Apparatus and Method for Setting an ID Code Using a Microcomputer in a Display Device

This application makes reference to, incorporates herein, and claims all benefits accruing under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119 by virtue of a utility model application earlier filed in Korean Industrial Property Office on Dec. 30, 1994, entitled APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SETTING A PASSWORD USING A MICROPROCESSOR IN A DISPLAY DEVICE and a patent application filed in the above office on Dec. 18, 1995, entitled APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SETTING AN ID CODE USING A MICROCOMPUTER IN A DISPLAY DEVICE, which were duly assigned Serial Nos. 94-38285 and 95-51338, respectively by that Office.

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and method for setting an ID code using a microcomputer in a display device, and more particularly, to an apparatus for setting an ID code in a display device using a microcomputer which receives an input signal indicative of an ID code input with a preset code stored in a memory device to determine conformity, and thereby controlling a display device and method therefor. As a part of an effort to meet with the needs of consumers, display devices such as a cathode ray tube used in television receivers and computer monitors are generally provided with a microcomputer or a signal processing device equivalent thereto.

A microcomputer incorporated in a display device enhances the performance of the device, while efficiently providing an economy. Most display devices incorporating a micro-processor usually are not provided with a function capable of setting up a password for operating a device. Accordingly, every one who becomes aware of manipulation may access a display device regardless of the control of an authorized user. When children are forbidden use of a television receiver or VCR (e.g., to never watch particular channels on TV, otherwise on occasion a display device being desired to operate with a particular computer) then such a display device without the function described above may cause a problem. For instance, an unauthorized user would access the display device for private use and children may watch TV without parent's control, and even worse confidential information may be stolen.

Therefore, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for setting up a password using a microcomputer in a display device.

It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for setting an ID code using a microcomputer in a display device wherein use of an ID code (e.g., a password) is determined each time the display device is turned on, and when used, an ID code signal is input via an input device, then being compared with a preset code stored in a memory device thereby controlling the device responsive to the comparison.

An apparatus constructed according to the principles of the present invention incorporates a video amplifier means for amplifying image information input from a computer to display on a screen of a cathode ray tube, a key pad including an array of keys for providing a key input signal by a user's key stroke, a memory device for storing and maintaining stored ID code data input from the key pad by a user's manipulation, a microcomputer for comparing the ID code input from the key pad with a preset code stored in the memory device to control a display device responsive to the comparison, and for controlling the operation of the display device by using horizontal and vertical synchronizing signals input from the computer, an on-screen display (OSD) circuit for converting digital signals synchronized with a clock signal input from the microcomputer into an analog video signal comprised of red R, green G, and blue B components, and a mixer for mixing the video signal of R, G, B components input from the OSD circuit and an input signal of R, G, B components generated from the video amplifier means.

A method for setting up an ID code according to the principles of the present invention for use in a display device incorporating a key pad for inputting an ID code, a memory device for storing ID code data and a microcomputer for comparing the ID code input from the key pad with a preset code data stored in a memory to control a display device according to a result of the comparison, is contemplated with the steps of providing a confirmation stage wherein a memory is checked to determine whether it is required to confirm that a newly input ID code conforms with a preset ID code data each time the display device is turned ON, and providing a readout stage for reading preset ID code data out from the memory when it is stored, and providing a detect stage wherein an ID code is input from a key pad by a key stroke of a user's manipulation, and providing a determine stage for determining consistency between the ID code input from the key pad and a preset code data stored in the memory device based on a comparison, and providing a main routine stage for processing a main routine of a normal operation of the display device when the ID code input from the key pad is in conformity with the preset code data, and providing a subroutine stage for processing an error routine when inconsistent.

Features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is a preferred embodiment of an apparatus for setting an ID code using a microcomputer in a display device according to the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is another preferred embodiment of an apparatus for setting an ID code using a microcomputer in a display device according to the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a sequence for confirming an ID code signal input according to an implementation of the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a sequence for controlling a display device by a microcomputer according to an implementation of the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 5(A) is a flow chart illustrating a sequential order of a subroutine labeled K in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 5(B) is a flow chart illustrating a sequential order of a subroutine labeled L in FIG. 4.

