1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a device and a method for repeatedly updating the function of a monitor, and more particularly to a device and a method for repeatedly updating the function of a monitor by using universal serial bus signal lines for signal transmission.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a current monitor system, a monitor controller must be exchanged when function modifying or debugging, resulting in high cost consumed. As to a further advanced monitor system, a corresponding monitor controller has a build-in read only memory (ROM) which is an erasable programmable read only memory. By updating data stored in the erasable programmable read only memory, function modification and debugging can be achieved.
Referring to
When it is necessary to modify the function of the monitor system, data stored in the ROM of the monitor controller 10 needs to be updated. First, the case of the monitor must be opened. Then, the first jumper 14 and the second jumper 16 are switched to electrically connect the monitor controller 10 to a recording connector 80 and a voltage source (12 V). Next, a ROM writer (not shown) is electrically coupled to the recording connector 80 for data update.
Referring now to
Obviously, it is really inconvenient to update the monitor system because the case of the conventional monitor must be opened, first and then jumpers are switched for recording the erasable programmable read only memory of the monitor controller 10.
Today, monitors have been speedily developed. Especially, liquid crystal displays have been mass produced. To increase the speeds of the operation of monitors, universal serial bus (hereinafter, referred to as USB) is used for signal transmission. Referring to
Similarly, it causes inconvenience when the monitor system is updated because it is necessary to open the case of the monitor and to switch jumpers for recording the erasable programmable read only memory of the monitor controller 10.
The invention is to provide a device and a method for updating the function of a monitor. For a monitor having a USB interface, a USB signal line is used to transmit and record data of a monitor controller to erasable programming read only memory thereby to achieve data update.
A device for updating the function of a monitor according to the invention includes USB signal lines, a detecting device, a starting device, a ROM recording command decoder, a ROM and a recovery device. The USB signal lines is used to transmit a recording command and recorded data. The detecting device is electrically coupled to the USB signal lines for detecting and outputting the recording command and the recorded data. The starting device is electrically coupled to the detecting device for receiving the recording command and the recorded data and then transmitting the recording command and the recorded data when the starting device is switched from a visual path to a recording path. The ROM recording command decoder is used to convert the recording command into a erase/read/write signal and the recorded data into a address signal and a data signal by switching the starting device to the recording path. The ROM is electrically connected to the ROM recording command decoder, of which data can be updated according to the address signal, the data signal and the erase/read/write signal. The recovery device is electrically coupled to the ROM recording command decoder and the starting device for determining whether the data stored in the ROM are already updated according the address signal, the data signal and the read/write signal and for switching the starting device from the recording path to the visual path when the data of the ROM are already updated.
A system for updating the function of a monitor according to the invention includes a recording device, USB signal lines and a monitor controller. The recording device is used to store and output a recording command and recorded data. The USB signal lines are electrically coupled to the recording device for transmitting the recording command and the recorded data. The monitor controller having a monitor in-system programming memory is electrically coupled to the USB signal lines, for modifying the monitor controller according to the recording command and the recorded data.
A method for updating the function of a monitor according to the invention includes the following steps: (a) checking USB multi-setting command check to determine whether the signals on the USB signal lines are correct? (b) setting the monitor into a monitor in-system programming mode? (c) reading and determining a recording command; and (d) reading recorded data and writing the recorded data in a memory and performing step (c) when the recording command is a write command; (e) performing step (a) when the recording command is in a non-monitor in-system programming mode.
The invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinafter and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus do not limit the present invention, and wherein:
Referring to
When it is necessary to modify the function of the monitor system, data stored in the ROM of the monitor controller 180 needs to be updated. Compared to the prior art, it is unnecessary to open the case of the monitor. In other words, the function update of the monitor can be achieved by just using the USB signal lines 19.
The recording device 190 can also be replaced by a USB interface circuit stage. Similarly, a recording command and data are written into the memory region of the USB interface circuit stage. Then, the recording command and recorded data are written into the monitor controller 180 directly in a form of USB via the USB signal lines 19 for data update.
In detail, the D+, D− signal lines of the USB signal lines 19 are used to transmit the recording command and data in a form of USB.
Referring to
The detecting device 300 is electrically coupled to the USB signal lines 19 for detecting whether the recording command and data are transmitted from the USB signal lines 19. If detected, a corresponding signal is sent to the starting device 400.
The starting device 400 has a visual path and a recording path. When recording is performed, the recording command and recorded data are transmitted to the ROM recording command decoding device 500 via the recording path from the starting device 400. In a normal condition, general visual data are transmitted to other circuits 700 by switching the starting device 400 to the visual path for display.
The ROM recording command deciding device 500 is used to convert the recording command into an erase/read/write signal and the recorded data into an address signal and a data signal. Then, the address signal, the data signal and the erase/read/write signal are transmitted to the ROM 800 for data update.
The ROM 800 is a flash ROM or an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EPROM). Data stored in the ROM 800 is used for updating the function of the monitor. According to the received address signal, data signal and erase/read/write signal, data update of the ROM 800 can be achieved.
The recovery device 600 is electrically coupled to the ROM recording command decoding device 500 and the starting device 400 and is used to determine whether the data update is completely achieved. After the data update is completely achieved, the starting device 400 is switched to the recording path from the visual path.
Next, each device will be described in detail as follows:
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The hidden memory 522 is used to store the program codes of the recording command. The RAM 526 can access the recorded data. The CPU 524 receives the USB interface circuit-converted recording command and recorded data and then store them in the RAM 526. The recording command are decoded according to the program codes of the hidden ROM 522 and then transmits them to the recording control recorder 528. When receiving the decoded recording command, the recording control recorder 528 converts them into an interface control signal, namely, the erase/read/write signal. Thereafter, the recorded data stored in the RAM 526 are converted into an address signal and a data signal by the CPU 524.
The recording command decoder 520 can be replaced with a hardware circuit. Similarly, a recording command received by the USB circuit can be decoded by dividing them into various states. And, the recording command and the recorded data are converted into an erase/read/write signal, an address signal and a data signal.
Referring to
A method for updating the function of a monitor according to the invention shown in
First, in Step 1, whether a monitor operates normally is detected. If the monitor operates normally, Step 1 is continuously performed.
When the monitor operates abnormally, Step 2 is performed to determine whether the signals on the USB signal lines are correct by a USB multi-setting command check. If the USB multi-setting command is incorrect, the process returns to Step 1. If the USB multi-setting command is correct, Step 3 is performed to set the monitor to a monitor in-system programming mode.
Next, Step 4 is performed to read a recording command and determine whether the recording command is in a non-monitor in-system programming mode. When the recording command is a write command, the recording command is read and then written into a memory, and the recording command is re-read. If the recording command is in a non-monitor in-system programming mode, go to step 1 to detect whether the monitor operates normally.
Accordingly, the invention is to provide a device and a method for updating the function of a monitor. By using the USB signal lines directly for data transmission and recording the data of the monitor controller to the erasable programmable read only memory, data update can be achieved.
While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of the preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements as would be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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88112204 | Jul 1999 | TW | national |
This application is a continuation application of, and claims the priority benefit of, U.S. application Ser. No. 09/414,251 filed on Oct. 7, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,295,053.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 09414251 | Oct 1999 | US |
Child | 09575890 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 09575890 | May 2000 | US |
Child | 11299238 | US |