DISPLAY CONTROL METHOD AND DISPLAY DEVICE

Abstract

A display control method includes: when a first display device is in a first display mode, receiving a first image signal from a first electronic device and outputting the first image signal to a first display unit of the first display device; determining that the first display device satisfies a condition for switching from the first display mode to a second display mode; outputting a mode switching signal to a second display device; and, when the first display device is in the second display mode, receiving a second image signal from a second electronic device and outputting the second image signal to the first display unit. When in the second display mode, the second display device receives a third image signal from the second electronic device and outputs the third image signal through a second display unit of the second display device.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED REVELATION

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202410393072.0, filed on March 29, 2024, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of display control technology, and more particularly to a display control method and display device. TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

[0003] When a user uses two display devices to display different image data from the same electronic device, and the user switches a signal source of the image data on one display device, the two display devices display images from different signal sources, resulting in the signal sources providing image data to the two display devices being out of synchronization. OVERVIEW OF THE INVENTION

[0004] According to the present disclosure, there is provided a display control method comprising: when a first display device is in a first display mode, obtaining a first image signal from a first electronic device and outputting the first image signal to a first display unit of the first display device; determining that the first display device satisfies a condition for switching from the first display mode to a second display mode; and outputting a mode switching signal to a second display device connected to the first display device to instruct the second display device to switch from the first display mode to the second display mode; and when the first display device is in the second display mode, obtaining a second image signal from a second electronic device and outputting the second image signal to the first display unit.When the second display device is in the second display mode, the second display device receives a third image signal from the second electronic device and outputs the third image signal through a second display unit of the second display device.

[0005] Also according to the present disclosure, a first display device is provided having a multi-function interface configured to be connected to a second display device, and a processing device configured to, when the first display device is in a first display mode, receive a first image signal from a first electronic device and output the first image signal to the first display unit, determine that the first display device satisfies a condition for switching from the first display mode to a second display mode, and output a mode switching signal to the second display device to instruct the second display device to switch from the first display mode to the second display mode, and, when the first display device is in the second display mode,receive a second image signal from a second electronic device and output the second image signal to the first display unit. When the second display device is in the second display mode, the second display device receives a third image signal from the second electronic device and outputs the third image signal through a second display unit of the second display device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the drawings required for use in describing the embodiments are briefly introduced below. The drawings described below are exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without creative work. Fig. 1 is a flowchart of an exemplary display control method according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of an exemplary display device according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Fig. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of another exemplary display device according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Fig. 4 is a schematic architecture diagram illustrating an example application scenario according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Fig. 5 is a schematic architecture diagram illustrating another example application scenario according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating switching of the display mode of a first display device under the control of a second display device according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Fig. 7 shows a schematic architecture for mode switching control between processing devices of two display devices according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Fig. 8 is another flowchart illustrating switching the display mode of a first display device under the control of a second display device according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Fig. 9 is a flowchart of another exemplary display control method according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Fig. 10 to Fig. 12 are schematic architecture diagrams showing exemplary application scenarios of Fig. 9 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Fig. 13 is a flowchart of another exemplary display control method according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Fig. 14 and Fig. 15 are schematic architecture diagrams showing two exemplary application scenarios of Fig. 13 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0007] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below in conjunction with the drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a portion of the embodiments of the present disclosure, not all embodiments. All other embodiments that a person skilled in the art can derive from the embodiments in the present disclosure without creative effort are within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0008] The present disclosure provides a display control method. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, which is a flowchart of a display control method according to the present disclosure, in one embodiment, the display control method may be applied to a first display device. The first display device may be an electronic device including a display unit. The display unit may be, for example, a display screen, and the first display device may be a display, a smart TV, or a desktop computer, etc., including the display screen; the present disclosure does not limit this.

[0009] The method according to this embodiment may comprise S101 to S103.

[0010] In S101, when the first display device is in a first display mode, a first image signal is obtained from a first electronic device and the first image signal is output to a first display unit of the first display device.

[0011] In one embodiment, a connection may be established between the first display device and a second display device. For example, the first display device may have a multi-function interface, and the first display device may be connected to the second display device via its multi-function interface. The multi-function interface may support the transmission of multimedia data or interaction data (such as control signals, commands, or other data). The multi-function interface may, for example, comprise a Thunderbolt interface or a USB-C interface (also known as USB Type-C).

[0012] On this basis, the first display device may be directly connected to the first electronic device, or the first display device may be connected to the first electronic device via the second display device. Accordingly, the first display device may receive the first image signal from the first electronic device by receiving the first image signal transmitted from the first display device, or it may receive the first image signal transmitted from the second display device from the first electronic device.

[0013] In one embodiment, the interface type via which the first display device receives the image signal can vary depending on the display mode of the first display device. Accordingly, in the first display mode, the first display device can receive the first image signal from the first electronic device via the first-type interface. If the first display device is connected to the first electronic device via a first interface, the first interface can, for example, belong to the first interface type.In another example, when the first display device is connected to the first electronic device via the second display device, the first display device may receive the first image signal from the first electronic device via the multi-function interface connected to the second display device, and the multi-function interface may be of the first interface type.

[0014] For the purpose of differentiation, the display unit of the first display device is referred to as the first display unit and the display unit of the second display device which is not the first display device is referred to as the second display unit.

[0015] The electronic device according to the present disclosure may be an electronic device capable of providing an image signal source. The electronic device may be an electronic device with a display device or an electronic device without a display device, as long as it is capable of providing an image signal. For example, the electronic device may be a host, and it may also be an electronic device such as a laptop, a desktop computer, or a mobile phone.

[0016] For the purpose of distinction, when the first display device is in the first display mode, an electronic device that provides the image signal is referred to as the first electronic device, and other electronic devices may be referred to as the second electronic device or the third electronic device, as appropriate. This will not be repeated.

[0017] In S102, it is determined that the first display device satisfies a condition for switching from the first display mode to the second display mode, and a first mode switching signal is output to the second display device connected to the first display device.

[0018] The first mode switching signal may be used to indicate that the second display device switches from the first display mode to the second display mode.

[0019] According to the disclosure, and provided that the first display device is connected to the second display device via a multi-function interface, signal source synchronization between the first display device and the second display device may be enabled by default, where "signal source synchronization" means that the signal source of the image signal displayed on the first display device and the second display device is the same (i.e., it originates from the same electronic device).

[0020] In actual applications, the user can also manually activate the signal source synchronization function on the first display device. For example, the first display device can detect a menu display command and display a menu image in which a signal source synchronization function item is displayed to indicate the signal source synchronization.

[0021] According to the disclosure, the menu image may be an on-screen display (OSD) image that can be generated by the first display device, and the relevant options or function call items in the menu image may be determined based on the connection status of the first display device and other display devices and the modes of the first display device. The display priority of the OSD image may be higher than the display priority of the image signal.

[0022] When the first display device detects that the first display device is connected to the second display device, the signal source synchronization function item in the menu image may be in an operable state. When the first display device and the second display device are not connected, the signal source synchronization function in the menu image may be in an inoperable state.On this basis, when detecting that the user starts the signal source synchronization function via the signal source synchronization function element, the first display device may determine to start the signal source synchronization with the second display device, and at the same time, the first display device may also send the indication that the signal source synchronization starts to the second display device, wherein the indication that the signal source synchronization starts can be used to indicate the start of the signal source synchronization function.

[0023] Based on the above, in order to maintain the signal source synchronization of the image signals between the first display device and the second display device, when the first display device satisfies the display mode switching condition, the first display device may send the first mode switching signal to the second display device to notify the second display device to switch to the second display mode.

[0024] Accordingly, when the signal source synchronization function is turned off in the first display device, the first display device may also send an indication that the signal source synchronization is turned off to the second display device, and the indication that the signal source synchronization is turned off may be used to indicate the turning off of the signal source synchronization function.

[0025] According to the disclosure, the first display device may determine in various ways that the condition for switching from the first display mode to the second display mode is met.

[0026] For example, in one possible implementation, the first display device may receive a mode switching instruction based on the user's display mode switching operation in the menu screen. The mode switching instruction may be used to instruct switching from the first display mode to the second display mode, so that the first display device determines that the condition for switching from the current first display mode to the second display mode is met.

[0027] The user can trigger the first display device to display the menu image by touching the menu button on the first display device. The switchable display modes can be displayed in the menu image, and different display modes can represent different sources of image signals. Considering that different display modes require different types of interfaces to obtain image signals, different display modes can be represented by different interface types, for example, and the interface types can be divided into a Thunderbolt interface (TBT interface), a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI interface), or a DP interface (DisplayPort interface).

[0028] Based on this, before displaying the menu image, the first display device can selectively determine the target interface type of each interface in the first display device capable of providing the image signal source, and then display the menu image based on the respective target interface type. The menu image can include the display mode corresponding to the respective target interface type. Accordingly, the user can determine which interface type the expected image signal originates from and then select the corresponding display mode in the menu image to generate the mode switching instruction.

[0029] In another possible implementation, the first display device may also enable an automatic signal source switching function. This means that the first display device can automatically switch to other signal sources capable of providing image signals if it detects that the signal source corresponding to the current display mode is incorrect. The incorrect signal source may mean that the image signal cannot be received by the electronic device corresponding to the display mode.

[0030] For example, the automatic source switching function may be enabled by default. If the display device enables the source synchronization function, the automatic source switching function may be enabled by default.

[0031] As another example, the automatic signal source switching function can also be activated manually by the user, in particular by performing the activation operation of the automatic signal source switching function in the menu screen, which is similar to activating the signal source synchronization function and is not described in detail.

[0032] In addition, when the first display device activates the automatic signal source switching function, the first display device may also send the indication of the automatic signal source switching to the second display device to instruct the second display device to synchronously activate the automatic signal source switching function.

[0033] In this implementation, the first display device may determine that the condition for switching from the first display mode to the second display mode is satisfied when it detects that the first image signal cannot be obtained from the first electronic device and detects that the first display device is capable of obtaining the image signal from the second electronic device.

[0034] The inability to receive the first image signal from the first electronic device may be due to the first electronic device being idle or faulty, or the first interface for receiving the first image signal being faulty. The ability to receive the image signal from the second electronic device may be due to the first display device detecting that it is connected to the second electronic device via the second interface or that it is connected to the second electronic device via the second display device.

[0035] Of course, the above are merely examples of several possible conditions for fulfilling the condition for switching from the first display mode to the second display mode. In practical applications, there may be other ways to determine the need to switch to the second display mode; this is not a limitation.

[0036] In S103, when the first display device is in the second display mode, a second image signal is received from the second electronic device and output to the first display unit.

[0037] It is conceivable that the first display device can be connected directly to the second electronic device, or that the first display device can be connected to the second electronic device via the second display device. Accordingly, the first display device can receive the second image signal from the second electronic device, which can mean that the first display device receives the second image signal from the second electronic device or receives the second image signal from the second electronic device transmitted via the second display device.

[0038] In one possible implementation, the interface type of the interface for receiving the image signal from the first display device may be different in the display mode of the first display device. Therefore, in the second display mode, the first display device may receive the second image signal from the second electronic device via the second interface type. For example, if the first display device is connected to the second electronic device via the second interface, the second interface may belong to the second interface type, and the first interface type may be different from the second interface type.In another example, when the first display device is connected to the second electronic device via the second display device, the first display device may receive the second image signal from the second electronic device via the multi-function interface connected to the second display device, and the multi-function interface may be of the second interface type.

[0039] According to the disclosure, when the first display device and the second display device are in the same display mode, the image signals displayed by the respective display devices may be different, but the image signals may originate from the same electronic device. Accordingly, when the second display device is in the second display mode, the second display device may receive a third image signal originating from the second electronic device, and the second display unit of the second display device may output the third image signal.

[0040] In particular, when the first display device is in the second display mode and the first display device receives the second image signal originating from the second electronic device via the second type interface, the second display device, when it is in the second display mode, can receive the third image signal originating from the second electronic device via the second type interface in the second display device.

[0041] From the above contents, it is understood that, provided that the first display device is connected to the second display device, when the first display device satisfies the conditions for switching from the first display mode to the second display mode, the first display device may send the mode switching signal to the second display device to instruct the second display device to switch to the second display mode, so that both the first display device and the second display device are capable of receiving the image signals originating from the same electronic device, thereby enabling the synchronous switching of the first display device and the second display device.

[0042] In addition, since both display devices are capable of switching the signal source synchronously, the operational complexity caused by the need for the user to manually switch the signal sources of the two display devices due to the inability to switch the signal sources synchronously can be naturally reduced.

[0043] The present disclosure also provides a display device. As in Fig. 2, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of the display device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the display device can be used as the first display device mentioned in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0044] The display device 200 comprises at least: a multi-function interface 201, a first display unit 202 and a processing device 203.

[0045] The multi-function interface 201 can be used to connect the second display device 204 outside the display device.

[0046] The first display unit 202 can be used to display the image signal.

[0047] The processing device 203 may be used to obtain the first image signal from the first electronic device when the display device is in the first display mode and output the first image signal to the first display unit; determine that the display device meets the conditions for switching from the first display mode to the second display mode; and output the first mode switching signal to the second display device, the first mode switching signal being used to indicate that the second display device switches from the first display mode to the second display mode; and, when the display device is in the second display mode, obtain the second image signal from the second electronic device and output the second image signal to the first display unit.

[0048] When the second display device is in the second display mode, the second display device may receive the third image signal from the second electronic device and output the third image signal to the second display unit of the second display device.

[0049] The multi-function interface can be a Thunderbolt interface and, of course, it can also be another interface capable of supporting interaction data and multimedia data.

[0050] In practical applications, the display device can be connected to the electronic device directly or via a second display device. Fig. 3 shows another possible schematic structural diagram of the display device according to the present disclosure.

[0051] As from Fig. 3, in addition to the multi-function interface 201, the first display unit 202 and the processing device 203 mentioned above, the display device can also be used for connecting to various interface types of various electronic devices.

[0052] For example, in one possible implementation, the display device 200 may also include a first interface 205 used to connect the first electronic device 206. The first interface may be a first-type interface. Based on this, in the first display mode, the processing device may receive a first image signal from the first electronic device via the first interface.

[0053] In another possible implementation, the display device 200 may also include a second interface 207 used to connect the second electronic device 208, wherein the second interface is a second-type interface. Based on this, in the second display mode, the processing device may receive the second image signal from the second electronic device via the second interface.

[0054] In practical applications, the display device may have only one of the first interface 205 and the second interface 207, or it may have both the first interface and the second interface. Only one of the first interface and the second interface may be connected to the electronic device, or both interfaces may be connected to the electronic device; there is no limitation in this regard.

[0055] For example, both the first-type interface and the second-type interface may comprise a Thunderbolt interface, a DP interface, or an HDMI interface, or the first-type interface and the second-type interface may be different interface types. For example, the first-type interface may be a DP interface, and the second-type interface may be a Thunderbolt interface. In another example, the first-type interface may be a Thunderbolt interface, and the second-type interface may be a DP interface, etc.; this will not be repeated.

[0056] Accordingly, the specific structure of the assembly of the second display device connected to the display device may be similar, and the second display device may also be connected to various electronic devices directly or indirectly via the display device; this will not be repeated.

[0057] To facilitate understanding of the first display mode and the second display mode of the first display device and the second display device in the present disclosure, the architecture of an application scenario applicable to the scheme of the present disclosure is described below.

[0058] As in Fig. 4, which shows a schematic structural diagram illustrating an application scenario of the present disclosure, the display device 401 is connected to another display device 402 via a Thunderbolt interface (TBT interface), and the Thunderbolt interface supports the transmission of interaction data and image signals between the two display devices. In Fig. 4, the transmission of the image signal received via the Thunderbolt interface from the display device 401 to the display device 402 is assumed as an example and the connecting line in Fig. 4, which corresponds to the Thunderbolt interface, is directed from the display device 401 to the display device 402.

[0059] The display device 401 is connected to the laptop computer 403 via the Thunderbolt interface. Fig. 4, the electronic device connected to the display device 401 via the Thunderbolt interface is, by way of example, a laptop computer. Of course, the laptop computer 403 may be replaced by another electronic device in other embodiments.

[0060] At the same time, the display device 401 can be connected to the first host device 404 via the DP interface. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the electronic device connected to the display device 401 via the DP interface is, by way of example, a host device. Of course, in other embodiments, the host device may be replaced by another electronic device, such as a mobile phone or a laptop computer.

[0061] The display device 402 is connected to the first host device 404 via the DP interface.

[0062] In Fig. 4, the laptop computer 403 supports a daisy-chain function, so that the laptop computer 403, the display device 401, and the display device 402 are connected via the daisy-chain function. With the daisy-chain function, multiple display devices can be connected in series and connected to a single interface. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the laptop computer and two display devices are connected in series. In this case, different image content from the laptop computer can be displayed on different display devices.

[0063] First, the embodiment in which the display device 401 is used as the first display device is taken as an example.

[0064] In Fig. 4, it is clearly seen that the display device 401 is connected to various electronic devices via interfaces of two different types, that is, various electronic devices are connected via the Thunderbolt interface and the DP interface, respectively, and the display device 401 is connected to another display device 402 via the Thunderbolt interface (a multi-function interface).

[0065] If both the display device 401 and the display device 402 use the Thunderbolt interface as a signal source to provide image signals in the first display mode, then in the first display mode, the laptop computer 403 is equivalent to the above-mentioned first electronic device. Therefore, the display device 401 can receive two image signals from the laptop computer 403 via the Thunderbolt interface connected to the laptop computer 403, which are referred to as image signal A and image signal B, respectively. The display device 401 can output the image signal A to the display unit of the display device 401 and transmit the image signal B to the display device 402 via the Thunderbolt interface connected to the display device 402 to display the image signal B on the display unit of the display device 402.

[0066] When the user selects to switch the DP interface as the signal source via the menu image displayed on the display device 401, the display device 401 may determine to switch to the second display mode, or the display device may detect that the laptop computer 403 is in sleep mode or faulty, etc. When the display device 401 starts the automatic signal source switching function, the display device 401 may detect that the display device is connected to the second electronic device via the DP interface, and the display device 401 may also determine to switch to the second display mode.

[0067] Based on this, the display device 401 can send the mode switching signal to the display device 402 via the Thunderbolt interface to the display device 402 to notify the display device 402 that it should switch to the second display mode, that is, that it should switch the signal source to the signal source of the DP interface.

[0068] In the second display mode, the display device 401 can receive the image signal C from the first host computer 404 via the DP interface and output the image signal C to the display unit of the display device 401. The processing device of the display device 401 can include, for example, a first-type control chip, and the signal source switching can be controlled by the first-type control chip. The first-type control chip can include, for example, a display processing chip scalar, and the scalar can switch the signal source from the Thunderbolt interface to the DP interface to receive the image signal from the DP interface.

[0069] Similarly, the display device 402 may also receive the image signal D provided by the first host computer 404 via the DP interface and output the image signal D to the display unit of the display device 402. The image signal C and the image signal D may represent different image signals.

[0070] The above can be explained by taking the display device 401 as an example of the first display device. When the display device 402 is used as the first display device, the display device 402 as the first display device in the first display mode does not need to be directly connected to the laptop computer 403 via the Thunderbolt interface, but may be connected to the display device 401 via the Thunderbolt interface and connected in series to the laptop computer 403 as the first electronic device via the display device 401. Therefore, the display device 402 can receive the image signal from the laptop computer 403 via the display device 401.In addition, the display device 402 may determine to switch to the DP interface as a signal source, and its processing process may be similar to the processing process of the display device 401 as the first display device, which is not repeated.

[0071] It goes without saying that Fig. 4 is merely an example. In actual applications, a DP interface connection between the display device 401 and the first host computer 404 is not required. In this case, in the second display mode, the display device 401 may also receive the image signal C from the first host computer 404 via the display device 401. For example, the display device 402 may receive the image signal C and the image signal D provided from the first host computer 404 via the DP interface, and the display device 402 may transmit the image signal C to the display device 401 via the Thunderbolt interface connected to the display device 401 to output the image signal C on the display unit of the display device 401.

[0072] Of course, the first display mode may also involve using the DP interface as the signal source through which the display device receives the image signal. In this case, the first host computer 404 may be used as the first electronic device. Similarly, the second display mode may involve using the Thunderbolt interface as the signal source through which the display device receives the image signal, and the laptop computer 403 may be used as the second electronic device. The specific process is similar and will not be repeated.

[0073] It goes without saying that Fig. 4 illustrates an example of a possible situation with two types of interfaces, including the first interface and the second interface in the display device. In actual applications, the first interface and the second interface may also be interfaces of other interface types. As shown in Fig. 4, the DP interface can be replaced by an HDMI interface or the Thunderbolt interface to the second electronic device can be replaced by an HDMI interface, etc.; this will not be further explained here.

[0074] It is understood that when the first display device is in the first display mode and the first electronic device enters a sleep state or other reasons cause the first electronic device to be unable to provide the first image signal and the first display device does not turn on the automatic switching function of the signal source, the first display device may display a black screen due to the inability to receive the first image signal and the second display device may correspondingly also display a black screen due to the inability to receive the image signal from the first electronic device.

[0075] It should be understood that in the above embodiment, switching between two display modes is taken as an example. Therefore, each display mode can correspond to one electronic device, so the first display device can be connected to two electronic devices directly or via the second display device, and the interface types corresponding to the interfaces for providing image signals of the two electronic devices can be different.

[0076] In other embodiments, the first display device may be connected to three or more electronic devices directly or via the second display device, and the interface types corresponding to the interfaces for providing image signals of different electronic devices may all be different. Therefore, the first display device may switch from one electronic device providing image signals to another electronic device providing image signals, which may be considered switching from the first display mode to the second display mode.

[0077] Of course, the first display device may also have a third display mode. When the first display device is in the third display mode, the first display device may receive an image signal from a third electronic device. For example, the first display device may receive an image signal from the third electronic device that was received by the second display device.

[0078] In a further example, the first display device may be connected to the third electronic device via a third interface and accordingly the first display device may receive the image signal provided by the third electronic device directly from the third electronic device, for example the first display device receives the image signal from the third electronic device via a third type interface.

[0079] The Fig. The display device shown in Figure 3 may also include a third interface 209 that is of a different interface type than the first interface and the second interface. The third interface 209 may be used to connect the third electronic device 210, and the third interface may be a third-type interface.

[0080] For example, the first type interface is a DP interface, the second type interface can be a Thunderbolt interface, and the third type interface can be an HDMI interface.

[0081] When the display device is in the third display mode, the processing device may receive an image signal from the third electronic device via the third interface as a third type interface.

[0082] As in Fig. 5, which is a schematic architecture diagram showing another application scenario of the present disclosure, the display device 401 and the display device 402 are different from Fig. 4 are also connected to the second host computer 405 via their respective HDMI interfaces. The second host computer 405 in Fig. 5 may also be replaced by a mobile phone, a laptop or other type of electronic equipment.

[0083] In the scenario of Fig. 5, the first display mode and the second display mode can be set as shown in Fig. 4 should be shown.

[0084] In addition, Fig. 5 The first display mode can also use the HDMI interface as the image signal source, and the second display mode can use the Thunderbolt interface or the DP interface as the image signal source. Or the first display mode can use the Thunderbolt interface or the DP interface as the image signal source, and the second display mode can use the HDMI interface as the image signal source. The specific switching from the first display mode to the second display mode can be as described above; it will not be described further.

[0085] In addition, Fig. 5 It is also conceivable that the display device supports the third display mode. The first display mode, the second display mode, and the third display mode can each rely on interfaces of different interface types as a signal source for providing image signals. For example, the first display mode can use the Thunderbolt interface as a signal source for image signals output from the display device, the second display mode can use the HDMI interface as a signal source for image signals output from the display device, and the third display mode can use the DP interface as a signal source for image signals output from the display device.

[0086] The display device may support switching from the first display mode to the third display mode; or it may support switching from the second display mode to the third display mode; or it may support switching from the third display mode to the first display mode and from the third display mode to the second display mode.

[0087] For ease of understanding, the third display mode will be explained using the HDMI interface as an example of a signal source for providing image signals. If the display device 401 determines that it should switch to the third display mode, the display device 401 may also send a second mode switching signal to the display device 402 via the Thunderbolt interface connected to the display device 402, and the second mode switching signal may be used to instruct the display mode to switch to the third display mode. Furthermore, in the third display mode, the display device 401 may receive the image signal E from the second host computer 405 via the HDMI interface, and the display device 402 may receive the image signal F from the second host computer 405 via the HDMI interface. The image signal E and the image signal F may be different image signals.

[0088] In the above embodiments of the present disclosure, there may be several ways for the specific implementation of the first display device outputting the first mode switching signal to the second display device.

