Patent ID: 6339413
Filing Date: 2002-01-15
Classification: G06F,G09G,Y02D

Abstract:
A device-implemented method of operating a device including a microcontroller fabricated on a semiconductor chip to control a liquid crystal display (LCD) of an external system to be controlled by the microcontroller, said microcontroller being adapted to selectively enter a sleep state in which the microcontroller operates in a reduced electrical power mode during periods of time when functional activity of the microcontroller is reduced and to be awakened from the sleep state for resumption of activity when such period ends, said method comprising the steps of:providing an internal clock on-chip which is independent of the microcontroller's own internal clock and operable to supply clock signals to the LCD; selecting between the microcontroller's internal clock and said independent on-chip internal clock to supply clock signals to the LCD for sustained timing operation thereof; and selecting said independent on-chip internal clock to supply clock signals to the LCD for sustained timing of the operation thereof at times when the microcontroller is in a sleep state.