(19) United States
`(2) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2003/0128.197 A1
`Turner et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Jul. 10, 2003
`
`US 200301.28197A1
`
`(54) PORTABLE DEVICE FOR PROVIDING DUAL
`DISPLAY AND METHOD THEREOF
`
`(75) Inventors: Steven Turner, Kettleby (CA);
`Milivoje Aleksic, Richmond Hill (CA);
`Yin Wong Yang, Markham (CA);
`Charles Leung, North York (CA)
`Correspondence Address:
`TOLER & LARSON & ABEL L.L.P.
`PO BOX 29567
`AUSTIN, TX 78755-9567 (US)
`(73) Assignee: ATI Technologies, Inc.
`(21) Appl. No.:
`10/037,366
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jan. 4, 2002
`
`Publication Classification
`(51) Int. Cl." … G09G 5/00
`(52) U.S. Cl. … 345/204
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`Systems and methods are provided for supporting an exter
`nal display on a portable device. A system on a chip (SOC)
`of the portable device provides a first set of graphics data to
`a graphics controller. The embedded graphics controller
`renders the first set of graphics data for output using an LCD
`screen integrated with the portable device. The SOC renders
`a second set of graphics data and provides rendered graphics
`data to an external display interface. The external display
`interface formats the rendered graphics data for output on an
`external, remote display.
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`LCD
`CONTROLLER
`117
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`COMMUNICATIONS
`MODULE
`113
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`VIDEO
`CONTROLLER
`130
`
`SYSTEM
`MEMORY
`131
`
`D!SPLAY
`|NTERFACE
`120
`
`SERIAL COMMUNICATIONS
`SIGNAL LINE 105
`
`
`
`DISPLAY
`CONNECTOR
`125
`
`REMOTE
`D!SPLAY
`140
`
`HTC EXHIBIT 1016
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Jul. 10, 2003 Sheet 1 of 4
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`US 2003/0128.197 A1
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`G0|| ENIT TV/NS) IS
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Jul. 10, 2003 Sheet 2 of 4
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`US 2003/0128.197 A1
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`IDENTIFY
`DISPLAY
`SETTING
`210
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`SINGLE
`DISPLAY
`
`PROVIDE GENERAL
`GRAPHICS DATA TO
`GRAPHICS CONTROLLER
`215
`
`DUEL
`DISPLAY
`
`
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`IDENTIFY FIRST
`AND SECOND SETS
`OF GRAPHICS DATA
`220
`
`PROVIDE FIRST SET OF
`GRAPHICS DATA TO
`GRAPHICS CONTROLLER
`FOR INTEGRATED DISPLAY
`230
`
`RENDER SECOND SET
`OF GRAPHICS DATA
`240
`
`PROVIDE RENDERED SET
`OF GRAPHICS DATA
`TO DISPLAY INTERFACE
`250
`
`FIG. 2
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Jul. 10, 2003 Sheet 3 of 4
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`US 2003/0128197 A1
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Jul. 10, 2003 Sheet 4 of 4
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`US 2003/0128.197 A1
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`US 2003/0128.197 A1
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`Jul. 10, 2003
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`PORTABLE DEVICE FOR PROVIDING DUAL
`DISPLAY AND METHOD THEREOF
`
`FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
`[0001] The present invention relates generally to portable
`devices and more specifically to portable device display
`output.
`
`BACKGROUND
`[0002] Portable devices are being designed for supporting
`high quality video playback. High quality video playback on
`portable devices is in high demand. Devices such as personal
`digital assistants and web-browsing cellular telephones are
`being used for accessing and playing back video files.
`Graphics controllers are being integrated into portable
`devices, such as personal digital assistants (PDAs) and
`web-capable mobile phones, for decoding and playing video
`data, such as Motion Pictures Experts Group (MPEG) video
`data. The graphics controllers are capable of providing full
`motion video playback on the displays generally integrated
`within the portable devices.
`[0003] Support for remote displays, external to the por
`table device, is also in demand. Portable devices with
`support for remote displays can be used to provide a slide
`presentation on a projector or computer screen. Two graph
`ics controllers are generally used, a first graphics controller
`for video playback and a second graphics controller for a
`remote display. Additional memory is generally needed to
`support both graphics controllers.
`[0004] Using multiple decoders for supporting video play
`back and an external display is expensive to integrate into a
`portable device. The additional components for supporting
`both video playback and an external display take up space
`within the portable device; however, space within the
`potable device is limited due to requirements to keep the
`device portable. Portable devices are generally desired to
`consume as little power as necessary; however, the addi
`tional components integrated within the device consume
`additional power and reduce the amount of time the portable
`device can last on a single set of power cells.
`[0005] From the above discussion, it is apparent that an
`improved method of providing video support and external
`display support is needed.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`[0006] Specific embodiments of the present disclosure are
`shown and described in the drawings presented herein.
`Various objects, advantages, features and characteristics of
`the present disclosure, as well as methods, operations and
`functions of related elements of structure, and the combi
`nation of parts and economies of manufacture, will become
`apparent upon consideration of the following description
`and claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all
`of which form apart of this specification, and wherein:
`[0007] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system for
`providing a first set of video to an integrated display and a
`second set of video to a remote display, according to one
`embodiment of the present invention;
`[0008] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of
`providing graphics data associated with a portable device,
`according to one embodiment of the present invention;
`
`[0009] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a system for
`supporting an integrated display and a remote display
`device, according to one embodiment of the present inven
`tion; and
`[0010] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a system for
`supporting a plurality of remote displays, according to one
`embodiment of the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
`[0011] At least one embodiment of the present invention
`provides for a method of supporting video associated with a
`portable device on an integrated display and video on a
`remote display. The method includes receiving a first and
`second set of graphics data in a system on a chip (SOC)
`embedded in the portable device. In one embodiment, the
`first and second sets of graphics data include non-rendered
`graphics data. The method includes providing the first set of
`graphics data to a graphics controller, external to the SOC.
`The graphics controller processes the first set of graphics
`data into a first set of rendered graphics data that can be
`provided to an integrated display, integrated with the por
`table device. The method further includes processing, within
`the SOC, the second set of graphics data into a second set of
`rendered graphics data. The second set of rendered graphics
`data is then provided to a display interface. The display
`interface formats the second set of rendered graphics data
`into a particular display format associated with a remote
`display. The formatted rendered graphics, data is then output
`to the remote display.
`[0012] Referring now to FIG. 1, a block diagram illus
`trating a system for supporting video display on an inte
`grated display and a remote display and is shown and
`generally referenced as system 100, according to one
`embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment,
`system 100 is a portable device, such as a PDA. System 100
`includes a system on a chip (SOC) 110, a video controller
`130 coupled with a thin film transistor (TFT) panel 135, and
`a display interface 120 interfaced with remote display 140.
`Video controller 130 renders a first set of graphics data for
`TFT panel 135 and a liquid crystal display (LCD) controller
`117 of SOC 110 renders a second set of graphics data, which
`is displayed on remote display 140.
`[0013] SOC 110 includes a central processing unit (CPU)
`115, an embedded LCD controller 117, and a communica
`tions module 113. CPU 115 is used to run applications from
`system memory 131 of system 100. CPU 115 receives
`various graphics requests for displaying graphics data on
`TFT panel 135 or remote display 140. For example, CPU
`115 can receive a first set of graphics data associated with a
`running slide presentation application (not shown). The first
`set of graphics data can include a list of available slides.
`CPU 115 can provide the first set of graphics data to video
`controller 130, for display on TFT panel 135. CPU 115 can
`also receive a second set of graphics data used to show a
`slide selected from the available slides in more detail. The
`CPU 115 provides the second set of graphics data to embed
`ded LCD controller 117, for display on remote display 140.
`In one embodiment, CPU 115 accesses the graphics requests
`and the first and second sets of graphics data from system
`memory 131.
`[0014] In one embodiment, a video driver (not shown), run
`using CPU 115, is used to decode whether graphics data is
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`Jul. 10, 2003
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`to be displayed on an integrated display, such as TFT panel
`135, or on a display external to system 100, such as remote
`display 140. For example, in one embodiment, TFT panel
`135 can be used for video playback. For example, a full
`motion MPEG video file may be displayed on TFT panel
`135 while remote display 140 displays a screen for selecting
`applications. CPU 110 may target particular components,
`such as video controller 130 or embedded LCD controller
`117 by placing an address header with the data indicating the
`particular component and placing the data on a communi
`cations bus.
`[0015] An embedded graphics controller, LCD controller
`117, renders graphics data, such as the second set of graphics
`data provided through the CPU 115. In one embodiment,
`embedded LCD controller 117 renders the graphics data in
`a format suitable for an LCD display, such as TFT panel 135.
`To display graphics data rendered from the LCD controller
`117, the rendered graphics data is provided to display
`interface 120 In one embodiment, embedded LCD controller
`117 accessed the graphics data from memory (not shown).
`[0016] A communications module 113 of SOC 110 is used
`for communicating with a display, such as remote display
`140, external to system 100. In one embodiment, the com
`munication module 113 uses digital video interface (DVI)
`protocol for determining a type of display associated with
`remote display 140. For example, in one embodiment,
`communication module provides a DVI query for a display
`type onto a serial communications signal line 105. The serial
`communications signal line 105 is coupled to DVI commu
`nications lines of display connector 125. Display connector
`125 can include several different display connectors for
`supporting a plurality of displays. The display type is
`provided to video controller 130. In one embodiment, the
`communication module 113 communicates with the remote
`display 140, through display connector 125, using I2S
`communications protocols. It should be noted that other
`forms of communicating between the communication mod
`ule 113 and the remote device 140 can be used without
`departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In an
`alternate embodiment, a user provides a type of display for
`remote display 140. For example, the user can assign a
`display type setting using the display driver. The SOC 110
`can then provide a command to video controller 130 indi
`cating a display type associated with remote display 140.
`[0017] A graphics controller external to SOC 110, video
`controller 130, renders graphics data for TFT panel 135. In
`one embodiment, video controller 130 is capable of direct
`memory access (DMA) from system memory 131. Accord
`ingly, video controller 130 can access graphics data from
`system memory 131. Alternatively, video controller 130 can
`receive graphics data through CPU 115. In one embodi
`ment., video controller 130 processes the graphics data for
`display on TFT panel 135. Accordingly, the video controller
`130 provides rendered graphics data to TFT panel 135. TFT
`panel 135 includes a screen integrated with a portable
`device, such as system 100. In one embodiment, video
`controller 130 includes a graphics controller embedded with
`respect to system 100 and external to SOC 110.
`[0018] Display interface 120 receives rendered graphics
`data generated by embedded LCD controller 117. In one
`embodiment, the rendered graphics data generated by
`embedded LCD controller 117 is formatted for an LCD
`
`display, different from remote display 140. Accordingly,
`display interface 120 formats the rendered graphics data into
`a format associated with remote display 140. Display inter
`face 120 can receive control data from video controller 130
`indicating a display format or display type associated with
`remote display 140. Accordingly, display interface 120 can
`transform the rendered graphics data generated by embed
`ded LCD controller 117 into a display format and/or display
`type associated with remote display 140. The transformed
`graphics data generated by display interface 120 can then be
`provided to remote display 140, through a display connector
`125. In one embodiment, video controller 130 receives
`control data provided by SOC 110. For example, SOC 110
`can send control data indicating a type of display associated
`with remote display 140. Accordingly, video controller 130
`can use the control data to assert a display type or display
`format in display interface 120. In an alternate embodiment,
`video controller 130 accesses the control data directly
`through system memory 131.
`[0019] In one embodiment, display connector 125 repre
`sents one or more interfaces for use with several display
`types. For example, display connector 125 can include a
`VGA interface for connecting a VGA display as well as an
`LVDS interface for connecting with a digital display or
`projector. Other types of connection interfaces can be used
`in place of or in addition to display connector 125, such as
`a TMDS interface, without departing from the scope of the
`present invention. In one embodiment, output from the
`display interface 120 is disabled after a period of inactivity
`in system 100. Accordingly, power used by system 100 can
`be conserved.
`[0020] It should be noted that conventional systems sup
`porting remote displays, such as remote display 140, do not
`generally use embedded LCD controller 117 to render
`graphics data. Instead, an additional graphics controller,
`external to SOC 110, is generally added to the portable
`device to render graphics data to the remote display. Accord
`ingly, the present invention has the advantage of reducing an
`amount of added hardware to support the remote display by
`using the embedded LCD controller 117, embedded in the
`SOC 110, to render graphics data and simply formatting the
`graphics data for the remote display 140 using display
`interface 120.
`[0021] Referring now to FIG. 2, a flow diagram illustrat
`ing a method of generating a first and a second set of
`rendered graphics data is shown, according to one embodi
`ment of the present invention. In step 210, an SOC, such as
`SOC 110 (FIG. 1), identifies a current display setting. The
`SOC identifies whether a portable device associated with the
`SOC is in a single display or a dual display configuration.
`The setting can be based on a number of available displays.
`For example, if a remote display connected to the portable
`device is found in addition to an integrated display associ
`ated with the portable device, the SOC can enable a dual
`display configuration. If only the integrated display is avail
`able, the SOC enables a single display configuration. Alter
`natively, the display settings can be user based. In step 215,
`if the SOC identifies a single display configuration, a set of
`general graphics data is provided to a video controller,
`external to the SOC. In one embodiment, the video control
`ler is capable of providing video decoding support. The
`general graphics data provides system display data. For
`example, the general graphics data can include a main
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`window associated with an application or operating system,
`allowing a user to have access to system information, such
`as system control information.
`
`if a dual display configuration is
`In step 220,
`[0022]
`identified,
`the SOC identifies a first and a second set of
`graphics data. In one embodiment, the first set of graphics
`data includes general system control graphics data. Alterna-
`tively, the second set of graphics data can provide supple-
`mentary display information. For example, in a slideshow
`application,
`the first set of graphics data can include a
`window identifying different slide available. In comparison,
`the second set of graphics data can be used to display a
`currently selected slide. In an alternate embodiment,the first
`set of graphics data includes the same graphics information
`as the second set of graphics data.
`
`Instep 230,the first set of graphics data is provided
`[0023]
`to the video controller, external to the SOC. In one embodi-
`ment, the video controller is used to render the first set of
`graphics data and provide the rendered graphics data to the
`integrated display. In step 240, the SOC uses an embedded
`graphics controller, internal to the SOC,to render the second
`set of graphics data. In one embodiment, an LCD controller,
`internal to the SOC, renders the second set of graphics data
`in an LCD display format. In step 250, the SOC provides the
`rendered graphics data, associated with the second set of
`graphics data, to a display interface. In one embodiment,the
`display interface is used to format the rendered graphics data
`into a display format supported by a remote display con-
`nected to the portable device.
`
`[0024] Referring now to FIG. 3, a block diagram illus-
`trating a system for supporting an integrated display and a
`remote display within a portable device is shown, and
`generally referenced as system 300. In on embodiment,
`system 300 includes a portable device, such as a PDA. An
`embedded system on a chip, SOC 310, receives video data
`from an application being run using the SOC.A first set of
`video data is provided to an embedded graphics controller,
`video controller 370, for display on an integrated display
`380. A second set of video data is provided to LCD con-
`troller 320 for display on a remote display 360, through a
`display interface 350.
`
`graphics data and command data from SOC 310 through a
`bus interface unit 373. In one embodiment, video controller
`370 rendersthefirst set of graphics data from CPU 315 into
`a format associated with an integrated display 320. An
`MPEGdecoder 371 processes MPEG data received from
`SOC 310 into display data. Similarly a two dimensional
`(2D)pipeline 372 generates rendered graphics data from the
`first set of graphics data provided by the SOC 310.
`
`[0027] A memory controller 377 provides access to
`embedded memory 374. Embedded memory 374 stores a
`primary surface 375, used to store rendered graphics data to
`be displayed on integrated display 380. Rendered graphics
`data provided through components of video controller 370,
`such as through MPEG decoder 371 and 2D pipeline 372,
`are stored in primary surface 375 of embedded memory 374.
`Adisplay output 376 provides rendered graphics data stored
`in primary surface 375 to an integrated display 380. In one
`embodiment, integrated display 380 includes an LCD dis-
`play integrated with a portable device, such as system 300.
`It should be appreciated that video controller 370 can
`include other components not described without departing
`fro the scope of the present invention.
`
`In one embodiment, video controller 370 receives
`[0028]
`display settings associated with remote display 360 from
`SOC 310. Video controller 370 provides control data asso-
`ciated with the display settings to display interface 350 via
`a control bus 381. In one embodiment, the control bus 381
`includes a general purpose input/output (GPIO) interface
`between the video controller 370 and the display interface
`350. It should be appreciated that other forms of commu-
`nication interfaces can be used without departing from the
`scopeof the present invention. For example, control bus 381
`can include a proprietary communications bus. In addition,
`SOC 310 can also communicate with display interface 350
`to identify a type of remote display being used, such as
`remote display 360.
`
`In one embodiment, system 300 also includes an
`[0029]
`embedded display interface, display interface 350, external
`to SOC 310. Display interface 350 formats and outputs
`rendered graphics data for a remote display 360. In one
`embodiment, display interface 350 receives the rendered
`graphics data from secondary surface 315, stored in system
`[0025] SOC 310 operates similar to SOC 110 (FIG. 1).A
`memory 340, via an input data bus 385. The input data bus
`CPU 315 processes data associated with applications gen-
`385 can include a communications bus between the SOC
`erally stored in system memory 340. CPU 315 directsafirst
`310 and the display interface 350. In one embodiment, the
`set of graphics data to video controller 370, external to the
`input data bus 385 includes separate lines for a pixel clock,
`SOC 310. Video controller 370 generates a first set of
`a vertical synchronization signal, a horizontal synchroniza-
`rendered graphics data. LCD controller 320, internal to SOC
`tion signal, and a display enable signal. Furthermore, the
`310, renders a second set of graphics data. LCD controller
`input data line 385 can include separate sets of lines to
`320 processes the second set of graphics data into a second
`provide read, green and blue display data. Display interface
`set of rendered graphics data. In one embodiment, LCD
`350 formats the rendered graphics data received through
`controller 320 stores the second set of rendered graphics
`input data bus 385 into a plurality of display formats using
`data in system memory 340, using memory controller 330.
`A second surface 315 is used to store the second set of
`a VGAoutput 356, a TMDSoutput 357 or an LVDS output
`358. In one embodiment, an output selector 355 provides the
`rendered graphics data within system memory 340. A
`rendered graphics data to one of the display outputs 356-
`memory controller 330 provides access of system memory
`358.
`340 for LCD controller 320. In one embodiment, SOC 310
`communicates with remote display 360 and provides display
`settings associated with remote display 360 to video con-
`troller 370.
`
`[0030] Each of the display outputs 356-358 can be used to
`format the rendered graphics data into an appropriate form.
`For example, the VGA output 356 can include a digital to
`analog (DAC) converter to provide analog video associated
`with received display data. Similarly, the TMDS output 357
`and the LVDS output 358 can include a TMDStransmitter
`
`In one embodiment, video controller 370 includes
`[0026]
`a graphics controller embedded with respect to system 300
`but external to SOC 310. Video controller 370 receives
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`and an LVDS transmitter, respectively. The outputs 356-358
`can be coupled to a multiple display interface (not shown).
`The multiple display interface can provide outputs for a
`plurality of supported displays. For example, the multiple
`display interface can provide a connection for a VGA
`display, TMDS display and an LVDS display.
`[0031] A control module 351 processes the control data
`provided by video controller 370. The control module
`decides which of the outputs 356-358 will be used based on
`display data provided by the video controller 370. For
`example, if the display data indicates remote display 360 is
`associated with a VGA display, control module 351 deter
`mines VGA output 356 will be an active output for the
`rendered graphics data. Control module 351 can provide
`control of output selector 255 to select the output matching
`remote display 360. In one embodiment, control module 351
`also provides control of output display settings, such as
`refresh rate and resolution, to output selector 355 and/or
`outputs 356-358 to match desired user settings. As previ
`ously discussed, a user can make desired output settings
`through the use of an application or display driver run
`through CPU 315. The desired output settings can then be
`provided to display interface 350, through video controller
`370. Alternatively, display settings can be made based on a
`detected display type through communication with remote
`display 360, such as through a DVI interface.
`[0032] Referring now to FIG. 4, a block diagram illus
`trating a system for supporting a plurality of remote displays
`is shown and generally referenced as system 400, according
`to one embodiment of the present invention. System 400
`includes a portable device capable of using a plurality of
`external, or remote, displays. A first set of graphics data is
`rendered by a video controller 420 and displayed on first
`remote display 450. A second set of graphics data is rendered
`by an embedded LCD controller 117 and displayed on a
`second remote display 460.
`[0033] CPU 115 of SOC 110 receives sets of graphics data
`generated by applications associated with system 400. CPU
`115 provides a first set of graphics data to video controller
`420 and a second set of graphics data to embedded LCD
`controller 117. The first set of graphics data is rendered by
`video controller 420 into a first set of rendered graphics data
`and stores the first set of rendered graphics data as a primary
`surface 413 in embedded memory 422. Similarly, embedded
`LCD controller 117 renders the second set of graphics data
`into a second set of rendered graphics data and stores the
`second set of rendered graphics data as a secondary surface
`415 in system memory 410.
`[0034] In one embodiment, the first set of rendered graph
`ics data, stored in primary surface 413, is provided to display
`interface 440. A first selector 444 of display interface 440
`provides the first set of rendered graphics data to one of a
`plurality of supported outputs, a VGA output 446, a TMDS
`output 447, or an LVDS output 448. In one embodiment, the
`display outputs 446-448 format rendered graphics data into
`a format associated with a particular display. For example,
`the VGA output 446 can format the first set of rendered
`graphics data into a VGA display format. Once routed to a
`supported display output 446-448, can provide the first set of
`rendered graphics data to a first remote display 450. In one
`embodiment, display output 421 of video controller 420,
`further provides the first set of rendered graphics data to an
`
`integrated display 430 associated with system 400. Accord
`ingly, the first set of rendered graphics data can be displayed
`on both the integrated display 430 and the first remote
`display 450.
`[0035] In one embodiment, the second set of rendered
`graphics data, stored as secondary surface 415, is also
`provided to the display interface 440. A second selector 445
`can provide the second set of rendered graphics data to one
`of the supported display outputs 446-448. Accordingly, the
`second selector 445 can provide the second set of rendered
`graphics data to the second remote display 460 using a
`display format supported by the second remote display 460.
`[0036] A control module 443 can be used to apply par
`ticular display settings for display interface 440. For
`example, control module 443 can be used to determine
`which of the available display ports 446-448 are to be used
`for a particular set of rendered graphics data. Accordingly,
`the control module 443 can apply control to selectors 444
`and 445 to route the particular set of rendered graphics data
`to a particular display port. For example, in the illustrated
`embodiment, the control module 443 communicates with
`first selector 444 to provide the first set of rendered graphics
`data, from the video controller 420, to VGA output 446 for
`first remote display 450. Similarly, the control module 443
`communicates with the second selector 445 to route the
`second set of rendered graphics data, from the embedded
`LCD controller 117, to the LVDS output 448 for the second
`remote display 460.
`[0037] In one embodiment, the control module 443 is
`operated by user-controlled settings. A user selects which of
`the outputs are to be used for which set of rendered graphics
`data. The user settings are provided to the video controller
`420 as command data and the video controller 420 provides
`a control signal to the control module 443 indicating desired
`settings. Alternatively, the control module 443 may detect
`appropriate settings. For example, control module 443 can
`detect the presence of a display, such as first remote display
`450, connected to a particular output, such as VGA output
`446. Similarly, display types and settings can be received
`from a connected display, such as with DVI protocol.
`Control module 443 may also apply settings to display
`outputs 446-448 to adjust display format settings. For
`example, control module 443 may adjust a refresh rate or
`resolution used by a particular display output 446-448.
`[0038] In one embodiment, a particular set of rendered
`graphics data is provided to multiple display outputs. For
`example, the second set of rendered graphics data can be
`provided to both the TMDS output 447 and the LVDS output
`448. However, it should be noted, that a single display
`output should not be used for more than one particular set of
`rendered graphics data at one time. For example, if the first
`set of rendered graphics data is being provided to the VGA
`output 446, the second set of rendered graphics data should
`not be provided to the VGA output 446. Accordingly, it may
`be necessary to provide a priority to particular sets of
`rendered graphics data and particular outputs. For example,
`if VGA display is detected connected to the VGA output
`446, the first rendered graphics data will be routed to VGA
`output 446. Alternatively, user settings can dictate which set
`of rendered graphics data is provided to which display
`output 446-448.
`[0039] The systems described herein may be part of an
`information handling system. The term “information han
`
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`US 2003/0128.197 A1
`
`Jul. 10, 2003
`
`dling system” refers to any system that is capable of pro
`cessing information or transferring information from one
`source to another. An information handling system may be
`a single device, such as a computer, a personal digital
`assistant (PDA), a hand held computing device, a cable
`set-top box, an Internet capable device, such as a cellular
`phone, and the like. Alternatively, an information handling
`system may refer to a collection of such devices. It should
`be appreciated that the system described herein has the
`advantage of dynamically reducing power consumption in
`response to system activity.
`[0040] In the preceding detailed description of the
`embodiments, reference has been made to the accompanying
`drawings which form a part thereof, and in which is shown
`by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the
`disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are
`described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art
`to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that
`other embodiments may be utilized and that logical,
`mechanical, and electrical changes may be made without
`departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. To avoid
`detail not necessary to enable those skilled in the art to
`practice the disclosure, the description may omit certain
`information known to those skilled in the art. Furthermore,
`many other varied embodiments that incorporate the teach
`ings of the disclosure may be easily constructed by those
`skilled in the art. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not
`intended to be limited to the specific form set forth herein,