according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a display mode change process executed by the IOS.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 CPU, 12 power supply unit, 13 display controller, 15 system BIOS, 16 VIDEO-BI
OS (display BIOS), 17... Table (TBL).

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-4-134510 (JP, A) JP-A-6-95838 (JP, A) JP-A-52-55832 (JP, A) JP-A-7-58 334343 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 1/32 G06F 3/14 310

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A display controller that supports a plurality of display modes; a power supply unit that supplies an operation power supply according to an operation voltage instruction value input from the outside to the display controller; A table defining the relationship between the operable voltage of the display controller in the screen display mode, a display mode change processing means in the display BIOS activated when the OS or the application changes the display mode, and a system BIOS Display mode change processing means in the display BIOS. The display mode change processing means in the display BIOS refers to the table when the OS or the application changes the display mode and determines whether the display mode to be changed is supported. Judgment and refer to the above table when the display mode to be changed is supported. The operating voltage value of the display controller operable under the display mode to be changed is obtained, and the display mode change processing means in the system BIOS uses the operating voltage value obtained in the display mode changing process in the display BIOS as the operating voltage. A display control device, which controls switching of a voltage of an operation power supply which is output to the power supply unit as an instruction value and supplied to the display controller.