U.S. patent application number 09/443054 was filed with the patent office on 2003-05-01 for user interface for control of a display device.
Invention is credited to LIN, JUDY K., LIN, WALTER C..
Application Number | 20030081005 09/443054 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23759245 |
Filed Date | 2003-05-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030081005 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LIN, WALTER C. ; et
al. |
May 1, 2003 |
USER INTERFACE FOR CONTROL OF A DISPLAY DEVICE
Abstract
A method and apparatus provide a user interface for control of a
display device. A video signal is provided to a display device and
a graphic image is displayed by the display device. The video
signal may be provided to the display device by a host computer
system coupled to the display device. Input to the host computer
system is received by a user manipulating the graphic image via an
input device. The host computer system responds to the input by
communicating a command to the display device, the command for
adjusting a parameter of the display device. The parameter may be
selected from a group consisting of: brightness, contrast,
horizontal orientation, horizontal size, vertical orientation,
vertical size, tilt, pincushion, and color tint for the display.
The command may be communicated via a data sequence sent to the
display device by the host computer system. The data sequence may
be encoded onto the video signal sent to the display device by the
host computer system. The command may be communicated via a digital
protocol which provides for bi-directional communication. The input
device may be one or more of: a cursor control device coupled to
the computer system; and a keyboard coupled to the computer system.
The graphic image may include one or more of: a task window which
provides a graphic menu; a graphic representation of the parameter,
the graphic representation changing in response to said input by
the user; a sliding scale; and a numeric value.
Inventors: |
LIN, WALTER C.; (SAN JOSE,
CA) ; LIN, JUDY K.; (SAN JOSE, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GARY CARY WARE & FREIDENRICH LLP
1755 EMBARCADERO ROAD
PALO ALTO
CA
94303-3340
US
|
Family ID: |
23759245 |
Appl. No.: |
09/443054 |
Filed: |
November 18, 1999 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
715/781 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09G 2370/04 20130101;
G09G 2320/06 20130101; G09G 2320/08 20130101; G06F 3/04847
20130101; G09G 5/003 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/781 |
International
Class: |
G09G 005/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of providing a user interface for control of a display
device comprising: providing a video signal to a display device;
displaying a graphic image by the display device; receiving input
to a host computer system by a user manipulating the graphic image
via an input device; and responding to the input by the host
computer system communicating a command to the display device, the
command for adjusting a parameter of the display device.
2. The method according to claim 1, said graphic image including a
task window which provides a graphic menu.
3. The method according to claim 1, said graphic image including a
graphic representation of the parameter, the graphic representation
changing in response to said input by the user.
4. The method according to claim 3, said graphic representation
including a sliding scale.
5. The method according to claim 3, said graphic representation
including a numeric value.
6. The method according to claim 1, said command being communicated
via a data sequence sent to the display device by the host computer
system.
7. The method according to claim 6, said data sequence being
encoded onto the video signal, the video signal being sent to the
display device by the host computer system.
8. The method according to claim 1, said command being communicated
via a digital protocol which provides for uni-directional
communication.
9. The method according to claim 1, said command being communicated
via a digital protocol which provides for bi-directional
communication.
10. The method according to claim 9, said digital protocol being an
I.sup.2C protocol.
11. The method according to claim 1, said command being
communicated to the display device via a DCC2B interface.
12. The method according to claim 1, said input device being a
cursor control device coupled to the computer system.
13. The method according to claim 1, said input device being a
keyboard coupled to the computer system.
14. The method according to claim 1, said parameter being selected
from a group consisting of: brightness, contrast, horizontal
orientation, horizontal size, vertical orientation, vertical size,
tilt, pincushion, and color tint for the display.
15. An apparatus for providing a user interface for control of a
display device comprising: a display device for receiving a video
signal and for display of a graphic image; and a host computer
system coupled to the display device for providing the video signal
and for receiving input by a user manipulating the graphic image
via an input device coupled to the host computer system, the host
computer system communicating a command to the display device for
adjusting a parameter of the display device in response to the
input.
16. The apparatus according to claim 15, said graphic image
including a task window which provides a graphic menu.
17. The apparatus according to claim 15, said graphic image
including a graphic representation of the parameter, the graphic
representation changing in response to said input by the user.
18. The apparatus according to claim 17, said graphic
representation including a sliding scale.
