JPH11219155A - Display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily establish communication even in the case of the change of communication specifications between a display device and a computer by performing display control of the display device on the basis of sent display control information by a monitor control means, and providing a rewritable memory means for storing data necessary for communication with the computer. SOLUTION: A monitor control circuit controls a video circuit and a driving circuit 9 on the basis of control information so as to obtain a specified display image. The monitor control circuit 6 reads version information of communication specifications, an exclusive write code, classification of peripheral equipment to be connected to a PC 1, a controllable item, a control code assigned to this item, and the like stored in an EEPROM at the time of initialization of communication and judges whether to be communicable. At this time, even in the case of communication specifications being changed and an OS or the like of the PC 1 being changed, the change can be coped with by rewriting data since data of communication specifications is stored in the EEPROM.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a display device for displaying a video signal output from a computer device or the like, and more particularly to a display device for communicating with a computer device or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, in the field of computers, especially personal computers (hereinafter referred to as PCs), plugs and plugs are used.
Play function is important. This is to prevent the user of the PC from performing cumbersome setting work on various devices (including a display device) connected to the PC. In the case of a display device, a PC
If you connect a display device to the video signal output terminal of
There are some which make it possible to obtain a standard display image state without adjustment.

An example of such a display device is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-302068. Here, a communication line is provided between the display device and the PC,
The PC reads identification information and timing information of the display device, generates a video signal timing or a video signal format that can be displayed on the display device, and outputs the video signal timing or the video signal format from the video signal output terminal.

On the other hand, in order to provide ease of adjustment, P
In some cases, a communication line is provided between C and the display device to transmit a display control signal or control command from the PC to the display device. When the control signal or the command is received by the display device, the content of the signal is determined and, for example, the display size and the display position are adjusted.

By installing the communication line in this way, the software on the PC is operated, and the display adjustment of the display device can be easily performed by an operation from an input device such as a mouse or a keyboard connected to the PC. As such an example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-16847 is cited.

Further, various computer peripheral devices, such as a keyboard and a mouse, are wired on the above-mentioned communication line using the same wiring or using only cables of the same shape. There is a movement to propose a communication bus that can eliminate the trouble of wiring connection to a plurality of shaped connectors.

[0007]

In each of the display devices described in the above-mentioned prior art, a case where communication between the connected computer device and the display device is specified is discussed. However, there are cases where the communication specifications are updated today, for example. In such a case, in the display system including the conventional display device and the computer device, since the above communication specification change is not considered, the communication with the computer connected to the display device becomes defective, and the plug-and-play function is realized. I cannot do it.

Further, communication with a computer device or other peripheral devices connected on a communication line cannot be performed.
Further, conventional communication considers one-to-one communication between a computer device and a display device, and does not consider the case of connecting and using a plurality of computers. In addition, when various peripheral devices are connected on the communication line, since there are a plurality of computers serving as control hosts, the peripheral devices cannot be controlled as they are.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art and to provide a display device which can easily establish communication even when communication specifications between the display device and a computer are changed. is there.

Further, when a plurality of computers are connected to the display device, communication between the display device and the computers can be performed without any trouble, and further, communication with other computers and peripheral devices connected on this communication line may be troubled. An object of the present invention is to provide a display device that prevents the display device from coming.

[0011]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has communication means for communicating with a computer, and control means for controlling the communication means. Is updated, and if updated, the contents of the writable memory in the control means are rewritten. Further, the communication unit includes a communication conversion unit that enables two-way communication with another computer.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram when a computer device is connected to the display device of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a computer device (hereinafter, referred to as a PC), 2 denotes a video signal line, 3 denotes a communication line between the display device and the PC 1, 4 denotes a display device, and 5 denotes a communication interface circuit (hereinafter, communication). I / F),
Reference numeral 6 denotes a monitor control circuit, 7 denotes a video circuit, 8 denotes a display device, and 9 denotes a drive circuit.

A video signal output from the PC 1 is input to a video circuit 7, and a synchronization signal input together with the video signal is input to a drive circuit 9 to drive a display device 8.
Perform video display. The communication I / F 5 extracts display control information of the display device 4 transmitted via the communication line 3, for example, a portion of information such as a display position, a display size, brightness, a color, and the like, and passes it to the monitor control circuit 6 as control information. . The monitor control circuit 6 controls the video circuit 7 and the drive circuit 9 based on the control information so as to perform control so that a predetermined display image is obtained.

