(12) United States Patent
`Shin
`
`111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US006804 724 B2
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,804, 724 B2
`*Oct. 12, 2004
`
`(54) ANALOG/DIGITAL DISPLAY ADAPTER AND
`A COMPUTER SYSTEM HAVING THE SAME
`
`6,028,585 A * 2/2000 Ishii et a!.
`.................. 345/132
`6,262,695 B1 * 7/2001 McGowan ..................... 345/1
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Seung-Gi Shin, Suwon (KR)
`
`(73) Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.,
`Suwon-si (KR)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`EP
`EP
`
`0 419 910 A2
`0 802 519 A1
`
`4/1991
`10/1997
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`This patent issued on a continued pros(cid:173)
`ecution application filed under 37 CFR
`1.53( d), and is subject to the twenty year
`patent term provisions of 35 U.S.C.
`154(a)(2).
`
`The User Manual for the Gateway Solo 5300 notebook
`computer, pp. 5 and 20.
`Printout
`of www.ati.com/products/mobilityradeon/dis-
`play.html from ATI technologoes, Inc.
`
`(List continued on next page.)
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`Primary Examiner-Jeffrey Gaffin
`Assistant Examiner-Harold Kim
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Robert E. Bushnell, Esq.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/301,609
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Apr. 29, 1999
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2002/0149541 A1 Oct. 17, 2002
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Apr. 29, 1998
`Oct. 16, 1998
`
`(KR) ............................................ 98-15395
`(KR) ............................................ 98-43766
`
`Int. Cl? ................................................ G06F 13/00
`(51)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ................................ 710/2; 345/3; 345/147
`(58) Field of Search .............................. 345/147, 3, 22,
`345/186, 89, 1, 553, 132, 127, 30, 211-213;
`710/2
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,150,109 A
`5,491,496 A *
`5,559,525 A *
`5,608,418 A
`5,710,570 A *
`5,757,338 A
`
`9/1992 Berry ......................... 345/600
`2/1996 Tomiyasu ................... 345/147
`9/1996 Zenda .. ... ... .. ... ... ... ... .. ... 345/1
`3/1997 McNally ..................... 568/853
`1!1998 Wada et a!.
`.. .. ... ... ... ... ... 345/3
`5/1998 Bassetti et a!.
`.............. 345/3.2
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A desktop computer system has a display adapter capable of
`supporting a digital display such as LCD panels as well as
`an analog display. The computer system provides analog/
`digital video signals outputted from the display adapter with
`a CRT monitor or a LCD monitor depending upon the
`monitor cable connection state. The computer system further
`has a power saving function to be performed in the display
`adapter also depending upon the monitor cable connection
`state. The display adapter includes two video ports, that is,
`a first video port being coupled with the CRT monitor cable,
`and a second video port being coupled with the digital
`monitor cable. Further included is a digital transmitter for
`sending parallel digital video signals to the LCD monitor
`through the second video port. A monitor cable sensing
`circuit is provided to detect connection state of the digital
`monitor cable. To this end, the digital monitor generates a
`signal being sent to the second video port over the monitor
`cable, thereby informing the video controller of the monitor
`cable connection state. If the LCD monitor cable is not
`connected with the video port, the sensing circuit prevents
`the display enable (DE) signal supplied by the video con(cid:173)
`troller from being inputted to the transmitter.
`
`14 Claims, 19 Drawing Sheets
`
`700
`
`100
`
`600
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`727 :
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`______________________________ J
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`
`NVIDIA Corp.
`Exhibit 1001
`Page 001
`
`

`

`US 6,804, 724 B2
`Page 2
`
`01HER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Printout of www.ati.com/support/infobase/3588.html from
`ATI Technologies, Inc.
`Printout
`of
`11-5053877 .html.
`Printout of www.realtimesoft.com/multimon/guide/laptop(cid:173)
`s.asp.
`Printout of www.rdpslides.com/pptfaq/FAQ00476.htm.
`
`techrepublic.com.com/5100-6270_
`
`Developer's note to the Power Macintosh G3 All-in-one
`computer, pp. 18 and 26.
`www.whatis.com or www.whatis.techtarget.com definition
`for "monitor" and "display".
`XP--002123075, VESA (Video Electronics Standards Asso(cid:173)
`ciation), Plug and Display (P & D™) Standard, Version 1,
`dated Jun. 11, 1997.
`* cited by examiner
`
`NVIDIA Corp.
`Exhibit 1001
`Page 002
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 12, 2004
`
`Sheet 1 of 19
`
`US 6,804, 724 B2
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`NVIDIA Corp.
`Exhibit 1001
`Page 003
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 12, 2004
`
`Sheet 2 of 19
`
`US 6,804, 724 B2
`
`Fig. 2
`(Prior art)
`
`Fig. 3
`(Prior art)
`
`NVIDIA Corp.
`Exhibit 1001
`Page 004
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 12, 2004
`
`Sheet 3 of 19
`
`US 6,804, 724 B2
`
`Fig. 4
`(Prior art)
`
`300
`
`100
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`200
`
`NVIDIA Corp.
`Exhibit 1001
`Page 005
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 12, 2004
`
`Sheet 4 of 19
`
`US 6,804, 724 B2
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`NVIDIA Corp.
`Exhibit 1001
`Page 006
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 12, 2004
`
`Sheet 5 of 19
`
`US 6,804, 724 B2
`
`Fig. 6
`(Prior art)
`
`NVIDIA Corp.
`Exhibit 1001
`Page 007
`
`

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`NVIDIA Corp.
`Exhibit 1001
`Page 008
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 12, 2004
`
`Sheet 7 of 19
`
`US 6,804, 724 B2
`
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`
`NVIDIA Corp.
`Exhibit 1001
`Page 009
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 12, 2004
`
`Sheet 8 of 19
`
`US 6,804, 724 B2
`
`Fig. 9
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`NVIDIA Corp.
`Exhibit 1001
`Page 010
`
`

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`NVIDIA Corp.
`Exhibit 1001
`Page 011
`
`

`

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`NVIDIA Corp.
`Exhibit 1001
`Page 012
`
`

`

`Fig. 13
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`NVIDIA Corp.
`Exhibit 1001
`Page 013
`
`

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`NVIDIA Corp.
`Exhibit 1001
`Page 014
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 12, 2004
`
`Sheet 13 of 19
`
`US 6,804, 724 B2
`
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`NVIDIA Corp.
`Exhibit 1001
`Page 015
`
`

`

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`
`NVIDIA Corp.
`Exhibit 1001
`Page 016
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 12, 2004
`
`Sheet 15 of 19
`
`US 6,804, 724 B2
`
`Fig. 17A
`
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`
`26th Pin Of
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`{522)
`
`NVIDIA Corp.
`Exhibit 1001
`Page 017
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 12, 2004
`
`Sheet 16 of 19
`
`US 6,804, 724 B2
`
`Fig. 17C
`
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`
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`
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`
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`528d
`____ c ______ ,
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`(522)
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`
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`
`NVIDIA Corp.
`Exhibit 1001
`Page 018
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 12, 2004
`
`Sheet 17 of 19
`
`US 6,804, 724 B2
`
`•
`.,....
`bD
`~
`
`NVIDIA Corp.
`Exhibit 1001
`Page 019
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 12, 2004
`
`Sheet 18 of 19
`
`US 6,804, 724 B2
`
`Fig. 19
`
`710
`
`111 110
`/
`
`/
`611
`610
`
`NVIDIA Corp.
`Exhibit 1001
`Page 020
`
`

`

`Fig. 20
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`NVIDIA Corp.
`Exhibit 1001
`Page 021
`
`

`

`US 6,804,724 B2
`
`1
`ANALOG/DIGITAL DISPLAY ADAPTER AND
`A COMPUTER SYSTEM HAVING THE SAME
`
`CLAIM OF PRIORITY
`
`2
`What is needed is a portable, notebook computer having
`an LCD display panel, that can accommodate hookups to
`another LCD digital fiat panel display and a hookup to a
`CRT monitor. In this arrangement, the extra LCD display
`5 will contain circuitry that will let the notebook computer
`know whether the extra LCD display monitor is hooked up
`so that power will be delivered to the LCD hookup only
`when an LCD monitor is plugged into the LCD hookup.
`
`10
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`15
`
`35
`
`This application makes reference to, incorporates the
`same herein, and claims all benefits accruing under 35
`U.S.C. § 119 from an application for Analog/Digital Display
`Adapter and a Computer System Having the Same earlier
`filed in the Korean Industrial Property Office on Apr. 29
`1998 and there duly assigned Serial No. 15395/1998 and on
`Oct. 16 1998 and there duly assigned Serial No. 43766/1998.
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to computer systems, and
`more particularly to a computer system having dual and
`triple display function that supports analog displays and
`digital displays.
`2. Discussion of the Related Art
`Conventionally, personal computers are equipped with 20
`cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors. Also, portable computers
`such as laptop and notebook computers chiefly use fiat panel
`liquid crystal displays. Occasionally, a desktop computer is
`equipped with the liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor,
`although it is costly. Today, liquid crystal displays are
`considered as a substitute for the CRT display for their
`compactness and low power consumption.
`In the meantime, display monitors adopting the LCD
`panel have been developed to be used with the desktop
`personal computer. The LCD monitor has advantages of low
`power consumption and low electromagnetic wave radia(cid:173)
`tion. LCD monitors commonly include an interface circuitry
`that converts analog video signals inputted from the system
`host into digital video signals in order to drive every pixel
`of the LCD panel. In particular, advanced digital display
`systems use all-digital fiat panel display interface that elimi(cid:173)
`nates the analog-to-digital conversion of the video signals
`and transmits digital video data from a host video controller
`to the LCD monitor through high speed data channel. This
`solves the digital interface design problems such as increas(cid:173)
`ing clock rates, data lines, and cable length. In this system,
`the video controller circuitry converts the video memory
`data into transferable form and reconstructs it once it gets to
`the display panel.
`Yet there has not been provided in the desktop computer
`a display adapter or video card that supports that all-digital
`interface LCD monitor. Further, in the notebook computer,
`there has not been provided an external digital video output
`function that allows use of the all-digital interface LCD
`monitor.
`Furthermore, there are cases where either the external
`monitor cable fails to connect with the external video port of
`the notebook computer or the external monitor is not sup(cid:173)
`plied with the power. In either case, when the notebook
`computer system is set to output video signals through the
`external video port, the external monitor will not operate and
`thus nothing appeared on the monitor screen.
`Japanese Patent 2-64693 discloses a computer in which a
`CRT and an LCD are both available from separate output
`ports on a computer. U.S. Pat. No. 5,608,418 for a Flat Panel
`Display Interface For a High Resolution Computer Graphics
`System to McNally discloses a graphics subsystem that
`contains a fiat panel connector and a CRT connector. In
`addition, McNally shows that a color buffer circuit receives 65
`a fiat panel sense data which indicates whether the fiat panel
`display is coupled to the fiat panel interface lines.
`
`The present invention is intended to solve the prior art
`problems, and it is therefore an object of the invention to
`provide a display adapter capable of supporting digital
`displays as well as analog displays.
`It is another object of the invention to provide a computer
`display system having dual display adapters capable of
`connecting one of the displays depending upon the monitor
`cable connection state.
`It is further object of the invention to provide a computer
`display system having dual display adapters capable of
`reducing power consumed in one display adapter depending
`upon the monitor cable connection state.
`It is further yet another object to provide a triple display
`25 notebook computer where the notebook computer will sup(cid:173)
`port hookups with another LCD display and a CRT display.
`It is still another object to provide a monitor for the LCD
`hookup lines so that power will only be delivered to the LCD
`hookup only if the extra LCD monitor is plugged into the
`30 LCD hookup.
`In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a
`desktop computer system is provided, which comprises: a
`main board having at least one expansion slot; and a display
`adapter installed in one of the expansion slot of the main
`board, in which the display adapter including: a video
`controller for providing analog video signals and digital
`video data with the CRT display and digital displays, respec(cid:173)
`tively; a first video port for connecting with the CRT monitor
`cable; and a second video port for connecting with the digital
`display monitor.
`In accordance with another aspect of the present
`invention, a display adapter for use in a computer system is
`provided, which comprises: a video controller for outputting
`serial analog video signals and parallel digital video signals;
`a first connector being coupled with the CRT monitor cable
`connector; a second connector being coupled with the digital
`monitor cable connector; and a digital transmitter for send(cid:173)
`ing parallel digital video signals to a digital display through
`the second connector.
`The display adapter further comprises a monitor cable
`sensing means for detecting connection of the digital moni(cid:173)
`tor cable connector with the second connector, whereby a
`display enable signal is generated in the video controller and
`55 being sent to the digital transmitter when the connection
`between the digital monitor cable and the second connector
`has been completed.
`Preferably, the digital monitor includes means for gener(cid:173)
`ating a signal to be sent to the second connector of the
`60 display adapter over the monitor cable, thereby informing
`the monitor cable connection with the second connector to
`the video controller.
`Further, the display adapter further comprises a power
`supply control circuit for switching on/off of the supply
`voltages directed to the digital transmitter, in which the
`power supply control circuit responds to the signal fed from
`the digital monitor such that the supply voltages are supplied
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`NVIDIA Corp.
`Exhibit 1001
`Page 022
`
`

`

`US 6,804,724 B2
`
`3
`with the transmitter when the connection between the digital
`monitor cable and the second connector has been completed.
`In accordance with the other aspect of the present
`invention, a portable computer system is provided, which
`comprises: a LCD panel hingedly attached to the main body
`of the portable computer; a main board having a display
`adapter; a video controller capable of providing digital video
`data with the LCD panel; a transmitter for sending parallel
`digital video data to an extra digital monitor; and an external
`video port for connecting a cable of the external digital
`monitor.
`The display adapter according to this invention allows the
`video signal to be sent to one of the LCD monitor and CRT
`monitor, any one that is connected with the video card,
`regardless of the video start-up direction or video output
`path set in the computer system. Further, the display adapter
`of the invention is capable of reducing power consumed in
`the digital transmitter when the monitor cable is discon(cid:173)
`nected from the computer system.
`
`4
`FIG. 14 is a detailed diagram for showing the LCD
`monitor cable sensing circuit;
`FIG. 15 is a block diagram of the VGA card having a
`power supply control circuit for the transmitter in accor-
`5 dance with the invention;
`FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of the power supply
`control circuit shown in FIG. 15;
`FIGS. 17A-17D are schematic circuit diagrams for show(cid:173)
`ing examples of the power supply control circuit;
`FIG. 18 is an exterior view of a notebook computer
`having analog/digital video adapter, showing connection of
`external CRT monitor and LCD monitor therewith;
`FIG. 19 is a rear view of the notebook computer of FIG.
`15 18, for showing connection of the CRT monitor cable and
`LCD monitor cable with two video ports thereof; and
`FIG. 20 is a block diagram of the notebook computer
`system having a VGA card with an external CRT port and
`LCD port in accordance with another embodiment of the
`20 invention.
`
`10
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`Amore complete appreciation of the invention, and many
`of the attendant advantages thereof, will be readily apparent
`as the same becomes better understood by reference to the 25
`following detailed description when considered in conjunc(cid:173)
`tion with the accompanying drawings in which like refer(cid:173)
`ence symbols indicate the same or similar components,
`wherein:
`FIG. 1 is an exterior view of an earlier desk top personal 30
`computer with a CRT monitor;
`FIG. 2 is a rear view of the desk top computer of FIG. 1,
`for showing connection of the CRT monitor cable with a
`video port thereof;
`FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing a video card 35
`installed in an expansion slot of the computer;
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an earlier computer system
`having a VGA card;
`FIG. 5 is an exterior view of an earlier notebook 40
`computer, for showing connection of an extra CRT monitor
`therewith;
`FIG. 6 is a rear view of the notebook computer of FIG. 5,
`for showing connection of the CRT monitor cable with an
`external video port thereof;
`FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an earlier notebook computer
`system having a VGA card with a LCD panel interface and
`the external CRT port;
`FIG. 8 is an exterior view of a desktop computer having
`an analog/digital video adapter, showing connection of CRT
`monitor and LCD monitor therewith;
`FIG. 9 is a rear view of the desktop computer of FIG. 8,
`for showing connection of the CRT monitor cable and LCD
`monitor cable with two video ports thereof;
`FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9, showing a VGAcard
`having two video ports installed in an expansion slot of the
`computer;
`FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a desktop computer system
`having a VGA card in accordance with one embodiment of
`the invention;
`FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of the digital signal
`interface between the transmitter of the VGA card and the
`receiver of the LCD monitor;
`FIG. 13 is a block diagram of the VGAcard having a LCD
`monitor cable sensing circuit in accordance with the inven(cid:173)
`tion;
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`An earlier desk top personal computer is shown in FIG. 1,
`in which a CRT monitor 100 and keyboard 200 are coupled
`to a tower type personal computer 300 as indispensable
`input/output devices. The CRT monitor 100 and keyboard
`200 are connected to the computer 300 via signal cables 110
`and 210 as shown in FIG. 2. These signal cables 110 and 210
`are provided with at one end connectors 111 and 211 so they
`can be coupled with the counterpart connectors or ports 321
`and 312 provided in the computer. As shown in FIG. 3, the
`video port 321 is mounted in a video adapter card 320
`installed in one of expansion slots 311 of the system mother
`board 310. The keyboard port 312 is also mounted in the
`mother board 310.
`A configuration of the earlier computer system having
`such a connection can be seen in FIG. 4. The computer
`system comprises a central processing unit (CPU) 330, a
`BIOS 340, a main memory 350, an 1!0 controller 360, and
`a video card 320. The video card 320 includes a video BIOS
`322, a video controller 323, a video memory 324, and a
`connector 321. The video controller 323 generates analog R,
`G, B video signals corresponding to the stored image in the
`45 video memory 324 and transmits the serialized video signals
`along with horizontal and vertical synchronizing signals to
`the CRT monitor 100 through the connector 321. The
`connector 321 commonly uses 15-pin D-Sub female VGA
`connectors. Thus, most desktop computers have been
`50 designed to use with the CRT monitor.
`In the case of a portable computer, usually a LCD panel
`is used as a main display and selectively an extra CRT
`monitor can be used therewith as shown in FIG. 5. The LCD
`panel 410 is hingedly attached to the main body 405 of
`55 notebook computer 400, facing a computer user in the open
`position and forming a lid covering the top portion of the
`main body 405 in the close position. The CRT monitor 100
`can be selectively connected with the notebook computer, if
`an external video port is provided in the notebook computer.
`60 FIG. 6 shows the rear side of the notebook computer 400,
`where an external video port 425, preferably 15-pin D-Sub
`female connector is provided in line with serial/parallel
`ports. The CRT monitor cable 110 has analog 15-pin D-Sub
`male connector 111 to be coupled with the external video
`65 port 425 when required.
`FIG. 7 shows a configuration of an earlier notebook
`computer system as described above. The notebook com-
`
`NVIDIA Corp.
`Exhibit 1001
`Page 023
`
`

`

`US 6,804,724 B2
`
`5
`
`45
`
`15
`
`5
`puter system comprises a central processing unit (CPU) 430,
`a BIOS 440, a main memory 450, an 1/0 controller 460, a
`video BIOS 421, a video controller 422, a video memory
`423, and a digital transmitter/receiver 424. The digital
`transmitter/receiver 424 is a high speed digital video inter-
`connect device for sending video memory data to the LCD
`panel 410 under control of the video controller 422. The
`video controller 422 also generates analog R, G, B video
`signals corresponding to the stored image in the video
`memory 423 and transmits serialized video signals along 10
`with horizontal and vertical synchronizing signals to the
`CRT monitor 100 through the VGA connector 425. The
`system has a video output path control function that can
`selectively operate the LCD panel410 and CRT monitor 100
`in response to a special key combination input of the
`keyboard 470. Both LCD panel 410 and CRT monitor 100
`can be operated simultaneously in a dual display mode by
`the key manipulation.
`Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown a desktop computer
`500 in which a CRT monitor 100 and a LCD monitor 600 are 20
`connected therewith. The LCD monitor 600 is a digital
`display that digitally interfaces with the computer 500. Also,
`the computer 500 has a display adapter having dual display
`function for the VGA analog video type display and the
`digital display in accordance with one embodiment of this 25
`invention. Reference number 200 denotes a keyboard for use
`with the computer 500.
`The CRT monitor 100 and LCD monitor 600 are con(cid:173)
`nected to the computer 500 via signal cables 110 and 610 as
`shown in FIG. 9. These signal cables 110 and 610 are 30
`provided with at one end connectors 111 and 611 so that they
`can be coupled with the counterpart connectors or ports 521
`and 522 provided in the computer. Also, connected is the
`keyboard signal cable 210 via a connector 211. As shown in
`FIG. 10, two video ports 521 and 522 are mounted in a 35
`display adapter or video card 520 installed in one of expan(cid:173)
`sion slots 511 of the system mother board 510. The keyboard
`port 512 is also mounted in the mother board 310.
`The computer system adopting such a video card 520 is
`shown in FIG. 11. The computer system comprises a central 40
`processing unit (CPU) 530, a BIOS 540, a main memory
`550, an 1!0 controller 560, and a video card 520. The video
`card 520 includes a video BIOS 523, a video controller 524,
`a video memory 525, a digital transmitter 526, a VGA
`analog connector 521, and a VGA digital connector 522.
`The video controller 524 generates analog R, G, B analog
`video signals corresponding to the stored image in the video
`memory 525 and transmits the serialized video signals along
`with horizontal and vertical synchronizing signals to the
`CRT monitor 100 through the connector 521. The connector 50
`521 uses 15-pin D-Sub female VGA connector. Further, the
`video controller 524 outputs parallel digital video data and
`the synchronizing signals to the transmitter 526. The trans(cid:173)
`mitter 526 is made up of a high-speed digital video inter(cid:173)
`connect device, for example Sil 100 chip, a PanelLinkcta 55
`product family of Silicon Images, Inc. This transmitter 526
`is used with the pair receiver chip, for example Sil 101,
`which is usually provided in the digital LCD monitor part.
`Basically, the transmitter/receiver is provided for sending
`video data to digital displays, supporting VGA to XGA 60
`resolutions for TFT-LCD panels. The Sil 100 transmitter
`chip 526 incorporates an advanced coding scheme to enable
`well-known VESA Transition Minimized Differential Sig(cid:173)
`naling (TMDS) for reduced electromagnetic interference
`(EMI) across copper cables and DC-balancing for data 65
`transmission over fiber optics. To maximize data recovery
`accuracy, the Sil101 receiver chip oversamples and makes
`
`6
`use of a data recovery algorithm to select the most reliable
`data sampling points.
`As shown in FIG. 12, the transmitter 526 receives parallel
`digital video data from the host video controller 524. Inputs
`of the transmitter 526 are 6-bit video data (R G B)
`horizontal and vertical synchronizing signals (HSYNC:
`VSYNC), 3-bit control signal (CTL), display enable signal
`(DE), clock signal (DCLK). The transmitter 526 encodes
`and serializes the parallel input data by the use of an internal
`PLL circuit. The serialized data is then transmitted to the
`receiver chip 630 of the LCD monitor 600 over four low
`voltage differential channels TXO, TX1, TX2 and TXC, the
`amplitude of which is set by the swing control circuit
`provided in the transmitter 526. Each channel consists of a
`pair of lines that is shown in the drawings by addition of +
`and - thereto. R (red) video data signal is sent over a pair of
`lines TXO+ and TXO-. G (green) video data signal is sent
`over a pair of lines TX1+ and TX1-. B (blue) video data
`signal is sent over a pair of lines TX2+ and TX2-. And the
`differential clock signal is sent over a pair of lines TXC+ and
`TXC-, constituting the differential clock channel.
`Further, the transmitter 526 is applied by two voltages
`DVCC and AVCC. The DVCC is an operating voltage for
`the transmitter 526, for example 3.3 Volts, and the AVCC,
`nominally 3.3 Volts, is provided for the differential level
`swing control circuit (not shown) of the transmitter 526.
`Also, reference numerals AGND denotes the ground of the
`differential signaling circuit, and DGND denotes the ground
`of the transmitter chip 526, respectively. Details of the
`TDMS interconnect scheme and the low voltage differential
`signaling (LVDS) method is described in the PanelLinkcta
`Technology Product Family Overview, Sil/DS-0001-B, Rev.
`1.0, pp. 11-24, and the rele