19. The apparatus according to claim 17, said graphic
representation including a numeric value.
20. The apparatus according to claim 15, said command being
communicated via a data sequence sent to the display device by the
host computer system.
21. The apparatus according to claim 15, said data sequence being
encoded onto the video signal sent to the display device by the
host computer system.
22. The apparatus according to claim 15, said command being
communicated via a digital protocol which provides for
uni-directional communication.
23. The apparatus according to claim 15, said command being
communicated via a digital protocol which provides for
bi-directional communication.
24. The apparatus according to claim 23, said digital protocol
being an I.sup.2C protocol.
25. The apparatus according to claim 15, said command being
communicated to the display device via a DCC2B interface.
26. The apparatus according to claim 15, said input device being a
cursor control device coupled to the computer system.
27. The apparatus according to claim 15, said input device being a
keyboard coupled to the computer system.
28. The apparatus according to claim 15, said parameter being
selected from a group consisting of: brightness, contrast,
horizontal orientation, horizontal size, vertical orientation,
vertical size, tilt, pincushion, and color tint for the
display.
29. A display device comprising: a display monitor for display of a
graphic image provided to the display monitor by a host computer
system; and a display controller coupled to the display monitor for
receiving a command from the host computer system for adjusting a
parameter of the display monitor, said command being in response to
input to the host computer system from a user.
30. The display device according to claim 29, said input to the
host computer being by the user manipulating the graphic image via
the host computer.
31. The method according to claim 30, said graphic image including
a task window which provides a graphic menu.
32. The method according to claim 30, said graphic image including
a graphic representation of the parameter, the graphic
representation changing in response to said input by the user.
33. The method according to claim 32, said graphic representation
including a sliding scale.
34. The method according to claim 32, said graphic representation
including a numeric value.
35. The method according to claim 29, said command being
communicated via a data sequence sent to the display device by the
host computer system.
36. The method according to claim 35, said data sequence being
encoded onto the video signal, the video signal being sent to the
display device by the host computer system.
37. The method according to claim 29, said command being
communicated via a digital protocol which provides for
uni-directional communication.
38. The method according to claim 29, said command being
communicated via a digital protocol which provides for
bi-directional communication.
39. The method according to claim 38, said digital protocol being
an I.sup.2C protocol.
40. The method according to claim 29, said command being
communicated to the display device via a DCC2B interface.
41. The method according to claim 29, said input device being a
cursor control device coupled to the computer system.
42. The method according to claim 29, said input device being a
keyboard coupled to the computer system.
43. The method according to claim 29, said parameter being selected
from a group consisting of: brightness, contrast, horizontal
orientation, horizontal size, vertical orientation, vertical size,
tilt, pincushion, and color tint for the display.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of display
devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to the
field of control of a display device via a user interface.
[0002] Conventionally, a computer system provides video signals to
a display device associated with the computer system. A user
interface is typically provided to adjust parameters for the
display device, such as brightness, contrast, horizontal
orientation, horizontal size, vertical orientation, vertical size,
tilt, pincushion, and color tint. The user interface is typically
provided by the display device and includes controls located
directly on a housing for the display device which can be used to
adjust the display parameters. The controls are typically rheostat
dials or push-button switches which are located at the bottom or
side of the display housing and connected to circuitry located
within the display housing.
[0003] In the case of push-buttons, the circuitry within the
display housing typically includes an on-screen display circuit
(OSD). The OSD receives input from the push-buttons and, in
response, generates graphics and text which overlay any image
provided on the display screen by the computer system. The various
parameters for the display device are selected and adjusted by
further pressing of the push-buttons. To minimize its cost, the OSD
typically has limited processing capacity and speed. As a result,
the graphics and text provided by the OSD tend to be of relatively
low resolution. In addition, the number of push-button switches is
typically limited for aesthetic purposes and to minimize their
cost. As a result, each push-button may be assigned multiple
functions. This, however, requires that the push-buttons be
manipulated in specific sequences to perform the adjustments.
Accordingly, conventional user interfaces provided to adjust the
parameters of a display device tend to be confusing to use.
[0004] Parameters relating to the video signals themselves are
typically adjusted through a user interface provided by the
computer system. Parameters adjusted by this interface may include,
for example, a delay time for invoking screen-saver graphics, a
number of bits to be utilized for representing various colors
(e.g., the color palette), display area and monitor type. This user
interface provided by the computer system is in addition to, and
separate from, the user interface provided by the display
device.
[0005] The user interface provided by the computer system is
typically accessed through the computer system's "control panel."
When the "control panel" is invoked by a user, the computer system
provides the user interface by which the user may adjust parameters
for the video signals. This is generally accomplished by the user
manipulating graphic elements displayed on the display device via
input from the user which is typically provided by a keyboard or
mouse. This user interface, however, only affects the video signals
provided by the computer system and does not provide an ability to
adjust any parameters of the display device.
[0006] Therefore, what is needed is a user interface for
controlling a display device and for adjusting display parameters
which does not suffer from the drawbacks of prior user interfaces.
It is this end that the present invention is directed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention provides a user interface for control
of a display device. The invention provides improved graphics to be
displayed by the display device for use in making adjustments to
parameters of the display device without significant increases in
cost. Rather, because the graphics for the user interface may be
provided to the display device by a computer system coupled to the
display device, an on-screen display circuit (OSD) may be omitted
from the display device. Further, the invention allows parameters
for the display device to be adjusted by a user manipulating
graphic elements via an input device for the computer system, such
as a keyboard or mouse. Thus, the invention provides that rheostat
dials or push-button switches may be omitted from the display
device. Accordingly, the present invention provides a user
interface having improved graphics and lower cost and which is less
confusing to use than conventional user interfaces.
[0008] In one aspect, a method and apparatus provide a user
interface for control of a display device. A video signal is
provided to a display device and a graphic image is displayed by
the display device. The video signal may be provided to the display
device by a host computer system coupled to the display device.
Input to the host computer system is received by a user
manipulating the graphic image via an input device. The host
computer system responds to the input by communicating a command to
the display device. The command is for adjusting a parameter of the
display device.
[0009] In another aspect, a display device is provided including a
display monitor and a display controller coupled to the display
monitor. The display monitor displays a graphic image provided to
the display monitor by a host computer system. The display
controller receives a command from the host computer system for
adjusting a parameter of the display monitor, where the command is
in response to input to the host computer system from a user. The
input to the host computer may be by the user manipulating the
graphic image via the host computer.
[0010] The graphic image may include one or more of: a task window
which provides a graphic menu; a graphic representation of the
parameter, the graphic representation changing in response to said
input by the user; a sliding scale; and a numeric value. The
command may be communicated via a data sequence sent to the display
device by the host computer system. The data sequence may be
encoded onto the video signal, the video signal being sent to the
display device by the host computer system. The command may be
communicated via a digital protocol which provides for
uni-directional communication from the host computer system to the
display device. Further, the command may be communicated via a
digital protocol which provides for bi-directional communication.
The digital protocol may be an I.sup.2C protocol. The command may
be communicated to the display device via a DCC2B interface. The
input device may be one or more of: a cursor control device coupled
to the computer system; and a keyboard coupled to the computer
system. The parameter may be selected from a group consisting of:
brightness, contrast, horizontal orientation, horizontal size,
vertical orientation, vertical size, tilt, pincushion, and color
tint for the display.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a host computer system
and a display system in accordance with the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a first task window provided for
selecting a parameter for a display monitor;
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a second task window provided for
adjusting a selected parameter for the display monitor;
[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates a third task window provided for
selecting and adjusting a parameter for the display monitor;
[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates a connector for interfacing the host
computer system and the display system of FIG. 1; and
[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates an image for the display system including
features for communicating digital data from the host computer
system the display system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a host computer system
100 driving a display device 200 in accordance with the present
invention. The host computer system 100 may include a central
processing unit (CPU) 102, a memory 104, input/output (I/O) devices
106 and a video adapter 108, all of which are interconnected by a
system bus 110. The memory 104 is conventional and may include
random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), a hard disk, a
removable media, such as a floppy disk, magnetic tape or optical
disk, or other memory device. The I/O devices 106 are conventional
and may include a keyboard 112, a cursor control device 114 (e.g.,
a mouse), a network interface card, a modem, a display monitor, or
a printer. It will be apparent that the computer system 100 is
conventional and that the particular configuration of the computer
system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 is exemplary.
