TW200931386A - Secure activation of auxiliary display - Google Patents

Abstract

A computing apparatus includes a primary keyboard and a primary display, which are respectively arranged to accept input from a user and to display information to the user. An auxiliary display is arranged to display auxiliary information to the user when the apparatus is in a switched-off operational state, and to hide the auxiliary information when deactivated. An activation controller is arranged to monitor the primary keyboard when the auxiliary display is deactivated, to detect an activation code comprising one or more keystrokes entered using the primary keyboard, and to activate the auxiliary display responsively to detecting the activation code.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to computer systems, and in particular, to a method and system for operating an auxiliary display.疋 , [Prior Art] The auxiliary display is a small-sized display that is connected to the main computer. ^ Even when the main unit is turned off or hibernated, the user can (4) view the information. For example, the secondary display can be mounted on the outer surface of the laptop and on other external surfaces to enable a user to view email messages, layer entries, new highlights, and other information. When the laptop is off or in standby mode, for example, when the laptop is closed, the auxiliary information can be viewed. Some auxiliary display modules also include a keypad or other input device' for the user to interact with the module, such as to scroll through the displayed information or otherwise process the displayed information.

Windows Sideshow TW is a product line offered by Microsoft Corporation (Redmond, ❹ Washington) that enables many types of auxiliary display devices to connect to Windows applications. For example, the auxiliary display module working with Windows Sideshow is described in the following article: Fuller in "Auxiliary Display Platform in Longhorn" ("Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) 2005, Seattle, Washington, 2005) Instructions made in April 25-27 ,), and Polivy at "Building Remote and Integrated Auxiliary Display Devices for Windows 200931386 vf.doc/n

A description made in SideShow" (WinHEC 2006, Seattle, Washington, May 23-25, 2006). Some aspects of the operation of the auxiliary display are described in the patent literature. For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2/6/7/51 describes an auxiliary information display method and system for a computing device. The auxiliary display is integrated with the computing system to provide an area at the periphery that provides notifications in an off-screen manner. Whenever the background work sends a notification to the system's main display, the notification is redirected and displayed on the auxiliary display. The secondary display can be placed on the central processor backplane or placed alongside the indicator light on the edge of the monitor to provide a simple peripheral visual notification. By pressing a button, the user can obtain additional detailed follow-up information. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0243021 describes an architecture by which an application can provide information to an auxiliary display device for display to a user. - The defined application layer allows the program to provide data to a service program that controls the output of the asset to the auxiliary display device. When the user interacts properly with the device by the actuator, the field m returns navigation n The architecture further provides a protocol (_〇c_' level of the layer so that various displays can be used with the display. [Invention] _ In the computer configuration, in order to reduce the energy consumption of the computer, the auxiliary display is deactivated. In some cases, especially the field assisted mode is in the power __, tangling activation is also used as vf.doc/n 200931386. A security measure to prevent unauthorized personnel from browsing and processing auxiliary information. Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved method and system for re-activating a secondary display module in a secure mode using a computer's main keyboard. Typically, the computer includes an embedded controller, whether the computer is on, off, or in standby, the embedded The controller monitors the main keyboard. In order to activate the auxiliary display module, the user inputs the predetermined activation exhaust using the main keyboard, and the activation code of the predetermined ❹ One or more keystrokes are included. Once the activation code is detected, the embedded controller activates the secondary display module. In some conventional activation methods, the user activates the secondary module using the keypad of the auxiliary module itself. Auxiliary display module. Unlike the conventional methods, the method and system described herein improve security because the number of buttons on the main keyboard is greater than the auxiliary keyboard. By using the main keyboard to input the activation code, Use an activation code that has virtually any length or complexity. Also, when the auxiliary module is mounted on the outside of the computer, it is advantageous to use the internal main keyboard instead of using an external keypad to activate the module. The present invention will not be inadvertently activated by accidental pressing of a button. The present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention. FIG. The embodiment includes a schematic diagram of a computer 20 that assists the display module 28. The computer 2 can include a laptop, a notebook or a tablet, or Other suitable computing platforms. The computer 200931386 ------ vf.d〇c/n contains the main keyboard 24 and the main county s - OT, i - under normal circumstances ==: is expected to be used by the brain The inside of the brain shell, and the auxiliary mold is assembled outside the outer casing. In the exemplary configuration shown in Fig. 1, the computer 20 Ertian, the laptop with the folding cover Brain, and module 28 is mounted on the outside of the cover

When the laptop is closed, the gp, when the laptop is sleeping, the user can pick up and display the auxiliary information displayed. In the context of this patent application and the scope of the patent application, the term "closed ^switchedoff" (4) describes the various possibilities and functions of disabling most of the functions of the computer in order to conserve battery power. For example, the off state can include a state or mode in which the computer is powered off, in sleep mode, in hibernation, or in standby. Usually, but not necessarily, when the computer is in these states, the main display of the computer will be disabled. Module 28 includes an auxiliary display 32 to display auxiliary information thereon. In some embodiments, the module 28 also includes an auxiliary keypad 36 that the user can use to scroll, select, or otherwise process the displayed auxiliary information. The keypad usually contains a small number of buttons, such as an arrow 鏠 and / or an "enter" button. Module 28 can have any desired shape, function, or configuration, such as the modules described in the documents cited in the "Prior Art" above. For example, as described in the above-referenced Fuller, the auxiliary display module 200931386 edge display group can include a laptop edge device with or without a supplemental, keyboard. Although the module 28 is typically used when the computer 2 is turned off

‘However, the word is compared with the main display I】<Γ王带他〇 ‘The auxiliary information is hidden when the module 28 is deactivated, thus preventing unauthorised persons from viewing and processing the auxiliary information. In principle, the auxiliary keypad 28 can also be activated using the auxiliary keypad 36ί. However, the keys of the keypad 36 may be accidentally pressed when the computer 20 is stored or carried. If the keypad 36 is used to activate the auxiliary module, the module can be accidentally activated and the module can be inadvertently activated, resulting in unnecessary information that can be used for private information. Thus, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, user 26 activates module 28 using main keyboard 24, which is used by the user to enter a pre-programmed activation code when the module 28 is to be activated. The activation code can contain any desired sequence of keys in the keyboard 24, such as an alphanumeric password or even a single button. The activation code can be stored in the memory of the embedded controller or in the memory of the auxiliary display module. In some embodiments, a basic input/output system (BIOS) 9 200931386 ^f.doc/n of the computer 20 can be used, or a dedicated software program executed on the host computer CPU can be used. Set or change the activation code. "iff" When the computer 20 contains a folding cover, the user needs to open the cover to access the main keyboard before entering the activation code. Unlike the activation using the external auxiliary keypad, the internal main keyboard is used to activate the auxiliary group. According to the invention, since the number of keys of the key (4) is much higher than that of the small _36, the activation code or MM of (4) length and _ degree can be defined to provide high security. A block diagram of an embodiment schematically illustrates a computer 20. The computer 20 includes a cpu chipset 4, as is known in the art, a>a chipset 4 includes a CPU of a computer for driving The graphics controller, memory device and other hardware of the main display 42. The computer 20 further includes an embedded controller 44, also referred to herein as an activation controller, for managing different operations of the computer. State. The mortal controller activates and deactivates different components or functions of the computer according to the operating state required by the computer. For example, when the computer 2 is turned off (for example, 'power off or hibernation') The embedded controller 44 typically deactivates the CPU chipset 40 and the main display 42 to conserve battery power. Regardless of the operating mode or state of the computer, even when the computer is powered off, the Syrian (four) H 44 scales the live H When the computer is powered off, the embedded controller can operate in power-saving mode. In detail, the embedded controller continuously scans or otherwise monitors the main keyboard Μ. Thus, the embedded controller can be used regardless of whether the computer is activated or not. The activation code entered by the 200931386 vf.doc/n is used. Once the activation code is detected, the embedded controller 44 activates the secondary display module. In another form of embodiment, the secondary display module can be independent. The primary keyboard is monitored by the embedded controller. The secondary display module 28 includes an auxiliary display controller 48. The controller 48 accepts auxiliary information to be displayed from the CPU chipset 40 and displays it on the secondary display 32. When the keypad 66 is included, the controller 48 accepts user input from the keypad 36 and uses the input to scroll or otherwise process the displayed auxiliary information. In some embodiments, the auxiliary display controller 48 is coupled to the CPU chipset 40 by means of a universal serial bus (USB) interface. Alternatively, for example, BluetoothTM, WiFi® or ZigBee® links may be used. Any other suitable interface causes the controller 48 to be coupled to the chipset 40. The secondary display controller 48 is coupled to the embedded controller 44' by a system management bus (SMBus) interface or other suitable interface. The embedded controller can be enabled by the embedded controller to activate the auxiliary module. In some embodiments, the embedded controller is responsible for deactivating the module 28 using the SMBus interface. Typically, however, the auxiliary display controller 48 deactivates the module 28 when appropriate and updates the embedded controller with the status of the module. ^ For the sake of clarity, the other components of the computer that are not relevant to the methods and systems described herein are omitted from Figure 2. For example, the SMBus used to connect the funnel-in controller to the auxiliary display controller can also serve other components. By way of further example, the cpu chipset 4 can include other components and functions. 200931386 Λί.άοο/η Typically, the embedded controller 44 and the secondary display controller 48 include a general purpose processor that is programmed in software to perform the functions described herein. The software can be downloaded to the processor in electronic form, e.g., via a network' or can be provided to the processor on a tangible medium such as a CD-ROM. FIG. 3 is a flow chart diagrammatically illustrating a method for activating auxiliary display module 28, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Assume that the computer is off, such as power off, standby, or hibernation. In the method, first, in the keyboard monitoring step 50, the embedded controller 44 monitors the main keyboard 24. In a keyboard check step 52, the embedded controller continuously checks the input from the main keyboard and attempts to detect the pre-programmed activation code of the auxiliary display module. As long as the activation code is not detected, the method loops back to the keyboard monitoring step 5〇, and the embedded controller continues to monitor the main keyboard. ~

