CN101165769B - Device and method for updating display function - Google Patents

本发明提供一种更新显示器功能的装置与方法，所述方法包含有：耦接至少一显示器的一缩放控制器与一内存至一微控制单元；控制所述微控制单元以一第一格式讯号发送一编程启动讯号至所述缩放控制器，以指示所述缩放控制器进入程序编程模式；以及控制所述微控制单元通过一第二格式讯号来存取所述内存，以更新储存在所述内存中的程序代码，来完成显示器功能的更新。

The present invention provides a device and method for updating display functions, the method comprising: coupling a zoom controller and a memory of at least one display to a micro control unit; controlling the micro control unit to send a programming start signal to the zoom controller with a first format signal to instruct the zoom controller to enter a program programming mode; and controlling the micro control unit to access the memory with a second format signal to update the program code stored in the memory to complete the update of the display function.

更新显示器功能的装置与方法Device and method for updating display function

技术领域 technical field

本发明涉及的是一种更新显示器功能的装置与方法，特别涉及的是一种能同时更新复数个显示器的功能的装置与方法。The present invention relates to a device and a method for updating the functions of a display, in particular to a device and a method capable of simultaneously updating the functions of a plurality of displays.

背景技术 Background technique

请参阅图1，图1为现有更新显示器功能的架构示意图。显示器功能更新装置110通过影像图形数组(Video Graphics Array，VGA)讯号传输线来与缩放控制器120沟通，来更新储存在内存130中的系统程序。当缩放控制器120处于正常的显示控制而非更新程序的状态时，显示控制单元执行储存在内存130中的程序来处理VGA影像讯号，而后送出控制讯号至显示驱动装置140，使得通过VGA影像讯号所传输的影像画面正常地显示在显示屏幕。另一方面，当处于更新系统程序的状态时，缩放控制器120暂停输出控制讯号给显示驱动装置140，并且接收来自显示器功能更新装置110的烧录数据与烧录指令。这些烧录数据与烧录指令通过内部集成电路(inter-integrated circuit，I2C)总线传送给缩放控制器120，缩放控制器120译码烧录指令后，将烧录数据写入内存130中的适当地址，以完成更新系统程序的程序。然而通过I2C总线来传输烧录指令与烧录数据，一次只能更新单一显示器的系统功能，当待更新的显示器的数量庞大时，会消耗许多时间成本。Please refer to FIG. 1 . FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an existing update display function architecture. The display function updating device 110 communicates with the scaling controller 120 through a video graphics array (Video Graphics Array, VGA) signal transmission line to update the system program stored in the memory 130 . When the scaling controller 120 is in the state of normal display control instead of updating the program, the display control unit executes the program stored in the memory 130 to process the VGA image signal, and then sends a control signal to the display driver 140, so that the VGA image signal passes The transmitted image frames are normally displayed on the display screen. On the other hand, when the system program is being updated, the scaling controller 120 suspends outputting control signals to the display driving device 140 , and receives burning data and burning commands from the display function updating device 110 . These programming data and programming instructions are transmitted to the scaling controller 120 through the internal integrated circuit (inter-integrated circuit, I2C) bus. address to complete the procedure for updating the system program. However, to transmit programming instructions and programming data through the I2C bus, only the system function of a single display can be updated at a time. When the number of displays to be updated is huge, it will consume a lot of time and cost.

发明内容 Contents of the invention

本发明的主要目的在于，提供一种更新显示器功能的装置及其方法，可以同时对一个或一个以上的显示器进行系统更新。The main purpose of the present invention is to provide a device and method for updating display functions, which can update the system of one or more displays at the same time.

本发明公开一种显示器功能的更新系统，包含有一程序编程模块、至少一显示控制电路以及至少一第一连接器。所述程序编程模块包含一第一微控制单元与一第一内存，所述第一内存耦接在所述微控制单元，用来储存一更新程序代码。所述显示控制电路包含一缩放控制器与一第二内存，所述第二内存是耦接在所述缩放控制器，储存所述显示器的一控制程序码。所述第一连接器用来耦接所述程序编程模块的第一微控制单元与所述显示控制电路的所述缩放控制器。在更新所述显示器功能之前，所述第一微控制单元是以一第一格式讯号发送一编程启动讯号至所述缩放控制器，以指示所述缩放控制器进入程序编程模式，之后所述第一微控制单元是通过一第二格式讯号来存取所述第二内存，以将所述控制程序码删除，并将所述更新程序代码写入所述第二内存，以完成系统的更新。The invention discloses a display function updating system, which includes a program programming module, at least one display control circuit and at least one first connector. The program programming module includes a first micro-control unit and a first memory, and the first memory is coupled to the micro-control unit for storing an update program code. The display control circuit includes a scaling controller and a second memory, the second memory is coupled to the scaling controller and stores a control program code of the display. The first connector is used to couple the first micro control unit of the programming module with the scaling controller of the display control circuit. Before updating the display function, the first MCU sends a programming enable signal to the scaling controller in a first format signal to instruct the scaling controller to enter a program programming mode, and then the second A micro control unit accesses the second memory through a second format signal to delete the control program code and write the update program code into the second memory to complete the system update.

本发明另公开一种更新显示器功能的方法，包含有：耦接至少一显示器的一缩放控制器与一内存至一微控制单元；控制所述微控制单元以一第一格式讯号发送一编程启动讯号至所述缩放控制器，以指示所述缩放控制器进入程序编程模式；以及控制所述微控制单元通过一第二格式讯号来存取所述内存，以更新储存在所述内存中的程序代码，来完成显示器功能的更新。The present invention also discloses a method for updating display functions, comprising: coupling a scaling controller and a memory of at least one display to a micro control unit; controlling the micro control unit to send a programming start signal with a first format signal signal to the scaling controller to instruct the scaling controller to enter a program programming mode; and control the micro control unit to access the memory through a second format signal to update the program stored in the memory Code to complete the update of the display function.

本发明另公开一种更新显示器的内存数据的装置，包含有一微控制单元、一内存以及至少一第一连接器。所述内存耦接在所述微控制单元，用来储存一程序代码。所述第一连接器耦接在所述微控制单元，用来耦接一显示器控制电路。在更新所述显示器功能之前，所述微控制单元是以一第一格式讯号发送一编程启动讯号至显示器控制电路，以指示所述显示器控制电路进入程序编程模式，之后所述微控制单元是读取所述内存的程序代码，并通过一第二格式讯号来传送所述程序代码至所述显示器控制电路。The invention also discloses a device for updating memory data of a display, which includes a micro control unit, a memory and at least one first connector. The memory is coupled to the micro control unit and used for storing a program code. The first connector is coupled to the micro control unit and used for coupling to a display control circuit. Before updating the display function, the micro control unit sends a programming enable signal to the display control circuit in a first format signal to instruct the display control circuit to enter the program programming mode, and then the micro control unit is read The program code of the memory is fetched, and the program code is sent to the display control circuit through a second format signal.

附图说明 Description of drawings

图1为现有更新显示器功能的架构示意图；FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of an existing updated display function;

图2为本发明更新显示器功能的系统架构图；Fig. 2 is a system architecture diagram of updating display functions in the present invention;

图3为本发明更新显示器功能的流程图；Fig. 3 is the flow chart of updating display function of the present invention;

图4为本发明的显示器功能更新系统同时连接在复数个显示器的架构示意图；4 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the display function updating system of the present invention connected to multiple displays at the same time;

图5为用来增强SCK与SDI讯号的缓冲器结构示意图；FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a buffer structure used to enhance SCK and SDI signals;

图6为用来隔离SDO讯号的解多任务器结构示意图；FIG. 6 is a structural schematic diagram of a demultiplexer for isolating SDO signals;

图7为用来决定更新显示器的选择电路。FIG. 7 is a selection circuit for deciding to update the display.

附图标记说明：110-显示器功能更新装置；120-缩放控制器；130-内存；140-显示驱动装置；210-系统内编程模块；212-微控制单元；214-内存；220-连接器；230-显示控制电路；232-缩放控制器；234-微控制单元；236-内存；240-连接器；250-计算机系统；410-程序编程模块；412-线路分配模块；510-缓冲器；610-解多任务器；710-选择电路；712-解多任务器；714-NOR逻辑闸。Explanation of reference signs: 110-display function update device; 120-zoom controller; 130-memory; 140-display driver; 210-programming module in the system; 212-micro control unit; 214-memory; 220-connector; 230-display control circuit; 232-scale controller; 234-micro control unit; 236-memory; 240-connector; 250-computer system; 410-programming module; 412-line distribution module; 510-buffer; 610 - demultiplexer; 710 - selection circuit; 712 - demultiplexer; 714 - NOR logic gate.

具体实施方式 Detailed ways

以下结合附图，对本发明上述的和另外的技术特征和优点作更详细的说明。The above and other technical features and advantages of the present invention will be described in more detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

在说明书及后续的申请专利范围当中使用了某些词汇来指称特定的组件。所属领域中具有通常知识者应可理解，硬件制造商可能会用不同的名词来称呼同一个组件。本说明书及后续的申请专利范围并不以名称的差异来作为区分组件的方式，而是以组件在功能上的差异来作为区分的准则。在通篇说明书及请求项当中所提及的“包含”为一开放式的用语，故应解释成“包含但不限定在”。以外，“耦接”一词在此是包含任何直接及间接的电气连接手段。因此，若文中描述一第一装置耦接在一第二装置，则代表所述第一装置可直接电气连接在所述第二装置，或通过其它装置或连接手段间接地电气连接至所述第二装置。Certain terms are used in the specification and subsequent claims to refer to particular components. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that hardware manufacturers may refer to the same component by different terms. This specification and subsequent patent applications do not use the difference in name as a way to distinguish components, but use the difference in function of components as a criterion for distinguishing. The "comprising" mentioned throughout the specification and claims is an open term, so it should be interpreted as "including but not limited to". In addition, the term "coupled" here includes any direct and indirect means of electrical connection. Therefore, if it is described that a first device is coupled to a second device, it means that the first device may be directly electrically connected to the second device, or indirectly electrically connected to the second device through other devices or connection means. Two devices.

请参阅图2，图2为本发明更新显示器功能的系统架构图。显示控制电路230包含有缩放控制器232以及内存236，其中缩放控制器更包含有微控制单元234。请注意，内存236可外接在缩放控制器232(如图2所示)，或是内建在缩放控制器232，本实施例是以外接的内存236来做说明，然而内建内存的电路操作方式与外接的情况无异。在正常操作的情况下，缩放控制器232通过连接器220接收影像讯号，且微控制单元234执行储存在内存236中的控制程序码，进而控制缩放控制器232对影像讯号进行处理，然后缩放控制器232送出控制讯号至显示器的驱动电路，将影像讯号所包含的影像画面显示在屏幕的上。连接器220可以是数字视讯接口(digital visual interface，DVI)连接器或是影像图形数组(VideoGraphics Array，VGA)连接器，或是独立的四脚位(4-pin)或是六脚位(6-pin)的连接头，专门用来提供更新显示器功能时使用。内存236通常为闪存(flashmemory)，更明确地说，内存236可以是通过串行周边接口(SPI)讯号来存取的SPI闪存(SPI flash)。另一方面，系统内编程(In System Programming，ISP)模块210包含有微控制单元212以及内存214。内存214储存有更新程序代码，用来取代内存236的中的控制程序码，以更新显示控制电路230的功能。ISP模块210的微控制单元212通过连接器220耦接至缩放控制器232。请同时参阅图3，图3为本发明更新显示器功能的流程图。更新程序刚开始时，微控制单元212通过I2C总线格式讯号，通知显示控制电路230的微控制单元234进入编程模式(S310)，随后微控制单元234暂停作用、缩放控制器232进入系统内编程(ISP)模式，在ISP模式下，讯号可以直接经由连接器220传送至内存236，也就是缩放控制器232此时呈现旁路(bypass)模式(S320)。微控制单元212读取内存214中的更新程序代码(S330)，并且通过串行周边接口(SPI)讯号来直接存取显示控制电路230的内存236，在写入更新程序代码之前，先清除内存236中原有的控制程序码(S340)。微控制单元212判断内存236中的数据是否已清除完毕(S350)，如果还没清除完毕，则继续执行步骤S340，直到清除完毕为止；若已清除完毕，则微控制单元212通过SPI讯号将更新程序代码写入内存236(S360)。写入数据的同时，微控制单元212一边侦测写入数据的程序是否完成(S370)，如果写入数据尚未完成，则继续执行步骤S360，直到写入完成为止；若数据写入的动作已经完成，则缩放控制器232离开ISP模式，同时微控制单元234重置，因此缩放控制器232结束旁路模式，回到可以处理影像讯号的正常操作状态(S380)。Please refer to FIG. 2 . FIG. 2 is a system architecture diagram of updating display functions according to the present invention. The display control circuit 230 includes a scaling controller 232 and a memory 236 , wherein the scaling controller further includes a microcontroller unit 234 . Please note that the memory 236 can be externally connected to the scaling controller 232 (as shown in FIG. 2 ), or built into the scaling controller 232. This embodiment is an external memory 236 for illustration, but the circuit operation of the built-in memory The method is no different from that of external connection. In the case of normal operation, the zoom controller 232 receives the image signal through the connector 220, and the micro control unit 234 executes the control program code stored in the memory 236, and then controls the zoom controller 232 to process the image signal, and then the zoom control The device 232 sends a control signal to the drive circuit of the display to display the image frame included in the image signal on the screen. The connector 220 can be a digital visual interface (digital visual interface, DVI) connector or an image graphics array (Video Graphics Array, VGA) connector, or an independent four-pin (4-pin) or six-pin (6-pin) -pin) connector, which is specially used to provide the function of updating the display. The memory 236 is usually a flash memory. More specifically, the memory 236 can be an SPI flash accessed through a serial peripheral interface (SPI) signal. On the other hand, the In System Programming (ISP) module 210 includes a microcontroller unit 212 and a memory 214. The memory 214 stores update program codes for replacing the control program codes in the memory 236 to update the functions of the display control circuit 230 . The MCU 212 of the ISP module 210 is coupled to the scaling controller 232 through the connector 220 . Please refer to FIG. 3 at the same time. FIG. 3 is a flow chart of updating the display function of the present invention. When the update program just started, the micro control unit 212 notified the micro control unit 234 of the display control circuit 230 to enter the programming mode (S310) through the I2C bus format signal, and then the micro control unit 234 paused, and the zoom controller 232 entered the system programming ( ISP) mode, in the ISP mode, the signal can be directly transmitted to the memory 236 through the connector 220, that is, the scaling controller 232 is in a bypass mode at this time (S320). The MCU 212 reads the update program code in the memory 214 (S330), and directly accesses the memory 236 of the display control circuit 230 through the serial peripheral interface (SPI) signal, and clears the memory before writing the update program code 236 in the original control program code (S340). Micro-control unit 212 judges whether the data in the memory 236 has been cleared (S350), if not cleared, then continue to execute step S340 until cleared; if cleared, micro-control unit 212 will update by SPI signal The program code is written into the memory 236 (S360). While writing the data, the microcontroller unit 212 detects whether the program of writing the data is completed (S370), if the writing of the data has not been completed, then continue to execute step S360 until the writing is completed; When finished, the scaling controller 232 leaves the ISP mode, and the MCU 234 resets at the same time, so the scaling controller 232 ends the bypass mode and returns to a normal operation state capable of processing video signals (S380).

请回头参阅图2，程序编程模块210的微控制单元更通过连接器240耦接至一计算机系统250。连接器240可以是计算机系统中常见的RS-232接口。通过连接器240的连结，计算机系统250可以对内存214中的程序作更新，使得更新程序的步骤更为简单与便利。Please refer back to FIG. 2 , the microcontroller unit of the programming module 210 is further coupled to a computer system 250 through the connector 240 . Connector 240 may be an RS-232 interface commonly found in computer systems. Through the connection of the connector 240, the computer system 250 can update the program in the memory 214, making the steps of updating the program simpler and more convenient.

请参阅图4，图4为本发明的显示器功能更新系统同时连接在复数个显示器的架构示意图。程序编程模块410除了微控制单元212与内存214之外，还包含了线路分配模块412。当同时有多个显示器待更新功能时，线路分配模块412负责将微控制单元212的输出或输入讯号，适当地连接到到各个连接器220。更明确地说，如前述的步骤S340，微控制单元212通过SPI讯号来直接存取显示控制电路230的内存236，熟习此技艺的人士皆了解，SPI讯号包含有四种讯号，分别是串行时钟(serial clock，SCK)、输入(serial data input，SDI)、输出(serial dataoutput，SDO)以及致能讯号(chip enable，CE)。当同时连接多个显示器时，这四种讯号必须分开处理。首先，SCK与SDI讯号为显示器中内存的单向输入讯号，请参阅图5，因此在实作上可以直接将SCK与SDI讯号复制，通过缓冲器(buffer)510来增加讯号的强度，图中SDI或SCK讯号被复制成N个讯号，分别为SDI_1～SDI_N以及SCK_1～SCK_N，N为正整数。SDO讯号为显示器中内存的输出讯号，必须加以隔离，以避免互相冲突。请参阅图6，图6为用来隔离SDO讯号的解多任务器(de-multiplexer)。解多任务器610的输入端接收SDO讯号，通过控制讯号L1～Ln的选择，可以将SDO讯号由输出端SDO-_1～SDO-_N的其中的一输出。n及N为正整数，且2ⁿ≥N。此外，线路分配模块412中还包括一个选择电路，根据CE讯号以及另一个选择讯号，选择电路可以决定程序编程模块410同时对所有显示器进行功能更新，或是只对一个显示器进行功能更新。请参阅图7，图7为用来决定更新显示器的选择电路。选择电路710包含有一个解多任务器712，用来接收CE讯号，并根据控制讯号L1～Ln的选择，由输出端CE-_1～CE-_N的其中的一输出，同理n及N为正整数，且2ⁿ≥N。选择电路710还包含N个NOR逻辑闸714，各个NOR逻辑闸714的一输入端分别连接到输出端CE-_1～CE-_N的其中的一，另一端则一同连接到选择讯号SLC。当选择讯号SLC为高准位时(逻辑值″1″)，CE’_1～CE’_N为低准位(逻辑值″0″)，表示所有显示器同时进行功能更新；当选择讯号SLC为低准位时，则一次只对一个显示器进行功能更新，而待更新的显示器则由控制讯号L1～Ln来选择。Please refer to FIG. 4 . FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a display function updating system connected to multiple displays at the same time according to the present invention. In addition to the MCU 212 and the memory 214 , the programming module 410 also includes a line distribution module 412 . When there are multiple displays to be updated at the same time, the line distribution module 412 is responsible for properly connecting the output or input signals of the MCU 212 to each connector 220 . More specifically, as in the aforementioned step S340, the microcontroller unit 212 directly accesses the memory 236 of the display control circuit 230 through the SPI signal. Those skilled in the art will understand that the SPI signal includes four types of signals, namely serial Clock (serial clock, SCK), input (serial data input, SDI), output (serial data output, SDO) and enable signal (chip enable, CE). When connecting multiple displays at the same time, these four signals must be processed separately. First of all, the SCK and SDI signals are one-way input signals of the memory in the display, please refer to Figure 5, so in practice, the SCK and SDI signals can be directly copied, and the signal strength can be increased through the buffer (buffer) 510, as shown in the figure The SDI or SCK signal is copied into N signals, which are respectively SDI_1-SDI_N and SCK_1-SCK_N, where N is a positive integer. The SDO signal is the output signal of the memory in the display and must be isolated to avoid conflicts. Please refer to Figure 6, Figure 6 is a de-multiplexer used to isolate the SDO signal. The input terminal of the demultiplexer 610 receives the SDO signal, and the SDO signal can be output from one of the output terminals SDO-_1˜SDO-_N through the selection of the control signals L1˜Ln. n and N are positive integers, and 2 ⁿ ≥ N. In addition, the line distribution module 412 also includes a selection circuit. According to the CE signal and another selection signal, the selection circuit can determine that the programming module 410 updates the functions of all the displays at the same time, or only updates the functions of one display. Please refer to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a selection circuit for determining to update the display. The selection circuit 710 includes a demultiplexer 712 for receiving the CE signal, and according to the selection of the control signals L1-Ln, one of the output terminals CE-_1-CE-_N is output. Similarly, n and N are positive integer, and 2 ⁿ ≥ N. The selection circuit 710 further includes N NOR logic gates 714 , one input terminal of each NOR logic gate 714 is respectively connected to one of the output terminals CE-_1 ˜CE-_N, and the other terminals are connected to the selection signal SLC together. When the selection signal SLC is at a high level (logic value "1"), CE'_1~CE'_N are at a low level (logic value "0"), indicating that all displays are updated at the same time; when the selection signal SLC is low When the level is set, only one display is updated at a time, and the display to be updated is selected by the control signals L1˜Ln.

因此，通过线路分配模块412的控制，本发明的程序编程模块410可以同时更新多个显示器的功能，或是一次只更新一个。此外，程序编程模块410的微控制单元212同样可以通过连接器240耦接至计算机系统，来取得更新程序代码。Therefore, through the control of the line distribution module 412, the programming module 410 of the present invention can update the functions of multiple displays at the same time, or only update one at a time. In addition, the microcontroller unit 212 of the program programming module 410 can also be coupled to the computer system through the connector 240 to obtain updated program codes.

综上所述，本发明所公开的显示器功能更新系统可以通过VGA或DVI接口来与显示器连结，并且通过I2C与SPI两种讯号格式来更新显示器的功能。此外，本发明善用SPI讯号格式的特性，配合一个线路分配模块，能够选择性地同时对复数个显示器进行功能更新，或是一次只更新单一显示器的功能，使得更新显示器功能变得更为便利与有效率。To sum up, the display function updating system disclosed in the present invention can be connected with the display through the VGA or DVI interface, and update the display function through two signal formats of I2C and SPI. In addition, the present invention makes good use of the characteristics of the SPI signal format, cooperates with a line distribution module, can selectively update the functions of multiple displays at the same time, or only update the functions of a single display at a time, making it more convenient to update the display functions and efficient.

以上所述仅为本发明的较佳实施例，对本发明而言仅仅是说明性的，而非限制性的。本专业技术人员理解，在本发明权利要求所限定的精神和范围内可对其进行许多改变，修改，甚至等效，但都将落入本发明的保护范围内。The above descriptions are only preferred embodiments of the present invention, and are only illustrative rather than restrictive to the present invention. Those skilled in the art understand that many changes, modifications, and even equivalents can be made within the spirit and scope defined by the claims of the present invention, but all will fall within the protection scope of the present invention.