JP2825057B2 - Display mode confirmation method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a display device of an information processing apparatus, and more particularly to confirmation and setting of a display mode.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a display device such as a personal computer has a CR.
T is often used.

The display function of a conventional personal computer has a resolution of 64.
The scan method was non-interlace with 0 * 400 pixels, or the scan method was interlace with a resolution of 1120 * 750 pixels. In the past, many CRTs used in these personal computers were single-function type CRTs capable of displaying only in a specific resolution or scanning method, but recently, multi-function type CRTs capable of displaying in several resolutions or scanning methods. CRT (Multi-scan CR
T) has increased.

As a method of switching the resolution or the scanning method of the multi-scan type CRT, a method of automatically determining the synchronization frequency on the CRT side from an image signal output from a personal computer (Japanese Patent Publication No. 2-60194, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. -1
75085) and a method in which a personal computer senses a CRT scanning method and outputs an image by a corresponding scanning method (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-119580).

[0005]

The display function of a personal computer has been improved year by year, and the resolution of about 640 * 400 pixels has been the mainstream in the past, but in recent years it has become possible to display at a higher resolution. Further, in order to further improve the display quality even with the same resolution, a model that increases the number of screens (screen frequency) and the number of display colors to be displayed per second has appeared. As the resolution further increases, fine display becomes possible, while the size of the character becomes smaller. Therefore, models that increase the number of pixels (font size) constituting one character have appeared.

[0006] The display function of the personal computer is determined by a combination of factors such as resolution, scan method, screen frequency, number of display colors, font size, and the like.

However, most commercial PCs do not support combinations of all the values of the above-mentioned elements, but in most cases support a subset of these combinations. In this patent, the combination of each element of the display function of the personal computer is called a display mode of the personal computer. For example, there are the following cases as the display mode of the personal computer.

[0008]

[0009]

Since the display mode A can be displayed on most personal computers and CRTs, this display mode is particularly called the basic display mode in the present invention.

The above element values and display modes are examples,
Other values or combinations may be used. In addition, the number of personal computers having a variety of display modes on a single personal computer, and personal computers capable of adding a new display mode by adding or exchanging an option board have been increasing.

Along with this, CR which is a display device of a personal computer
As described above, the display function of T has also been improved, and a multi-scan CRT having a plurality of display modes on one CRT has become mainstream as described above.

Since the set of the display mode of the personal computer and the display mode of the CRT do not always correspond one-to-one, the display mode of the personal computer selected by the user is always CR.
It is not always possible to display with T. That is, when the user sets the display mode of the personal computer, the following must be performed.

A. Check all display modes that can be displayed on the CRT connected to the personal computer among the display modes that can be displayed by the personal computer.

B. The most suitable display mode for the user's use environment is selected from the displayable display modes checked in the above a.

However, the conventional multi-scan CRT has the following problems.

First, the image signal output from the personal computer is C
If the resolution is other than that which can be displayed on the RT, the CRT cannot synchronize and cannot display normally. Therefore, the user has to change the image signal of the personal computer to another display mode (for example, a resolution or a scanning method) in order to normally display the output image of the personal computer on the CRT to be used.

Also, not all CRTs have their CRs.
Since the CRT does not have a function to notify the display mode of the T to the personal computer, if the CRT does not have such a function, the personal computer cannot uniquely determine the display mode to be displayed. Had to be done.

Further, since there are many types of display modes of the personal computer, when there are a plurality of display modes which can be displayed on the CRT, it becomes difficult for the user to select which display mode is most suitable. Have been.

[0020]

According to the display mode confirmation method of the present invention, a display control means for controlling a display, a display means for displaying a display signal outputted by the display control means, and a display control means capable of displaying the display signal. A display parameter table 3 for storing display parameters corresponding to display modes, a display test pattern table for storing display test patterns to be displayed in each display mode, and a display parameter setting for setting display parameters and display test patterns in display control means Means, display mode switching means 6 for switching the display mode,
It has a timer 7 for notifying the display mode switching means at regular intervals.

[0021]

Next, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [Embodiment 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention provides a display control means 1 for controlling display.
And a CR for displaying the display signal output by the display control means 1.
T2, a display parameter table 3 for storing display parameters corresponding to display modes that can be displayed by the display control means 1, a display test pattern table 4 for storing display test patterns to be displayed in each display mode, display parameters and display It comprises a display parameter setting means 5 for setting a test pattern in the display control means 1, a display mode switching means 6 for switching the display mode, and a timer 7 for notifying the display mode switching means 6 at regular intervals.

When the user attempts to set the display mode of the personal computer, the present invention operates as follows.

Step 1: Confirmation of Display Mode Displayable on CRT It is assumed that the display control means 1 of the personal computer has the above-mentioned six display modes. Display parameter table 3
Stores parameters necessary for displaying these six types of display modes. For example, display mode A
In order to perform display in the (basic display mode), it is necessary to set the display parameter 3A for the display control means 1. The display parameter 3A has, for example, the following information.

Resolution 640 pixels * 400 pixels Scan method Non-interlace Screen frequency 60 Hz Display color 16 colors Font size 16 pixels * 16 pixels The display test pattern table 4 stores the bitmap data of the display test pattern corresponding to each display mode. Stored. FIG. 2 shows an example of the display test pattern 4A corresponding to the display mode A. As shown in FIG. 2, the display test pattern includes a character string indicating the display mode. Further, the size of each character is displayed in the font size specified in the display mode. Therefore, when the display test pattern is correctly displayed on the CRT 2, what is the currently displayed display mode,
In addition, the user can understand the readability of the character at that time.

The display parameter setting means 5 selects a display parameter 3A and a display test pattern 4A corresponding to the display mode designated by the display mode switching means 6 from the display parameter table 3 and the display test pattern table 4, respectively. Set to 1.

The CRT 2 attempts to display an output signal output by the display control means 1.

At this time, as described above, the set of display modes of the personal computer and the set of display modes of the CRT do not always correspond to each other, so that the CRT 2 cannot always display the display mode A.

Therefore, in the present invention, the display mode switching means 6 is used.

The display mode switching means 6 is set so as to interrupt the timer 7 at regular intervals (for example, 10 seconds), and switches the display mode of the personal computer every time the timer 7 interrupts. For example, when the display mode is switched from the display mode A to the display mode B, the display parameter setting means 5
Selects a display parameter 3B and a display test pattern 4B corresponding to the display mode B from the display parameter table 3 and the display test pattern table 4, and sets them in the display control means 1. As a result, the display control means 1 displays the display test pattern 4B in the display mode B, which is displayed on the CRT 2.

As described above, the display parameter switching means 6 switches the display modes that can be displayed by the display control means 1 one after another. As a result, test patterns in different display modes are displayed one after another on the CRT 2. When the display mode switching means 6 has switched to all the display modes, it instructs the display control means 1 to stop displaying.

The user checks the display test pattern displayed on the CRT 2 one after another, and if the display is correctly displayed, records the display mode. This is continued until the display on the CRT 2 ends. When the user performs this operation, all display modes that can be displayed on the connected CRT 2 can be confirmed.

Step 2: Selection of the optimal display mode The CRT connected to the personal computer recorded in the above step 1
Select the optimal display mode from the display modes that can be displayed with. As a criterion for selection of the display mode, the user selects such that the visibility of characters, the definition of the screen, the display speed, and the like are optimized. For example, if the number of display colors is too large, 1
Since the amount of data per pixel increases, the display speed may be reduced in the case of the display control unit 1 without an appropriate display accelerator.

In the present invention, the above steps 1 and 2
By executing the above, the optimum display mode that can be displayed on the CRT connected to the personal computer can be selected. [Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment, the timer 7 is used as a trigger for the display mode switching means 6 to switch the display mode. However, as the number of display modes increases, more time is required to finish displaying all display modes. For example, if there are 20 display modes of the personal computer, it takes 200 seconds to confirm the display. 1
A method of shortening the display time per cycle is conceivable, but if the display time is too short, it becomes difficult to confirm and record the display mode in which the display was correctly performed.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the trigger for switching the display mode is not the time measurement by the dimer 7 but the key input from the keyboard 8. When displayed in a certain display mode, the user checks whether or not the display is correct, and if the display is correct, records the display mode and performs a key input. If the display is not correct, enter the key immediately. The display mode switching means 6 switches the display mode as soon as there is a key input from the keyboard 8.

If the display is correctly performed, the display is continued until the user finishes recording the display mode. Further, in the display mode in which the display cannot be performed correctly, the display in the next display mode is immediately performed, so that the time required for the display in the incorrect display mode can be reduced. [Third Embodiment] In the second embodiment, when the display is correct, the user needs to confirm the display mode from the display test pattern displayed on the CRT 2 and record it.

In the second embodiment, for example, the user is prompted to input "T" from the keyboard 8 when the display is correct, and "F" when the display is not correct. The display mode switching means 6 records the display mode and the key input at that time in the display mode confirmation result 9 (FIG. 4).

After confirming all display modes, the user can confirm the display mode that can be correctly displayed on the connected CRT 2 by looking at the contents of the display mode confirmation result 9, so that the user confirms the display during the confirmation. There is no need to record the results. [Fourth Embodiment] In the third embodiment, the user needs to select the display mode most suitable for the user's usage environment from the display mode confirmation result 9; In order to select a suitable display mode, detailed knowledge of the display control means 1 and the CRT 2 is required.

Therefore, an optimum display mode selecting means 10 for selecting an optimum display mode from the display mode confirmation results 9.
Is provided (FIG. 5).

The optimum display selecting means 10 determines an optimum display mode by the following algorithm.

(1) From the display mode check results 9, "T" is selected as the check result.

(2) If the number of "T" s is zero, a message "The connected CRT cannot be used. Replace it with another CRT" is displayed, and the CRT is exchanged for the user. And terminates the optimal display mode selection process.

(3) If the number of “T” as a result of the check is 1, the user is notified that this is the optimal display mode, and the optimal display mode selection process is terminated.

(4) When the number of "T" is two or more, the screen frequency is equal to or more than a reference value (for example, 70 Hz). When the display control means 1 has an accelerator, the maximum number of display colors is obtained. If there is no font size, the smallest font size is used. The user is notified of the smallest font size as the optimal display mode, and the optimal display mode selection process ends.

(5) When there is no display mode that satisfies the above condition (4), the screen frequency is maximum. When the display control means 1 has an accelerator, the display color number is the maximum. Is the smallest one. The user is notified of the smallest font size as the optimum display mode, and the optimum display mode selection processing is ended. [Embodiment 5] In Embodiment 1, the display parameter table 3
When the display control means 1 is added by an option board or the like, the conventional display parameter table 3 and display test pattern table 4 cannot be used.

Therefore, the display parameter table 3 and the display pattern table 4 are stored in a file and supplied together with the option board. By using the display parameter table 3 and the display pattern table 4, the user can confirm the display mode for the newly added option board as in the first embodiment. [Embodiment 6] In Embodiment 2, the display parameter table 3
When the display control means 1 is added by an option board or the like, the conventional display parameter table 3 and display test pattern table 4 cannot be used.

Therefore, the display parameter table 3 and the display pattern table 4 are stored in a file and supplied together with the option board. By using the display parameter table 3 and the display pattern table 4, the user can confirm the display mode for a newly added option board as in the second embodiment. [Seventh Embodiment] In the third embodiment, the display parameter table 3
When the display control means 1 is added by an option board or the like, the conventional display parameter table 3 and display test pattern table 4 cannot be used.

Therefore, the display parameter table 3 and the display pattern table 4 are stored in a file and supplied together with the option board. By using the display parameter table 3 and the display pattern table 4, the user can confirm the display mode for a newly added option board as in the third embodiment. Embodiment 8 In Embodiment 4, the display parameter table 3
When the display control means 1 is added by an option board or the like, the conventional display parameter table 3 and display test pattern table 4 cannot be used.

Therefore, the display parameter table 3 and the display pattern table 4 are stored in a file and supplied together with the option board. By using the display parameter table 3 and the display pattern table 4, the user can confirm the display mode for a newly added option board as in the fourth embodiment. [Ninth Embodiment] In the first embodiment, display is performed while switching the display mode one after another. However, if the display mode is continuously incorrect, the image is not correctly displayed on the CRT 2 and the display mode is switched in some cases. It may not even be known.

Since the display mode of the display mode A is a standard display mode in a personal computer, most personal computers and CRTs support the display mode.
Therefore, the display mode switching means 6 sets the display mode to the display mode A just before switching the display mode, and displays a message about the display mode to be switched. This allows the user to know what display mode is to be displayed and to know that the display mode has been switched. [Tenth Embodiment] In the second embodiment, the display mode is switched one after another, but the display mode is switched in some cases because the display mode does not appear correctly on the CRT 2 when the display mode continues to be incorrect. It may not even be obvious.

Since the display mode of the display mode A is a standard display mode on a personal computer, most personal computers and CRTs support the display mode.
Therefore, the display mode switching means 6 sets the display mode to the display mode A just before switching the display mode, and displays a message about the display mode to be switched. This allows the user to know what display mode is to be displayed and to know that the display mode has been switched. [Embodiment 11] In the embodiment 3, the display mode is switched while the display mode is changed one by one. However, if the display mode continues to be an incorrect mode, the display mode is switched in some cases because the display is not correctly displayed on the CRT 2. It may not even be known.

Since the display mode of the display mode A is a standard display mode on a personal computer, most personal computers and CRTs support the display mode.
Therefore, the display mode switching means 6 sets the display mode to the display mode A just before switching the display mode, and displays a message about the display mode to be switched. This allows the user to know what display mode is to be displayed and to know that the display mode has been switched. [Twelfth Embodiment] In the fourth embodiment, display is performed while switching the display mode one after another. However, if the display modes are consecutively incorrect, the display mode is switched in some cases because the display is not correctly displayed on the CRT 2. It may not even be known.

Since the display mode of the display mode A is a standard display mode in a personal computer, most personal computers and CRTs support the display mode.
Therefore, the display mode switching means 6 sets the display mode to the display mode A just before switching the display mode, and displays a message about the display mode to be switched. This allows the user to know what display mode is to be displayed and to know that the display mode has been switched. [Thirteenth Embodiment] In the fifth embodiment, display is performed while switching the display mode one after another. However, if the display modes are consecutively incorrect, the display is not correctly displayed on the CRT 2 and the display mode is switched in some cases. It may not even be known.

Since the display mode of the display mode A is a standard display mode in a personal computer, most personal computers and CRTs support the display mode.
Therefore, the display mode switching means 6 sets the display mode to the display mode A just before switching the display mode, and displays a message about the display mode to be switched. This allows the user to know what display mode is to be displayed and to know that the display mode has been switched. [Embodiment 14] In the embodiment 6, although the display mode is switched one after another, the display mode is switched in some cases because the display mode is not correctly displayed on the CRT 2 when the display mode is successively incorrect. It may not even be known.

Since the display mode of the display mode A is a standard display mode in a personal computer, most personal computers and CRTs support the display mode.
Therefore, the display mode switching means 6 sets the display mode to the display mode A just before switching the display mode, and displays a message about the display mode to be switched. This allows the user to know what display mode is to be displayed and to know that the display mode has been switched. [Embodiment 15] In the embodiment 7, the display mode is switched while the display mode is changed. If the display mode continues to be an illegal mode, the display mode is switched in some cases because the display is not correctly displayed on the CRT 2. It may not even be known.

Since the display mode of the display mode A is a standard display mode in a personal computer, most personal computers and CRTs support the display mode.
Therefore, the display mode switching means 6 sets the display mode to the display mode A just before switching the display mode, and displays a message about the display mode to be switched. This allows the user to know what display mode is to be displayed and to know that the display mode has been switched. [Embodiment 16] In the embodiment 8, the display mode is switched while the display mode is changed. If the display mode continues to be an illegal mode, the display mode is switched in some cases because the display is not correctly displayed on the CRT 2. It may not even be known.

Since the display mode of the display mode A is a standard display mode in a personal computer, most personal computers and CRTs support the display mode.
Therefore, the display mode switching means 6 sets the display mode to the display mode A just before switching the display mode, and displays a message about the display mode to be switched. This allows the user to know what display mode is to be displayed and to know that the display mode has been switched.

[0058]

As described above, the present invention has the following effects when setting the display mode of the CRT.

(1) Among display modes that can be displayed on a personal computer, all display modes that can be displayed on a connected CRT can be confirmed.

(2) When there are a plurality of display modes that can be displayed on the connected CRT, an optimum display mode can be selected from the display modes.

(3) Even if the connected CRT is not a multi-scan CRT, it is possible to confirm a display mode that can be displayed on the CRT.

(4) Even if the CRT has no means for notifying the display mode that can be displayed from the CRT to the personal computer, the display mode that can be displayed on the CRT can be confirmed.

(5) Even when the display control means is added or replaced by the option board, the display mode that can be displayed on the connected CRT can be confirmed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display test pattern.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Display control means 2 CRT 3 Display parameter table 4 Display test pattern table 5 Display parameter setting means 6 Display mode switching means 7 Timer 8 Keyboard 9 Display mode check result 10 Optimal display mode selection means

Claims (16)

(57) [Claims] 1. A display control means for controlling display, a display means for displaying a display signal output by the display control means, and a display parameter table for storing display parameters corresponding to display modes which can be displayed by the display control means. A display test pattern table for storing display test patterns to be displayed in each display mode; display parameter setting means for establishing display parameters and display test patterns as display control means; display mode switching means for switching display modes; A display mode confirmation method comprising a timer for notifying the display mode switching means every time. 2. The display mode confirming method according to claim 1, further comprising display mode switching means for switching a display mode in response to an input from a keyboard instead of a notification from a timer. 3. The display mode confirmation result of the key input value entered for confirmation is recorded.
Display mode confirmation method described in. 4. The display mode according to claim 3, further comprising an optimum display mode selecting means for analyzing a result recorded in the display mode check result and selecting an optimum display mode on the connected CRT 2. Confirmation method. 5. The display mode confirming method according to claim 1, wherein a display parameter table and a display test pattern table are stored in a file. 6. The display mode confirming method according to claim 2, wherein a display parameter table and a display test pattern table are stored in a file. 7. The display mode confirming method according to claim 3, wherein a display parameter table and a display test pattern table are stored in a file. 8. The display mode confirming method according to claim 4, wherein a display parameter table and a display test pattern table are included in a file. 9. The display mode confirming method according to claim 1, wherein the display mode switching means displays a message regarding a display mode to be displayed in a basic display mode immediately before switching the display mode. 10. The display mode confirming method according to claim 2, wherein the display mode switching means displays a message relating to a display mode to be displayed in the basic display mode immediately before switching the display mode. 11. The display mode confirming method according to claim 3, wherein the display mode switching means displays a message regarding the display mode to be displayed in the basic display mode immediately before switching the display mode. 12. The display mode confirming method according to claim 4, wherein the display mode switching means displays a message regarding the display mode to be displayed in the basic display mode immediately before switching the display mode. 13. The display mode confirming method according to claim 5, wherein said display mode switching means displays a message relating to a display mode to be displayed in a basic display mode immediately before switching the display mode. 14. The display mode confirming method according to claim 6, wherein the display mode switching means displays a message relating to a display mode to be displayed in the basic display mode immediately before switching the display mode. 15. The display mode confirming method according to claim 7, wherein the display mode switching means displays a message relating to a display mode to be displayed in the basic display mode immediately before switching the display mode. 16. The display mode confirming method according to claim 8, wherein the display mode switching means displays a message regarding the display mode to be displayed in the basic display mode immediately before switching the display mode.