Further, the monitor control circuit 6 also controls a communication procedure of the communication I / F 5, and communicates with the PC 1 in accordance with an instruction from the monitor control circuit 6. In the present embodiment, the video signal line 2 and the communication line 3 are shown as separate lines to indicate their functions, but they may be arranged in a single cable in consideration of actual usability. In that case, the display device 4 can be directly connected to the PC 1 via a cable, or one dedicated connector can be provided on the display device side, and the cable can be connected to the connector. .

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing details of the communication I / F 5 and the monitor control circuit 6 in FIG. In the figure, 51 and 52 are transceiver circuits for transmitting and receiving communication data, 53 is a serial interface engine (hereinafter abbreviated as SIE) for processing communication data, 54
Is a FIFO memory circuit, 55 is a communication control circuit, 61 is C
The PU circuit 62 is a writable read-only memory (hereinafter, EEPROM).

The communication operation shown in FIG. 2 will be described below with reference to the schematic flow chart showing the communication process shown in FIG. First,
When the power of both the PC 1 and the display device 4 is turned on and the internal circuit becomes operable, the PC 1
A communication initialization process (first step) for establishing communication between the communication interface 1 and the communication I / F 5 is performed.

In the communication initialization process, version information of the communication specification held in the EEPROM 62 of the monitor control circuit 6, a dedicated write code, a type of a peripheral device connected to the PC 1 (a display device in the present embodiment), and a controllable state. Item (eg, display position, size, distortion, brightness, hue, etc.) and control code assigned to the control item, display information (manufacturer name, serial number, etc.), or buffer memory for transmitting and receiving communication data The size, the number of buffers, and the like are read to determine whether communication is possible or not, and which control is possible (second step).

The judgment at this time differs depending on the version of the operating system (OS) or the driver software that controls the communication control on the PC 1 side. Therefore, the EEPROM
Since data relating to the communication specifications is stored in the storage unit 62, even if the communication specifications are changed and the version of the OS or the driver software is changed, it is possible to easily cope with the change by rewriting the data. At this time, a non-rewritable read-only area ROM is used so that the basic processing process of the CPU 61 is not changed.
Write it in. FIG. 4 shows the above-described processing program of the CPU 61 and the address allocation of the data area.

Next, if it is determined that communication is possible, communication data is sent from the PC 1 via the transceiver circuit 52. The transmitted data is processed by the SIE 53 and a required information portion is reproduced and output to the FIFO memory circuit 54. When required data is written into the FIFO memory circuit 54 at a high speed, the communication control circuit 55 reads out the sequentially written data in accordance with the internal communication of the display between the monitor control circuit 6 and the CPU circuit 61. The read data is transmitted to the CPU circuit 61 via the internal communication.
Sent to

The CPU circuit 61 determines whether or not the data is the control information of the display device, and which part is to be controlled, from the data, and according to the control value included in the data, the video circuit 7 or the driving circuit. A control signal is output to the circuit 9. Conversely, when transmitting information to the PC 1, for example, information such as the current control value and control state for each circuit, the serial number of the display device, the date of manufacture, the manufacturer name, and input signal conditions that can be handled, It is read out in the reverse of the case of the above reception. The above is the ordinary communication control process (third step).

When the communication specifications are updated, P
Information necessary for establishing communication between the C1 and the display device 4 is transmitted from the PC 1 via the communication line 3 to the EEPROM.
Rewrite to 62 (fourth step). The procedure for updating the EEPROM 62 is as follows.

First, the PC 1 compares the version information written in the EEPROM 62 with the version of the OS or the driver software, and when it is judged that the version is old, issues a write code for the EEPROM 62 and issues data relating to the new communication specification. To the display device 4. On the display side, the CPU 61 responds to the write code sent via the communication I / F 5 according to the EEPROM.
62 is sequentially rewritten. In this way, communication can always be performed in accordance with the latest communication specifications.

In order to enable communication even when connected to a PC having an old version of OS or driver software, a backup area is provided in the EEPROM 62,
If the old version is left in the backup area, it can be handled. In this case, the control by the CPU 61 is to return the latest version of the communication specification data to the PC at the start of communication, and to forcibly interrupt the communication if the communication does not start for a predetermined time. An instruction is issued to the communication control circuit 55. Thereafter, the communication is resumed, and the data of the communication specification of the old version stored in the backup area is returned to the PC side. As described above, it is possible to cope with the difference between the versions of the communication specifications.