Turning now to the drawings, a representation of an exemplary design for an apparatus for setting up an ID code using a microcomputer for use with a display device is illustrated in block diagram form in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, in a display system, an apparatus for setting up an ID code using a microcomputer constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a video amplifier 80 for amplifying image information signals input from a computer system 10 to display an image on a screen of a cathode ray tube display 70, a key pad 60 for generating a key input signal responsive to a user's key stroke, a memory device 30 for storing and maintaining ID code data input from the key pad 60, a microcomputer 20 for controlling an operation of a display device responsive to a result of a comparison between the ID code input from a key pad 60 and preset ID code data stored in a memory device 30, and for controlling a cathode ray tube display 70 in response to horizontal and vertical frequency signals input from a computer 10, an on-screen display OSD circuit 40 for a digital information signal synchronized with a train of clock pulses input from a microcomputer 20 into an analog video signal comprising of red R, green G, and blue B components, and a mixer 50 for mixing the analog video signal of R, G, B component from an OSD circuit 40 with an output signal of R, G, B components from video amplifier 80 to output to cathode ray tube 70.

FIG. 2 sets forth a schematic diagram of another preferred embodiment of an apparatus for setting up an ID code using a microcomputer in a display device constructed in accordance with the present invention, wherein like reference numerals designate like portion in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2 all parts are same as the construction in FIG. 1 except a set of analog switches 90 are interposed in the electrical conduction path between computer 10 and video amplifier 80.

With general reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention will be explained in greater detail in conjunction with the flow charts shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 to implement the same in sequential order.

Each time the display a system is powered on from a source of power, microcomputer 20 reads a flag indicative of whether password system is enabled (step S1). A flag read from the stack area of a memory 30 is detected to determine whether a password system is enabled (step S2). If disabled, control of the system is passed into a main routine (FIG. 4) in order to perform a normal operation of a display device. If the password system is enabled, microcomputer 20 sets up an arbitrary number `M` as a count of the number of times an input of an ID code is allowed, while reading preset ID code data from memory 30 (step S3). Then, a message indicative of a request for a user to manipulate a key pad to input an ID code is displayed on a screen of cathode ray tube display 70 (step S4). A count `N` of key stroke inputs, which is a number of digits reserved for an ID code, is set (step S5). Microcomputer 20 then displays the ID code input via key pad 60 by a user's manipulation on a screen of cathode ray tube display 70 (step S6). A routine is operated so as to decrease the count `N` of ID code key stroke inputs (step S7). An ID code of `N` digits is thereby input to microcomputer 20 (step S8). That is, when count `N` equals to "0", the ID code input is complete. Microcomputer 20 compares, when the ID code input is completed, the ID code input by way of a user's manipulation as illustrated in step S6 through step S8 with a preset ID code data read from memory 30 via step S3 as explained above (step S9). Responsive to a result of the comparison indicative of conformity between both ID codes, a screen of the cathode ray tube display is cleared by an input signal from OSD circuit 40 and control is jumped into a main routine to thereby normally operate the cathode ray tube display (step S10). A message indicative of an unauthorized ID code input by a user is displayed when an inconsistancy occurs between an input ID code and a preset ID code data (step S11). A routine decreasing count `M` (i.e., a REPEAT count) by one is repeatedly performed (step S12) until it reaches to "0" (step S13). If an inconsistency continues to occur when `M` has become zero, microcomputer 20 determines that the user who currently manipulates the key strokes is an unauthorized user, displays a warning sign on the screen of cathode ray tube display 70 and then causes a drive signal, having R, G, and B components, output from video amplifier 80 to have a voltage level of substantially zero.

