Abstract:
A new video system and processor for computer is disclosed. In accordance to the present video processor that is capable of receiving TV signals and driving partial computer devices (such as a LCD panel) without starting the computer&#39;s operating system, the computer may display TV videos on the display panel of the computer without turning on the main power and the operating system. Furthermore, by returning the partial video processes to the CPU and VGA after the operating system is started, it may achieve the goals for displaying TV programs or working as a regular monitor when computer starts normally. The present video processor comprises an initial control unit, a data conversion unit, a panel drive, a memory control unit, a switch unit, a video compression unit, an I/O interface, and two selective modules.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a video system and processor for a computer. More particularly, the invention relates to a video system and processor capable of receiving and displaying TV signals without booting the operating system of a computer. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   With the rapid development of information technology and the population of personal computers, computers gradually become one kind of household appliance as well as a refrigerator or a television, wherein most of them are used for entertainment purposes. In addition to playing games or watching movies, watching TV programs has become an important entertainment application for a computer. 
   By reference to a set top box (STB) or a TV image-capture card, a desktop computer may receive and display TV format videos upon its monitor. Since most monitors&#39; power is independent from the power supply of the computer, a DT&#39;s monitor could use as TV set without starting the whole computer system. However, a notebook computer is a bit different. 
     FIG. 1A  illustrates a conventional video system for a notebook computer. It&#39;s known that the south bridge chipset manages the data exchange between the CPU and peripherals. Video data stored in the peripherals  100  (such as a hard disk, CD-ROM) or inputted from a network, is transmitted through data bus into a south bridge chipset  102 , and then exchanged between the memory  106 , CPU  108 , or the Video Graphic Array (VGA)  110  by the control of the north bridge chipset  104 . Image data is processed in CPU  106  or VGA  110 , and then generates LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signal) format signals for driving LCD panel  112 . Besides, some kinds of notebook computers exclude VGA device in their video system. In this situation, referring to  FIG. 1B , the LVDS format signals are generated in the north bridge chipset  104 ′ instead of the original VGA  110 . 
   As well as the desktop computer, a notebook computer may use a STB for playing TV programs on the LCD panel thereof, too. STB converts the input TV signals into the computer&#39;s data format after some relevant conversions (i.e., de-interlacing and YCrCb/RGB conversion), and compresses them in advance for transmitting into south bridge chipset through an I/O interface such as the USB. VGA or CPU performs relevant signal process to drive the display panel thereafter. Unlike desktop computers, though TV signals are processed and converted into computer&#39;s format by STB, they still need the notebook&#39;s VGA (or north bridge chipset) for driving the display panel and the CPU for handling other computer devices, therefore the users still have to start the whole computer system. 
   As mentioned before, a notebook computer may be played as well as a TV set in accordance with the STB, but the respective signal process flow is different with a desktop computer. Besides, a notebook computer has to turn on its main power and boot the OS thereof to drive the LCD panel. Nevertheless, most time the users just like to watch TV but unwanted of using the computer itself, it&#39;s inconvenient that the users have to turn on the whole notebook anyhow. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with the aforementioned inconvenience of the current computers, especially notebooks, an objective of the invention is to provide a video system for computer having the capability of receiving and displaying TV signals without booting the computer&#39;s operating system. 
   Moreover, a video processor for a computer having the capability of receiving and displaying TV signals without booting the computer&#39;s operating system is disclosed. The video processor may apply to both a VGA-included or VGA-excluded computer systems, making a computer being able to show TV videos without booting the computer&#39;s operating system. 
   Accordingly, the video processor for foregoing video systems which could receive and display TV signals without booting the computer&#39;s OS comprises: an initial control unit, a data conversion unit, a panel drive, a memory control unit, a switch unit, a video compression unit, a I/O interface, and two selective modules. Among them, the initial control unit initializes and drives the partial computer devices—such as the audio card—when OS is not started. Data conversion unit is used to convert the TV format data into computer format data. The panel drive generates LVDS format data for driving the computer&#39;s LCD panel. Memory control unit allocates the required memories for accessing data and data processing. The switch unit is used to switch the current operating mode for displaying TV or computer&#39;s videos. The video compression unit is used to compress video data, thereby transferring the video data to other computer devices via the I/O interface. In additions, the video processor may further comprise a ROM for recording a plurality of parameters for different TV systems. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred but non-limiting embodiments. The description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1A  illustrates the conventional video system of a VGA-included notebook computer; 
       FIG. 1B  illustrates the conventional video system of a VGA-excluded notebook computer; 
       FIG. 2A  illustrates the present video system with a VGA-included notebook computer; 
       FIG. 2B  illustrates the present video system with a VGA-excluded notebook computer; 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a video processor for a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 4A  illustrates the signal flow of the present video system and processor in power-off mode when applying to VGA-included computer system; 
       FIG. 4B  illustrates the signal flow of the present video system and processor in computer mode when applying to VGA-included computer system; 
       FIG. 4C  illustrates the signal flow of the present video system and processor in TV mode when applying to VGA-included computer system; 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a video processor for an another embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 6A  illustrates the signal flow of the present video system and processor in power-off mode when applying to VGA-excluded computer system; 
       FIG. 6B  illustrates the signal flow of the present video system and processor in computer mode when applying to VGA-excluded computer system; 
       FIG. 6C  illustrates the signal flow of the present video system and processor in TV mode when applying to VGA-excluded computer system; and 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a video processor for an another embodiment of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Some preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail in the following. However, beside the detailed description, the present invention can also be applied widely in other embodiments and the scope of the present invention is only limited by the appended claims. 
   For more a particular focus on the main objectives of the invention, some devices are not described in detail throughout the patent instructions and relative drawings beneath, such as the I/O interface for TV signal, I/O port for LVDS signals . . . etc. Furthermore, although TV signals contain both video and audio parts, the present invention particularly relates to video processing and the audio part is just slightly mentioned in the patent instruction. 
     FIG. 2A  illustrates the video system for a VGA-included notebook computer, in which a video processor is increased and disposed between display panel and VGA device. The present video system comprises: a south bridge chipset  200 , a north bridge chipset  202 , a memory  204 , a CPU  206 , a VGA  208 , a display panel  210 , and a video processor  212 . South bridge chipset, north bridge chipset, memory, CPU, and VGA form the core module of a notebook computer, which processes most programs and data—which certainly includes the video data. Through a data interface (not shown in the drawing), such as CCIR601 or CCIR 606 standard compatible I/O interfaces, TV signals are inputted into the video processor  212 . The arrow in the drawing represents the transferring direction of TV video signals. As well as  FIG. 2A ,  FIG. 2B  which illustrates a video system for a VGA-excluded notebook computer, in which the LVDS signals are generated via a north bridge chipset  202 ′ instead of a VGA device. Other devices are identical to those in  FIG. 2A . 
   Not only increases the video processor  212 , the power system of the aforementioned computer video system has to make some adjustments, thereby providing essential power source to some peripherals, such as the display panel or the sound card, without turning on the notebook computer. A practicable way suchlike increasing a switch button particularly used for playing TV programs without booting the operating system is straightforward. 
   Saying video processor  212 ,  212 ′ plays important roles in the present invention. The present video processor of the invention makes both types of notebook computers (VGA-included and VGA-excluded) have capabilities to receive TV signals, play TV programs without booting the operating system, besides, the present video system may switch to play TV programs or be used as normal notebook computer when the operating system operates normally. Details of the video processor will be discussed below. 
     FIG. 3  illustrates the present video processor of the invention. As shown in the drawing, the video processor  36  comprises: an initial control unit  300 , a data conversion unit  302 , a panel drive  304 , a memory control unit  306 , a switch unit  308 , an video compression unit  310 , an I/O interface  312 , a data exchange interface  314 , a first selective module  330 , and a second selective module  332 . Moreover, the present video processor  36  further connects with display panel  38  and memory module  33 . Functions for foregoing components will be described later. Furthermore, the video processor  36  may further comprise a ROM  316  for storing parameters of different TV specifications (NTSC or PAL), thereby being compatible to different TV systems and countries. 
   The present video system and processor for computer has three types of operating mode, which include: “power-off” mode, computer mode, and TV mode. A power-off mode means a computer is used for playing TV programs but without booting the operating system thereof. In this case, basically the main system of a notebook computer is shut down, and the video processor handles all relevant computer devices of playing TV programs instead. A computer mode means the computer works in its normal operation, in other word, “just a computer”. In this case, the video processor  212  ( 212 ′) just bypasses the LVDS signals from VGA  208  (north bridge chipset  202 ′) to the display panel  210  ( 210 ′), in other words, the video processor is just a transmission line between the display panel  210  and the VGA  208 . The TV mode means the notebook computer starts and works normally, but is used to play TV programs right now. The following paragraph illustrates the connection relations and the signal flows of three operating modes for a VGA-included and VGA-excluded video system. 
