Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device – Light pen for fluid matrix display panel
Utility Patent
1997-07-29
2001-01-02
Chang, Kent (Department: 2778)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
Light pen for fluid matrix display panel
C345S182000, C345S204000
Utility Patent
active
06169535
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The described embodiments are directed to a method and apparatus for adjusting a display through user inputs from a graphical user interface. In particular, the described embodiments are directed to such a graphical user interface including a display which illuminates a figure for making adjustments made to the display.
2. Related Art
Conventional computer monitors typically have built-in control inputs for things such as brightness, contrast, picture position, and sizing. These control inputs as described above require the user to reach to the monitor, sometimes to different locations around the case, to find the proper control. Moreover, the control inputs do not necessarily show the adjustment limits or the present position of the particular adjustable attribute. Additionally, a new monitor installed in a computer system typically requires adjustment of the monitor controls. When a new monitor is installed, it is not unusual for the initial display on the monitor to be off-center, skewed, and the like. Thus, the set-up procedures must provide for adjustments to the monitor so that the picture may be properly adjusted initially.
A computer system typically includes a host computer coupled to a monitor. Newer computer systems permit the user to make inputs to the host unit of the computer through peripheral devices such as a keyboard or pointing device (such as a mouse) to make adjustments to the monitor. In response to these user inputs, the host computer may transmit adjustment control signals interleaved with video signals to control circuitry in the monitor. Thus, the need for external control inputs on the monitor is eliminated.
Some systems, supported by Windows or a Macintosh operating system, provide graphical user interfaces (GUIs) which has somewhat simplified the inputting of adjustment information through a pointer controlled cursor. The “CustoMax” system sold by Philips Electronics displays several cursor selectable buttons for receiving adjustment information. The “Display Manager” system sold by Computer Access Technology Corp. displays a draggable lever for inputting adjustments for a selected characteristic. A graphical shape represents the adjustments to the display made during a current adjustment session for the selected characteristic. The “Monitor Soft Control” system sold by MultiVideo Labs, Inc. generates a separate selectable display for receiving inputs for each display characteristic. Each selectable display includes its own draggable lever for receiving adjustment inputs for the selected characteristic and its own gauge for showing the adjustments made during the current adjustment session. U.S. Pat. No. 5,565,897 assigned to Elonex Technologies, Inc. describes multiple shapes which are calibrated to appear rectangular on a properly adjusted monitor. The user may click on and drag portions of the multiple shapes to initiate the transmission of display adjustment signals. When the multiple shapes are not rectangular, the user may click on and drag portions of the multiple shapes until they are rectangular, thus putting the monitor in its properly adjusted state.
The current GUI based systems for receiving and displaying input adjustments are complex and employ multiple images to correspond with different adjustable display characteristics. The control circuitry typically includes control parameters which have an initial state which is adjustable in response to signals from the host. Each monitor in a line of monitors typically includes control circuitry from the same manufacturer having control parameters at the same initial state. The control circuitry integrated into each monitor is then typically adjusted by the same degree to properly adjust the monitor to a predetermined state at the factory. For monitors having been shipped from the factory, the current GUI based systems, showing only the adjustments made in a current adjustment session, do not easily allow a technician to readjust such a monitor to its original factory adjustment state.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for adjusting a display through a graphical user interface.
Another object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a simplified method and apparatus for adjusting a display to initial factory adjustment values.
Another object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a graphical image illuminated on a display which represents the cumulative adjustments made to the display.
Another object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a single graphical image illuminated on a display having a size, shape and orientation which is representative of the cumulative adjustments made to the display.
Briefly, an embodiment of the present invention is directed to a computer system including a video monitor having a CRT and display control circuitry disposed therein. The control circuitry is capable of maintaining at least one adjustment state of a display illuminated by the CRT. The computer system includes a host processor which is capable of transmitting display adjustment signals to the control circuitry to change the at least one adjustment state. Upon a user selection, the display of the CRT illuminates an adjustment display including a single graphical image which is representative of the cumulative adjustments made to the display. A pointer allows a user to move a cursor in the adjustment display to click on and drag edges of the single graphical image to effectuate adjustments to the display. The host processor executes control routines to initiate the transmission of adjustment signals to the control circuitry to change the at least one adjustment state in response to user provided pointer movements for dragging edges of the single graphical image.
By using a single graphical image for receiving user inputs to adjust multiple characteristics of the display, and representing the cumulative adjustments in the multiple characteristics by the size, shape and orientation of the graphical image, the described embodiments provide a consistent procedure for making the adjustments and recording the cumulative adjustments made. Thus, a technician can easily adjust a display according to its initial factory adjustment states as represented by the graphical image.
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Print out of Graphical User Interface of “Display Manager” Computer Access Technology Corp., Santa Clara, CA, 1997.
Print out of Graphical User Interface of “CustoMax” Philips Electronics N.V. (1994).
Print out of Graphical User Interface of, and User's Manual for, “Monitor Soft Control” Multivideo Labs, Inc., Princeton, NJ.
Chang Kent
Pillsbury Madison & Sutro LLP
Toshiba America Information Systems Inc.
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