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. view more

The system of claim 4 wherein the output signal is a system interrupt signal for a general purpose computer.

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.

The method of claim 6, wherein the output signal is an interrupt signal.

The method of claim 7, wherein the interrupt signal is a system interrupt for a general purpose computer.

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.

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.

The method of claim 10, wherein the output signal is stored in a register.

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.

The method of claim 6, wherein the first state is indicative of a flat panel display being coupled to the connector.

The method of claim 6, wherein the first state is indicative of a flat panel display being decoupled from the connector.

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.