Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display driving control circuitry – Light detection means
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-25
2002-05-14
Hjerpe, Richard (Department: 2774)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display driving control circuitry
Light detection means
C345S205000, C345S104000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06388662
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to adjusting a display on a monitor. More particularly, the present invention relates to automatically adjusting size, center, and geometrical distortions on a monitor.
BACKGROUND
Monitors are an important element in computer systems. Typically, monitors are coupled to a personal computer and provide the user with a visual interface of the personal computer's data contents. Although, current monitors offer unique packaging and different display qualities, the cathode ray tube (“CRT”) remains an integral element in the design of most monitors. The CRT converts an electrical signal into visual information using an electron beam that is modulated and deflected onto a cathodoluminescent screen surface.
Improvements in monitor designs has led to computer systems that provide the user with compact and sharp displays. The design improvements, however, have not led to improvements in the display orientation of the monitors. Conventional monitors typically have built in controls to adjust the positioning and sizing of images. The controls allow the user to alter the deflection angle of the electron beam by increasing/decreasing the magnetic flux created by the deflection coils in a CRT device.
FIG. 1
illustrates one embodiment of a prior art CRT. CRT
100
includes a vacuum tube
106
coupled to screen
110
. Deflection coil
105
is used to position magnetic flux
115
around electron beam
120
. A control signal (not shown) allows a user to adjust the magnitude of the electric signals on deflection coil
105
, thus adjusting the magnitude of magnetic flux
115
. The change in magnetic flux
115
increases/decreases deflection angle
130
form the Z-axis, thus varying the position of electron beam
120
on screen
110
. Varying the position of beam
120
allows the user to vary the position and orientation of an image displayed on screen
110
. Although using control inputs to adjust images on screen
110
creates provides the user with greater flexibility, manual control inputs create a number of disadvantages.
One disadvantage of the conventional control inputs is that the CRT requires multiple adjustments. Typically, CRT's require adjustments because magnetic flux
115
's alignment is easily skewed by extraneous magnetic fields. For example, the earth's magnetic field causes distortion in a monitor display. Similarly, an extraneous electrical device can cause a magnetic field that causes distortion in a monitor display. Accordingly, in conventional monitors, the user is required to locate different control inputs on the monitor and manually adjust the distorted image.
FIG. 2
illustrates typical distortions in a conventional monitor display. Image
210
shows an image that is shifted upwards and increase in width as electron beam
120
scans up the vertical axis of screen
110
. Conversely image
230
show an image that is shifted downwards and increase in width as electron beam
120
scans down the vertical axis of screen
110
. Additionally, images
220
and
240
illustrate image distortion caused by a negative degree rotation and a positive degree rotation, respectively. Accordingly, in the prior art the user is required to adjust the distortions illustrated in
FIG. 2
via manual controls.
Another disadvantage of manual control inputs occurs during the manufacturing of computer systems. In particular, during the manufacturing process of computer systems installation of a new monitor requires adjustment of the monitor display to align an image or remove image distortions. The adjustment is necessary because the manufacture is unable to anticipate the different magnetic variance that affect each computer system. Manual adjustment of monitors during the manufacturing process, however, is costly and tedious.
To automate image alignment and distortion correction of newly manufactured monitors, some manufactures introduce a camera and a microprocessor to the manufacturing process. The camera records an image displayed on the monitor and the processor adjusts the displayed image on each monitor. Although the camera and microprocessor automate monitor adjustment, the camera and microprocessor are not available to users outside the manufacturing process. Thus, in non-manufacturing environments the user adjusts distortions via manual controls. Additionally, the camera and microprocessor reduce efficiency in the manufacturing process because the camera and microprocessor introduces extraneous steps to the manufacturing process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An apparatus to automatically adjust image distortions is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a driver operable to generate images on a screen. The apparatus further comprises a plurality of sensors coupled to the screen. Each sensor detects whether the area under the sensor is illuminated. The apparatus further comprises a circuit coupled to the plurality of sensors and the driver. The circuit is configured to adjust the driver based on illumination of a sub-set of the plurality of sensors. A method for automatically adjusting image distortions of a video monitor is also disclosed.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4683467 (1987-07-01), Macaulay et al.
patent: 5032828 (1991-07-01), Hirose et al.
patent: 5243452 (1993-09-01), Baur
patent: 5434595 (1995-07-01), Macaulay
patent: 5610629 (1997-03-01), Baur
patent: 5786801 (1998-07-01), Ichise
patent: 5917464 (1999-06-01), Stearns
patent: 5933126 (1999-08-01), Mori
Narui Yoshihisa
Onoue Yoshinori
Blakely , Sokoloff, Taylor & Zafman LLP
Hjerpe Richard
Nguyen Kimnhung
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