Facilitating audio playback during display sleep mode

Abstract

The disclosed embodiments relate to a system for managing power for a display. During operation, the system receives a video-blank command, which specifies that the display is to enter a video-blank mode wherein the display outputs a blank screen. In response to the video-blank command, the system causes the display to output a blank screen, and powers down display components associated with outputting a display signal to the display. In some embodiments, the display additionally comprises audio components including an audio-output device, and powering down the display components involves maintaining an existing power state for the audio components, so that the audio components can continue to output an audio signal while the display components are powered down.

1 . A method for controlling a display, comprising:
 receiving a video-blank command, which specifies that the display is to enter a video-blank mode wherein the display outputs a blank screen; and   in response to the video-blank command,
 causing the display to output a blank screen, and 
 powering down display components associated with outputting a display signal to the display. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the display additionally comprises audio components including an audio-output device; and   wherein powering down the display components involves maintaining an existing power state for the audio components, so that the audio components can continue to output an audio signal while the display components are powered down.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 receiving an audio-mute command, which specifies that the display is to enter an audio-mute mode wherein the audio components output a muted audio signal; and   in response to the audio-mute command,
 causing the audio components to output the muted audio signal, and 
 powering down the audio components. 
   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the video-blank command is received along with a command to mute/un-mute an audio signal associated with the audio components. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the display can be in one of the following modes:
 a no-video-blank/no-audio-mute mode, wherein the display components are powered up and are outputting a display signal, and the audio components are powered up and are outputting an audio signal;   a video-blank/no-audio-mute mode, wherein the display components are powered down, and the audio components are powered up and are outputting an audio signal;   a no-video-blank/audio-mute mode, wherein the display components are powered up and are outputting a display signal, and the audio components are powered down; and   a video-blank/audio-mute mode, wherein both the display components and audio components are powered down.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the display is one of:
 an external display which is external to a computer system; and   an internal display which is internal to the computer system.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a sleep command, which specifies that the display is to enter a sleep mode wherein components in the display are powered down; and   in response to the sleep command,
 powering down display components associated with outputting the display signal to the display, and 
 if the display includes audio components associated with outputting an audio signal, powering down the audio components. 
   
     
     
         8 . A system for controlling a display, comprising:
 a display controller configured to control the display;   wherein the display controller is configured to receive a video-blank command, which specifies that the display is to enter a video-blank mode wherein the display outputs a blank screen; and   wherein, in response to the video-blank command, the display controller is configured to,
 cause the display to output a blank screen, and 
 power down display components associated with outputting a display signal to the display. 
   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 ,
 wherein the display additionally comprises audio components including an audio-output device; and   wherein, while powering down the display components, the display controller is configured to maintain an existing power state for the audio components, so that the audio components can continue to output an audio signal while the display components are powered down.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 ,
 wherein the display controller is additionally configured to receive an audio-mute command, which specifies that the display is to enter an audio-mute mode wherein the audio components output a muted audio signal; and   wherein, in response to the audio-mute command, the display controller is configured to,
 cause the audio components to output the muted audio signal, and 
 power down the audio components. 
   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the video-blank command is received along with a command to mute/un-mute an audio signal associated with the audio components. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the display can be in one of the following modes:
 a no-video-blank/no-audio-mute mode, wherein the display components are powered up and are outputting a display signal, and the audio components are powered up and are outputting an audio signal;   a video-blank/no-audio-mute mode, wherein the display components are powered down, and the audio components are powered up and are outputting an audio signal;   a no-video-blank/audio-mute mode, wherein the display components are powered up and are outputting a display signal, and the audio components are powered down; and   a video-blank/audio-mute mode, wherein both the display components and audio components are powered down.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the display is one of:
 an external display which is external to a computer system; and   an internal display which is internal to the computer system.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 8 ,
 wherein the display controller is additionally configured to receive a sleep command, which specifies that the display is to enter a sleep mode wherein components in the display are powered down; and   wherein, in response to the sleep command, the display controller is configured to,
 power down display components associated with outputting the display signal to the display, and 
 if the display includes audio components associated with outputting an audio signal, power down the audio components. 
   
     
     
         15 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform a method for controlling a display, the method comprising:
 receiving a video-blank command, which specifies that the display is to enter a video-blank mode wherein the display outputs a blank screen; and   in response to the video-blank command,
 causing the display to output a blank screen, and 
 powering down display components associated with outputting a display signal to the display. 
   
     
     
         16 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 15 ,
 wherein the display additionally comprises audio components including an audio-output device; and   wherein powering down the display components involves maintaining an existing power state for the audio components, so that the audio components can continue to output an audio signal while the display components are powered down.   
     
     
         17 . A computer system, comprising:
 a processor;   a memory;   a display; and   a display controller configured to control the display;   wherein the display controller is configured to receive a video-blank command, which specifies that the display is to enter a video-blank mode wherein the display outputs a blank screen;   wherein in response to the video-blank command, the display controller is configured to,
 cause the display to output a blank screen, and 
 power down display components associated with outputting a display signal to the display. 
   
     
     
         18 . The computer system of  claim 17 ,
 wherein the display additionally comprises audio components including an audio-output device; and   wherein, while powering down the display components, the display controller is configured to maintain an existing power state for the audio components, so that the audio components can continue to output an audio signal while the display components are powered down.   
     
     
         19 . The computer system of  claim 17 , wherein the video-blank command is received along with a command to mute/un-mute an audio signal associated with the audio components. 
     
     
         20 . The computer system of  claim 17 , wherein the display is one of:
 an external display which is external to a computer system; and   an internal display which is internal to the computer system.