Device and method for repeatedly updating the function of a monitor

Abstract

A device and a method for updating the function of a monitor according to the invention. By using the USB signal lines directly for data transmission and recording the data of a monitor controller to the erasable programmable read only memory, data update can be achieved. Moreover, the erasable programmable read only memory can be updated by separating the recording path and the normal visual path using a recording path separator of the monitor controller. Compared to the prior art, the device and the method of the invention are more convenient and time saving for function update of the monitor.

1. A device installed in  of a monitor system for updating the function of a monitor of the monitor system, comprising:
 USB signal linesa serial interface for transmitting serial information, the serial information comprises a recording command and recorded data;  
 a detecting device electrically  coupled to the USB signal lines  serial interface for detecting and outputting  transmitting the recording command and the recorded data;  
 a starting device electrically  coupled to the detecting device for receiving the recording command and the recorded data and then transmitting the recording command and the recorded data when the starting device is switched from a visual path to a recording path;  
 a ROM recording command decoder  command decoder connected to the starting device for converting the recording command into a erase/read/write signal  recording signal and the recorded data into a  an address signal and a data signal by switching the starting device to the recording path;  
 a ROM electrically  connected to the ROM recording  command decoder, of which  the data of the ROM can be updated according to the recording signal, the address signal,  and the data signal and the erase/read/write signal ; and  
 a recovery device electrically  coupled to the ROM recording command decoder  the command decoder and the starting device determining whether the data stored in the ROM are already updated according to the address signal, the data signal and the read/write signal and for switching the starting device from the recording path to the visual path when the data of the ROM are already updated  for switching the starting device according to the recording signal, the address signal or the data signal, the starting device is switching from the recording path to the visual path after the data of the ROM is already updated.  
 
     
     
       2. The device for updating the function of a monitor as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the USB signal  serial interface is electrically  coupled to a recording device for transmitting the recording command and the recorded data. 
     
     
       3. The device for updating the function of a monitor as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the recording device is a computer stage for transmitting the recording command and the recorded data through a USB in a form of USB  serial interface. 
     
     
       4. The device for updating the function of a monitor as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the recording device is a USB interface circuit stage for transmitting the recording command and the recorded data in a form of USB. 
     
     
       5. The device for updating the function of a monitor as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the detecting device comprises:
 a USB multi-address checking circuit electrically coupled to the USB signal lines  serial checking circuit coupled to the serial interface for checking a serial setting commands of the recorded data  the serial information and then transmitting a setting signal when the checked serial setting commands are correct; and  
 a monitor in-system programming (MISP) flag electrically coupled to the USB multi-address  serial checking circuit for transmitting a monitor in-system programming starting signal according to the setting signal.  
 
     
     
       6. The device for updating the function of a monitor as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the starting device comprises:
 a monitor in-system programming reset generating circuit for generating a selecting signal according to the monitor in-system programming starting signal ; and  
 a recording path separator which switched from the visual path to the recording path according to the selecting signal and transmitting the recording command and the recorded data via the recording path , or from the recording path to the visual path according to the selecting signal.  
 
     
     
       7. The device for updating the function of a monitor as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the ROM recording command decoding device  command decoder comprises:
 a USB interface circuit  serial interface circuit for receiving and converting the recording command and the recorded data; and  
 a recording command decoder for receiving the converted recording command and the recording  recorded data and transmitting the address  recording signal, the data  address signal and the erase/read/write  data signal.  
 
     
     
       8. The device for updating the function of a monitor as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the recording command decoder comprises:
 a hidden ROM for storing the program codes of the recording command;  
 a RAM for storing the recording  recorded data;  
 a CPU electrically  coupled to the hidden ROM, the RAM and the USB  serial interface circuit for receiving the USB  serial interface circuit-converted recording command and recorded data, storing the recorded data in the RAM, decoding the recording command according to the program code of the hidden ROM and then sending the decoded recording command; and  
 a recording control recorder electrically  coupled to the CPU for receiving the decoded recording command and converting the decoded recording command into an erase/read/write signal and sending the recorded data stored in the RAM according to the address signal and the data signal.  
 
     
     
       9. The device for updating the function of a monitor as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the function of the recording command decoder can be achieved by a hardware circuit which can divide the recording command received by the USB  serial interface circuit into a plurality of states to perform the function of decoding and convert the recording command and the recorded data into the erase/read/write  recording signal, the address signal and the data signal. 
     
     
       10. The device for updating the function of a monitor as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the recovery device further comprises:
 a recovery control recorder for receiving the address signal, the data signal and the erase/read/write  recording signal and transmitting a recovery signal after recording is achieved; and  
 a recovery reset circuit electrically  coupled to the recovery control recorder and the starting device for transmitting a monitor in-system programming stop signal to switch the starting device from the recording path to the visual path when receiving the recovery signal.  
 
     
     
       11. The device for updating the function of a monitor as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the ROM is a flash ROM. 
     
     
       12. The device for updating the function of a monitor as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the ROM is an electrically erasable programmable read only memory. 
     
     
       13. A system for updating the function of a monitor, comprising:
 a recording device for storing and outputting a recording command and recorded data;  
 USB signal lines electricallya serial interface coupled to the recording device for transmitting the recording command and the recorded data; and  
 a monitor controller having a monitor in system programming memory, electrically  coupled to the USB signal lines  serial interface, wherein if a setting command of the recorded data from the USB signal lines  serial interface is correct, the monitor controller is modified according to the recording command and the recorded data, wherein the USB signal lines  serial interface and the monitor controller are installed in a monitor system.  
 
     
     
       14. The system for updating the function of a monitor as claim  claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the recording device is a computer stage for transmitting the recording command and the recorded data in a form of USB via a USB connector  through the serial interface. 
     
     
       15. The system for updating the function of a monitor as claimed in  claim 13 , the recording device is a USB  serial interface circuit stage for transmitting the recording command and the recorded data in a form of USB  serial form. 
     
     
       16. The system for updating the function of a monitor as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the monitor controller further comprises:
 a detecting device electrically  coupled to the USB signal lines  the serial interface for detecting and outputting the recording command and the recorded data;  
 a starting device electrically  coupled to the detecting device for receiving the recording command and the recorded data and then transmitting the recording command and the recorded data when the starting device is switched from a visual path to a recording path;  
 a ROM recording command decoder  command decoder connected to the starting device for converting the recording command into a erase/read/write  recording signal and the recorded data into a  an address signal and a data signal by switching the starting device to the recording path; , and the command decoder also connected to the monitor in system programming memory for updating the monitor in system programming memory according to the address signal, the data signal and the recording signal; and 
 a ROM electrically connected to the ROM recording command decoder, of which data can be updated according to the address signal, the data signal and the erase/read/write signal; and 
 a recovery device electrically  coupled to the ROM recording  command decoder and the starting device for determining whether the data stored in the ROM are already updated according the address signal, the data signal and the read/write signal and for switching the starting device from the recording path to the visual path when the data of the ROM are already updated  switching the starting device according to the recording signal, the data signal or the address signal, the starting device is switching from the recording path to the visual path after the data of the monitor in system programming memory is already updated.  
 
     
     
       17. The system for updating the function of a monitor as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the detecting device further comprises:
 a USB  multi-address serial checking circuit electrically  coupled to the USB signal lines  serial interface for checking the setting command of the recorded data and then transmitting a setting signal when the checked the  setting command is correct; and  
 a monitor in system programming (MISP) flag electrically  coupled to the USB multi-address  serial checking circuit for setting the monitor to a monitor in-system  in system programming control mode according to the setting signal and transmitting a monitor in-system programming  in system programming starting signal.  
 
     
     
       18. The system for updating the function of a monitor as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the starting device further comprises:
 a monitor in-system  in system programming reset generating circuit for generating a selecting signal according to the monitor in-system  in system programming starting signal; and  
 a recording path separator switched from the visual path to the recording path according to the selecting signal and transmitting the recording command and the recorded data via the recording path.  
 
     
     
       19. The system for updating the function of a monitor as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the ROM recording command decoding device  the command decoder comprises:
 a USB  serial interface circuit for receiving and converting the recording command and the recorded data; and  
 a recording command decoder for receiving the converted recording command and the recording  recorded data and transmitting the address signal, the data signal and the erase/read/write  recording signal.  
 
     
     
       20. The system for updating the function of a monitor as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the recording command decoder comprises:
 a hidden ROM for storing the program codes of the recording command;  
 a RAM for storing the recording data;  
 a CPU electrically  coupled to the hidden ROM, the RAM and the USB  serial interface circuit for receiving the USB  serial interface circuit-converted recording command and recorded data, storing the recorded data in the RAM, decoding the recording command according to the program code of the hidden ROM and then sending the decoded recording command; and  
 a recording control recorder electrically  coupled to the CPU for receiving the decoded recording command and converting the decoded recording command into an erase/read/write  the recording signal and sending the recorded data stored in the RAM according to the address signal and the data signal.  
 
     
     
       21. The system for updating the function of a monitor as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the function of the recording command decoder can be achieved by a hardware circuit which can divide the recording command received by the USB  serial interface circuit into a plurality of states to perform the function of decoding and convert the recording command and the recorded data into the erase/read/write  recording signal, the address signal and the data signal. 
     
     
       22. The system for updating the function of a monitor as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the recovery device further comprises:
 a recovery control recorder for receiving the address signal, the data signal and the erase/read/write  recording signal and transmitting a recovery signal after recording is achieved; and  
 a recovery reset circuit electrically  coupled to the recovery control recorder and the starting device for transmitting a monitor in-system  in system programming stop signal to switch the starting device from the recording path to the visual path when receiving the recovery signal.  
 
     
     
       23. The system for updating the function of a monitor as claimed in claim  16    13 , wherein the ROM  monitor in system programming memory is a flash ROM. 
     
     
       24. The system for updating the function of a monitor as claimed in claim  16    13 , wherein the ROM  monitor in system programming memory is an electrically erasable programmable read only memory. 
     