     FIG. 4A  to  FIG. 4C  illustrates the signal flows of the present video system and processor for VGA-included computer system as in the power-off mode, computer mode, and TV mode respectively. In the power-off mode, neither the south bridge chipset, north bridge chipset, memory module, CPU, and VGA are all shut down (not shown in drawing), but also the computer&#39;s OS doesn&#39;t start. Since all devices of a notebook computer can not operate, if a user intends to play TV programs on the LCD panel now, a device for handling relevant computer devices instead of a CPU—the present video processor, is needed. When the notebook computer receives a control signal (i.e., the control signal may be generated by an another switch button, which does not start the OS as well as normally turning on the notebook computer), the video processor and system will depart from the status of totally shut down and enter the power-off mode. In the next procedure, firstly the power system provides power source to the present video processor  36 , wherein an initial control unit  300  output driving signals to initialize and handle other peripherals such as the sound card, memory, or keyboard . . . etc., as well as the computer&#39;s BIOS. 
   In the power-off mode, through an I/O interface (not shown in the drawing) TV video signals  350  input to the first selective module  330  and then selectively output to data conversion unit  302 . It&#39;s understood that, unlike the progressive scan and RGB image format of the computer, the TV video signals are interlaced, which displays images via the output of odd scanlines and even scanlines in turn to form a complete picture. In addition, the TV video signals adopts YCrCb (YUV) data formats, hence it&#39;s necessary for converting TV video format into computer&#39;s format before driving the display panel  38 . The main objective of the data conversion unit  302  is to perform de-interlacing and YCrCb/RGB conversion, thereby acquiring video data in computer video format. 
   However, the aforementioned TV/computer format signal conversion induces lots of data. Human&#39;s eyes feel the flickers when the frame rate of a consecutive image pictures is less than 30 Hz, but the situation will be eliminated when the frame rate arises to 60 Hz or higher. Accordingly, the current image frame rate is higher than 60 Hz in a computer monitor. As to TV&#39;s pictures, its frame rate is about 24-30 Hz that just be half of computer&#39;s image. Besides, TV&#39;s image resolution is usually less than the computer&#39;s; hence the data size will be increased as TV signals are converted into Computer video data. The huge amount of data can not be directly inputted into the panel drive, but stored temporally in a memory. 
   The converted computer video data temporally stored in memory  33  before being inputted into the panel drive  304 . In this preferable example, data exchange interface  314  handles the data exchanges between the data conversion unit  302 , panel drive  304 , and memory control unit  306 . Since the VGA device is off as in power-off mode, the panel drive  304  generates LVDS signals for driving the display panel  38 . In the next procedure, the second selective module  332  receives signals from the panel drive  304  and output to display panel  38 . 
   In computer mode, referring to  FIG. 4B , the whole system is used as a normal computer, which is unnecessary during display TV signals. In this case the video processor  36  works simply as a bypass circuit. The computer&#39;s video data is computed in VGA  34  to generate LVDS signals  358 , and the LVDS signals  358  input into the second selective module  332  in next. Unlike in the power-off mode, the second selective module  332  receives the output of the VGA  36  instead of a panel drive  304  in the computer mode. Hence, it needs only the second selective module  332  to pass the LVDS signals  358  to the display panel  38  as in the computer mode. 
   It&#39;s understood that, all devices are controlled by the computer&#39;s operating system as in the TV mode. Referring to  FIG. 4C , VGA  34  works normally under the control of computer&#39;s OS and generates LVDS signals to drive the display panel  38 . In this case, the first selective module  330  receives the TV video signals  350  and selectively outputs to a VGA  34  instead of the data conversion unit  302  as in the power-off mode (the corresponding computations and conversions suchlike de-interlacing and YCrCb/RGB conversion are done in the VGA), and further generate LVDS signals  358  by VGA  34 . In next, the LVDS signals  358  input the present video processor  36  once again and relay to the second selective module  332 . The second selective module  332  chooses the LVDS signals  358  as effective input signals, and transfers the LVDS signals  358  to the display panel  38  directly. In other words, the video processor  36  replays TV video data  350  to VGA  34  for TV/computer video conversion, and then bypasses the generated LVDS signals  358  to display panel  38 . As well as computer mode, it needs only the second selective module  332  to pass the LVDS signals  358  to the display panel  38  as in TV mode. 
   Summarily speaking, the TV video data  350  inputs the data conversion unit  302  through the first selective module  330  in the power-off mode, but outputs to the VGA  34  as in TV mode. The second selective module  332  accepts the output signals from panel drive  304  in power-off mode, but accepts the output LVDS signals  358  from VGA  34  in computer and TV mode. Therefore, an unit for selecting the effective output port of first selective module  330  and the effective input port of the second selective module  332 , which switches three operating modes of the present video processor, is needed. The main objective of the switch unit  308  is to handle the first selective module  330  and second selective module  332  selecting its effective input/output port as in different operating modes, and disables the first selective module  330  as in the computer mode. Moreover, the switch unit  308  also triggers the initial control unit  300  driving some computer devices as in the power-off mode. A keyboard or a switch button on display panel may generate saying mode switch order, which is unlimited in the invention. 
   As shown in  FIG. 4A  to  FIG. 4C , the video compression unit  310  and I/O interface  312  are redundant to a VGA-included computer system. Hence, referring to  FIG. 5 , the video processor  36  may omit the video compression unit  310  and the I/O interface  312 , besides, to make the first selective module electrically couple with VGA  54  directly when applying to a VGA-included computer system. 
     FIG. 6A  to  FIG. 6C  illustrates the signal flows of the present video system and processor for the VGA-excluded computer system ( FIG. 2B ) as in power-off mode, computer mode, and TV mode respectively. In the power-off mode, referring to  FIG. 6A , the initial control unit  300  starts and handles relevant computer devices. The first selective module  330  receives input TV video data  350  and selectively outputs saying TV video data  350  to the data conversion unit  302 . The data conversion unit  302  performs TV/computer conversion processes such as the de-interlacing, YCrCb/RGB conversion on saying TV video data  350  to generate the computer video data  352 , which will transmit to memory  33  through data exchange interface  314  and handles by the memory control unit  306 . Also, the memory control unit  306  accesses the stored computer video data and transmits it to the panel drive  304  through data exchange interface  314  for generating the LVDS signals  354 . Finally, the second selective module  332  receives the LVDS signal  354  and outputs them to display panel  38 , thereby playing TV programs on the display panel  38 . 
   Similarly, the present video processor works simply as a bypass circuit in computer mode, just like the video processor applying to a VGA-included computer system. In this case, referring to  FIG. 6B , the north bridge chipset  31  generates the LVDS signals  358  for driving the display panel  38 , which will input the second selective module  332  directly. This time the second selective module  332  selects the LVDS signals  358  as its effective input signals to output to the display panel  38 . 
   In the TV mode, since the computer system comprises no VGA device, TV/computer video conversion has to be finished in the data conversion unit  302  instead of the VGA device as well as applied the video processor to the VGA-included computer system. Referring to  FIG. 6C , the TV video data  350  inputs the first selective module  330  and selectively outputs to the data conversion unit  350  for TV/computer video conversion. The memory control unit  306  handles the data access of the generated computer video data  352  that transmits through the data exchange unit  314  to store in the memory  33 . Since the display panel  38  is driven by north bridge chipset  31  in TV mode, the converted computer video data  352  has to return the north bridge chipset  31  for generating the LVDS signals  358 . As mentioned before, TV/computer video conversion induces lot&#39;s of data, hence the computer video data  352  has to be compressed to reduce its size, thereby inputting the north bridge chipset  31  through I/O interface  312 , south bridge chipset  30  in sequence. Accordingly, the computer video data  352  inputs the video compression unit  310  for data compression, especially the discrete cosine transform (DCT), and obtains a compressed video data  356 . In the next procedure, the compressed video data  356  outputs to the south bridge chipset  30  through the I/O interface  312 . In a preferable example, the I/O interface  312  is an universal serial bus (USB). 
   The south bridge chipset  30  receives the compressed video data  356 , outputs it to CPU, and then transmits to the north bridge chipset  31  for generating the LVDS signals  358 . Next, the LVDS signals  358  re-input the video processor  36  to the second selective module  332 . This time the second selective module  332  receives the LVDS signals  358  as its effective input signals, and outputs the LVDS signals  358  to the display panel  38  for displaying TV video. 
   As well as the VGA-included computer system, the switch unit  308  handles and switches the effective output port of the first selective module  330  and the effective input port of the second selective module  332  between three operating modes. Moreover, the switch unit  308  also triggers the initial control unit  300  as mentioned above, which will not be explained again here. 
   Summarily speaking, when the present video processor applies to a VGA-excluded computer system, the first selective module  330  always outputs the TV video data to the data conversion unit  302 . Therefore, the present video processor  36  may further omit the first selective module  330  but directly coupling with the data conversion unit  302 . Referring to  FIG. 7 , the simplified video processor contains only one selective module  732  (identical to aforementioned second selective module  332 ), and the I/O interface  312  is directly connected with the south bridge chipset  30 . 
   It&#39;s noticed that, though it takes notebook computer for example in the patent instruction, the invention doesn&#39;t limit to apply to notebook computer but also broadly used in desktop computers. 
   Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made without departing from what is intended to be limited solely by the appended claims.