[0089] In one possible implementation, the processing device of the first display device may comprise at least: a first-type control chip and a second-type control chip. Accordingly, the first-type control chip of the first display device may send the first mode switching signal to the second-type control chip of the first display device. The first mode switching signal may be transmitted by the second-type control chip of the first display device to the second-type control chip in the second display device connected to the first display device, such that the first-type control chip of the second display device receives the first mode switching signal via the second-type control chip of the second display device.

[0090] The first-type control chip may comprise a scalar display processing chip. Of course, the first-type control chip may also be integrated with a microcontroller unit (MCU); this is not subject to any restrictions.

[0091] The second type of control chip may be a command control chip. The command control chip may, for example, be a power management (PD) chip in the first display device. The PD chip may support the PD charging protocol, which is a power supply protocol published by the USB-IF organization. The PD charging protocol allows the addition of user-defined functions. Based on this, the present disclosure may use the PD chip as a command control chip to transmit the first mode switching signal to the PD chip of the second display device.

[0092] Alternatively, the first-type control chip of the first display device can first transmit the first mode switching signal to the third-type control chip of the first display device, and then the third-type control chip can transmit the first mode switching signal to the second-type control chip of the first display device. The third-type control chip can be, for example, a digital media controller (DMC), and of course, it can also be, without limitation, another control chip.

[0093] It is understood that in addition to transmitting the first mode switching signal to the second display device, the first display device may also receive the second mode switching signal transmitted from the second display device to the first display device. The second mode switching signal may be used to instruct switching from the second display mode to the third display mode. As described above, when the first display device is in the third display mode, the first display device may receive the image signal from the third electronic device and output the image signal from the third electronic device to the first display unit.

[0094] The following uses two different implementations as examples to illustrate the process of controlling the first display device by the second display device to switch modes.

[0095] As in Fig. 6, which is a schematic diagram showing an implementation process of switching the display mode of the first display device under control of the second display device, the solution according to this embodiment is applied to the first display device, which includes:

[0096] S601, receiving the second mode switching signal transmitted by the second type control chip of the second display device by the second type control chip of the first display device, the second mode switching signal being used to instruct switching from the second display mode to the third display mode;

[0097] S602, transmitting a status signal group to the third type control chip of the first display device by the second type control chip of the first display device, the status signal group being used to instruct to switch the display mode to the third display mode.

[0098] In one possible implementation, the second type control chip in the display device is, for example, connected to the third type control chip and the third type control chip is connected to the first type control chip.

[0099] There are several first signal lines between the first-type control chip and the third-type control chip, as well as several first signal lines between the second-type control chip and the third-type control chip. For example, the first signal line only supports the transmission of status data; for example, all of the first signal lines can be general-purpose input / output buses (GPIO).

[0100] On this basis, the second-type control chip can control the status signals transmitted on each first signal line, for example, transmitting 1 or 0, so that the status signals on a plurality of first signal lines form a status signal group. The status signal group can indicate that the display mode is now to be switched, and the display mode to be switched is the third display mode.

[0101] Taking the first three signal lines connected between the second-type control chip and the third-type control chip as an example, "110" can indicate that the display mode should be switched to the third display mode. The first signal lines can be controlled to transmit "1," "1," or "0," respectively, to transmit the status signal "110" to the third-type control chip. For example, the level of the corresponding pins of the three GPIO buses can be used to transmit 1 or 0; this is not limited.

[0102] S603: The third-type control chip of the first display device transmits a status signal group to the first-type control chip of the first display device, and the first-type control chip of the first display device responds to the status signal group to switch from the second display mode to the third display mode.

[0103] For example, the third-type control chip can control the status signals transmitted on each first signal line between the third-type control chip and the first-type control chip, thereby forming the status signal group. The specific process of transmitting the status signal group to the third-type control chip by the second-type control chip is similar to that described above and will not be repeated.

[0104] S604: When the first display device is in the third display mode, the first display device receives an image signal from the third electronic device and outputs the image signal from the third electronic device to the first display unit.

[0105] For easier understanding, a simple description is presented in conjunction with a structure of the construction of a processing device in a display device.

[0106] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, which is a schematic diagram of an architecture for implementing mode switching control between processing devices of two display devices, the processing device of the display device has three types of control chips. Fig. 7, as an example, the first type control chip is a display processing chip scalar, the second type control chip is a power transmission management PD chip, and the third type control chip is a digital media control chip DMC.

[0107] As from Fig. As can be seen in Figure 7, for each processing device of a display device, two groups of signal lines are present between the scalar and the DMC. A group of signal lines is a combination of at least one first signal line, for example, the first signal line in the example in Fig. 7 a GPIO bus. The other group of signal lines can be a combination of at least one second signal line, for example, the second signal line in the example in Fig. 7 a circuit bus (Inter-Integrated Circuit, I2C). As can be seen from Fig. As can be seen in Figure 7, both the GPIO bus and the I2C bus are directed.

[0108] Similarly, there may be two groups of signal lines between DMC and PD chip, which is not repeated.

[0109] Therefore, when the scalar in the display device 1 determines that the condition for switching the display mode is met - for example, the mode switching instruction input by the user via the menu screen - can be read from the scalar in Fig. 7 is detected - send the mode switching instruction (for example, the first mode switching instruction or the second mode switching instruction) to the DMC via the I2C bus. The DMC can transmit the mode switching instruction to the PD chip via the I2C bus.

[0110] The PD chip of the display device 1 can send the mode switching instruction to the PD chip of the display device 2 via the Thunderbolt interface in the display device 1 connected to the display device 2, so that the display device 2 receives the mode switching instruction.

[0111] For ease of description and understanding, the mode switching instruction received from the display device 2, which is the second mode switching instruction, is used as an example. After the display device 2 receives the second mode instruction via the PD chip, since the display device 2 does not support the PD chip transmitting data to the DMC chip of the display device 2 via I2C, the PD chip of the display device 2 can transmit the status signal group to the DMC via the GPIO bus by pulling down or raising the level of the respective GPIO pins to indicate that the DMC should switch the display mode to the third display mode via the status signal group. Accordingly, the DMC can also transmit the same status signal group to the scalar chip of the display device 2 via the GPIO bus, so that the scalar switches the display mode to the third display mode in response to the status signal group.

[0112] It is understood that the implementation according to Fig. 6. If the display device supports a large number of display modes and the number of GPIO buses between different types of control chips is relatively limited, the types of status signal groups that can be transmitted via the GPIO bus may also be relatively limited. Therefore, it is likely that not all possible display modes can be fully represented by the status signal group.

[0113] Therefore, the present disclosure also provides another possible implementation of controlling the first display device to switch the mode by the second display device. As in Fig. 8, which shows another implementation flowchart of switching the display mode of the first display device under the control of the second display device, the scheme of this embodiment is applied to the first display device, which includes:

[0114] S801, receiving the second mode switching signal transmitted by the second type control chip of the second display device by the second type control chip of the first display device, wherein the second mode switching signal is used to instruct to switch from the second display mode to the third display mode.

[0115] S802, the second-type control chip of the first display device transmits a status signal to the third-type control chip of the first display device, the status signal being used to instruct switching the display mode of the first display device. Unlike the previous status signal group, the status signal only needs to indicate that the display mode is to be switched, not which display mode to switch to. For example, the status signal is "1," indicating that the display mode is to be switched. Therefore, only a single signal line is required to transmit the status signal.

[0116] S803, receiving the second mode switching signal from the second type control chip of the first display device by the third type control chip of the first display device.

[0117] It is understood that after the second-type control chip transmits the status signal to the third-type control chip, the second-type control chip may still store the second mode switching signal. After the third-type control chip of the first display device receives the status signal, the third-type control chip may determine that a display mode switching is occurring, but the third-type control chip may be uncertain about which display mode to switch to. Therefore, in one embodiment, the third-type control chip may respond to the status signal and actively receive the second mode switching signal from the second-type control chip of the first display device.

[0118] For example, the second-type control chip and the third-type control chip in the display device may be connected via at least one first signal line and at least one second signal line, the first signal line between the two control chips may support data transmission from the second-type control chip to the third-type control chip, and the second signal line between the two control chips may support data transmission from the third-type control chip to the second-type control chip.Similarly, the third-type control chip may also be connected to the first-type control chip via at least one first signal line and at least one second signal line, wherein the first signal line between the two control chips may support data transmission from the third-type control chip to the first-type control chip, and the second signal line between the two control chips may support data transmission from the first-type control chip to the third-type control chip.

[0119] For example, the first signal line can be a GPIO bus and the second signal line can be an I2C bus, as in Fig. 7, which is not repeated here.

