Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support – Computer power control
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-02
2001-01-23
Etienne, Ario (Department: 2781)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support
Computer power control
C713S310000, C713S324000, C713S340000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06178513
ABSTRACT:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
This application makes reference to, incorporates the same herein, and claims all benefits accruing under 35 U.S.C. §119 from my applications entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING A POWER OF DISPLAY APPARATUS USING A TACT SWITCH filed in the Korean Industrial Property Office on Jul. 2, 1997 and there duly assigned Serial No. P97-30533 by that Office.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a power control apparatus and method in a display unit and, more particularly, to a power control apparatus and method wherein, instead of an existing analog switch, a digital switch is utilized for controlling and adjusting a power supply according to input of a sync signal, a display data channel (DDC) signal, or a universal serial bus (USB) signal.
2. Related Art
In some configurations of a display monitor, a special power switch is located closed to a knob installed at a predetermined location on a front surface of a monitor case, and switching on and off of the power to the monitor is accomplished by operation of the knob. Conversely, when the power switch is located a distance from the knob, the power switch cannot be directly turned on and off by operation of the knob, and therefore a special guide between the knob and power switch is necessary for proper operation of the switch. In the latter configuration, an accurate operational distance between the power switch and the knob is mandatory in order to insure proper operation of the power switch.
However, the above-described structure has drawbacks and shortcomings. Notably, a poor switching operation results from a change in the length of the knob, and from an error occurring during assembly of the knob and the power switch inserted into a printed circuit board. Moreover, when the knob is located a distance from the power switch, poor operation can result as a result of a change in the length of the guide which transmits the switching signal between the knob and the power switch. In short, such an arrangement results in the production of inferior goods, as well as in an increase and the production cost. Accordingly, special manufacturing procedures and extra labor is required.
Another disadvantage of contemporary monitors results from the fact that certain data (e.g., DDC data, USB communication data, sync signals) transmitted from the computer to the monitor are not effective when the monitor is turned off.
Certain monitors employ a power switching system which uses an analog switch. However, this has the disadvantage that a separate power switch for the monitor has to be turned on and off whenever a power switch of the computer is turned and off. For such an analog switch, an elastic member is compressed by a pushing motion of the user, and the elastic member returns to an original state when the external force exerted by the user on the power knob is removed. In addition, power switches for the computer and monitor are separately installed, and this increases the production cost. Finally, in such a system, the functions of the signals “DDC, USB and sync” from the computer cannot be carried out or achieved without turning on the monitor.
Therefore, there is a need for the development of a system wherein the functions of the USB signal, DDC signal and sync signal provided by the computer to the monitor are effective even when the monitor is turned off. There is also a need for the development of a such a system in which production cost are cut by use of a digital switch instead of a separate analog power switch for the monitor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to implement the functions of a USB signal, a sync signal or a DDC signal provided by a computer to a monitor even when the monitor is in an “OFF” state.
Another object of the present invention is to cut down production cost by using a digital switch instead of a separate analog power switch for a monitor.
To achieve these and other advantages, and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention as embodied and broadly described, a power control apparatus in a display unit having a universal serial bus (USB) hub includes: a microcomputer for producing a control signal for switching a power management state to an OFF mode or a normal mode according to “ON/OFF” operation of a digital switch; a power supply for supplying overall power to the circuits in the display unit; and a switching unit for switching a power supply provide to power to a deflection circuit and a video circuit according to the power control signal from the microcomputer. In accordance with the invention, the power to the display unit is switched using the digital switch and a predetermined voltage is continuously supplied to the microcomputer, even in an OFF state of the display unit. As a result, the microcomputer selectively forwards the control signal to the switching unit according to existence and/or non-existence of sync signals, a display data channel (DDC) signal, or a USB signal provided by a computer and the types of such signals.
In this invention, when power to the monitor is cut off using the digital switch, the power for the operation of the microcomputer is continuously provided. In other words, the power to the monitor is controlled using the digital switch under the condition that alternating current (AC) is continuously supplied to the monitor.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4972457 (1990-11-01), O'Sullivan
patent: 5675814 (1997-10-01), Pearce
patent: 5745105 (1998-04-01), Kim
patent: 5954523 (1999-09-01), Bablock
patent: 5958020 (1999-09-01), Evoy et al.
Bushnell , Esq. Robert E.
Etienne Ario
Samsung Electronics Co,. Ltd.
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