Method and apparatus for detecting a flat panel display monitor
View Patent ↗In a specific embodiment of the present invention, a monitor detect pin associated with a connector for a flat panel display (FPD) is monitored by a detect module. When an external flat panel device is connected, the monitor detect pin is activated. In response to the monitor detect pin being activated, a system interrupt is generated. System software can determine whether to drive FPD. When an external FPD is disconnected, the transmission minimized differential signaling drivers are disabled.
1. A method for detecting a monitor, the method comprising:
providing display information to a first display;
determining when an external flat panel display becomes available, by monitoring at least one pin of a connector coupled to a flat panel display;
asserting an output signal to indicate the pin is in a first state;
providing an interrupt signal in response to the asserted output signal; and
providing display information to the external flat panel display in response to the interrupt signal.
2. The method of claim 1 further including determining if an interrupt enable signal is activated and if so providing the interrupt signal.
3. The method of claim 1 including determining if a voltage level of the first pin of the connector coupled to flat panel display is in a stable state before asserting the output signal.
4. A system for providing a display image to a flat panel monitor, the system comprising:
a processing module; and
memory operably coupled to the processing module, wherein in the memory stores operational instructions that cause the processing module to:
monitor one pin of a connector coupled to a flat panel display;
assert a output signal to indicate the one pin is in a first state; and
receive the output signal at a display engine.
5. The system of claim 4 wherein the output signal is a system interrupt signal for a general purpose computer.
6. A method for detecting a monitor, the method comprising:
monitoring one pin of a connector coupled to a flat panel display;
asserting an output signal to indicate the one pin is in a first state; and
receiving the output signal at a display engine.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the output signal is an interrupt signal.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the interrupt signal is a system interrupt for a general purpose computer.
9. The method of claim 6 , further comprising determining if a voltage level of the one pin is in a stable state before asserting the output signal.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein determining includes the voltage level of the one pin being stable when the input is stable for a predetermined amount of time.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the output signal is stored in a register.
12. The method of claim 6 further comprising:
operating in a normal mode of operation prior to monitoring, wherein the one pin is in a second state.
13. The method of claim 6 , wherein the first state is indicative of a flat panel display being coupled to the connector.
14. The method of claim 6 , wherein the first state is indicative of a flat panel display being decoupled from the connector.
15. The method of claim 6 further comprising:
driving the flat panel display from a flat panel display engine in response to asserting the first output signal.