[0018] Data representative of an image to be displayed is typically
generated by an application or other program stored in the memory
104 and executed by the CPU 102. The image data may be provided to
the video adapter 108 via the system bus 110. The computer system
100 may be coupled to the display system 200 via the video adapter
108 and a video interface 116. The video adapter 106 typically
forms video signals which are appropriate for driving the display
system 200. The video signals may include red (R), green (G), blue
(B), horizontal sync and vertical sync. Alternately, the video
signals may be in another format, such as composite video or
luminance-chrominance (Y-C) component video. The video interface
116 provides the video signals to the display system 200 and may
also provide other signals for control of the display system 200,
as explained herein.
[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the display system 200 may include a
display controller 202, monitor circuits 204, a display monitor 206
and a memory 208. The display controller 202 may receive the video
signals from the computer system 100 and, if necessary, may convert
them into form suitable for provision to the monitor circuits 204.
The monitor circuits 204 may provide driving signals and control
signals for the display monitor 206. For example, assume that the
video signals are analog and that the display monitor 206 is a
digital display (e.g., a flat panel display). In which case, the
display controller 202 may sample the analog signals to form
digital samples, while the monitor circuits 204 may receive the
digital samples from the display controller 202 and may provide
them to the display monitor 206 at an appropriate rate. The memory
208 may include a frame buffer for temporarily storing video data
to be displayed by the display monitor 206. Assuming, however, that
the display monitor 206 is an analog display (e.g., a cathode ray
tube monitor), then the display controller 202 may receive the
analog video signals and may perform analog processing on the video
signals, if necessary. The display controller 202 may then provide
the processed video signals to the monitor circuits 204.
[0020] By providing driving signals and control signals to the
display monitor 206, the monitor circuits 204 may provide an
ability to adjust brightness, contrast, horizontal orientation,
horizontal size, vertical orientation, vertical size, tilt,
pincushion, color tint and other display parameters for the display
monitor 206. These settings may be stored in the memory 208.
Alternately, rather than being provided by the monitor circuits
204, an ability to adjust one or more of these parameters may be
provided by the display controller 202 or the display monitor
206.
[0021] To adjust the display parameters for the monitor 206, the
invention provides a display control user interface. The computer
system 100 may include a stored software program for implementing
this user interface. The user interface software program may be
stored in the memory 104 and executed by the CPU 102 when invoked
by a user. For example, the interface software may be invoked by
the user double-clicking on an appropriate icon displayed by the
display monitor 206. Alternately, the user may invoke the user
interface software by accessing a "control panel" software program
provided by the computer system 100.
[0022] Upon commencing execution, the display control user
interface software program may cause the computer system 100 to
generate video signals which represent a graphic interface for
display by the display monitor 206. For example, the graphic
interface may include a task window displayed by the display
monitor 206.
[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary task window 300 which may be
displayed by the display monitor 206 (FIG. 1) for making
adjustments to display parameters for the monitor 206. As shown in
FIG. 2, the task window 300 may be displayed within a display area
302 or "desktop" of the display monitor 206. The task window 300
may include a menu of parameters which may be adjusted through the
user interface. For example, and as shown in FIG. 2, the menu may
include: "Bright," for adjusting brightness; "Contrast," for
adjusting contrast; "H-pos," for adjusting horizontal position,
"H-size," for adjusting horizontal size; "V-pos," for adjusting
vertical position, "V-size," for adjusting vertical size; "Tilt,"
for adjusting tilt orientation of the display image; "Pincushion,"
for pincushion adjustments for the display; and "Tint," for
adjusting color tint for the display. It will be apparent that the
arrangement of display parameters shown in FIG. 2 is exemplary and
that more, fewer or different display parameters may be selected
for adjustment via the user interface.
[0024] The user may then select one or more of the display
parameters for adjustment. Preferably, this is accomplished by the
user providing input to the computer system 100 (FIG. 1), such as
by manipulating graphic elements provided by the task window 300
via the computer mouse 114 or keyboard 112. For example, assuming
the user wishes to make an adjustment to the brightness setting,
the user may position a cursor 304 over the "Bright" menu item and,
then, may select the menu item by pressing a button on the mouse
114. Alternately, the user may select the "Bright" menu item by
appropriately manipulating the keyboard 112 of the computer system
100.