When the user 26 uses the main keyboard 24 to input the activation code, that is, when the output of the keyboard 24 matches the activation code, the embedded controller 44: activates the step 彳贞 彳贞 并 并 并 并 并 并 并Often, the embedded controller sends an activation message via the SMBus Xiao Auxiliary Display Controller 4. Control H 48 activates assistant 32 and displays auxiliary information to user 26 in response to the activation message. ° In one example, controller 48 monitors the auxiliary keypad and measures the time elapsed since the button was pressed. When the controller 4 checks the mosquito-predetermined inactivity time in step 56, the controller 48 activates the module 28 in the deactivation step 58. Then, the =12 200931386 vf.doc/n method loops back to the keyboard monitoring step 5〇 described above, and the embedded controller 44 continues to attempt to activate the activation. Alternatively, when the battery power is low, the controller or controller 44 may respond to the user command (eg, by using the pressure control mode), according to the predetermined user configuration, and / Or, according to any other suitable conditions, the module is deactivated. The embodiments described herein are primarily directed to activating an auxiliary display module mounted in a laptop cover, however the principles of the present invention may also be applied to activating other types of auxiliary devices connected to other types of computer hosts. ς module. Therefore, it should be understood that the above-described embodiments are by way of example only, and the invention is not limited to the details shown and described. Rather, the scope of the invention includes both combinations and sub-combinations of the various features described above, including those which are apparent to those skilled in the art after reading the above description and which are not disclosed in the prior art. Variations and modifications of the invention. θ [Simple Description of the Drawings] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a computer including an auxiliary display module in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram of a computer including an auxiliary display module, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. And Figure 3 is a flow diagram in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, which schematically illustrates a method for activating an auxiliary display module. 13 200931386 vf.doc/n [Key component symbol description] 20 : Computer 24 : Main keyboard 26 : User 28 : Auxiliary display module 32 : Auxiliary display 36 : Auxiliary keypad 40 : CPU chip set 42 : Main display 44 : Embedded controller 48: secondary display controller 50, 52, 54, 56, 58: steps

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Claims (1)