As a result, the output gain of a signal having R, G and B components from computer 10 becomes zero resulting in no influence upon input terminals of cathode ray tube display 70, while OSD circuit 40 is still enabled. As is set forth above, either an authorized ID code signal is initially input (FIG. 5(A)) or an input ID code becomes consistent with preset ID code data during repeated ID code inputs by key strokes of a user's manipulation, or when it is otherwise determined that a password system is disabled in step S2 (e.g., see FIG. 5(B)), then control is passed to a main routine program (step S15). Microcomputer 20 detects overall setting status of a display device so as to initialize the device (step S16). Vertical synchronizing signal V--SYNC and horizontal synchronizing signal H--SYNC input from computer 10 are adjusted so as to perform a normal operation of cathode ray tube 70 (steps S17 and S18).

In addition, a program executed by microcomputer 20 incorporates a plurality of subroutines. On subroutine referenced by J1 is executed when a key stroke by a user initiating an ID code set up procedure generates an input signal, while another subroutine J2 is executed when an ID code setting key which enables or disables a password system is actuated, as generally referenced by alphabet J and shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5(A) illustrates a flow chart sequentially performing an operation referenced by J1 (FIG. 4), of a subroutine, as labeled `K`, the sequential procedure shown in FIG. 5(A) is similar to that shown in FIG. 3 and therefore, this subroutine is performed when memory 30 has no ID code data input. Thus, memory 30 receives a predetermined value stored at the location reserved for the preset ID code to indicate that no ID code data has been stored in the memory. To explain the subroutine, generally referenced by `K` in a dashed line, a numeral `N` arbitrarily selected for defining the number of digits of an ID code, (i.e., a count of key strokes inputs), is set (step K1). Microcomputer 20 displays on a screen an ID code input from key pad 60 by a user's manipulation (step K2), then decreases the count "N" by one (step K3) so that `N` digits of an ID code are able to be input by key strokes (step K4).

Namely, a routine for receiving a key input (step K1 through step K4) is repeatedly executed until count `N` becomes zero. When count `N` becomes `0`, then microcomputer 20 determines as many input digits as there are counts set by numeral `N`. Then both ID code and a message are displayed on a screen of cathode ray tube display 70 to view and thereby to be subjected to a user's confirmation (step K5).

When confirmed, the newly input ID code is written into memory 30 and control is then passed to a main routine (step K7). On the contrary, when an error occurred in step K6, control is passed back to step K1 and is looped again.

In a subroutine generally referenced by alphabet `J` (FIG. 4) another shunted subroutine labeled by `L` (FIG. 5(B)) is performed according to a result of `Y` as show in step `J` in FIG. 4. A value of a key input is detected when a key stroke is manipulated by a user on a pre-selected key on key pad 60 so as to determine the use of a password system in a display device (step L1). When the key input value represents a signal enabling a password system, then an ID code password is set to enabled (step L2). When the value represents a value other than the signal above, then the use of ID code is set to disabled (step L3). The above values for enabling or disabling the use of an ID code is stored in a segment of memory 30 as being a flag (step L4).

Here, it would be preferrable for a procedure for sequentially setting the above explained password system generally referenced by alphabet `L` in FIG. 5(B) that an ON/OFF toggle system be used for setting the system. Each time a system is turned on and energized by a power supply source, a flag set forth by way of the above described sequential procedure is automatically detected so as to determine whether a password system is enabled or disabled. To identify properly an authorized ID code input via a key pad, it would also be desirable for a system that a subroutine for determining a state of enable/disable password system be incorporated into a batch file which is automatically executed when the system is powered from a power supply.

To better optimize the performance of a display device, a data signal DATA and clock signal CLK are used to allow bi-directional communication between a computer system and peripheral devices thereof. In addition, any known technique may be employed for the above described communication so as to enable a so-called plug and play function in a computer system. A program for automatically transmitting ID code data to a display device via a communication line connected to the device from a computer system during the time interval of booting, when the system is initially powered on, may be incorporated into a batch file for autoexecution thereby saving the trouble of inputting an ID code at each time of use.

Once an ID code password is adapted in a computer system for the sake of security, a display device connected to the system would enjoy the same effect by virtue of the program described above. The above arrangement will cause the display device to require an additional ID code input when used individually. As described above, an apparatus and method for setting an ID code using a microcomputer in a display device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention allows itself to be used by only an authorized user, preventing others from misusing the device thereby protecting private confidential information. While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall with in the true spirit and scope of the invention.