[0025] Once a parameter is selected for adjustment via the user
interface, the parameter may then be adjusted by further
manipulation of graphic elements. FIG. 3 illustrates the window of
FIG. 2 after the brightness adjustment has been selected. As shown
in FIG. 3, another task window 306, specific to the selected
parameter, may be displayed along with the task window 300. The
task window 306 of the user interface may display a field 308 in
which a current level for the brightness setting (e.g., 58%) is
displayed. In addition, graphic elements, such as an upwardly
oriented arrow 310 and a downwardly oriented arrow 312, may be
displayed. By using the mouse 114 (FIG. 1) or keyboard 114 (FIG. 1)
to select the upwardly oriented arrow 310, the brightness level may
be increased, while by selecting the downwardly oriented arrow 312,
the brightness level may be decreased. As shown in FIG. 3, the
cursor 304 is positioned so as to select the downwardly oriented
arrow 312; pressing a button on the mouse 114 (FIG. 1) causes the
brightness level to be decreased. Assuming a level for the
parameter is displayed, such as in the field 308, the displayed
level is preferably updated by the computer system 100 when the
level is changed.
[0026] It will be apparent that a task window similar to the task
window 306 may be provided for each parameter for the display
monitor 206 that to be adjustable by the user interface.
Alternately, different task window may be provided for each display
parameter that is adjustable. In addition, it will be apparent that
the particular graphics displayed for the interface may be varied
from that shown in FIG. 3.
[0027] FIG. 4 illustrates an alternate task window 400 which may be
displayed by the display monitor 206 (FIG. 1) for making
adjustments to parameters for the display monitor 206. As shown in
FIG. 4, the task window 400 is displayed within a display area 402
or "desktop" of the display monitor 206. The task window 400 may
include a displayed selection of parameters along with slide scales
404-408. For each slide scale 404-408, a respective slider 410-414
is also provided which indicates a current setting for the
corresponding display parameter. For example, and as shown in FIG.
4, the parameters may include: "Brightness," for adjusting
brightness; "Contrast," for adjusting contrast; and "Tint," for
adjusting color tint for the monitor 204. It will be apparent,
however, that other display parameters may be included within the
task window 400. To adjust a parameter via the task window 400 of
FIG. 4, the user may manipulate the graphic image displayed by the
task window 400. This may be accomplished by the user manipulating
the computer mouse 114 to position a cursor 416 over one of the
sliders 410-414 which corresponds to the selected parameter. As
shown in FIG. 4, the cursor 414 is positioned over the slider 416.
Then, the user may hold down a button of the mouse to "drag" the
slider 414 to a new position on the corresponding slide scale
408.
[0028] Thus, referring again to FIG. 1, the computer system 100
provides video signals to the display system 200 to display a
graphic user interface on the display monitor 206 for adjusting
display parameters. A user provides input the computer system 100
by manipulating the graphic interface, such as with the mouse 114
or keyboard 112, to select and adjust the display parameters.
[0029] Then, according to the present invention, in response to the
user's input, the computer system 100 may communicate to the
display system 200, via the interface 116, the changes to be made
to the display parameters. This communication may be accomplished
by the interface 116 operating in accordance with a uni-directional
protocol for communication from the computer system 100 to the
display device 200 or in accordance with a bi-directional protocol.
The interface 116 may be a standard interface defined by the Video
Electronics Standards Association (VESA). For example, a
conventional display data channel interface, known as DCC2B,
provides video signals to a display device and also provides
bi-directional communication between a host computer system and the
display device. FIG. 5 illustrates a connector 500 for implementing
the interface 116 in accordance with DCC2B.
[0030] The connector 500 may include a plurality of pins numbered
1-15 in FIG. 5. Pin 1 may communicate a red component video signal
from the computer system 100 (FIG. 1) to the display system 200
(FIG. 2); Pin 2 may communicate a green component video signal from
the computer system 100 to the display system 200; Pin 3 may
communicate a blue component video signal from the computer system
100 to the display system 200; Pin 4 may be reserved; Pin 5 may
provide a ground reference; Pin 6 may be a ground reference for the
red component video signal; Pin 7 may be a ground reference for the
green component video signal; Pin 8 may be a ground reference for
the blue component video signal; Pin 9 may provide a 5.0 volt
reference level from the computer system 100; Pin 10 may provide a
ground reference for sync signals; Pin 11 may optionally provide a
monitor identification from the display system 200 to the computer
system 100; Pin 12 may provide a serial data link for
bi-directional communication between the computer system 100 and
the display system 200; Pin 13 may provide a horizontal sync or
composite sync from the computer system 100 to the display system
200; Pin 14 may provide a vertical sync from the computer system
100 to the display system 200; Pin 15 may provide a clock signal
which is synchronous with data sent via Pin 12 for synchronizing
the computer system 100 or the display system 200 to data sent by
the other via Pin 12. Data may be communicated via the Pins 12 and
15 in accordance with I.sup.2C, which is a protocol for
bi-directional communication via a serial data line (SDA) and a
serial clock line (SCL).