200931386 vf.doc/n X. Applying for patents: 1 · A computing device comprising: a main keyboard and a main display, respectively arranged to self-display and display information to the user; 11 'Newly set the age to set the button to show auxiliary information' and when deactivated: Activating a controller configured to monitor the primary keyboard 'with an activation code when the secondary display is deactivated, the activation code including a -click read using the primary keyboard female, and responsive to the live code The auxiliary display is activated. The device described in claim 4, which comprises a material, the outer casing has an inner portion and a silk surface, and the cap body and the main display device are inside the outer casing. And wherein the auxiliary display is mounted on an outer surface of the outer casing. 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the outer casing comprises a folded cover, and wherein the auxiliary display is mounted on the cover. 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the activation controller is configured to monitor the primary keyboard regardless of whether the device is in the operational state of the device. 5. The device of claim 1, comprising a central processing unit (CPU) and a secondary display controller, wherein the CPU is configured to generate the auxiliary information and provide the auxiliary information to the auxiliary The display controller of the 200931386 vf.doc/n, and wherein the activation controller is configured to disable the CPU when the device is in the closed operational state. 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the activation controller and the auxiliary display controller are configured to communicate with each other via a communication interface, and the activation controller is configured to be configured by the The communication medium activates the auxiliary display by transmitting an activation message to the secondary display controller. 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the communication interface comprises a system management bus (SMBus). 8. The device of claim i, wherein the activation code comprises an alphanumeric password. 9. A calculation method comprising: in a computer comprising a main keyboard, a main display, and a secondary display, wherein the computer is in an operational state of the auxiliary display; Hide the auxiliary when deactivated When the auxiliary display H is deactivated, monitoring the primary keyboard to detect the activation code includes one or more keystrokes entered using the primary keyboard; and borrowing, in response to the activation of the activation code Activating the assisted display to display the auxiliary information. The method of claim 9, wherein the brain is packaged in a scarf, the cultivating shell has a calling surface, and the main keyboard and the main display are mounted on The housing _, and 200931386 / f.doc / n auxiliary display is mounted on the outer surface of the housing. 1^· The method of claim 1, wherein the package is provided with 3 folds and 4 covers, wherein the auxiliary display is installed outside the cover, and the first and the second are as claimed. The method of claim 9, wherein the main keyboard comprises: monitoring the main keyboard regardless of whether the computer is in the off state. The method of claim 9, wherein the method for controlling the communication of the mine via the communication interface is controlled by the lion display control and the activation code is included. The activation control_transfers the ambassador, and the auxiliary display device includes: from the activation controller, via the auxiliary display test (4) Wei activation domain. ^❹ ❹14·If the patent application scope is 13th The method of claim 1, wherein the interface comprises a system management bus (SMBus). The method of claim 9, wherein the activation code comprises an alphanumeric password. In a computer software product in a computer, the computer includes a main keyboard, a main display, and an auxiliary display, and the computer includes a computer readable medium, wherein the computer readable medium stores program instructions, and the instructions are in the When the computer reads, the computer is caused to perform an operation of displaying an auxiliary asset on the auxiliary display when the computer is in an operating state of being closed, and hiding when the auxiliary display is deactivated The auxiliary information; monitoring the main keyboard when the auxiliary display is deactivated; detecting a live code, wherein the activation code includes one or more of riding a key using the primary key a secondary keystroke; and activating the auxiliary display in response to the activation code of the sing. The product of claim 16, wherein the computer is packaged in a peripheral device, the outer casing having The inner and outer surfaces, wherein the main keyboard and the main display are mounted inside the outer casing, and wherein the auxiliary display is mounted on an outer surface of the outer casing. 私 private 18 as claimed in claim 17 a product, wherein the outer package 3 is folded, and wherein the auxiliary display is mounted on an outer surface of the cover. [19] The product of claim 16, wherein the electric product An activation controller and a secondary display controller that communicate via a communication interface, and wherein the instructions cause the activation controller to monitor the primary key, detect the activation code, and communicate via the communication medium Secondary display controller sends an activation message, thereby activating the auxiliary display. 18 billion