Low-power-consumption monitor standby system

• US 5,880,719 A
• Filed: 07/11/1997
• Issued: 03/09/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: PDACO LIMITED
• Original Assignee: Eloney IP Holdings Ltd
• Inventors: Kikinis, Dan
• Primary Examiner(s): BRIER, JEFFERY A
• Application Number:
  US08/893,847
• Time in Patent Office: 606 Days
• Field of Search: 345/10, 345/211-213, 348/634, 348/730, 348/734, 364/707, 395/750.01, 395/750.03, 395/750.06
• US Class Current: 345/212
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/5075 Remote control machines, e.g. by a host
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3215 Monitoring of peripheral devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3218 of display devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/325 Power saving in peripheral device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3265 Power saving in display device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3284 Power saving in printer
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/12 by photographic printing , e.g. by laser printers
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2215/0082 Architecture adapted for a particular function
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 1/005 Power supply circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 1/165 Details of a display terminal using a CRT, the details relating to the control arrangement of the display terminal and to the interfaces thereto details suitable for both CRT and flat panel G09G5/003; specific for a flat panel G09G3/2092
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 1/167 Details of the interface to the display terminal specific for a CRT details suitable for both CRT and flat panel G09G5/006, specific for a flat panel G09G3/2096
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2330/02 Details of power systems and of start or stop of display operation
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2330/021 Power management, e.g. power saving
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2330/022 in absence of operation, e.g. no data being entered during a predetermined time
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/006 Details of the interface to the display terminal specific for a display terminal using a CRT G09G1/167; using a flat panel G09G3/2096; circuits for interfacing with colour displays G09G5/04
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

A system for managing power states for a video display monitor for a computer during periods of operator inactivity senses the presence or absence of signals provided to the video display monitor for forming an image on the monitor, such as red (R), green (G), blue (B) and horizontal synchronization (HSYNC) and vertical synchronization (VSYNC) signals. Time sensing apparatus at the host senses input activity, and in one embodiment suspends a signal provided to the monitor. Sensing and control circuits in the monitor sense the absence of the signal normally supplied to the monitor, and control power-using circuitry in the monitor in response. In an embodiment applicable to monitors having a microprocessor, the system may be incorporated entirely in software at the host and the monitor. In dumb monitors the system requires add-in or add-on devices cooperating with software.

Claims

1. A video monitor comprising:

a port for receiving signals from a host computer;

a detector adapted for detecting, through the port, an indication of inactivity of the host computer; and

a power manager circuit;

wherein the power manager circuit causes the video monitor to assume one of at least two reduced-power states in response to the detector detecting the indication of inactivity of the host computer.

2. In a video monitor, a power manager system comprising:

a detector adapted for detecting, through a communication port, an indication of inactivity of a host computer; and

a power manager circuit;

wherein the power manager circuit causes the video monitor to assume one of at least two reduced-power states in response to the detector detecting the indication of inactivity of the host computer.

3. A method for managing power levels in a video monitor having a communication port for receiving signals from a host computer, comprising steps of:

(a) monitoring signals received at the port for indication of inactivity at the host computer; and

(b) signaling power mode control circuitry in the video monitor to assume one of at least two reduced-power states in response to inactivity at a host computer.

4. A computer system comprising:

a host computer;

a video monitor adapted to enter at least two reduced power states; and

a communication link between the host computer and the video monitor;

wherein the video monitor monitors the communication link for indication of inactivity at the host computer, and enters one of the at least two reduced power states in response to the indication of inactivity of the host computer.