Further, the above is the PC 1 and the display device 4
In this case, the internal communication rate between the communication I / F 5 and the monitor control circuit 6 can be increased, or the communication protocol can be changed. At that time, the internal communication processing program of the CPU 61 is described in the EEPROM 62, and this part is
It can be updated by rewriting via.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing another embodiment according to the present invention. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 5A denotes a communication I / F, and the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 have the same functions.

The difference between FIG. 5 and FIG. 1 is the communication I / F,
The communication I / F 5A of FIG. 5 has a hub function for connecting peripheral devices in addition to a monitor control function. Communication I /
FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing details of the F5A. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 56 denotes a hub repeater circuit for distributing communication with peripheral devices, and is connected to the SIE 53. The same reference numerals as those in FIG. 2 have the same functions. In the EEPROM 62 of FIG. 6, in addition to the information on each communication specification described in FIG. 2, information on the communication specification on the hub is further written. As a result, even when the communication specification relating to the hub function is updated, it is possible to cope with the situation as described above.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment according to the present invention. In the figure, 5B is a communication I / F having a function different from that of the above-described communication I / F, 1B is a personal computer having a communication mode different from 1 and 3B is a communication I / F 5 with the PC 1B.
B is a communication line connecting B. The operation in the figure is as follows.

The PC 1B is a personal computer having a communication mode different from that of the PC 1 and a communication I / F 5 of the display device 4.
It is connected to the hub function of B and functions as a peripheral device of the PC 1. The communication specification of PC1 operates as described above, and PC1 manages all communication. On the other hand, P
The communication specifications of C1B are different, and slave communication is also possible. Therefore, the function of the communication I / F 5B is different between the PC 1 having the first communication specification and the PC 1 having the second communication specification.
The communication protocol conversion with B is performed.

Next, a detailed configuration diagram of the communication I / F 5B is shown in FIG.
Shown in In this figure, 57 is a communication conversion circuit, 58 is a LINK circuit, 59 is a PHY circuit, and the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 2 and 6 denote the same functions. PHY circuit 59 is PC1B
Circuit for transferring communication data with the LINK circuit 5
Numeral 8 extracts actual information from communication data or makes the information conform to the communication form. Further, the communication conversion circuit 57 converts the data received from the PC 1B into the communication form of the PC 1 or conversely converts the communication form of the data sent from the PC 1 into the communication form of the PC 1B.

As described above, the communication between the PC 1 and the PC 1B can be performed indirectly via the communication I / F 5B and without requiring special driver software on the PC side. At this time, the EEPROM 6 which holds the data relating to the communication specifications in response to the change of the communication specifications as described above.
2 may be updated.

[0031]

As described above, according to the present invention, in a current system in which a computer device and a display device communicate with each other, it is possible to cope with the update of the communication specification and always perform normal communication. Also, when another computer device is connected to a system in which the computer device can communicate with a peripheral device, the display device can convert the communication mode, so that two-way communication between the computer devices is also provided. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a communication interface circuit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a communication processing process according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing address assignment of a CPU according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing a display device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a communication interface circuit according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a communication interface circuit according to a third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Computer apparatus, 2 ... Video signal, 3 ... Communication line, 4 ... Display apparatus, 5 ... Communication interface circuit, 6 ... Monitor control circuit, 8 ... Display device, 9 ... Drive circuit.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A display device capable of controlling a display state by communicating with a computer, wherein communication means for exchanging control information of the display device or unique information of the display device between the computer and the display device. And monitor control means for performing display control of the display device based on display control information sent via the communication means, wherein the monitor control means stores data necessary for communication with the computer. A display device, further comprising rewritable memory means. 2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the communication data stored in said memory means is automatically updated when communication specifications between said computer and said display device are updated. Display device. 3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein said communication means has a hub function capable of providing communication with peripheral devices other than said display. 4. A display device capable of controlling a display state by communicating with a computer, wherein control information of the display device or unique information of the display device is exchanged between a first computer and the display device. Communication means, having communication means, the communication means being connected to a computer other than the computer via a second communication line to enable two-way communication between the first computer and the second computer; A display device comprising: