KR20010101621A - Electronic apparatus with display shared by different electronic modules - Google Patents

Abstract

The portable electronic device comprises a screen 2 and is configured to be capable of simultaneously responding to display control signals received from the plurality of electronic modules 6, 7 so that the screen 2 can be shared by the modules. And display means. Therefore, the modules 6, 7 are individually responsible for the data / signal processing functions and the display means are provided such that the different data / signal processing functions of the modules 6, 7 share the screen 2. This feature is different from that of a portable computer having an ancillary card, since in a typical portable computer the microprocessor of the computer generates display control signals related to the operation of the daughter card.

Description

Electronic apparatus with display shared by different electronic modules

Typical portable electronic devices, such as palmtop computers or communicators such as, for example, computer / mobile telephone hybrids, may be used around a microprocessor running an operating system program such as Windows CE or EPOC. It is composed. The operation of such electronic devices is provided by operating dedicated hardware such as radio frequency circuits and applications that operate within an operating system environment.

One of the most important considerations for portable electronic devices is battery life. General purpose microprocessors consume power relatively quickly, for example, compared to application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) that perform the same task.

However, power consumption is not the only consideration for portable electronic devices, and in some applications it is desirable to provide additional operating speeds possible from custom circuitry when compared to general purpose microprocessors.

Notwithstanding the above considerations, the present invention is not limited to portable electronic devices.

The present invention relates to an electronic device having display means and a screen controlled by the display means.

1 shows a first device according to the invention.

2 is a functional block diagram of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

3 shows a second device according to the invention.

4 is a functional block diagram of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3.

The apparatus according to the invention is characterized in that the display means are configured to respond to display control signals from a plurality of electronic modules simultaneously such that the screen is shared by the modules. Therefore, the modules are individually responsible for the data / signal processing functions and the display means are provided such that the different data / signal processing functions of the modules share the display. This feature is different from that of a portable computer having an ancillary card, since in a typical portable computer the microprocessor of the computer generates display control signals related to the operation of the daughter card.

Preferably, it is desirable for at least one of the modules to be easily disconnectable so that the functions performed by the device can be changed. Each easily disconnectable single or module can be housed in a bay in a body that also houses the display means. However, there is no need for a physical connection between the disconnectable module and the display means. For example, the connection between the disconnectable module and the display means may be provided by a wireless link such as an IR link.

Preferably, the display means creates a separate window for each module. More preferably, the window of one module is able to completely conceal the window of the other module. More preferably, an audio transducer, for example a microphone or a speaker, and switching means for selectively connecting the audio transducer to the modules, the switching means responding to the display means and bringing the audio transducer in focus with its window. It is desirable to connect to a module that has (focus). More preferably, pointing means for selecting a point on the screen and outputting an indicator indicative of the location of the selected point to the display means, the display means is adapted to display information based on the indicator whose window contains the position. It is preferable to operate to transmit to a module. The pointing means may be a contact sensitive component which extends with the screen.

An electronic device according to the invention comprises a memory means comprising a memory and means for selectively transferring files from modules to the memory for storage in the memory and for selectively transferring files from the memory means to the modules. It is preferable. More preferably, the memory is characterized in that it is a nonvolatile solid memory.

Preferably, the display means comprises a memory for storing a bitmap image, means for receiving display control signals from the module and setting bits in the memory depending on display control signals from the modules and stored in the memory. It is desirable to have means for driving the screen depending on the content. More preferably, the means for receiving display control signals preferably have a separate input for each model. However, bus devices may be used. More preferably, the display means includes a pointing means for generating screen position data in response to the user selecting a point on the screen and a content stored in the memory, wherein the screen position data of the module is associated with the module. If present, it is desirable to include means for determining which module is involved and transmitting the screen position to that module.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, a portable electronic device may include a front portion 1a, a rear portion (not shown), an upper end portion (not shown), a lower end portion 1b, a first side surface 1c and a second side surface (not shown). The branch has a body 1. The back-emitting LCD 2 is mounted on the front portion 1a. The loudspeaker 3 is mounted between the CD 2 and the top of the body, at the rear of the front portion 1a. The microphone 4 is mounted at the rear of the front, at the lower end of the CD 2 and the body 1. It is mounted between (1b). Microphone and earphone sockets (not shown) are also provided on the body 1.

The first to fourth bays 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d can be accessed through separate apertures provided in the first side 1c of the body. These bays 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d are rectangular in cross section and arranged in a row next to each other. The closed end of each of the bays 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d is provided with a male part (not shown) of each multi-way connector.

The bays 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d can interchangeably accommodate plug-in modules 6, 7, 8. In a first embodiment of the invention, the first module 6 comprises a mobile telephone circuit and mounts the antenna 9. The second module 7 includes a custom semiconductor for mounting a clock. The third module 8 comprises a read only memory (ROM) for storing application programs including low power microprocessors and word processors, spreadsheets and drawing programs.

Each of the modules 6, 7, 8 is provided with a female connector portion for securing a male connector located at the distal end of the bays 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d.

The modules 6, 7, 8 may be provided with small projections 8a to help the modules separate from the body 1.

The first and second modules 6, 7 are plugged in and the LCD 2 simulates and shows the user interface 10 and clock face 11 of the mobile phone. The lower right portion of the LCD 2 includes an area 12 representing an icon 13, 14 for representing each of the modules 6, 7 plugged into the body 1.

On the CD 2 a stylus 15 is stored in a tube which is mounted with a contact sensitive layer and penetrated through the lower distal end 1b of the body 1.

All of the modules 6, 7, 8 are substantially fit inserted into the bays 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d. However, any module may have a plug for inserting into bays 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d connected by a lead to a body containing almost all or all of the electronic device.

A power on / off switch 16 is mounted to the body 1.

Referring to FIG. 2, the body 1 (FIG. 1) is a contact for outputting the coordinates of the detected pointer by detecting a contact position of a point where the display driver circuit 21 and the stylus 15 contact on the LCD 2. The position sensing circuit 22 is housed. The display driver circuit 21 and the contact position sensing circuit 22 are connected to the LCD 2 and the interface controller 23. The interface switching unit 24 is inserted between the interface controller 23 and the modules 6, 7 and controls the routing of interface messages between the modules 6, 7 and the interface controller 23. The interface controller 23 is also connected to the audio switching unit 25. The audio switching unit 25 connects the microphone 4 and the loudspeaker 3 to the modules 6, 7.

The memory access switching unit 26 controls the modules 6, 7 to access the common nonvolatile memory 27.

In addition, the interface controller 23 is also connected to the back light emission control circuit 28 to control the light emission of the LCD 2.

Battery 30 and voltage rectifier 31 provide power to components and modules 6, 7 in the body. It will be appreciated that solar cells can be used as the power source. The modules 6, 7 may also include their own dedicated power source, for example a power source for backup of the memory.

An operation of generating an image on the LCD 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

Icon area 12 is reserved for interface controller 23 and is always displayed when the device is turned on.

The interface switching unit 24 receives display control messages from the modules 6, 7, cashes the received display control messages if necessary, and continues to provide the messages to the interface controller 23. . These display control messages are accompanied by an ID code for identifying the modules 6, 7. This ID code may be specific to each of the modules 6, 7, or may only identify the type of modules 6, 7, in which case two modules 6, 7 with the same ID are plug-in at the same time. If yes, an error message is displayed. In addition, the interface switching unit 24 receives the stylus position message from the interface controller 23 and sends the received message to the modules 6 and 7.

When the modules 6, 7 are first inserted into the slots 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d and then turned on, the module sends a registration message to the interface controller 23 via the interface switching unit 24. The interface switching unit 24 adds the ID to the table that maps the ID onto the bay number. The bay number is known from the input on which the message is received. The message is sent to the interface controller 23 with the module ID replaced by the bay number. Then, the interface controller 23 adds the bay number extracted from the registration message to the list of activated bays. After sending the registration message, the modules 6 and 7 send a screen resource request message to the interface controller 23. This screen resource request message defines the size of the display area required by the modules 6, 7. It can be seen from FIG. 1 that the mobile phone module 6 requires a larger display area than the clock module 7. All these and subsequent messages are modified by replacing the module ID with the bay number from the table. After the screen resource request message, the modules 6 and 7 send an icon message. The interface controller 23 then responds to the icon message by displaying the icon defined by the icon message in the icon area 12.

Modules 6 and 7 then send a display control message to set up the initial display configuration. These display control messages have a combination of the following elements:

For example, an identifier of a standard display element such as a button or square and associated parameters such as position and size;

Text with associated font, size and position information; And

Bitmaps with position, shape, and size parameters;

When the interface controller 23 receives these messages, the interface controller 23 determines which area of the internal random access memory (RAM) these messages are based on the received bay numbers. The interface controller 23 then sets the state of the RAM locations to generate a bitmap representation from the received messages. For example, if the message indicates a button, the drawing operation is performed so that the bitmap of the button is created in RAM at the appropriate location.

In addition, the interface controller 23 refreshes the RAM 2 by reading the RAM and setting the pixels of the LCD 2 corresponding to the Z-order positions associated with the modules 6 and 7. refresh). Z-order 0 is assigned to the focused-on module 6, 7.

When the modules 6, 7 perform their functions, the modules 6, 7 send display control messages to the interface controller 23 to update their display.

When the user contacts the LCD 2 using the stylus 15, the coordinates of the contact point are detected and the detected contact coordinates are transmitted to the interface controller 23. First, the interface controller 23 determines whether the contact point is in the icon area 12. If it is determined that the contact point is within the icon area 12, the contact point corresponds to one of the icons, and the interface controller 23 sets the Z-order of the associated modules 6, 7 and the modules 6, 7. Indicates to the audio switching unit 25 that the module is the focused module. The audio switching unit 25 then connects the microphone 4 and the loudspeaker 3 to the focused modules 6, 7.

The interface controller 23 also sends a loss of focus message to the modules 6, 7 that were previously focused (assuming this is not the same as identified by the currently focused module). The modules 6 and 7 which were losing focus then have the opportunity to enter idle mode or sleep state in order to reduce power consumption.

If the point of contact is not within the icon area 12, the interface controller 23 uses the module's display images and information about the Z-order of the images to determine which module's display is located at the point of contact. . If the contacted area corresponds to the exposed part of the partially concealed window, then the window is moved to the Z-order position 0, indicating that the modules 6, 7 associated with the audio switching unit 25 are currently focused modules. It is known that the audio switching unit sends a defocus message to the modules 6, 7 which were previously focused. In any case, the interface controller 23 converts the absolute coordinates from the contact position sensing circuit 22 into relative coordinates with respect to the touched-on window. This relative coordinate is then sent to the interface switching unit 24 together with the bay number for feeding the focused modules 6 and 7; No ID is required for the message received from the interface switching unit and modules 6, 7. Activated modules 6 and 7 will respond according to their own internal logic.

If interface controller 23 is not active, such as handling display messages and generating stylus location messages, interface controller 23 periodically polls modules 6 and 7 to see whether they are still present. Decide If no response is received from module 6, 7, the module is removed from the list of modules and the bitmap of the window and icon of that module is erased.

If the back light emitter is in use, the interface controller 23 controls the light using the back light controller 28 so that only the window of the focused module is emitted. The back light portion has an array of light sources that will be operable independently.

The memory 27 is provided so that the modules 6, 7 can send and receive data. The memory switching unit 26 maintains a directory of files in the memory 27.

When the modules 6 and 7 attempt to store a file in the memory 27, the module sends a message containing the name and size of the file to be stored in the memory switching unit 27. The memory switching unit 26 then allocates space in the memory 27 for the file to be stored and allows the module to transfer the file. The modules 6 and 7 respond by sending a file to the memory switching unit 26, and the memory switching unit 26 stores the transferred file in the memory 7 and adds it to the directory.

Modules 6 and 7 may obtain a list of files in memory 27 by sending a directory listing request message to memory switching unit 26.

When the modules 6 and 7 try to read the file, the module sends a file read message containing the name of the file to the memory switching unit 26. If the file to be read exists, the memory switching unit 26 reads the file from the memory 27 and transfers the read file to the module 6, 7 which requested the file, if the file does not exist The memory switching unit 26 returns an error message.

The files may also be deleted at the request of the modules 6, 7.

The communication between the modules 6, 7 and the memory and interface switching units 24, 26 may be in series, in parallel, or in a series / parallel mix. The choice of serial or parallel is the result of a bargain between speed and the complexity of the connection.

It will be appreciated that the internal configuration of the modules is not approximately limited. An important consideration is the shared part of the system and their interface behavior. Physically, the modules of the embodiment described above were provided with connector portions for the interface of messages and for optional file transfer and audio input and output. The operation of the modules 6, 7 should include the registration step as described above and the generation of standard interface messages recognized by the interface controller 23. Optionally, the modules may interact with the unit using messages understood by the memory switching unit 26 and perform power saving operations in response to the focus release message.

In another embodiment, icon area 12 is replaced by buttons associated with individual bays on body 1.

Referring to FIG. 3, the portable electronic device may include a front portion 101a, a rear portion (not shown), an upper end portion (not shown), a lower end portion 101b, a first side 101c and a second side side (not shown). The branch has a body 101. The back-emitting LCD 102 is mounted to the front portion 101a. Microphone and earphone sockets 103, 104 are provided on the first side 101c of the body 101.

The bay 105 can be accessed through an individual aperture provided in the lower distal end 101b of the body 101. The bay 105 is rectangular in cross section. The closed end of the bay 105 is provided with a male portion of each multi-way connector.

Bay 105 may receive plug-in modules 106 interchangeably. In a second embodiment of the present invention, the module 106 includes an application specific semiconductor (ASIC) that mounts a diary. A custom semiconductor module for mounting a clock is provided in the body 101.

Module 106 is provided with a female connector portion for securing a male connector located at the distal end of bay 105.

The module 106 may be provided with small protrusions 106a to help the module separate from the body 101.

The LCD 2 simulates and shows the diary page 110 and the clock window 111.

On the LCD 2, a contact sensitive layer is mounted and the stylus 115 is stored in an open tube through the lower distal end 101b of the body 101.

Module 106 is substantially fit inserted into bay 105. However, any module may have a plug for inserting into a bay 105 that is connected by a lead to a body that includes almost all or all of the electronic device.

The power on / off switch 116 is mounted to the body 1.

Referring to FIG. 4, the body 101 (refer to FIG. 3) detects a contact position of a point where the display driver circuit 121 and the stylus 115 contact the LCD 102 and outputs coordinates of the detected pointer. Housing a contact position sensing circuit 122. The display driver circuit 121 and the contact position sensing circuit 122 are connected to the LCD 102 and the interface controller 123. The interface switching unit 124 is inserted between the interface controller 123 and the internal clock and plug-in diary modules 106 and 107 and controls the routing of interface messages between the modules 106 and 107 and the interface controller 123. do. The interface controller 123 is also connected to the audio switching unit 125. The audio switching unit 125 links the microphone and loudspeaker sockets 103, 104 to the modules 106, 107.

The memory access switching unit 126 controls the modules 106 and 107 to access the common nonvolatile memory 127.

In addition, the interface controller 123 is also connected to the back light emission control circuit 128 to control the light emission of the LCD 102.

The battery 130 and the voltage rectifier 131 provide power to the components and the diary module 106 in the body 101. It will be appreciated that solar cells can be used as the power source. In addition, the diary module 107 may include a dedicated power source, for example, may include a power source for backup of the memory.

An operation of generating an image on the LCD 102 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

The interface switching unit 124 receives the display control messages from the modules 106 and 107, temporarily stores the received display control messages if necessary, and continues to provide the messages to the interface controller 123. These display control messages are accompanied by an ID code for identifying the modules 106, 107. In addition, the interface switching unit 124 receives the stylus position message from the interface controller 123 and sends the received message to the modules 106 and 107.

