US5559525A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flat panel display control system
Assignee: Toshiba Corp
•
Filing: 1995-04-20
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Granted: 1996-09-24
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Expires: 2015-04-20
Abstract
Abstract A portable computer includes a flat panel display unit, a first graphics subsystem used for displaying data on the flat panel display unit, a connector for connecting an optional second graphics subsystem to the portable computer, and a switch circuit for switching the operation of the first graphics subsystem to that of the second graphics subsystem or vice versa. When the second graphics subsystem is connected to the portable computer, the switch circuit switches the operation of the first graphics subsystem to that of the second graphics subsystem, whereby data from the second graphics subsystem are displayed on the flat panel display unit.
Inventors
- 👤 Hiroki Zenda
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 04:25
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/14; G06F3/147; G09; G09G; G09G2360/00; G09G2360/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
251 words
A flat panel display control system comprising: a portable computer having a first graphics subsystem for generating first data to be displayed and flat panel display means for displaying the first data supplied from the first graphic subsystem, the first graphics subsystem including: a first display controller for outputting the first data and first control signals; first converting means for converting the first display data to first color data; a second graphics subsystem generates second control signals and second color data; connector means, connecting the second graphics subsystem to the portable computer, for supplying the first data from the first graphics subsystem to the second graphics subsystem, and for supplying the second data from the second graphics subsystem to the flat panel display means, wherein the flat panel display means selectively displays the first data supplied from the first graphics subsystem or the second data supplied from the second graphics subsystem, the second graphics subsystem including: second display means for generating the second color data and the second control signals, the second display means generating a changeover signal when the first display data supplied from the first display controller has a specific value; and selector means for selecting, in response to the changeover signal, the second color data and the second control signals from the second display means and for supplying the selected second color data and the second control signals to the portable computer through the connector means to display the second color data on the flat panel display means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
251 words
A flat panel display control system comprising: a portable computer having a first graphics subsystem for generating first data to be displayed and flat panel display means for displaying the first data supplied from the first graphic subsystem, the first graphics subsystem including: a first display controller for outputting the first data and first control signals; first converting means for converting the first display data to first color data; a second graphics subsystem generates second control signals and second color data; connector means, connecting the second graphics subsystem to the portable computer, for supplying the first data from the first graphics subsystem to the second graphics subsystem, and for supplying the second data from the second graphics subsystem to the flat panel display means, wherein the flat panel display means selectively displays the first data supplied from the first graphics subsystem or the second data supplied from the second graphics subsystem, the second graphics subsystem including: second display means for generating the second color data and the second control signals, the second display means generating a changeover signal when the first display data supplied from the first display controller has a specific value; and selector means for selecting, in response to the changeover signal, the second color data and the second control signals from the second display means and for supplying the selected second color data and the second control signals to the portable computer through the connector means to display the second color data on the flat panel display means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The flat panel display control system according to claim 1, further comprising initializing means for initializing the second graphics subsystems; wherein when the second graphics subsystem is connected to the portable computer, the second graphics subsystem starts supplying the second data only after the second graphics subsystem is initialized by the initializing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The flat panel display control system according to claim 1, further comprising auto-display-off means for realizing an auto-display-off function; and means for enabling the auto-display-off means when the second graphics subsystem is connected to the portable computer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
The flat panel display control system according to claim 3, wherein the portable computer includes input means for inputting data and a display section rotatably mounted on a portable computer main body and including the flat panel display means, and the auto-display-off means includes means for turning off the flat panel display means when no data is input from the input means for a predetermined period of time or the display section is closed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The flat panel display control system according to claim 1, wherein the flat panel display means includes one of a twisted nematic liquid crystal display panel, a super twisted nematic liquid crystal display panel, a thin film transistor liquid crystal display panel, and a plasma display panel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The flat panel display control system according to claim 1, wherein the flat panel display means includes a flat panel display device and a driver, responsive to a wired-OR operation on the first and second color data, for driving the flat panel display device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The flat panel display control system according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second graphics subsystems includes means for outputting analog video signals for a CRT.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The flat panel display control system according to claim 7, wherein the flat panel display means and the CRT simultaneously display the second color data.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
104 words
The flat panel display control system according to claim 1, wherein the first graphics subsystem comprises: means, connected to the connector means, the flat panel display means, and output terminals of the first converting means, for performing a wired-OR operation on the first control signals supplied from the first converting means and the second control signals supplied from the second graphics subsystem and supplying a result as color data; and means, connected to the connector means and the first converting means, for setting the output terminals of the first converting means at a high impedance, when the second graphics subsystem generates the changeover signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
53 words
The flat panel display control system according to claim 1, wherein the connector means includes: a first connector for supplying the first data from the first graphics subsystem to the second graphics subsystem; and a second connector for supplying the second data from the second graphics subsystem to the flat panel display means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
The flat panel display control system according to claim 1, wherein the second graphics subsystem further includes second converting means for converting the first display data supplied via the connector means to third color data, wherein said selector selects the third color data and the first control signals when the changeover signal is absent.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
223 words
A portable computer comprising: flat panel display means for displaying images; a first graphics subsystem for supplying, to the flat panel display means, first display data to be displayed and first control signals, and for outputting the first display data and first control signals; a second graphics subsystem to be externally connected to the portable computer for supplying an optional display device with second color data to be displayed and second control signals and for generating third color data from the first display data; connector means, connected to the first graphics subsystem and connectable to the second graphics subsystem, for supplying the first display data and the first control signals output from the first graphics subsystem to the second graphics subsystem, and for supplying the second or the third color data and the first or second control signals output to the flat panel display means, wherein the second graphics subsystem generates a changeover signal when the first display data supplied through the connector means from the first graphics subsystem has a specific value; and selector means for selecting, in response to the changeover signal, the second color data and the second control signals supplied from the second graphics subsystem and for supplying the selected second color data and the selected second control signals to the flat panel display means through the connector means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
223 words
A portable computer comprising: flat panel display means for displaying images; a first graphics subsystem for supplying, to the flat panel display means, first display data to be displayed and first control signals, and for outputting the first display data and first control signals; a second graphics subsystem to be externally connected to the portable computer for supplying an optional display device with second color data to be displayed and second control signals and for generating third color data from the first display data; connector means, connected to the first graphics subsystem and connectable to the second graphics subsystem, for supplying the first display data and the first control signals output from the first graphics subsystem to the second graphics subsystem, and for supplying the second or the third color data and the first or second control signals output to the flat panel display means, wherein the second graphics subsystem generates a changeover signal when the first display data supplied through the connector means from the first graphics subsystem has a specific value; and selector means for selecting, in response to the changeover signal, the second color data and the second control signals supplied from the second graphics subsystem and for supplying the selected second color data and the selected second control signals to the flat panel display means through the connector means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
124 words
The flat panel display control system according to claim 12, wherein the first graphics subsystem comprises: a display controller for outputting the first display data and the first control signals; converting means for converting the first display data into first color data; means, connected to the connector means, the flat panel display means, and output terminals of the converting means, for performing a wired-OR operation on the first color data and either one of the second and the third color data and for outputting a result as a fourth color data; and means, connected to the connector means and the converting means, for setting the output terminals of the converting means at a high impedance, when the second graphics subsystem generates the changeover signal.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-09-24 | 2000-03-25 | 2000-09-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-09-24 | 2004-03-25 | 2004-09-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-09-24 | 2008-03-25 | 2008-09-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |