JP6520006B2 - Display controller - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a display control apparatus for displaying an image, and more particularly to a display control apparatus capable of displaying an image on a display unit at startup.

  There is known a display control apparatus for displaying an image on a display unit including pixels of each color. The image displayed by the display unit is recorded in the memory, and the display control device reads the image from the memory and causes the display unit to display the image.

  The display control device is activated according to conditions such as power on and reset input. When starting the display control device, various settings necessary to use hardware and software are made. For example, setting of ports such as the SOC and the CPU built in the display control apparatus, and initialization of a memory area used in the operation of software are performed. In the following, such processing performed at the time of activation of the display control device is also described as initialization.

  Patent Document 1 discloses that at the time of activation, image data is displayed on the display unit. In cited reference 1, the CPU causes the LCD display module to display the boot image data recorded in the BIOS-ROM prior to the boot of the OS. In addition, the CPU may change the boot image data displayed on the LCD display module to another boot image data when the CPU receives the input after displaying the boot image data and after the OS boot is started. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP, 2014-49097, A

  In the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1, an image displayed once is changed to another image according to an input. Therefore, in order to change the image, it is necessary to display the image at least twice. Further, the timing at which the CPU accepts the change of the displayed image is after the start of the OS has started, and in order to switch the image, an interrupt is made to the start of the OS. It is not realistic to interrupt the OS once it has started up, and it takes time until the interrupt is established and the image is changed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a display control apparatus in which the method of image display at the time of activation is improved.

In order to solve the above problems, in one aspect of the present invention, the display control device includes first and second recording units for recording the first image and the second image to be displayed on the display unit, and the respective recording units. When the display control apparatus is activated, the display control unit reads the recorded image and has a display control unit that causes the display unit to display the image, and a first terminal that sets which image is to be displayed on the display unit. It has an initial setting data recording unit that records initial setting data for performing terminal setting including the first terminal of the instruction unit.
Here, the first recording unit and the second recording unit may be realized by separate recording units, or realized by recording the first image and the second image at different addresses of one recording unit. You may The display control device may include at least the first recording unit and the second recording unit, and may include three or more recording units. The first terminal is a generic name of terminals for conveying the setting of the instruction unit, and may be realized by combining a plurality of terminal pins other than one realized by one terminal (pin). The activation means that the display control device starts driving in response to turning on of the main power or reset input.

The initial setting data recorded in the initial setting data recording unit includes a rule for setting the value of the first terminal according to the state of the display control device.
Here, the state of the display control device refers to changes in internal information according to the current date and time, temperature, humidity, etc. of the environment in which the display control device is installed, when there is any input to the display control device. Say what to do. The rule is the correspondence between the state of the display control device and the value of the first terminal, and when the instruction unit reads this initial setting data, the value of the first terminal is set.
The instruction unit sets an output value of the first terminal according to a rule in response to reading of the initial setting data when the display control apparatus is activated. Therefore, the display control unit reads the first or second image set according to the output value of the first terminal and causes the display unit to display the first or second image.

  With the configuration as described above, the image displayed at the time of activation is set by the value of the first terminal set according to the state of the display control device, and thus the user performs an operation to switch the image during activation The time from the start of activation to the display of the image can be shortened compared to the case of FIG.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a display control apparatus 100 as an example. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing in detail the connection state of the SOC 10 as an example, the LCD controller 24, the first flash memory 25, and the second flash memory 26. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a rule of values of GPIO port 11 and values of GPIO ports 12 and 13 defined by an initialization file in the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a view showing an image displayed on the display unit 27 at the time of activation. The flowchart which explains the starting processing which is done with SOC10. The flowchart which shows in detail the initialization performed at step S2. FIG. 9 is a view showing in detail the connection state of the SOC 10 as an example, the LCD controller 24, the first flash memory 25, and the second flash memory 26 in the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing in detail the connection state of the SOC 10 as an example, the LCD controller 24 and the third flash memory 28.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order.
1. First embodiment:
(1) Configuration of display control device (2) Process at startup Second embodiment:
3. Third embodiment:
4. Fourth Embodiment:
5. Other embodiments:

1. First embodiment:
(1) Configuration of Display Control Device FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a display control device 100 as an example.
The display control apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 has a function of displaying an image on the display unit 27. The display control apparatus 100 also functions as an apparatus such as a printer, a multifunction peripheral, a PC, and a smartphone. First, the configuration of the display control device 100 will be described based on FIG.

  The SOC (System ON Chip) 10 integrally controls the driving of the display control device 100. The GPIO port 11 of the SOC 10 is connected to an operation unit 21 for inputting an operation signal by an operation by the user, and accepts an operation input by the user through the operation unit 21. The GPIO port 11 functions as a second terminal of the present invention. The operation unit 21 is configured by a device such as a key switch or a touch panel that accepts user's operation.

Connected to the SOC 10 are a ROM 22 in which programs and data such as an initialization file 40 executed by the SOC 10 and the OS 41 are recorded, and a RAM 23 for expanding data recorded in the ROM 22. The ROM 22 functions as an initial setting data recording unit of the present invention.
The initialization file 40 is data read by the SOC 10 when the SOC 10 is activated, and functions as initialization data of the present invention.

  An LCD controller 24 for driving the display unit 27 is connected to the SOC 10. The LCD controller 24 functions as a display control unit of the present invention. The LCD controller 24 also functions as a driver for driving the display unit 27. The display unit 27 is, for example, a liquid crystal display.

  A first flash memory 25 and a second flash memory 26 in which start-up images (first and second images) read out by the LCD controller 24 are recorded are connected to the GPIO ports 12 and 13 of the SOC 10 respectively. The GPIO ports 12, 13 also function as the first terminal of the present invention.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing in detail the connection state of the SOC 10 as an example, the LCD controller 24, the first flash memory 25 and the second flash memory 26. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, the SOC 10, the LCD controller 24, the first flash memory 25, and the second flash memory 26 are connected by the serial interface 30. In the first embodiment, the serial interface 30 is, for example, a SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) IF.

  The GPIO ports 12 and 13 of the SOC 10 are connected to the setting port SS of the first flash memory 25 and the second flash memory 26 by the slave select line SSL of the serial interface 30, respectively. In the SOC 10, when the values of the GPIO ports 12 and 13 change (for example, Hi), the setting ports SS of any one of the flash memories 15 and 16 become active through the slave select line SSL. As the setting port SS becomes active, selection of one of the flash memories 15 and 16 is performed.

  The LCD controller 24 and the first flash memory 25 and the second flash memory 26 are connected via the transmission data line SDOL, the reception data line SDIL, and the clock line SCK of the serial interface 30. The LCD controller 24 outputs an image request command to the first flash memory 25 and the second flash memory 26 through the transmission data line SDOL. The image request command is a command for causing the first flash memory 25 and the second flash memory 26 to output the recorded start-up image through the transmission data line SDOL. Here, only when the setting port SS is active, the first flash memory 25 and the second flash memory 26 output the start image in response to the reception of the image request command.

When the display control device 100 is powered on or reset, the display control device 100 is activated. At startup of the display control apparatus 100, the SOC 10 reads the initial setting file 40 stored in the ROM 22, and initializes the values of the ports connected to the hardware and the values of the internal memory. Next, the SOC 10 activates the OS 41 recorded in the ROM 22, performs various settings, and shifts to the normal drive state.
The initialization file 40 stores information for the SOC 10 to perform initialization such as the value of each port and initialization of the memory. Further, in the initial setting file 40, rules for setting the values of the GPIO ports 12 and 13 are recorded according to the values of the GPIO port 11 set by the operation of the operation unit 21. The rules of the GPIO ports 11 to 13 by the initial setting file 40 are valid only at the time of startup, and become invalid when the startup is completed.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a rule of the values of the GPIO port 11 and the values of the GPIO ports 12 and 13 defined by the initialization file 40 in the first embodiment. In FIG. 3, the state of the display control device 100 is indicated by the term “state”. In the first embodiment, the state A means the combination of the values of the pins of the GPIO port 11 when the operation key of the predetermined combination of the operation unit 21 is not operated. The state B means the combination of the values of the pins of the GPIO port 11 when the operation key of the predetermined combination of the operation unit 21 is operated. Of course, the combination also includes the case where there is one predetermined operation key.

In FIG. 3, when the value of the GPIO port 11 becomes the state A, the GPIO port 12 becomes Hi and the GPIO port 13 becomes Low. When the GPIO port 12 becomes Hi, the setting terminal SS of the first flash memory 25 becomes active, and the first flash memory 25 is selected.
When the value of the GPIO port 11 becomes the state B, the GPIO port 12 becomes Low and the GPIO port 13 becomes Hi. When the GPIO port 13 becomes Hi, the setting terminal SS of the second flash memory 26 becomes active, and the second flash memory 26 is selected.

(2) Process at the time of startup Next, a process at the time of startup of the display control apparatus 100 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a view showing an image displayed on the display unit 27 at the time of activation. FIG. 4A shows the case where the first image recorded in the first flash memory 25 is displayed on the display unit 27. FIG. FIG. 4B shows a case where the second image recorded in the second flash memory 26 is displayed on the display unit 27.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the activation process performed by the SOC 10. By the process shown in FIG. 5, the display control apparatus 100 completes the initialization and the activation of the OS, and shifts to the normal operation. Further, in the process of this processing, the start-up image shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display unit 27.

  When the SOC 10 detects that the main power supply is turned on or reset (step S1: YES), the process proceeds to step S2. In step S2, the SOC 10 performs initialization. In the process of initialization in step S2, the start-up image is displayed on the display unit 27.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing in detail the initialization performed in step S2.
First, at step S21, the SOC 10 reads the initial setting file 40 and starts the activation process.

  In step S22, the SOC 10 acquires the state of the display control apparatus 100 from the value of the GPIO 17. For example, when the user operates a predetermined operation key, the display control apparatus 100 is changed to the state B (FIG. 3). If the user has not operated a predetermined operation key, the key state has changed to state A (FIG. 3).

  In step S23, the SOC 10 sets the values of the GPIOs 12 and 13 according to the state acquired in step S22. For example, if the state acquired in step S22 is state B, the value of GPIO 12 is changed to "Low" and the value of GPIO 13 is changed to "Hi". On the other hand, if the key state acquired in step S22 is state A, the value of GPIO 12 is changed to "Hi" and the value of GPIO 13 is changed to "Low". Selection of the first flash memory 25 or the second flash memory 26 for reading the boot image is performed by the change of the GPIOs 12 and 13 of the SOC 10.

In step S24, the SOC 10 changes the reset port connected to the LCD controller 24, and cancels the reset of the LCD controller 24. In step S25, the SOC 10 changes the reset port connected to the display unit 27, and cancels the reset of the display unit 27. By releasing the reset of the LCD controller 24 and the display unit 27, an image request is issued from the LCD controller 24 to the flash memory (the first flash memory 25 or the second flash memory 26) selected in step S23. The start image is displayed on the unit 27.
Here, in the initial setting file 40, after the process of setting the GPIO ports 12 and 13 (step S23), the reset process (step S24) of the LCD controller 24 and the display unit 27 is recorded.

If the first flash memory 25 is selected in the process of step S23, the first image is read by the LCD controller 24 and displayed on the display unit 27. In FIG. 4A, as the first image, the manufacturer name and the brand name “○ Δ □ □” of the display control device 100 are displayed. If the second flash memory 26 is selected by the process of step S23, the second image is read by the LCD controller 24 and displayed on the display unit 27. In FIG. 4 (b), the second image displays the characters "in process of updating" indicating that the data recorded in the ROM 15 is being updated. For example, the second image is an image displayed by an operation of a user or a service person in the update process of the display control apparatus 100.
Thus, according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, the initialization of the SOC 10 is completed.

Returning to FIG. 5, in step S3, the SOC 10 reads the OS 41 recorded in the ROM 22 into the RAM 23, and activates the OS 41.
In addition, the application program stored in the ROM 22 may be activated in response to the activation of the OS 41.

When the boot of the OS is completed (step S4: YES), in step S5, the SOC 10 ends the display of the boot screen displayed on the display unit 27, and displays the UI image by the OS 41.
Then, the start of the display control device 100 is completed, and the operation shifts to the normal operation.

As described above, in the first embodiment, the SOC (instruction unit) 10 reads out the initial setting file 40 when the display control device 100 is started, whereby the GPIO ports (first terminals) 12 and 13 are The value is set. The LCD controller 24 reads the first image or the second image from the first flash memory 25 or the second flash memory 26 according to the value of the GPIO ports 12 and 13 and causes the display unit 27 to display the read-out start image.
Therefore, since the start image displayed at the time of start is set by the values of the GPIO ports 12 and 13 set according to the state of the display control device 100, compared with the case where the user performs an operation of switching the image during start Thus, the time from the start to the display of the start image can be shortened. Furthermore, it is possible to display an appropriate startup screen from the beginning, without having to display another screen and then switch.

  The SOC 10 includes a GPIO port 11 (second terminal) that changes a value in accordance with a signal from the operation unit 21 that receives an operation input by a user. Then, since the rule recorded in the initialization file relates the value of the GPIO port 11 changed by the user operating the operation unit 21 to the GPIO ports 12 and 13, in the initialization file 40, The rules for selecting the first flash memory 25 and the second flash memory 26 can be implemented more easily.

  The SOC 10 can stabilize the boot of the OS by reading the initial setting file 40 before the boot of the OS 41, as compared with the case where an interrupt is generated for the boot of the OS 41.

  By including a setting for instructing to reset the LCD controller 24 in the initial setting file 40, it is possible to set up to the timing when the LCD controller 24 displays the startup image in the process of initialization, and display the startup image. Can reduce the time required for

  By changing the start-up image in the process of updating the firmware of the display control apparatus 100, the user can visually determine that the display control apparatus 100 has shifted to the firmware update mode.

2. Second embodiment:
In the second embodiment, the configuration in which the LCD controller 24 detects a change in the first terminal of the SOC 10 and selects the flash memory from which the LCD controller 24 reads the startup image according to the detection result is the first embodiment. Different from.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing in detail the connection state of the SOC 10 as an example, the LCD controller 24, the first flash memory 25 and the second flash memory 26 in the second embodiment. In FIG. 7, the GPIO port 14 functioning as the first terminal of the SOC 10 is connected to the LCD controller 24. The SOC 10 changes the value of the GPIO port 14 in accordance with the value of the GPIO port 11. The initial setting file 40 records the state of the display control device 100 and the rule of the two-step value (high or low) of the GPIO 14, and the display control device is read by the SOC 10 reading this initialization file. The value of GPIO 14 is set according to the state of 100.

The LCD controller 24 is connected to the GPIO port 14 of the SOC 10 through the line DL so that the value of the GPIO port 14 can be detected.
The LCD controller 24 and the first flash memory 25 and the second flash memory 26 are connected via a slave select line SSL of the serial interface 31, a transmission data line SDOL, a reception data line SDIL, and a clock line SCK.

The LCD controller 24 changes the values of the ports P1 and P2 in accordance with the detection result of the GPIO port 14 to activate the set port SS of one of the flash memories 25 and 26. That is, the LCD controller 24 selects one of the flash memories 25 and 26.
The LCD controller 24 outputs an image request command to the first flash memory 25 and the second flash memory 26 through the reception data line SDIL. The first flash memory 25 or the second flash memory 26 selected through the slave select line SSL by the LCD controller 24 outputs an image to the LCD controller 24 in response to the reception of the image request command.
Then, the LCD controller 24 having received the start-up image drives the display unit 27 to display the start-up image.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the first embodiment. Since the first flash memory 25 and the second flash memory 26 are selected by the LCD controller 25, there is no need to select the SOC 10 and the first flash memory 25 and the second flash memory 26 with the slave select line SSL. Therefore, the number of ports and the number of wirings of the SOC 10 can be reduced.

3. Third embodiment:
In the third embodiment, the flash memory for recording the first image and the second image is one, and the flash memory is the first image or the second image according to the change of the first terminal of the SOC 10. The configuration for reading out is different from that in the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing in detail the connection state of the SOC 10 as an example, the LCD controller 24, and the third flash memory 28. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 8, the SOC 10, the LCD controller 24, and the third flash memory 28 are connected by a serial interface 32 such as I2C. The third flash memory 28 records the first image and the second image.
The SOC 10 selects either the first image or the second image recorded in the third flash memory 28 by changing the value of the GPIO 15 functioning as the first terminal in two steps (high or low). Can. In the initial setting file 40, the state of the display control device 100 and the rule of the three levels of values of the GPIO 15 are recorded, and the SOC 10 reads the initialization file according to the state of the display control device 100. And the value of GPIO 15 is set.

  The third flash memory 28 detects a change in the GPIO port 15 as the value of the GPIO port 15 of the SOC 10 changes (for example, Hi). The third flash memory 28 has a selection unit 29 that selects one of the first image and the second image based on the detection result. For example, if the change of the GPIO port 15 is to select the first image, the selection unit 29 reads the first image recorded at a predetermined address. On the other hand, if the change of the GPIO port 15 is to select the second image, the selection unit 29 reads the second image recorded at the predetermined address.

  The LCD controller 24 outputs an image request command to the third flash memory 28 through the serial interface 32. From the third flash memory 28, the first image or the second image selected by the selection unit 18 is sent back to the LCD controller 24. Then, the LCD controller 24 having received the start-up image drives the display unit 27 to display the start-up image.

  As described above, in the third embodiment, even when one flash memory is used to record a boot image, the present invention is applied to display separate boot images according to the state of the display control apparatus 100. It can be done.

4. Fourth Embodiment:
What is used as the state of the display control device 100 is not limited to the signal from the operation unit 21. For example, when the SOC 10 has a real time clock, the start image may be switched based on the current date and time.
Further, the temperature and humidity of the environment in which the display control apparatus 100 is installed may be used as the state of the display control apparatus 100.
By using the date and time, temperature, humidity, and the like as the state of the display control device 100, the start image can be changed according to the date and time and the surrounding environment, and the user's attachment to the display control device can be enhanced.

5. Other embodiments:
It is an example that the display control device includes the display unit, and the display control device and the display unit may function as separate devices.
The use of a flash memory as the recording unit is merely an example, and any rewritable non-volatile memory may be used.
The number of flash memories for recording the start-up image and the number of images recorded by the flash memory are not limited to two, and may be three or more. When the number is 3 or more, GPIO ports are set as a plurality of ports, and one image is selected by combining high and low of each port.
What realizes the instruction unit is not limited to the SOC 10, and the instruction unit may be realized by combining a CPU and an IC controlled by the CPU.

Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. It goes without saying for those skilled in the art,
・ Replacing mutually replaceable members and configurations disclosed in the above embodiments as appropriate, and changing the combination thereof. ・ Although not disclosed in the above embodiments, it is a known technique and the above embodiments Appropriately replace the members and configurations etc. which can be replaced with the members and configurations etc. disclosed in the above, and change the combination thereof and apply it. · Although not disclosed in the above embodiment, known techniques etc. Those skilled in the art can appropriately substitute the members and configurations etc. which can be assumed as substitutes for the members and configurations etc. disclosed in the above-mentioned embodiments, and change and apply the combination thereof. As disclosed.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... SOC, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 ... GPIO port, 21 ... Operation part, 22 ... ROM, 23 ... RAM, 24 ... LCD controller, 25 ... 1st flash memory, 26 ... 2nd flash memory, 27 ... display unit, 40 ... initial setting file, 100 ... display control device

Claims (6)

A display control device,
A first recording unit that records a first image to be displayed on the display unit;
A second recording unit that records a second image to be displayed on the display unit;
A display control unit that reads images recorded in a plurality of recording units including the first recording unit and the second recording unit and causes the display unit to display the images;
A first terminal for setting whether to display an image recorded in Re Izu of the recording unit on the display unit, a second changing the value in accordance with a signal from the operation unit for accepting an operation input by the user An instruction unit including a terminal ;
And an initial setting data recording unit recording initial setting data for performing terminal setting including the first terminal of the instruction unit by reading the instruction unit when the display control apparatus is activated;
The initial setting data includes a rule in which the value of the second terminal, which is changed by the user operating the operation unit, and the value of the first terminal are associated with each other .
When the display control apparatus is activated, the instruction unit sets the value of the first terminal according to the rule in response to reading of the initial setting data before activation of the OS. Display control device. The first terminal is connected to the plurality of recording units,
  The instruction unit selects one of the plurality of recording units by setting the value of the first terminal according to the rule;
  The recording unit selected among the plurality of recording units is configured to output the recorded image to the display control unit in response to the image request from the display control unit. Display control device as described. The first terminal is connected to the display control unit,
  The display control unit selects one of the plurality of recording units according to the value of the first terminal set by the instruction unit according to the rule,
  The recording unit selected among the plurality of recording units is configured to output the recorded image to the display control unit in response to the image request from the display control unit. Display control device as described.   The display control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the instruction unit cancels the reset of the display control unit after reading the initial setting data. The initial setting data includes setting to cancel the reset of the display control unit, that the display control device according to claim 4, characterized in. The display control device according to claim 5, wherein the initial setting data includes a setting for releasing the reset of the display control unit after setting the value of the first terminal according to the rule.

Images