When the plug-in module 106 is first inserted into the slot 105 and then turned on, the module sends a registration message to the interface controller 123 via the interface switching unit 124. The internal module 107 sends a registration message for each time point the device is turned on. The interface switching unit 124 adds the ID to the table that maps the ID to the bay 105 or the internal module 107. The fact that the ID was received from bay 105 is known from the input from which the message is received. The message is passed to the interface controller 123 with the module ID replaced by the bay number (internal module 107 is conceptually considered bay "0" and bay 105 is considered bay "1"). Then, the interface controller 123 adds the bay number obtained from the registration message to the list of activated bays. After sending the registration message, the modules 106 and 107 send the screen resource request message to the interface controller 123. This screen resource request message defines the size of the display area required by modules 106 and 107. It can be seen from FIG. 3 that the diary module 106 requires a larger display area than the clock module 107. All these and subsequent messages are modified by replacing the module ID with the bay number from the table.

Modules 106 and 107 then send a display control message to set up the initial display configuration. These display control messages have a combination of the following elements:

For example, standard display elements such as buttons or compartments and identifiers of associated parameters such as position and size;

Text with associated font, size and position information; And

Bitmaps with position, shape, and size parameters;

When the interface controller 123 receives these messages, the interface controller 123 determines which area of the internal random access memory (RAM) is based on the received bay numbers. The interface controller 123 then sets the state of the RAM locations to generate a bitmap representation from the received messages. For example, if the message indicates a button, the drawing operation is performed so that the bitmap of the button is created in RAM at the appropriate location.

In addition, the interface controller 123 reads the RAM and refreshes the LCD 102 by setting the pixels of the LCD 102.

When the modules 106, 107 perform their functions, the modules 106, 107 send display control messages to the interface controller 123 to update their displays 110, 111.

When the user contacts the LCD 102 using the stylus 115, the coordinates of the contact point are detected and the detected contact coordinates are transmitted to the interface controller 123. First, the interface controller 123 determines which module's display is in the contact position by using its information on the display image of the module. Then, the modules 106 and 107 corresponding to the contacted window become the focused modules and the audio switching unit 125 is now known that the related modules 106 and 107 are the focused modules, and the audio switching unit 125 Send a focus release message to the modules 106, 107 that were previously focused. The audio switching unit 125 responds by connecting the microphone and speaker sockets 103, 104 to the focused module 106, 107.

The interface controller 123 converts absolute coordinates from the contact position sensing circuit 122 into relative coordinates with respect to the contacted window. This relative coordinate is then sent to the interface switching unit 124 with the bay number for feeding to the focused module 106, 107; No ID is required for messages received from interface switching unit 124 and modules 106 and 107. The focused module 106, 107 will respond according to its own internal logic.

If interface controller 123 is not activated, such as handling display messages and generating stylus location messages, interface controller 123 periodically polls plug-in module 106 to see if it still exists. Determine whether or not. If no response is received from the plug-in module 106, the module is removed from the list of modules and the bitmaps of its windows and icons are erased.

If the back light emitter is in use, the interface controller 123 controls the light using the back light controller 128 so that only the window of the focused module is emitted. The back light portion has an array of light sources that will be operable independently.

Memory 127 is provided to allow modules 106 and 107 to send and receive data. The memory switching unit 126 maintains a directory of files in the memory 27.

When modules 106 and 107 attempt to store a file in memory 127, the module sends a message to memory switching unit 127 containing the name and size of the file to be stored. The memory switching unit 126 then allocates space in the memory 127 for the file to store and allows the module to transfer the file. The modules 106 and 107 respond by sending a file to the memory switching unit 126, and the memory switching unit 126 stores the transferred file in the memory 7 and adds it to the directory.

Modules 106 and 107 may obtain a list of files in memory 127 by sending a directory listing request message to memory switching unit 126.

When the modules 106 and 107 attempt to read a file, the module sends a file read message containing the name of the file to the memory switching unit 126. If a file to be read exists, the memory switching unit 126 reads the file from the memory 127 and transfers the read file to the module 106 or 107 which requested the file, if the file does not exist The memory switching unit 126 returns an error message.

Also, files may be deleted at the request of modules 106 and 107.

The traffic between the modules 106, 107 and the memory and interface switching units 124, 126 may be serial, parallel, or in a serial / parallel mix. The choice of serial or parallel is the result of a bargain between speed and the complexity of the connection.

It will be appreciated that the internal configuration of the modules is not approximately limited. An important consideration is the shared part of the system and their interface behavior. Physically, the modules of the embodiment described above were provided with connector portions for the interface of messages and for optional file transfer and audio input and output. The operation of the modules 106, 107 should include the registration step as described above and the generation of standard interface messages recognized by the interface controller 123. Optionally, the modules may interact with the unit using messages understood by the memory switching unit 126 and perform power saving operations in response to the focus release message.

In view of the foregoing, the present invention provides an apparatus in which the display means can interact independently with a plurality of display control signal sources.

Claims (16)

In an electronic device having display means (23, 24; 123, 124) and a screen (2; 102) controlled by the display means, The display means is configured to react contemporaneously to display control signals from a plurality of electronic modules 6, 7, 8; 106, 107 so that the screen is shared by the modules. Device. The method according to claim 1, wherein the modules (6; 7; 8) Electronic device, characterized in that it is easily disconnectable from the display means (23, 24). The method of claim 1, The electronics characterized in that one module 107 is integrally housed in the display means 123, 124 and the other module 106 can be easily disconnected from the display means 123, 124. Device. 4. Display according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display means (23, 24; 123, 124) generates separate windows for each of the modules (6, 7, 8; 106, 107). Electronic device. The method of claim 4, wherein the window of one module, An electronic device, which can conceal the entire window of another module. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device comprises: Selectively transfers memory 23, 127 and files from the modules 6, 7, 8; 106, 107 to the memory for storage in the memory and from the memory means the modules 6, 7, 8 Means (26, 126) for selectively transferring files to (106, 107). The method of claim 6, wherein the memory 127, An electronic device, characterized in that it is a nonvolatile solid state memory. The method of claim 4 or 5, wherein the electronic device, A switching means (25, 125) for selectively connecting an audio transducer (3, 4) and the audio transducer (3, 4) to the modules (6, 7, 8; 106, 107), The switching means 25 causes the audio converters 3, 4 to respond to display means 23, 24; 123, 124, and the modules 6, 7, 8; 106, whose windows have focus. 107). The method of claim 8, wherein the electronic device, Further provided with a microphone 4 and a speaker 5, The switching means 25 connects the microphone 4 and the speaker 5 to the modules 6, 7, 8 whose windows have focus in response to the display means 23, 24. An electronic device, which is operable. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the electronic device comprises: Pointing means 15, 22; 115, 122 for selecting a point on the screen 2; 102 and outputting an indication of the position of the selected point to the display means 23, 24; 123, 124. ), The display means (23, 24; 123, 124) is operable to transmit information to the module (6, 7, 8; 106, 107) whose window comprises the indicator based on the indicator. Electronic device. The method of claim 10, wherein the pointing means (15, 22; 115, 122), And an expandable touch sensitive component with the screen (2, 102). The method of claim 2 or 3, wherein the electronic device, Bays for housing the display means 23, 24; 123, 124 and for receiving the single or breakable modules 6, 7, 8; 106, respectively; bays 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d; 105 An electronic device, characterized in that it further comprises a body (1; 101) having a). The display apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the display devices 23, 24; 123, 124, Memory for storing a bitmap image; Means (24, 124) for receiving display control signals from the module and setting bits in the memory in dependence on display control signals from the modules (6, 7, 8; 106, 107); Means for driving the screen depending on contents stored in the memory. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the means (24, 124) for receiving display control signals are: Electronic device having a separate input for each module. The method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the display means (23, 24; 123, 124), Pointing means (15, 22; 115, 122) for generating screen position data in response to a user selecting a point on the screen; With reference to the contents stored in the memory, if any of the modules 6, 7, 8; 106, 107 is related to the screen position data, it is determined which module is involved and the screen position is determined by 6, 7, 8; means (23, 123) for transmitting to 106, 107. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 15, The electronic device is a portable electronic device.