     
       25. A method for updating the function of a monitor, comprising:
 receiving a plurality of signals from a plurality of USB signal lines  a serial interface port by the monitor;  
 checking if  serial setting commands of the signals are correct  by a monitor controller installed in the monitor, if the serial setting commands of the signals are correct, the signals from the USB signal lines  the serial interface port are transmitted to the monitor controller by switching a transmitting path of the signals from the USB signal lines  the serial interface port from a visual path to a recording path, and the monitor controller is modified and updated  according to the signals from the USB signal lines  the serial interface port; and  
 determining if  whether the modification of the monitor controller is completely  achieved, the signals from the USB signal lines are transmitted by the transmitting path of the signals from the USB signal lines from the recording path to the visual path  if the modification of the monitor controller is achieved, the transmitting path of the signals is switched from the recording path to the visual path.  
 
     
     
       26. The method of updating the function of a monitor of  claim 25 , wherein the step of checking if  the serial setting commands of the signals are correct  by a  the monitor controller comprising checking if the monitor operates normally, if the monitor operates abnormally, performing a USB multi-setting  serial command check process upon the signals from the USB signal lines  serial interface port. 
     
     
       27. The method for updating the function of a monitor of  claim 25 , wherein the signals from the USB signal lines  serial interface port includes recording commands and recorded data for updating  modifying the monitor controller, wherein the recording commands are converted into an erase/read/write signal and the recorded data is converted into an address signal and a data signal, the monitor controller are updated  is modified with the erase/read/write signal, the address signal and the data signal in order to update the function of the monitor. 
     
     
       28. A device of a display for updating the function of the display, comprising:
   a serial interface for receiving a serial information from a recording device, wherein the serial information comprises a recording command and recorded data in a serial form; and        a display controller having a non - volatile memory, coupled to the serial interface, wherein if a setting command of the serial information from the serial interface is correct, the display controller is modified according to the recording command and the recorded data, wherein the serial interface and the display controller are installed in the display.     
     
     
       29. The device for updating the function of the display as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the recording device is a computer stage for transmitting the recording command and recorded data through the serial interface. 
     
     
       30. The device for updating the function of the display as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the recording device is a serial interface circuit stage for transmitting the recording command and the recorded data in a serial form. 
     
     
       31. The device for updating the function of the display as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the display controller further comprises:
   a detecting device coupled to the serial interface for detecting and outputting the recording command and the recorded data;        a starting device coupled to the detecting device for receiving the recording command and the recorded data and then transmitting the recording command and the recorded data when the starting device is switched from a visual path to a recording path;        a command decoder connected to the starting device for converting the recording command into a recording signal and the recorded data into an address signal and a data signal by switching the starting device to the recording path, and the command decoder also connected to the non - volatile memory for updating the non - volatile memory according to the address signal, the data signal and the recording signal; and        a recovery device coupled to the command decoder and the starting device for switching the starting device according to the recording signal, the data signal or the address signal, the starting device is switching from the recording path to the visual path after the data of the non - volatile memory is already updated.     
     
     
       32. The device for updating the function of the display as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the detecting device further comprises:
   a serial checking circuit coupled to the serial interface for checking the setting command of the serial information and then transmitting a setting signal when the checked setting command is correct; and        a display in system programming flag coupled to the serial checking circuit for setting the display to a display in system programming control mode according to the setting signal and transmitting a display in system programming starting signal.     
     
     
       33. The device for updating the function of the display as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the starting device further comprises:
   a display in system programming reset generating circuit for generating a selecting signal according to the display in system programming starting signal; and        a recording path separator switched from the visual path to the recording path according to the selecting signal and transmitting the recording command and the recorded data via the recording path.     
     
     
       34. The device for updating the function of the display as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the command decoder comprises:
   a serial interface circuit for receiving and converting the recording command and the recorded data; and        a recording command decoder for receiving the converted recording command and the recorded data and transmitting the address signal, the data signal and the recording signal.     
     
     
       35. The device for updating the function of the display as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the recording command decoder comprises:
   a hidden ROM for storing the program codes of the recording command;        a RAM for storing the recording data;        a CPU coupled to the hidden ROM, the RAM and the serial interface circuit for receiving the serial interface circuit - converted recording command and recorded data, storing the recorded data in the RAM, decoding the recording command according to the program code of the hidden ROM and then sending the decoded recording command; and        a recording control recorder coupled to the CPU for receiving the decoded recording command and converting the decoded recording command into the recording signal and sending the recorded data stored in the RAM according to the address signal and the data signal.     
     
     
       36. The device for updating the function of the display as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the recovery device further comprises:
   a recovery control device for receiving the address signal, the data signal and the recording signal and transmitting a recovery signal after recording is achieved; and        a recovery reset circuit coupled to the recovery control device and the starting device for transmitting a display in system programming stop signal to switch the starting device from the recording path to the visual path when receiving the recovery signal.     
     
     
       37. The device for updating the function of the display as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the serial interface is a USB interface. 
     
     
       38. The device for updating the function of the display as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the non- volatile memory is a flash ROM.   
     
     
       39. The device for updating the function of the display as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the non- volatile memory is an electrically erasable programmable read only memory.