[0120] S804, sending the status signal to the first type control chip of the first display device by the third type control chip of the first display device.

[0121] S805: The first-type control chip of the first display device responds to the status signal, receives the second mode switching signal from the third-type control chip of the first display device, and switches the first display device from the second display mode to the third display mode based on the second mode switching signal.

[0122] Similar to the above, in the first display device, the third-type control chip may transmit the status signal to the first-type control chip via the first signal line, and the second-type control chip may actively receive the second mode switching signal from the third-type control chip via the second signal line in response to the status signal.

[0123] For ease of understanding, the following description is still based on Fig. 7. As described above, after the PD chip of the display device 2 receives the second mode switching signal, it can transmit the status signal to the DMC of the display device 2 via the GPIO bus to inform the DMC that the display mode is to be switched. In response to the status signal, the DMC of the display device 2 can actively read the second mode switching signal from the PD chip via the I2C bus. Similarly, after the DMC reads the second mode switching signal, the DMC can also transmit the status signal to the scalar chip via the GPIO bus, and the scalar chip can also read the second mode switching signal from the DMC chip via the I2C bus in response to the status signal.

[0124] S806: When the first display device is in the third display mode, the first display device receives an image signal from a third electronic device and outputs the image signal from the third electronic device to the first display unit.

[0125] In the above embodiments, the display area of ​​the first display unit of the first display device can display the image signal as a whole, and correspondingly, the display area of ​​the second display unit of the second display device can also display the image signal as a whole. In practical applications, the display device can also support a multi-screen mode, that is, the display unit of the display device can be divided into multiple display areas, and different display areas of the display unit can display display contents from the same electronic device or different display contents from different electronic devices.

[0126] The multi-screen mode of the display device can be divided into two types: picture-in-picture mode and hard split mode. "Picture-in-picture mode" may mean that the display unit is divided into two display areas, and the two display areas are used to display image signals from different electronic devices. Generally, the image signals from different electronic devices may be different. Of course, the image signals from different electronic devices may also be the same; there is no limitation in this regard.

[0127] "Hard split mode" may mean that the display unit is divided into two display areas, and the two display areas display different image signals from the same electronic device. Of course, the same image signal from the same electronic device may also be displayed in both display areas.

[0128] Based on this, picture-in-picture mode or hard split screen mode can be started on the first display. Here, the first display and the second display can also switch the signal source synchronously.

[0129] The implementation is explained below for various cases. First, the situation in which the first display device and the second display device are in picture-in-picture mode is introduced.

[0130] As in Fig. 9, which is another flowchart of the display control method, in another embodiment, the method may be applied to the first display device and includes S901 to S903.

[0131] In S901, when the first display device is in the first display mode, a first image signal is received from the first electronic device via the first type interface and a fourth image signal is received from the third electronic device via the third type interface, and the first image signal is displayed in the first display area of ​​the first display unit of the first display device, and the fourth image signal is displayed in the second display area of ​​the first display unit.

[0132] In this embodiment, the first display device can switch on the picture-in-picture mode and on this basis, the two display areas of the first display unit of the first display device can be used to display different image signals from different electronic devices.

[0133] For ease of distinction, the two display areas divided by the first display unit are referred to as the first display area and the second display area, respectively. The first display area and the second display area may be different, but the first display area and the second display area may also partially overlap, and of course, there may also be no overlap; there are no restrictions in this regard.

[0134] Provided the first display device is connected to the second electronic device, the first display device and the second display device can maintain the same picture mode. Therefore, when the first display device activates the picture-in-picture mode, the second display device can also activate the picture-in-picture mode.

[0135] For example, when the first display device starts the picture-in-picture mode, the first display device may send a picture mode indication to the second display device, and the picture mode indication may be used to indicate that the second display device starts the picture-in-picture mode.

[0136] Accordingly, the second display unit of the second display device may also be divided into two display areas, for example, the second display unit may be divided into a third display area and a fourth display area, and the two display areas of the second display unit may display image signals from different electronic devices.

[0137] The first display area in the first display unit and the third display area in the second display unit may display different image signals from the same electronic device, and the second display area in the first display unit and the fourth display area in the second display unit may display different image signals from a different electronic device.

[0138] In this embodiment, the third type interface may be different from the first type interface.

[0139] For example, the first-type interface can be a Thunderbolt interface, and the third-type interface can be a DP interface or an HDMI interface; or the first-type interface can be a DP interface, and the third-type interface can be an HDMI interface or a Thunderbolt interface. Of course, other possibilities exist that are not described in detail here.

[0140] Similar to how the first display device receives the first image signal from the first electronic device, the first electronic device may also receive the fourth image signal directly from the third electronic device or receive the fourth image signal from the third electronic device via the second display device.

[0141] For example, the first display device may be connected to the third electronic device via the third interface and, on this basis, the first display device may receive the fourth image signal from the third electronic device via the third interface.

[0142] In another example, the first display device may also be connected to the third electronic device via the second display device. In this case, the multi-function interface connecting the first display device and the second display device may be considered the third-type interface, and accordingly, the first display device may receive the fourth image signal from the third electronic device through the second display device via the multi-function interface.

[0143] For easier understanding, based on the Fig. For example, in the scene shown in Figure 5, the picture-in-picture mode can be switched on in the display device 401 and the display device 402. If the picture-in-picture mode is switched on in the display devices 401 and 402 in Fig. 5 is switched on, the diagram of an example scene in Fig. 10 can be obtained.

[0144] As from Fig. 10, the display unit of the display device 401 is divided into a display area 406 and a display area 407, and the display unit of the display device 402 is divided into a display area 408 and a display area 409.

[0145] The image signals displayed in the two display areas of the display device 401 also originate from the electronic devices connected to the Thunderbolt interface and the DP interface, respectively. For example, the display device 401 receives the image signal TBT1 from the laptop computer 403 via the Thunderbolt interface (TBT interface) and displays it in the display area 406, and it displays the image signal DP1 from the first host device 404, which was received via the DP interface, in the display area 407.

[0146] The image signals displayed in the two areas of the display device 402 can also originate from the electronic devices connected to the Thunderbolt interface and the DP interface, respectively. For example, the display device 401 receives the image signals TBT1 and TBT2 via the Thunderbolt interface from the laptop computer 403, and the display device 401 transmits the image signal TBT2 to the display device 402 via the Thunderbolt interface, so that the display device receives the image signal TBT2 from the laptop computer via the Thunderbolt interface and outputs it to its display area 408, where the image signal TBT2 is different from the image signal TBT2.Similarly, the display device 402 receives the image signal DP2 from the first host device 404 via the DP interface and displays it in the display area 408, where the image signal DP2 and the image signal DP1 are different image signals from the same electronic device.

[0147] S902: It is determined that the first display device satisfies the condition for switching from the first display mode to the second display mode, and the first mode switching signal is output to the second display device connected to the first display device.

[0148] The first mode switching signal may be used to indicate that the second display device switches from the first display mode to the second display mode.

[0149] In contrast to the previous second display mode, which only needs to specify the type of interface to be switched to, since both the first display device and the second display device start the picture-in-picture mode in this embodiment, it may be necessary to specify, through the second display mode, the signal source to which the two display areas should switch, that is, the type of interface to which they should switch.

[0150] For example, one of the two display areas divided by the display unit of each display device may be used as the main display area and the other as the auxiliary display area. Of course, the distinction or identification may also be achieved in other ways. In the second display mode, if the main display area is used to display the image signal received via the DP interface and the auxiliary display area is used to display the image signal displayed via HDMI, the second mode switching signal may be required to indicate the display mode switching, that the signal source of the main display area is the DP interface, and that the signal source of the auxiliary display area is the HDMI interface.

[0151] For the specific implementation of outputting the first mode switching signal to the second display device, reference may be made to the previous related introduction, which will not be repeated here.

[0152] Considering that the first mode switching signal is to indicate that the display mode is switched, and the signal sources of the two image signals corresponding to the two display areas may be unable to indicate the specific information of the first mode switching signal through the state signal group, the method described above according to the embodiment of Fig. 8 can be used to output the first mode switching signal to the second display device.

[0153] For the specific implementation of determining the condition for switching from the first display mode to the second display mode, reference may be made to the corresponding introduction of the previous embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0154] Optionally, when it is determined that the condition for switching from the first display mode to the second display mode is met, it may also be determined whether both the first display device and the second display device are in the multi-screen mode and in the image signal source synchronization state. If both the first display device and the second display device are in the multi-screen mode and in the signal source synchronization state, the first mode switching signal may be output to the second display device connected to the first display device.

[0155] In this embodiment, the first display device and the second display device may be in multi-screen mode and in the image source synchronization state, which may mean that the first display device and the second display device have the image source synchronization function turned on and both the first display device and the second display device have the picture-in-picture mode turned on.

[0156] In this embodiment, when the first display device and the second display device have the signal source synchronization function turned on, the first display device and the second display device may also turn on the automatic signal source switching function by default.

[0157] S903: When the first display device is in the second display mode, the second image signal is received from the second electronic device via a second type interface, the fourth image signal is received from the third electronic device via a third type interface, the second image signal is output in the first display area of ​​the first display unit, and the fourth image signal is output in the second display area of ​​the first display unit.

[0158] According to the disclosure, when the first display device switches from the first display mode to the second display mode, the source of the image signal of the first display area and / or the second display area in the first display unit may change.

[0159] An embodiment is used as an example in which the source of the image signal of either the first display area or the second display area changes. That is, the image signal displayed in the first display area can switch from the first electronic device connected to the first-type interface to the second electronic device connected to the second-type interface, whereas the image signal displayed in the second display area can continue to originate from the third electronic device connected to the third-type interface.

[0160] Accordingly, when the second display device is in the second display mode, the second display device may receive the third image signal from the second electronic device via the second-type interface of the second display device, receive the fifth image signal from the third electronic device via the third-type interface of the second display device, output the third image signal in the third display area of ​​the second display unit of the second display device, and output the fifth image signal in the fourth display area of ​​the second display unit. The fifth image signal may represent a different image signal from the same electronic device as the fourth image signal.

[0161] It can be seen that in the second display mode, the image signals of the third display area of ​​the second display unit and the first display area of ​​the first display unit may belong to image signals obtained from the same electronic device via the same interface type. Similarly, the image signals of the fourth display area of ​​the second display unit and the second display area of ​​the first display unit may belong to image signals obtained from the same electronic device via the same interface type, thereby realizing that the image signal sources in the corresponding display areas of the two display devices are also switched synchronously when the first display device and the second display device are in picture-in-picture mode.

[0162] For ease of understanding, the images displayed by the first display device and the second display device in the second display mode are shown in Fig. 11 shown.

[0163] When comparing Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 shows that in the second display mode, the image signal source of the display area 406 in the display device 401 continues to be the laptop computer 403 connected to the Thunderbolt interface, and the image signal of the display area 407 in the display device 401 is switched from the first host computer 404 connected to the DP interface to the second host device 405 connected to the HDMI interface. As shown in Fig. 11, the display area 407 displays the image signal HDMI1.

[0164] Accordingly, in the second display mode, the image signal of the display area 408 in the display device 402 is the same as in the first display mode, and the image signal of the display area 409 is also switched to the image signal originating from the second host device 405 connected to the HDMI interface, so that the display area 409 switches from displaying the image signal DP2 to displaying the image signal HDMI2. The sources of the image signals presented in the respective display areas of the display device 401 and the display device 402 remain the same.

[0165] It is understood that the embodiment in Fig. 9 is only one implementation of synchronous switching of the picture-in-picture mode of two display devices. In actual applications, the sources of all image signals displayed in the two display areas of the display device may change.

[0166] For example, in one possible implementation in the second display mode, the first display device may also receive the fourth image signal via the third type interface from the third electronic device, receive the second image signal via the second type interface from the second electronic device, output the fourth image signal in the first display area of ​​the first display unit, and output the second image signal in the second display area of ​​the first display unit.

[0167] In this implementation, in the second display mode, the image signal sources of the first display area and the second display area of ​​the first display unit may be different from those in the first display mode.

[0168] Accordingly, when the second display device is in the second display mode, the second display device may receive the fifth image signal from the third electronic device via the third type interface of the second display device, receive the third image signal from the second electronic device via the second type interface of the second display device, output the fifth image signal in the third display area of ​​the second display unit, and output the third image signal in the fourth display area of ​​the second display unit.

[0169] Assuming that Fig. 10 is an example of the image displayed by the two display devices in the first display mode, in this implementation the example of the image displayed by the two display devices in the second display mode is Fig. 12 can be seen.

[0170] When comparing Fig. 10 and Fig. 12 shows that in the first display mode, the display area 406 of the display device 401 displays the image signal TBT1 provided by the laptop computer 403 connected to the Thunderbolt interface, and the display area 408 of the display device 402 correspondingly also displays the image signal TBT2 from the laptop computer 403. In the second display mode, the display area 406 of the display device 401 is switched to display the image signal DP11 provided by the first host device 404 connected to the DP interface, and the display area 408 of the display device 402 is also switched to display the image signal DP21 provided by the first host device 404, so that the display area 406 of the display device 401 and the display area 408 of the display device 402 achieve synchronous signal source switching.

[0171] Similarly, when switching from the first display mode to the second display mode, the display section 407 of the display device 401 switches from displaying the image signal DP1 from the first host device 404 connected to the DP interface to displaying the image signal HDMI1 from the second host device 404 connected to the HDMI interface; and the display section 409 of the display device 402 also switches from displaying the image signal DP2 from the first host device 404 to displaying the image signal HDMI2 from the second host device 404.

[0172] In a further possible implementation, if the display device is further connected to a fourth electronic device via a fourth device of a different interface type and the first display device is in the second display mode, the first display device can receive the second image signal from the second electronic device via the second type interface, receive a sixth image signal from the fourth electronic device via the fourth type interface, output the second image signal in the first display area of ​​the first display unit, and output the sixth image signal in the second display area of ​​the first display unit.

[0173] Accordingly, when the second display device is in the second display mode, the second display device may receive the third image signal from the second electronic device via the second type interface of the second display device, receive a seventh image signal from the fourth electronic device via the fourth type interface of the second display device, output the third image signal in the third display area of ​​the second display unit, and output the seventh image signal in the fourth display area of ​​the second display unit.

[0174] The following describes the situation where two displays start the hard split mode at the same time as the source synchronization function starts.

[0175] As in Fig. 13, which is another flowchart of the display control method, in one embodiment the method is applied to the first display device and includes S1301 to S1303.

[0176] In S1301, when the first display device is in the first display mode, the first image signal and the eighth image signal are obtained from the first electronic device via the first type interface, and the first image signal is output to the first display area in the first display unit of the first display device, and the eighth image signal is output to the second display area of ​​the first display unit.

[0177] In this embodiment, when the first display device starts the hard split screen mode, the first display unit of the first display device can be divided into two display areas, and the two display areas can be used to display image signals from the same signal source (electronic devices connected to the same type of interface), however, the image signals displayed in the two display areas may be different.

[0178] Both the first image signal and the second image signal can originate from the first electronic device, and the two image signals can be different. Of course, they can also be image signals containing the same image content; there is no restriction in this regard.

[0179] To facilitate the understanding of this embodiment, Fig. 14, which shows a schematic diagram of a scenario with two displays simultaneously starting the hard split mode.

[0180] To simplify the description, Fig. 14 is only an example embodiment in which each display device is connected directly or indirectly to different electronic devices via two different interface types.

[0181] Fig. 14 can be considered as a display device that supports hard split screen mode based on Fig. 4 has been switched on. Therefore, for the direct connection relationship between the display device and the electronic device in Fig. 14 on the relevant introduction of Fig. 4, which is not repeated here.

[0182] As from Fig. 14, the display device 401 and the display device 402 currently use the laptop computer 403 connected to the Thunderbolt interface as the signal source for providing the image signal.

[0183] At the same time, the display units of the display device 401 and the display device 402 are each divided into two display areas. In the display unit of the display device 401, the two display areas display the image signal TBT11 and the image signal TBT21 from the laptop computer 403, respectively.

[0184] Similarly, in the display unit of the display device 402, the two display areas display the image signal TBT12 and the image signal TBT22 from the laptop computer, respectively.

[0185] The display device 401 can receive the image signal TBT11, the image signal TBT21, the image signal TBT12, and the image signal TBT22 from the laptop computer 403 via the Thunderbolt interface connected to the laptop computer 403. While the display device 401 outputs the image signal TBT11 and the image signal TBT21 to the two display areas of its display unit, the display device 401 also transmits the image signal TBT12 and the image signal TBT22 to the display device 402 via the Thunderbolt interface connected to the display device 402, so that the display device 402 receives the image signal TBT12 and the image signal TBT22 via the Thunderbolt interface. This is similar to the display device 402 receiving the image signal via the Thunderbolt interface. Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, with the difference that in this embodiment it is necessary for the display device 402 to receive two copies of the image signal via the Thunderbolt interface.

[0186] S1302: It is determined that the first display device satisfies the condition for switching from the first display mode to the second display mode, and the first mode switching signal is output to the second display device connected to the first display device.

[0187] The first mode switching signal may be used to indicate that the second display device switches from the first display mode to the second display mode.

[0188] In this embodiment, the first display device can initiate the hard split mode. Since the image signals displayed by the first display area and the second display area in the hard split mode originate from the same source, the second display mode can indicate that the hard split mode is currently in effect and that the two display areas need to switch to a signal source.

[0189] For the condition for switching from the first display mode to the second display mode, reference can be made to the above description. Likewise, for the specific implementation of outputting the first mode switching signal to the second display device, reference can be made to the above description, which will not be repeated here.

[0190] In this embodiment, in order to prevent false switching of the display mode caused by the first display device turning on the hard split mode and the second display device failing to turn on the hard split mode synchronously, the first mode switching signal may be selectively output to the second display device when both the first display device and the second display device turn on the multi-screen mode and are in the signal source synchronization state.

[0191] In this embodiment, the multi-screen mode may be a hard split screen mode.

[0192] In this embodiment, when the first display device and the second display device enable the signal source synchronization function (i.e., are in the signal source synchronization state), the first display device and the second display device can also enable the hard split mode by default. Of course, the first display device and the second display device can also enable the automatic signal source switching function by default.

[0193] S1303: When the first display device is in the second display mode, the second image signal and the ninth image signal are received from the second electronic device via the second type interface, the second image signal is output to the first display area, and the ninth image signal is output to the second display area.

[0194] This step is similar to the embodiment according to Fig. 1 above, except that in this embodiment, the first display unit is divided into two display areas. Therefore, it is necessary to receive two image signals, namely the second image signal and the ninth image signal, from the second electronic device via the second-type interface in order to display the second image signal in one display area of ​​the first display unit and the ninth image signal in another display area.

[0195] Similarly, since the second display device also turns on the hard split screen mode when the second display device is in the second display mode, the second display device may receive the third image signal and the tenth image signal from the second electronic device via the second type interface of the second display device, output the third image signal in the third display area of ​​the second display unit of the second display device, and output the tenth image signal in the fourth display area of ​​the second display unit.

[0196] It can be seen that when both the first display device and the second display device turn on the hard split screen mode after the image signals corresponding to the two display areas of the first display device switch the signal source, the two display areas of the second display device can also switch the signal source of the image signals accordingly, so that the signal sources corresponding to the two display devices are switched synchronously.

[0197] To facilitate understanding and assuming that Fig. 14 is an example of image signals displayed by two display devices in the first display mode, is shown in Fig. 15 shows an example of image signals displayed by two display devices in the second display mode.

[0198] When comparing Fig. 14 and Fig.15 shows that in the second display mode, the signal sources of the two display areas of the display unit in the display device 401 are switched to the first host device 404 connected via the DP interface, so that the two display areas of the display device 401 display the image signal DP11 and the image signal DP21 from the first host device 404, respectively.

[0199] Accordingly, in the second display mode, the image signals displayed by the two display areas of the display unit in the display device 402 also originate from the first host device 404 connected via the DP interface, so that the two display areas of the display device 402 display the image signal DP12 and the image signal DP22 from the first host device 404, respectively.

[0200] The present disclosure also provides a computer-readable storage medium configured to store at least one instruction, at least one program, set of code, or set of instructions. The at least one instruction, at least one program, set of code, or set of instructions may be loaded and executed by a processor to implement the display control method described in any of the above embodiments.

[0201] The present disclosure also proposes a computer program comprising computer instructions. The computer instructions may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium. When executed on an electronic device, the computer program may be used to perform the display control method according to any of the above embodiments.

[0202] In the present disclosure, the words "first," "second," "third," "fourth," or similar words used in the present disclosure do not indicate order, quantity, or importance, but are used only to distinguish various elements. It should be understood that the terms used in this manner may be interchanged where appropriate, so that the embodiments of the present disclosure described herein may be implemented in a different order than that illustrated herein.

[0203] It should be noted that the embodiments in the present disclosure are described in a progressive manner, and each embodiment focuses on the differences from other embodiments. Portions that are the same or similar between two embodiments may refer to each other. At the same time, the features documented in each embodiment in the present disclosure may be replaced or combined with each other, so that those skilled in the art can implement or use the present disclosure. Since the device embodiment is basically similar to the method embodiment, its description is comparatively simple, and for the relevant parts, reference may be made to the partial description of the method embodiment.

[0204] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or process from another and do not necessarily require or imply that such an actual relationship or sequence of those entities or processes exists. Furthermore, the terms "comprise," "include," and all variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, such that a process, procedure, object, or facility that includes a set of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not explicitly listed, or includes elements inherent in such a process, procedure, object, or facility. Without further limitation, an entity defined by the term "comprising" includes...“ does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article or device that incorporates the element.

[0205] Various embodiments have been described to illustrate the operating principles and implementation examples. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, and various other changes, modifications, and substitutions may be made. Thus, while the present disclosure has been described in detail with reference to the above-described embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but may be embodied in other equivalent forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] CN 202410393072.0

[0001]

Claims

[1] Display control method, comprising: when a first display device is in a first display mode, receiving a first image signal from a first electronic device and outputting the first image signal to a first display unit of the first display device; Determining that the first display device satisfies a condition for switching from the first display mode to a second display mode, and outputting a mode switching signal to a second display device connected to the first display device to instruct the second display device to switch from the first display mode to the second display mode; and, when the first display device is in the second display mode, receiving a second image signal from a second electronic device and outputting the second image signal to the first display unit; wherein, when the second display device is in the second display mode, the second display device receives a third image signal from the second electronic device, and the third image signal is output by a second display unit of the second display device. [2] A display control method according to claim 1, wherein: receiving the first image signal from the first electronic device comprises receiving the first image signal from the first electronic device via a first type interface of the first display device; receiving the second image signal from the second electronic device comprises receiving the second image signal from the second electronic device via a second type interface of the first display device; and the second display device, when the second display device is in the second display mode, receives the third image signal from the second electronic device via a second type interface of the second display device. [3] The display control method according to claim 2, further comprising: when the first display device is in the first display mode or the second display mode, receiving a fourth image signal from a third electronic device via a third type interface of the first display device; where: outputting the first image signal to the first display unit comprises displaying the first image signal in a first display area of ​​the first display unit and displaying the fourth image signal in a second display area of ​​the first display unit; outputting the second image signal to the first display unit comprises: Outputting the second image signal in the first display area and outputting the fourth image signal in the second display area; or Outputting the fourth image signal in the first display area and outputting the second image signal in the second display area; and the second display device, when the second display device is in the second display mode: receives the third image signal from the second electronic device via the second type interface of the second display device; receives a fifth image signal from the third electronic device via a third type interface of the second display device; and outputs the third image signal in one display area from a third display area of ​​the second display unit and a fourth display area of ​​the second display unit, and outputs the fifth image signal in the other display area from the third display area and the fourth display area. [4] The display control method according to claim 3, wherein outputting the mode switching signal to the second display device comprises outputting the mode switching signal to the second display device in response to each of the first display device and the second display device being in a multi-screen mode and in a signal source synchronization state. [5] A display control method according to claim 2, wherein: receiving the first image signal from the first electronic device via the first type interface of the first display device comprises receiving the first image signal and a fourth image signal from the first electronic device via the first type interface of the first electronic device; outputting the first image signal to the first display unit comprises outputting the first image signal to a first display area of ​​the first display unit and outputting the fourth image signal to a second display area of ​​the first display unit; receiving the second image signal from the second electronic device via the second type interface of the first display device comprises receiving the second image signal and a fifth image signal from the second electronic device via the second type interface of the second display mode; outputting the second image signal to the first display unit comprises outputting the second image signal to the first display area and outputting the fifth image signal to the second display area; and the second display device, when the second display device is in the second display mode: receives the third image signal and a sixth image signal from the second electronic device via the second type interface of the second display device; outputs the third image signal in a third display area of ​​the second display unit and outputs the sixth image signal in a fourth display area of ​​the second display unit. [6] The display control method according to claim 5, wherein outputting the mode switching signal to the second display device comprises outputting the mode switching signal to the second display device in response to each of the first display device and the second display device being in a multi-screen mode and in a signal source synchronization state. [7] The display control method according to claim 1, wherein outputting the mode switching signal to the second display device comprises: Sending, by a first-type control chip of the first display device, the mode switching signal to a second-type control chip of the first display device; and Transmitting, by the second type control chip of the first display device, the mode switching signal to a second type control chip of the second display device to enable a first type control chip of the second display device to receive the mode switching signal via the second type control chip of the second display device. [8] Display control method according to claim 1, wherein the mode switching signal is a first mode switching signal; and and the method further comprises: Receiving, by a second-type control chip of the first display device, a second mode switching signal transmitted from a second-type control chip of the second display device, the second mode switching signal instructing to switch from the second display mode to a third display mode; Transmitting, by the second type control chip of the first display device, a status signal group to a third type control chip of the first display device, the status signal group instructing to switch to the third display mode; and Transmitting, by the third type control chip of the first display device, the status signal group to the first type control chip of the first display device and responding, by the first type control chip of the first display device, to the status signal group to switch from the second display mode to the third display mode; wherein, when the first display device is in the third display mode, the first display device receives an image signal from a third electronic device and outputs the image signal originating from the third electronic device to the first display unit. [9] Display control method according to claim 1, wherein the mode switching signal is a first mode switching signal; and and the method further comprises: Receiving, by a second-type control chip of the first display device, a second mode switching signal transmitted from a second-type control chip of the second display device, the second mode switching signal instructing to switch from the second display mode to a third display mode; Transmitting, by the second type control chip of the first display device, a status signal to a third type control chip of the first display device, the status signal instructing to switch a display mode of the first display device; Receiving, by the third type control chip of the first display device, the second mode switching signal from the second type control chip of the first display device; Sending, by the third type control chip of the first display device, the status signal to a first type control chip of the first display device; and Responding, by the first type control chip of the first display device, to the status signal to receive the second mode switching signal from the third type control chip of the first display device, and switching the first display device from the second display mode to the third display mode based on the second mode switching signal; wherein, when the first display device is in the third display mode, the first display device receives an image signal from a third electronic device and outputs the image signal originating from the third electronic device to the first display unit. [10] The display control method according to claim 1, wherein determining that the first display device satisfies the condition for switching from the first display mode to the second display mode comprises: Displaying a menu image and receiving a mode switching instruction based on a display mode switching operation performed in the menu image, the mode switching instruction instructing to switch from the first display mode to the second display mode; or, in response to determining that the first display device is unable to receive the first image signal from the first electronic device and determining that the first display device is capable of receiving an image signal from the second electronic device, determining that the condition for switching the first display mode to the second display mode is satisfied. [11] First display device, comprising: a multi-function interface configured to be connected to a second display device; a first display unit; and a processing device which is configured to: when the first display device is in a first display mode, receiving a first image signal from a first electronic device and outputting the first image signal to the first display unit; to determine that the first display device satisfies a condition for switching from the first display mode to a second display mode, and to output a mode switching signal to the second display device to instruct the second display device to switch from the first display mode to the second display mode; and, when the first display device is in the second display mode, receiving a second image signal from a second electronic device and outputting the second image signal to the first display unit; wherein, when the second display device is in the second display mode, the second display device receives a third image signal from the second electronic device and the third image signal is output by a second display unit of the second display device. [12] A first display device according to claim 11, wherein: the processing device is further configured to: when receiving the first image signal from the first electronic device, receiving the first image signal from the first electronic device via a first type interface of the first display device; and when receiving the second image signal from the second electronic device, receiving the second image signal from the second electronic device via a second type interface of the first display device; and the second display device, when the second display device is in the second display mode, receives the third image signal from the second electronic device via a second type interface of the second display device. [13] A first display device according to claim 12, wherein: the processing device is further configured to: when the first display device is in the first display mode or the second display mode, receiving a fourth image signal from a third electronic device via a third type interface of the first display device; when outputting the first image signal to the first display unit, display the first image signal in a first display area of ​​the first display unit and display the fourth image signal in a second display area of ​​the first display unit; and when outputting the second image signal to the first display unit: output the second image signal in the first display area and output the fourth image signal in the second display area; or output the fourth image signal in the first display area and output the second image signal in the second display area; and the second display device, when the second display device is in the second display mode: receives the third image signal from the second electronic device via the second type interface of the second display device; receives a fifth image signal from the third electronic device via a third type interface of the second display device; and outputs the third image signal in one display area from a third display area of ​​the second display unit and a fourth display area of ​​the second display unit, and outputs the fifth image signal in the other display area from the third display area and the fourth display area. [14] The first display device according to claim 13, wherein the processing device is further configured to output the mode switching signal to the second display device in response to each of the first display device and the second display device being in a multi-screen mode and in a signal source synchronization state. [15] A first display device according to claim 12, wherein: the processing device is further configured to: when receiving the first image signal from the first electronic device via the first type interface of the first display device, receiving the first image signal and a fourth image signal from the first electronic device via the first type interface of the first electronic device; when outputting the first image signal to the first display unit, output the first image signal to a first display area of ​​the first display unit and output the fourth image signal to a second display area of ​​the first display unit; when receiving the second image signal from the second electronic device via the second type interface of the first display device, receiving the second image signal and a fifth image signal via the second type interface of the second display mode from the second electronic device; and when outputting the second image signal to the first display unit, output the second image signal to the first display area and output the fifth image signal to the second display area; and the second display device, when the second display device is in the second display mode: receives the third image signal and a sixth image signal from the second electronic device via the second type interface of the second display device; outputs the third image signal in a third display area of ​​the second display unit and outputs the sixth image signal in a fourth display area of ​​the second display unit. [16] The first display device according to claim 15, wherein the processing device is further configured to output the mode switching signal to the second display device in response to each of the first display device and the second display device being in a multi-screen mode and in a signal source synchronization state. [17] The first display device according to claim 11, wherein the processing device is further configured to, when outputting the mode switching signal to the second display device: to send the mode switching signal through a first type control chip of the first display device to a second type control chip of the first display device; and transmitting the mode switching signal through a second type control chip of the first display device to a second type control chip of the second display device to enable a first type control chip of the second display device to receive the mode switching signal via the second type control chip of the second display device. [18] A first display device according to claim 11, wherein: the mode switching signal is a first mode switching signal; the processing device is further configured to: receiving, by a second-type control chip of the first display device, a second mode switching signal transmitted from a second-type control chip of the second display device, the second mode switching signal instructing switching from the second display mode to a third display mode; transmitting a status signal group to a third-type control chip of the first display device by the second-type control chip of the first display device, the status signal group instructing switching to the third display mode; and transmitting the status signal group to the first-type control chip of the first display device by the third-type control chip of the first display device, and responding to the status signal group by the first-type control chip of the first display device to switch from the second display mode to the third display mode; and the first display device, when the first display device is in the third display mode, receives an image signal from a third electronic device and outputs the image signal originating from the third electronic device to the first display unit. [19] A first display device according to claim 11, wherein: the mode switching signal is a first mode switching signal; the processing device is further configured to: receiving, by a second-type control chip of the first display device, a second mode switching signal transmitted from a second-type control chip of the second display device, the second mode switching signal instructing to switch from the second display mode to a third display mode; transmitting a status signal to a third-type control chip of the first display device by the second-type control chip of the first display device, the status signal instructing a display mode of the first display device to be switched; receiving, by the third type control chip of the first display device, the second mode switching signal from the second type control chip of the first display device; to send the status signal to a first-type control chip of the first display device by the third-type control chip of the first display device; and responding to the status signal by the first-type control chip of the first display device to receive the second mode switching signal from the third-type control chip of the first display device, and switching the first display device from the second display mode to the third display mode based on the second mode switching signal; and the first display device, when the first display device is in the third display mode, receives an image signal from a third electronic device and outputs the image signal originating from the third electronic device to the first display unit. [20] The first display device according to claim 11, wherein the processing device is further configured to, upon determining that the first display device satisfies the condition for switching from the first display mode to the second display mode: display a menu image and receive a mode switching instruction based on a display mode switching operation performed in the menu image, the mode switching instruction instructing to switch from the first display mode to the second display mode; or in response to determining that the first display device is unable to receive the first image signal from the first electronic device and determining that the first display device is capable of receiving an image signal from the second electronic device, determine that the condition for switching from the first display mode to the second display mode is satisfied.

Images