[0031] Alternately, the interface 116 may be in accordance with an
non-standardized interface (e.g., an interface other than DCC2B)
which provides for communication of data from the computer system
100 to the display monitor 200 in addition to the communication of
video signals. Such an interface may operate in accordance with the
I.sup.2C protocol, or another protocol. In addition, such an
interface may utilize a connector other than that shown in FIG. 5
and having alternate pin assignments. In which case, the data
communicated from the computer system 100 to the display system 200
may result in changes to display parameters.
[0032] Further, data may be communicated from the computer system
100 to the display system 200 by encoding the data onto one or more
of the signal lines for the red, green and blue video signals
(e.g., a data sequence may be encoded onto one or more of video
signals utilizing amplitude modulation). In which case, the display
controller 202 (FIG. 1) may detect and identify the data sequence
by digital sampling of the appropriate one or more of the red,
green and blue signal lines. FIG. 6 illustrates an image for the
display monitor 206 (FIG. 1) including features 602 for
communicating digital data from the host computer system 100 to the
display controller 202 in accordance with the present invention. As
shown in FIG. 6, the features 602 form a unique pattern (i.e., a
data sequence) which is distinguished from background 604 by
contrast. It will be apparent that the pattern shown in FIG. 6 is
exemplary and that one or more different data sequences may be
utilized.
[0033] Though the features 702 are displayed by the display monitor
206 in FIG. 6, the data sequence is obtained by the display
controller 202 from one or more of the analog video signals.
Accordingly, it is not necessary that the features 602 actually
appear on the display monitor 206. Rather, the display controller
202 may be conditioned to prevent them from appearing on the
display monitor 206. Similarly, the features 602 need only be
present in one of the RGB signals to be detected by the display
controller 202, though the features 602 may be present in two or
three of the RGB signals.
[0034] For detecting the features 702, the features 702 may be
provided beginning at a predetermined time interval after a pulse
in a horizontal signal provided to the display system 200 by the
display controller 100 and may be outside of horizontal and
vertical blanking intervals.
[0035] Thus, data may be communicated from the host computer system
100 to the display system 200 via the interface 116. Once a
particular data sequence is identified by the display controller
202, the display controller 202 may respond by adjusting a display
parameter identified by the particular sequence. The manner in
which the parameter for the display monitor 206 is to be adjusted
may also be identified by the data sequence. Accordingly, the
display system 200 treats the data sequences as commands. For
example, a particular data sequence may command the display system
200 to set a brightness level to 59 percent. As another example, a
particular data sequence may command the display system to increase
the brightness level by one percent from its current level. The
adjustment may then be accomplished by the display controller 202
appropriately configuring the monitor circuits 204. Thus, assuming
the brightness level is to be adjusted, the monitor circuits may be
conditioned to provide an adjusted voltage level to the display
monitor 206 which results in an appropriate adjustment to the
brightness level of the monitor 206.
[0036] As mentioned, the data may be communicated via the interface
116 (FIG. 1) bi-directionally. For example, the DCC2B interface
provides for bi-directional communication. In which case, the
display controller 202 preferably returns an acknowledgement in
response to successfully receiving a data sequence from the
computer system 100. Alternately, the data may be communicated
uni-directionally from the computer system 100 to the display
monitor 200. For example, encoding of data sequences onto the red,
green or blue video signal may provide uni-directional
communication of the data sequences. In which case, the computer
system 100 may not receive a acknowledgement.
[0037] From the foregoing, it should be apparent that the present
invention provides an improved a user interface for adjusting
parameters of a display monitor. Improvements over conventional
techniques include improved graphics, lower cost and ease of
use.
[0038] While the foregoing has been with reference to particular
embodiments of the invention, it will be appreciated by those
skilled in the art that changes in these embodiments may be made
without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention,
the scope of which is defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *