Computer system and method for operating a computer unit and a peripheral unit

Abstract

An integrated display personal computer in which a display unit such as a liquid-crystal panel and a PC unit are integrated into a single housing. The display unit can be used as a display for other notebook-sized personal computer or as that for a potable DVD player. The integrated display personal computer is provided with an input terminal and a signal selector for supplying either of a signal from the PC unit and a signal from the other device to the display unit selectively. Provided is a power distributor for supplying the electric power to the PC unit and the display unit selectively in response to the operation of the signal selector. When the signal from the PC unit is supplied to the display device, the power source power distributor supplies the electric power to both the PC unit and the display unit, while when the signal from the other device is supplied to the display device, the power distributor supplies the power to the display unit.

1 - 16 . (Canceled)  
     
     
         17 . A computer system comprising: 
 a computer having a processor and a graphic-controller;    a display connected to the computer;    a terminal to which another device can be connected;    a controller which is connected to the terminal, the computer, and the display and which supplies an output from the graphic-controller to the display in a first mode and an output from the other device to the display in a second mode.    
     
     
         18 . The computer system according to  claim 17  further comprising: 
 a power supply which supplies power to the computer and to the display in the first mode and power to the display in the second mode.  
 
     
     
         19 . The computer system according to  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 a detector which detects a connection of the other device to the terminal and a mode setter which sets the second mode upon detection of the connection of the other device to the terminal.    
     
     
         20 . A method of operating a computer system comprising a computer having a processor and a graphic-controller and a display connected to the computer, the method comprising: 
 selecting one of a first and a second mode in accordance with a detection of a connection of another device wherein the computer and the display are operated in the first mode and the display is operated in the second mode; and    supplying an output from the graphic-controller to the display in the first mode and an output from the another device to the display in the second mode.    
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 20 , further comprising: 
 when in the second mode, supplying power to the computer when the other device is connected to the computer system.    
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 21 , further comprising: 
 supplying power to the computer and to the display, in the first mode upon a power-on of the computer system.    
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the selecting step comprises: 
 detecting the connection of the other device;    setting the second mode upon detection of the connection of the other device.    
     
     
         24 . A computer system comprising: 
 a computer having a processor and a graphic-controller;    a display connected to the computer;    a terminal to which another device can be connected;    a controller which is connected to the terminal, the computer, and the display,    wherein the controller receives a signal from the graphic-controller and supplies the received signal to the display in a first mode, and receives a signal from the another device and supplies the received signal to the display in a second mode.    
     
     
         25 . The system according to  claim 24 , further comprising: 
 a power supply which supplies power to the computer and to the display in the first mode and power to the display in the second mode.    
     
     
         26 . The system according to  claim 24 , further comprising: 
 a detector which detects a connection of the other device to the terminal and a mode setter which sets the second mode upon the detection of the connection of the other device to the terminal.