Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Plural display systems – Tiling or modular adjacent displays
Reexamination Certificate
1997-08-21
2001-04-03
Liang, Regina (Department: 2774)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Plural display systems
Tiling or modular adjacent displays
C348S563000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06211847
ABSTRACT:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
This application makes reference to, incorporates the same herein, and claims all benefits accruing under 35 U.S.C §119 from an application entitled Apparatus And Method For Controlling Sub Monitors In Video Communication System earlier filed in the Korean Industrial Property Office on Aug. 21, 1997, and there duly assigned Ser. No. 96-34772 by that Office.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to controlling monitors in a video communication system, and more particularly to an apparatus and a method for controlling a plurality of sub monitors in a video communication system, in which a host computer controls functions of the sub monitors using communication devices therein and a program for the control thereof.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Generally, a monitor is connected to a television receiver, a video tape recording/reproducing device or a host computer, for processing an output signal therefrom to display it on a screen thereof.
Connected to one monitor may be another monitor for sharing output data from the television receiver, video tape recording/reproducing device or host computer therewith.
In a conventional video communication system a host computer is connected to a main monitor, an output terminal of which is connected to an input terminal of a first sub monitor; an output terminal of the first sub monitor is connected to an input terminal of a second sub monitor, etc.; and an output terminal of the last sub monitor is connected to an input terminal of the main monitor. As a result, the same video signal from the host computer is displayed on the screens of all the main and sub monitors so that it can be viewed by the video communication system users. On the other hand, a video tape recording/reproducing device is not limited to use with only the main monitor, but it may be connected to any one of the main and sub monitors so that the same video signal therefrom can be displayed on the screens of all the main and sub monitors.
The sub monitors may be used in a conference place. When the conference place is large, conferees have a limitation in viewing data using an overhead projector. Further, a device with a large screen is high in cost. For these reasons, the use of personal sub monitors is advantageous when considering the size of the conference place and cost.
However, such video communication system has a disadvantage in that the sub monitor users control their sub monitors individually. Accordingly, it is necessary to provide a manager to manage the video communication system, and he/she will personally check and control many sub monitors. As a result, the video communication system is inconvenient to manage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method for controlling a plurality of sub monitors in a video communication system, in which a communication device is provided in each of the sub monitors to perform communication between the corresponding sub monitor and a host computer, and a microcomputer is provided in each of the sub monitors to control the corresponding sub monitor in response to output data from the communication device according to a control program therein, so that the sub monitors can be controlled by the host computer.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for controlling a plurality of sub monitors in a video communication system in which the same signal from a host computer or a video tape recording/reproducing device is displayed on screens of the sub monitors and a main monitor to which the sub monitors are connected in series, comprising a plurality of communication means included respectively in the main and sub monitors, for serially transferring control data from a host computer to the main and sub monitors and response data from the main and sub monitors to the host computer; and a plurality of microcomputers connected respectively to the communication means, for setting up a corresponding one of the main and sub monitors in response to the control data from the host computer when the control data from the host computer is for the control of the corresponding monitor and transferring the control data from the host computer to the subsequent sub monitor when the control data from the host computer is not for the control of the corresponding monitor.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling a plurality of sub monitors in a video communication system in which the same signal from a host computer or a video tape recording/reproducing device is displayed on screens of the sub monitors and a main monitor to which the sub monitors are connected in series, comprising the first step of checking states of the sub monitors on the screen of the main monitor and transferring control data from the host computer to a desired one of the sub monitors to control it; and the second step of selecting and setting up the desired sub monitor in response to the control data transferred at the first step.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4759717 (1988-07-01), Larochelle et al.
patent: 4907146 (1990-03-01), Caporali
patent: 5318450 (1994-06-01), Carver
patent: 5508713 (1996-04-01), Okouchi
patent: 5574574 (1996-11-01), Kawamuea
patent: 0 279 558 (1988-08-01), None
Bushnell , Esq. Robert E.
Liang Regina
Samsung Electronics Co,. Ltd.
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