DE102009056401A1 - Method for displaying condition information of e.g. hard disk drive of laptop, involves processing condition information in display module for graphical representation on main display, and producing and outputting representation to display - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves detecting condition information of a set of electronic components (1) and a power supply (6) of a computer (2) by a control module (3) i.e. baseboard management controller, and transmitting the condition information from the control module to a display module (4). The condition information is processed in the display module for graphical representation on a main display (5) i.e. LCD display, and a main image is displayed in the display module for a user. The graphical representation of the condition information is produced and outputted to the main display. An independent claim is also included for a computer comprising a control module for detecting condition information of a power supply and/or electronic components.

Description

The invention relates to a method for displaying status information of electronic device components of a computer, wherein one or more status information is generated in one or more associated device components and detected by at least one control module.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a computer, comprising a power supply, a motherboard, at least one device component, in particular a drive and / or a network component and / or a peripheral component and / or an input device, and at least one control module for detecting status information of the power supply and / or the at least one device component.

Finally, the invention also relates to an arrangement comprising a computer and a monitor.

When operating a computer, the user must or wants to be informed of the current state of the device components in the computer. In particular, the state of the power supply, be it a mains connection or a rechargeable battery or both, or the activity of drives, network components or peripheral components and settings of input devices are graphically displayed to a user.

There are already various solutions for this. Especially in portable computer systems, such as laptops or notebooks, a representation of the state information is usually in a separate, separate from the main screen display, which is realized for example as an LCD display (LCD = Liquid Crystal Display). For this purpose, a variety of symbols are displayed in this display, representing the different state information of each associated device components. Usually, such a display is not illuminated. The disadvantage of such an LCD display is thus that the individual symbols are only poorly or not at all recognizable in a dark environment. Especially users with visual impairments can read such a display only with difficulty.

Further, the provision of such a display on a portable computer system is associated with additional material costs for the LCD display and its connector to the motherboard of the computer system. In addition, different display modules may also have to be provided for different device types, so that varying dimensions of the housings or different arrangements of the additional displays in the housings require further unnecessary development effort depending on the device types.

Another possible indication of state information of electronic device components of a computer is the setting up of one or more light-emitting diodes (LED). These can reproduce different state information through different or changing colors as well as through variable flashing frequency. There are solutions in which small display elements are illuminated from behind by one or more LEDs, the display elements being symbols for the different device components. It is also known to print corresponding symbols next to the associated LEDs on the housing or impress in the housing. The disadvantage of these LED solutions is that a user is easily confused by different colors or varying flashing frequency. Furthermore, printed or embossed symbols are also difficult to recognize in a dark environment, so that the signaling of the LEDs is bad or not at all attributable to the respective device component. In addition, any type of LED solution is difficult to read for a user with impaired vision.

Another known solution is the representation of state information within an operating system environment. For example, it is known to display system states in a toolbar on the screen edge or in a status window of a control panel in the operating system environment. However, depending on the operating system used in each case, only a specific selection of status information may be available here, with this status information generally only being able to be displayed when the operating system has been booted up and a user has logged on.

Furthermore, there are solutions to provide a screen menu or a screen display for displaying individual functions. However, these so-called on-screen displays (OSD) only allow the setting and configuration of a monitor or the visualization of control commands special functions via a keyboard, the visualization of control commands is generally also operating system-dependent.

It is therefore an object of the invention to describe a method of the type mentioned, which allows a more comfortable and improved display of state information of electronic device components of a computer. Another object of the invention is a computer and an arrangement with a Describe computer and a monitor of the type mentioned, so that a corresponding method for displaying state information can be performed.

• – Übermitteln der Zustandsinformationen vom Kontroll-Baustein an einen Anzeige-Baustein,
• – Verarbeiten der Zustandsinformationen im Anzeige-Baustein für eine grafische Darstellung auf einem Hauptbildschirm, auf dem einem Benutzer ein Hauptbild angezeigt wird, und
• – Erzeugen und Ausgeben der grafischen Darstellung der Zustandsinformationen auf dem Hauptbildschirm.

In a first aspect, the invention achieves the object by a corresponding method, characterized by the steps:

• Transmitting the status information from the control module to a display module,
• Processing the state information in the graphical display display module on a main screen on which a main image is displayed to a user, and
• Generate and output the graphical representation of the state information on the main screen.

The advantage of this solution is that a control module forwards the acquired status information of associated device components directly to a display module which is set up to display a screen menu or a screen display. An essential aspect is that status information can be displayed independently of the operating system on the main screen. Thus, a check of the system state in the computer is possible even if the operating system is not or has not started up completely. The invention makes use of conventional microcontroller modules for acquiring status information and for generating a screen menu and integrates them in such a way that status information can be displayed without prior processing in a central processing unit (CPU) or in an operating system on the main screen. It also eliminates the need to set up an additional display or status LEDs. The status information can be easily read and recorded by the main screen, especially by users with limited vision.

The status information acquired by the control module preferably includes the activity of drives and / or network components and / or peripheral components and / or settings of input devices and / or the state of the power supply of the computer. This means that a user can check if the drives (hard disk or CD / DVD drives) are currently active or if a network adapter is sending or receiving data signals. Furthermore, the user is informed whether peripherals such as USB devices (USB = Universal Serial Bus) or memory cards are connected and integrated into the system. It is also possible to capture settings from input devices such as mouse and keyboard. This is particularly advantageous if, for example, the state of the input on a keyboard has been changed by activating the Caps Lock key. Also the state of the power supply of the computer, in particular the state of a mains connection or of one or more accumulators as well as their states of charge can be displayed on the main screen. Thus, a user always has a complete overview of all the individual information of the internal device components of the computer.

Preferably, the graphical representation of at least one state information is triggered on the main screen by changing the corresponding state information. This means that a user is automatically presented with a changed system status on the main screen without the user having to independently call up the status information on a regular basis in order to register changes in the system statuses.

Preferably, it is provided in parallel that the graphical representation of the state information on the main screen is triggered by pressing a predetermined key. Thus, a user can always activate the display of the status information by pressing a button and get an overview of the system status.

In a further aspect, the invention solves the problem by an aforementioned computer, characterized by a display module adapted to generate a display window on a main screen, the control module being connected to the display module such that a corresponding method of the aforementioned Way is feasible.

A computer designed in this way can acquire and process status information of its device components, in particular of drives, network components, peripheral components, input devices and its power supply, via the control module and forward it to the display module independently of the operating system or software, so that a graphical representation of all status information for one Display on a main screen. Thus, the computer itself provides all the necessary microcontroller components to generate this representation.

In a preferred embodiment, the computer is a portable computer with a main integrated display, the power supply comprising a battery. Such a computer may, for example, be a laptop or a notebook, the computer being operated via the mains or via a battery. In particular, in such a portable computer deleted by the display according to the invention the state information on the main screen, the setup of an additional display or status LEDs. All system states of their associated device components can be easily read and recognized by a user.

Preferably, the computer is characterized by an energy buffer which energizes the control device and the display device, and optionally a predetermined button for activating said process and optionally the main screen, if the power supply does not provide power. For example, if the power plug is unplugged or a battery has been removed from the portable computer, a display for displaying a display window may still be activated on the main screen. The control module records status information about the disconnected power supply and forwards it to the display module so that it can be displayed on the main screen. In the simplest case, such state information may be, for example, a drop in a voltage signal due to the lack of power supply. Due to a supply of essential components on the energy buffer memory can be communicated to the user in the case of a lack of power supply, a corresponding state information about it.

Finally, in a further aspect, the object is achieved by an arrangement comprising a computer and a monitor, the computer having at least one control module for acquiring status information of a power supply and / or at least one device component, in particular a drive and / or a network component and and / or a peripheral component and / or an input device and is arranged such that the state information from the control module of the computer to the monitor are transferable and wherein the monitor has a display module, such as for generating a display window on a main screen of the monitor is set up that a corresponding described method is feasible. Such an arrangement makes it possible, for example, to connect a desktop or stand-alone computer with a control unit for acquiring status information and a monitor for displaying image information on a main screen, wherein the monitor has a display module for generating a Has on-screen displays. The state information is captured in the computer and transmitted to the monitor, so that it can finally be processed in the monitor to a graphical representation and displayed on the main screen.

Further advantageous embodiments are disclosed in the subclaims and in the following description of the figures.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a description of the figures.

Show it:

1 a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a computer, which is set up to display status information,

2 a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the computer,

3 a schematic representation of an arrangement with a computer and a monitor, which is adapted to display status information, and

4 a monitor with displayed status information.

1 shows a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a computer 2 in which several device components 1 are arranged. Such device components 1 For example, a hard disk drive (HDD), an optical disk drive (ODD), a keyboard, or a local area network (LAN) adapter can be used. It is conceivable to set up the network adapter for a wired data transmission in a network or for a wireless connection in a wireless network. Other device components 1 For example, they may be formed by peripherals that are connected to the computer via USB 2 are connected.

It is also in the computer 2 a power supply 6 , which is designed in this embodiment as a rechargeable battery (Battery). The computer 2 is doing a portable computer, such as a laptop or a notebook, dar. The power supply 6 In addition, a power adapter with a power connector to the 220 V network for operating the computer 2 and / or to charge the battery.

Further, in the computer 2 a main screen 5 integrated, which is embodied in this embodiment as a liquid crystal screen (LCD). The main screen represents the human-machine visual interface and thus serves a user for displaying all image information.

Two other essential components are in the computer 2 arranged, namely a control block 3 and a display module 4 , The control module 3 represents in this embodiment a so-called baseboard management controller (BMC). The BMC is used to record and evaluate all system states of the device components 1 , wherein the detected system states for controlling the device components 1 or for controlling the overall system, for example, to a central processing unit (CPU, not shown) and / or to an operating system or to other software modules can be passed. Basically, the BMC therefore represents the interface between the hardware and the software for system management. It is also conceivable that the BMC, for example, sends status information or alarm messages over the network (LAN) to a system administrator, so that he then on the computer 2 access and make settings.

For capturing status information in the computer 2 is the control module 3 via a data line 7a with all device components 1 as well as with the power supply 6 connected. The connection to the power supply 6 in this case does not connect to the electrical power supply of all components in the computer 2 but describes the transmission path of state information from the power supply 6 in the control module 3 , Electrical supply lines are of course inevitable for the operation of the computer 2 over the power supply 6 necessary, however, for the sake of simplicity of illustration 1 omitted. The data line 7a For example, a so-called system management bus (SMBus) may be located on a motherboard (not shown) of the computer 2 runs and for acquiring status information as well as for controlling and checking the device components 1 and optionally the power supply 6 serves. However, it is conceivable to use any other type and combination of communication buses.

Via the data line 7a it is the control module 3 finally possible, all status information of the device components 1 as well as the power supply 6 to capture and process. This status information may include, for example, the activity of drives (HDD / ODD) or of network or peripheral components (LAN or USB) as well as settings of the input devices, such as mouse and keyboard (keyboard). Furthermore, state information of the power supply 6 over the data line 7a to the control module 3 be handed over. Such state information can include, for example, the general connection to a power grid or, as in this embodiment, the charging or discharging state of the battery (Battery). It is conceivable to use a battery management system, for example the so-called smart battery system, which detects the aforementioned states of the power supply in the form of a microcontroller and via the data line 7a the control module 3 telling. Finally, all state information of the device components run 1 as well as the power supply 6 in the control module 3 over the data line 7a together and can be evaluated in it.

The display module 4 is for creating and displaying a display window on the main screen 5 of the computer 2 set up. The display module 4 is running as a microcontroller, which is an on-screen display (OSD) on the main screen 5 can generate. An important aspect is that the on-screen menu is OS-independent on the main screen 5 is pictured. The display module 4 may include an internal memory containing a sequencer for generating and displaying the on-screen menu. Depending on certain input signals, the display module brings 4 thus a screen menu on the main screen 5 see full ad.

The display module 4 is over another data line 7b with the control module 3 connected. Thus, control signals from the control block 3 directly, that is, without detours via a CPU and / or an operating system, to the display module 4 which are the display module 4 to select graphical symbols of the corresponding state information and to generate a screen menu or display window by means of the sequence control, in which the graphical symbols on the main screen 5 be displayed. It is conceivable that the said control signals, which from the control module 3 to the display module 4 be transmitted, represent analog or digital signals. Furthermore, the control signals directly from the control block 3 represent detected state information or control signals generated therefrom.

Via the data line 7c is the display module 4 immediately with the main screen 5 connected so that the from the display block 4 generated image signals to the main screen 5 can be handed over. It is conceivable, for example, that the display module 4 generated so-called red, green and blue signals (RGB) for each symbol to be displayed, the RGB signals with a signal for horizontal synchronization (Hsync) for the image structure on the main screen 5 be matched. Subsequently, the RGB signals are mixed with the main picture signal, which is generated in a graphics adapter (not shown) and sent to the main screen 5 is handed over.

In the embodiment illustrated here, it is critical that state information of device components 1 and the power supply 6 via the control module 3 and to the display module 4 can be passed on. Subsequently, the respective status information is displayed via a in the display module 4 generated on-screen menu or a display window, which is on the main screen 5 is displayed. The acquisition, processing and display of status information on the main screen 5 This is done entirely operating system-independent, so that the method is feasible even if the operating system is not or not yet completely started up. To process the state information for the display on the main screen 5 Furthermore, no CPU of the computer 2 to be entitled to. This also has the advantage that an indication of certain state information can be made even if the computer 2 is in a power-saving state in which, for example, the CPU and / or the operating system are inactive and only a part of the device components 1 maintains its functionality. The state information of these selected device components 1 can be displayed. The components 3 . 4 and 5 must of course also be supplied with electricity.

In general, status information of device components 1 or the power supply 6 not as with conventional devices of this kind to an additional display, which next to the main screen 5 is set up for an ad, or passed to multiple status LEDs, but can be accessed via the display device 4 directly on the main screen 5 be displayed. Thus, the status information is read and recognized on the main screen 5 much more comfortable, since here the size and presentation of the state information is flexible and in particular the main screen 5 with its backlight allows a good readability. Misleading or difficult to read display solutions of the conventional type in a dark environment can thereby be circumvented.

2 shows an expanded second embodiment of a computer 2 according to 1 , In addition to the execution according to 1 is in 2 however, an energy cache 8th provided that the control module 3 as well as the display module 4 and the main screen 5 can supply power if the power supply 6 is inactive. This is the case, for example, if the battery is out of the computer 2 was removed or a power plug was pulled. A supply of the components 3 . 4 and 5 over the energy cache 8th is indicated by a dashed line. The energy cache 8th can represent any type of energy storage, such as an additional battery or a capacitor with very high capacity (a so-called gold cap).

The energy cache 8th ensures the power supply of the control module 3 for detecting status information about the inactive power supply. This status information can be sent to the display module 4 be passed on, which is also supplied with energy. Finally, the state information on the main screen 5 which is also displayed via the energy buffer 8th is supplied. For reasons of energy saving, it is conceivable that only those picture elements (pixels) of the main screen 5 to supply electrically, which are required to display the status information via a screen menu or a display window. The rest of the picture elements are left unattended.

Supply of components 3 . 4 and 5 over the energy cache 8th is useful if a user uses a battery from the computer 2 removed, this state change as state information on the main screen 5 is shown.

Of course, it is conceivable, a corresponding state information even when re-inserting a battery in the computer 2 display. Also, plugging or unplugging a power plug can be considered here. The status information about the power supply 6 can be generated via a battery or power management system, which also from the energy buffer 8th is powered (not shown) if the power supply 6 is inactive. It is also conceivable that by simply connecting or disconnecting an electrical power supply 6 a voltage signal is generated, which is a corresponding state information for the control block 3 represents.

In addition to the energy buffer 8th is on an outside of the computer 2 a button 9 arranged. The key 9 is easily accessible to a user and may generate a screen menu or a display window on the main screen 5 be used. This is the button 9 directly with the display module 4 connected. It is conceivable, for example, that the key 9 by pressing an electrical contact closes, with a voltage input signal on the display module 4 generating a display window or on-screen menu on the main screen 5 triggers. Thus, a user has the option of using the button 9 at any time an indication of state information of the computer 2 and its device components 1 as well as its power supply 6 to activate. The key 9 For example, a button specially set up for this function (Hotkey) or a programmable key that has been assigned by a user with this function.

3 shows a schematic representation of an arrangement of a computer 2 and a monitor 10 , The computer 2 rejects that 1 and 2 known device components 1 as well as a control module 3 for acquiring status information of the device components 1 on. Further, in the computer 2 a power supply 6 (PSU = Power Supply Unit), which is used to power the entire computer 2 serves. In the execution according to 3 is the computer 2 For example, a desktop or stand-alone system. That means the power supply 6 in this embodiment is designed as a power supply, which can be connected to a 220 V network. As a rule, such a computer system 2 always connected to the grid, the control module detects 3 in this embodiment only status information of the device components 1 , However, it is conceivable that in this embodiment of the control block 3 State information of the power supply 6 captured what the analysis of a power failure 6 makes possible. In addition, the computer includes 2 a graphics adapter 11 (Video), which is used to create and edit image signals for display on the monitor 10 is set up. The graphics adapter 11 can, for example, represent a graphics card.

The control module 3 captured, as in the 1 and 2 already described, via the data line 7a Status information of the device components 1 and can handle them if necessary. In addition, the computer points 2 a data line 7b on, over which the control module 3 the state information to the graphics adapter 11 transfers.

The display 10 represents a conventional monitor and has standard components such as a monitor power supply 13 (PSU), a module 12 (Scaler) for converting video signals between different resolutions, a display module (OSD) for generating a screen menu (on-screen display) and of course a main screen 5 (LCD). Generally, the module serves 12 for processing, in particular for scaling, video signals for display on the main screen 5 ,

The video signals are from the computer 2 via the graphics adapter 11 to the monitor 10 transfer. A conceivable transmission path is, for example, an analog VGA interface (VGA = Video Graphics Array) or a digital DVI interface (DVI = Digital Visual Interface). The image signals are then in the module 12 processed and the main screen 5 to hand over. In addition, the graphics adapter transmits 11 of the computer 2 that of the control module 3 acquired state information, these signals via a separate data line 7b in the monitor 10 to the display module 4 of the monitor 10 be handed over. The in the control module 3 of the computer 2 captured state information are effectively via the graphics adapter 11 to the display module 4 of the monitor 10 looped through. A conceivable transmission path of this status information is the so-called Display Data Channel (DDC), which is set up in accordance with the I2C standard (I2C = Inter Integrated Circuit) and for the (bidirectional) transmission of status information and commands between the computer 2 and the monitor 10 serves.

Thus, the display module receives 4 in the monitor 10 over the data line 7b in the monitor 10 that of the control module 3 in the computer 2 acquired state information and can this according to the in 1 and 2 illustrated method for display on the main screen 5 of the monitor 10 to process. The display module hands over this 4 Video signals for displaying graphical symbols via a data line 7c to the main screen 5 , It is conceivable and may even be necessary for the video signals to be sent to the module first 12 and then - after scaling - to the main screen 5 be passed on. However, this depends on how the monitor works 10 and needs no further explanation here. Also in the execution according to 3 includes the monitor 10 a button 9 via which the display module 4 to generate a display window or on-screen menu on the main screen 5 can be activated.

The arrangement of a computer 2 and a monitor 10 according to 3 represents the combination of a desktop PC with a conventional monitor 10 However, state information of the device components 1 of the computer 2 via the graphics adapter 11 to the monitor 10 passed, which is a display module 4 for generating a screen menu. Thus, by exploiting known transmission paths between the computer 2 and the monitor 10 State information of the computer 2 easy and comfortable on the main screen 5 of the monitor 10 being represented. This is especially interesting if the computer 2 is difficult for a user to access, for example, under a desk, and the user still has certain state information of the computer 2 want to look at and retrieve.

4 shows a monitor 10 with a main screen 5 on which a display window 14 is shown. The display window 14 was via a display module 4 according to the in 1 to 3 generated manner. The display window 14 contains several state information, such as the activity of drives, the state of the power supply including charging and discharging states of batteries, and the activity of network modules. There is also information about peripheral components, such as memory cards, or keyboard settings of the computer system. It is conceivable that the display window 14 is permanently displayed or only appears in a certain time interval to be defined. Furthermore, the display window 14 contain all state information or only selected state information of device components whose state has changed accordingly.

A user may specify settings, such as the duration, display area, or even the position of the display window on the main screen according to his personal preferences, these settings being in non-volatile memory of the display module 4 and configure a display window in the display module 4 be read out. For example, users with limited vision can select and specify larger graphical symbols and a longer duration of display. In addition to the execution of the display module 4 As a separate module, not shown embodiments are also possible in which a display module 4 is integrated in a BIOS component of the computer (BIOS = Basic Input Output System). Here is the functionality of the display module 4 however, depending on the functionality of the BIOS device in the computer system.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

device component

2

computer

3

Control module

4

Display module

5

main screen

6

power supply

7a, 7b, 7c

data line

8th

Energy buffer

9

button

10

monitor

11

graphics adapter

12

Module for scaling

13

Monitor power supply

14

display window

Claims (10)

Method for displaying status information of electronic device components ( 1 . 6 ) of a computer ( 2 ), wherein one or more state information in one or more associated device components ( 1 . 6 ) and at least one control module ( 3 ), characterized by the steps: - transmitting the status information from the control block ( 3 ) to a display module ( 4 ), - Processing the status information in the display module ( 4 ) for a graphical representation on a main screen ( 5 ) on which a main image is displayed to a user, and - generating and outputting the graphical representation of the state information on the main screen ( 5 ). Method according to claim 1, characterized in that that of the control module ( 3 ) detected state information the activity of drives and / or network components and / or peripheral components and / or settings of input devices and / or the state of the power supply ( 6 ) of the computer ( 2 ). Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a display window ( 14 ) for displaying the status information in a subsection of the main screen ( 5 ) is produced. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the graphical representation of at least one state information on the main screen ( 5 ) is triggered by changing the corresponding state information. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the graphical representation of the status information on the main screen ( 5 ) by pressing a predetermined key ( 9 ) is triggered. Computer ( 2 ), comprising - a power supply ( 6 ), - a motherboard, - at least one device component ( 1 ), in particular a drive and / or a network component and / or a peripheral component and / or an input device, and - at least one control module ( 3 ) for detecting status information of the power supply ( 6 ) and / or the at least one device component ( 1 ), characterized by a display module ( 4 ), which is used to generate a display window ( 14 ) on a main screen ( 5 ), the control module ( 3 ) in such a way with the display module ( 4 ), that a method according to one of claims 1 to 4 with the computer ( 2 ) is feasible. Computer ( 2 ) according to claim 6, characterized by a predetermined button ( 9 ) for activating the method according to claim 5. Computer ( 2 ) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that it is a portable computer ( 2 ) with an integrated main screen ( 5 ) and the power supply ( 6 ) includes a battery. Computer ( 2 ) according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized by an energy buffer memory ( 8th ), which contains the control module ( 3 ) and the display module ( 4 ) and optionally the predetermined key ( 9 ) and the main screen ( 5 ), if the power supply ( 6 ) does not deliver energy. Arrangement comprising a computer ( 2 ) and a monitor ( 10 ), whereby the computer ( 2 ) at least one control module ( 3 ) for detecting status information of a power supply ( 6 ) and / or at least one device component ( 1 ), in particular a drive and / or a network component and / or a peripheral component and / or an input device and is set up such that the status information from the control module ( 3 ) of the computer ( 2 ) to the monitor ( 10 ) and the monitor ( 10 ) a display module ( 4 ), which is used to generate a display window ( 14 ) on a main screen ( 5 ) of the monitor ( 10 ) is arranged, that a method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is feasible.

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