Display apparatus with data communication channel

Abstract

Display apparatus comprises a connection for releasably connecting a display device (130;130') to the display apparatus. A data input (MON.sub.-- ID) receives first data from a first releasable connection (ST) to the display device (130;130') and for receiving second data from a second releasable connection (ID) to the display device (130;130'). Switch (320) selectively connects the data input (MON.sub.-- ID) to either of the first releasable connection (ST) and the second releasable connection (ID). Display processor logic (310) is connected to the switch (320) for generating one or more video signals to generate an image on the display device (130,130') as a function of the data directed to the data input (MON.sub.-- ID) from the display device (130;130') by the switch (320). Because the data input is switchable between connection to first data and second data from the display device, the display apparatus can identify and subsequently control both display devices which identify themselves by providing fixed reference levels on one or more lines of the output port and display devices which identify themselves by providing display identification data in a serial bit stream along a data communication channel. The same physical connector can be used to attach both kinds of display device to the video processor logic.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.