U.S. patent number RE44,957 [Application Number 10/976,329] was granted by the patent office on 2014-06-24 for monitor control device and control method thereof.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. The grantee listed for this patent is Young-chan Kim. Invention is credited to Young-chan Kim.
United States Patent |
RE44,957 |
Kim |
June 24, 2014 |
Monitor control device and control method thereof
Abstract
A monitor control device includes a monitor connected to a
computer. The device displays a signal transmitted from the
computer in characters or pictures of the form which can be
recognized by a user. The device includes an input unit connected
to the monitor, for outputting an image tune signal or a picture
color tune signal and other control signals, and a controller
installed in the monitor, for interpreting the control signals
generated from the input unit and transmitting a monitor control
signal.
Inventors: |
Kim; Young-chan (Uiwang,
KR) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kim; Young-chan |
Uiwang |
N/A |
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
(Suwon-si, KR)
|
Family
ID: |
19451438 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/976,329 |
Filed: |
October 29, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
08802207 |
Feb 18, 1997 |
6473060 |
Oct 29, 2002 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Feb 17, 1996 [KR] |
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96-3966 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
345/22;
348/177 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09G
5/003 (20130101); G06F 3/04897 (20130101); H04N
21/485 (20130101); G09G 2370/04 (20130101); H04N
17/04 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G09G
1/28 (20060101); H04N 17/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;345/156,163,168,169 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Dinh; Duc
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Stanzione & Kim, LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
.[.1. A device for controlling to control a monitor, comprising; a
computer; a monitor connected to said computer for displaying to
display variable visual images corresponding to a computer signal
transmitted from said computer as characters and pictures
recognizable to a user; an input unit for generating an image tune
signal indicating preferences on image, a picture color tune signal
indicating preferences on picture color, and a computer control
signal; and a controller separate from said computer for
communicating with said monitor, said controller for interpreting
signals generated and received from said input unit, for
selectively transmitting a monitor control signal for controlling
said monitor to set preferences for display of said variable visual
images on said monitor and for selectively transmitting said
computer control signal to said computer..].
.[.2. The device of claim 1, wherein said input unit comprises a
mouse..].
.[.3. The device of claim 1, wherein said input unit comprises a
keyboard..].
.[.4. The device of claim 1, wherein said controller comprises: a
signal receiving unit for receiving a received signal transmitted
from said input unit; a signal interpreting unit for interpreting
the received signal to determine whether the received signal is a
signal for controlling said monitor or a signal to be transmitted
to said computer and then for transmitting a first control signal
and a transmission signal; and a signal transmitting unit for
transmitting a second control signal according to an instruction
from said signal interpreting unit, the instruction determining
whether the second control signal is to be sent by said controller
to said monitor or said computer..].
.[.5. The device of claim 4, wherein said input unit comprises a
mouse..].
.[.6. The device of claim 4, wherein said input unit comprises a
keyboard..].
.[.7. The device of claim 1, wherein said controller is installed
in said monitor and said controller comprises: a signal receiving
unit for receiving a received signal transmitted from said input
unit; a signal interpreting unit for interpreting the received
signal to determine whether the received signal is a signal for
controlling said monitor or a signal to be transmitted to said
computer and then for transmitting a first control signal and a
transmission signal; and a signal transmitting unit for
transmitting a second control signal according to an instruction
from said signal interpreting unit, the instruction determining
whether the second control signal is to be sent by said controller
to said monitor or said computer..].
.[.8. The device of claim 7, wherein said input unit comprises a
mouse..].
.[.9. The device of claim 7, wherein said input unit comprises a
keyboard..].
.[.10. The device of claim 7, wherein said input unit comprises a
remote-control signal transmitting unit, and said monitor comprises
a remote-control signal transceiving unit in a predetermined
portion to receive and transmit a signal generated from said
remote-control signal transmitting unit to said controller..].
.[.11. The device of claim 10, wherein said input unit comprises a
mouse..].
.[.12. The device of claim 10, wherein said input unit comprises a
keyboard..].
.[.13. The device of claim 1, wherein said input unit comprises a
remote-control signal transmitting unit, and said monitor comprises
a remote-control signal transceiving unit in a predetermined
portion to receive and transmit a signal generated from said
remote-control signal transmitting unit to said controller..].
.[.14. The device of claim 13, wherein said input unit comprises a
mouse..].
.[.15. The device of claim 13, wherein said input unit comprises a
keyboard..].
.[.16. A method for controlling a monitor, comprising the steps of:
receiving a first signal generated from an input unit at a signal
receiving unit communicating with a controller, said controller
communicating with a monitor; interpreting said first signal at
said controller to determine whether said first signal is one of a
signal for controlling said monitor and a signal to be transmitted
to a computer, said controller being separate from said computer;
when said first signal is a signal for controlling said monitor,
transmitting by said controller a monitor control signal to control
said monitor, and when said first signal is a signal for
controlling said computer, transmitting by said controller a
computer control signal to said computer transmitting display
identification data from the monitor to the computer in response to
a monitor environment setting signal transmitted from the input
unit separate from the controller to the monitor..].
.[.17. A method for setting an environment of a monitor, comprising
the steps of: transmitting data to set an environment of a monitor
from a computer peripheral device to a controller communicating
with a monitor executing a software program to permit a computer to
adjust to said data transmitted from said computer peripheral
device, said controller being separate from said computer, setting
through said controller an environment of said monitor based upon
said data transmitted from said computer peripheral device and
transmitting said data transmitted from said computer peripheral
device through said controller to said computer; after said
computer receives the said data transmitted from said computer
peripheral device, informing a user of a completion of data
reception via said monitor; and transmitting a reset signal to
reset through said controller the environment of said monitor based
upon said data transmitted from said computer peripheral
device..].
.Iadd.18. A device to control a monitor, comprising: a computer; a
monitor connected to said computer to display variable visual
images corresponding to a computer signal transmitted from said
computer as characters and pictures recognizable to a user; an
input unit to generate a monitor control signal including at least
one of an image tune signal indicating preferences on image and a
picture color tune signal indicating preferences on picture color
and to generate a computer control signal; and a controller
separate from said computer to communicate with said monitor and to
directly receive the monitor control signal or computer control
signal from the input unit, said controller to interpret whether
signals generated and received from said input unit include the
monitor control signal or the computer control signal, to
selectively transmit the monitor control signal directly to said
monitor to control said monitor to set preferences for display of
said variable visual images on said monitor, to selectively
transmit said computer control signal to said computer, and to
control the monitor to transmit display identification data to the
computer in response to a monitor environment setting signal
transmitted from the input unit separate from the controller to the
monitor, wherein the controller directly transmits the received
computer control signal to the computer..Iaddend.
.Iadd.19. The device of claim 18, wherein said input unit comprises
a mouse..Iaddend.
.Iadd.20. The device of claim 18, wherein said input unit comprises
a keyboard..Iaddend.
.Iadd.21. The device of claim 18, wherein said controller
comprises: a signal receiving unit to receive a received signal
transmitted from said input unit; a signal interpreting unit to
interpret the received signal to determine whether the received
signal is a signal to control said monitor or a signal to be
transmitted to said computer and then to transmit a first control
signal and a transmission signal; and a signal transmitting unit to
transmit a second control signal according to an instruction from
said signal interpreting unit, the instruction determining whether
the second control signal is to be sent by said controller to said
monitor or said computer..Iaddend.
.Iadd.22. The device of claim 21, wherein said input unit comprises
a mouse..Iaddend.
.Iadd.23. The device of claim 21, wherein said input unit comprises
a keyboard..Iaddend.
.Iadd.24. The device of claim 18, wherein said controller is
installed in said monitor and said controller comprises: a signal
receiving unit to receive a received signal transmitted from said
input unit; a signal interpreting unit to interpret the received
signal to determine whether the received signal is a signal to
control said monitor or a signal to be transmitted to said computer
and then to transmit a first control signal and a transmission
signal; and a signal transmitting unit to transmit a second control
signal according to an instruction from said signal interpreting
unit, the instruction determining whether the second control signal
is to be sent by said controller to said monitor or said
computer..Iaddend.
.Iadd.25. The device of claim 24, wherein said input unit comprises
a mouse..Iaddend.
.Iadd.26. The device of claim 24, wherein said input unit comprises
a keyboard..Iaddend.
.Iadd.27. The device of claim 24, wherein said input unit comprises
a remote-control signal transmitting unit, and said monitor
comprises a remote-control signal transceiving unit in a
predetermined portion to receive and transmit a signal generated
from said remote-control signal transmitting unit to said
controller..Iaddend.
.Iadd.28. The device of claim 27, wherein said input unit comprises
a mouse..Iaddend.
.Iadd.29. The device of claim 27, wherein said input unit comprises
a keyboard..Iaddend.
.Iadd.30. The device of claim 18, wherein said input unit comprises
a remote-control signal transmitting unit, and said monitor
comprises a remote-control signal transceiving unit in a
predetermined portion to receive and transmit a signal generated
from said remote-control signal transmitting unit to said
controller..Iaddend.
.Iadd.31. The device of claim 30, wherein said input unit comprises
a mouse. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.32. The device of claim 30, wherein said input unit comprises
a keyboard..Iaddend.
.Iadd.33. A method to control a monitor, the method comprising:
receiving a first signal generated from an input unit at a signal
receiving unit communicating with a controller, said controller
communicating with a monitor such that the controller directly
receives the first signal from the input unit; interpreting said
first signal at said controller to determine whether said first
signal is one of a signal to control said monitor and a signal to
be transmitted to a computer, said controller being separate from
said computer; when said first signal is a signal to control said
monitor, transmitting by said controller directly to said monitor a
monitor control signal to control said monitor, and when said first
signal is a signal to control said computer, transmitting by said
controller a computer control signal to said computer; and
transmitting display identification data from the monitor to the
computer in response to a monitor environment setting signal
transmitted from the input unit separate from the controller to the
monitor, wherein the controller directly transmits the received
computer control signal to the computer..Iaddend.
.Iadd.34. A method for setting an environment of a monitor,
comprising the steps of: transmitting data to set an environment of
a monitor from a peripheral device to a controller communicating
with a monitor such that the controller directly receives the data
from the peripheral device; executing a software program to permit
a computer to adjust to said data transmitted from said peripheral
device, said controller being separate from said computer; setting
through said controller an environment of said monitor based upon
said data transmitted from said peripheral device and transmitting
display identification data from the monitor through said
controller to said computer in response to a monitor environment
setting signal transmitted from the peripheral device separate from
the controller to the monitor; after said computer receives the
display identification data transmitted from the monitor, informing
the user of a completion of data reception via said monitor; and
transmitting a reset signal to reset through said controller the
environment of said monitor based upon said data transmitted from
said peripheral device..Iaddend.
.Iadd.35. A method of controlling a display apparatus, the method
comprising: receiving, by the display apparatus, a command to set
an environment of the display apparatus or a computer control
signal from a peripheral device such that the display apparatus
directly receives the command from the peripheral device; setting
the environment of the display apparatus according to the command
to set the environment of the display apparatus in response to the
display apparatus receiving the command to set the environment of
the display apparatus from the peripheral device, and transmitting
the computer control signal to a computer in response to the
display apparatus receiving the computer control signal from the
peripheral device; and transmitting display identification data
from the display apparatus to the in response to a monitor
environment setting signal transmitted from the peripheral device
separate from the controller to the monitor, wherein the display
apparatus directly transmits the received computer control signal
to the computer..Iaddend.
.Iadd.36. The method according to claim 35, wherein the display
identification data includes extended display identification data
(EDID)..Iaddend.
.Iadd.37. The method according to claim 35, wherein the peripheral
device comprises a keyboard..Iaddend.
.Iadd.38. The method according to claim 35 wherein the peripheral
device comprises a mouse..Iaddend.
.Iadd.39. A display apparatus comprising: a controller to receive a
command to set an environment of the display apparatus or a
computer control signal directly from a peripheral device, to set
the environment of the display apparatus according to the command
to set the environment of the display apparatus in response to the
controller receiving the command to set to the environment of the
display apparatus from the peripheral device, to transmit the
computer control signal to a computer in response to the controller
receiving the computer control signal from the peripheral device,
and to transmit display identification data to a software program
executed in the in response to a monitor environment setting signal
transmitted from the peripheral device separate from the controller
to the monitor, wherein the controller directly transmits the
received computer control signal to the computer..Iaddend.
.Iadd.40. The display apparatus according to claim 39, wherein the
peripheral device comprises a keyboard..Iaddend.
.Iadd.41. The display apparatus according to claim 39, wherein the
peripheral device comprises a mouse..Iaddend.
.Iadd.42. A display apparatus comprising: a display; a peripheral
device outputting a signal; and a controller built in the display
apparatus, the controller receives a signal including at least one
of a display environment setting signal and a computer control
signal directly from the peripheral device, sets an environment of
the display according to the display environment setting signal in
response to receiving the display environment setting signal from
the peripheral device, transmits the computer control signal to the
computer in response to receiving the computer control signal, and
controls the display to transmit display identification data to the
computer in response to a monitor environment setting signal
transmitted from the peripheral device separate from the controller
to the monitor, wherein the controller directly transmits the
received computer control signal to the computer..Iaddend.
.Iadd.43. The display apparatus according to claim 42, wherein the
controller comprises: a signal receiving unit to receive the signal
including at least one of the display environment setting signal
and the computer control signal from the peripheral device; a
signal interpreting unit to convert the computer control signal
received through the signal receiving unit into a signal
transmittable to the computer; and a signal transmitting unit to
transmit the computer control signal converted by the signal
interpreting unit to the computer..Iaddend.
.Iadd.44. The display apparatus according to claim 43, wherein the
signal interpreting unit determines whether the signal received
through the signal receiving unit includes the display environment
setting signal, and the signal transmitting unit transmits the
display environment setting signal from the signal interpreting
unit to the display when the signal received through the signal
receiving unit is determined as including the display environment
setting signal..Iaddend.
.Iadd.45. The display apparatus according to claim 42, wherein the
peripheral device comprises a keyboard..Iaddend.
.Iadd.46. The display apparatus according to claim 42, wherein the
peripheral device comprises a mouse..Iaddend.
.Iadd.47. A method of controlling a display apparatus, the method
comprising: receiving in a controller at least one of a display
setting signal and an information signal transmitted directly from
a peripheral device; setting an environment of the display
apparatus in response to receiving the display setting signal;
transmitting the information signal from the peripheral device to a
computer through the controller separated from the computer and
connected to the display apparatus in response to receiving the
information signal; and transmitting a display identification data
signal from the display apparatus to the computer in response to a
monitor environment setting signal transmitted from the peripheral
device separate from the controller to the monitor, wherein the
controller directly transmits the received information signal to
the computer..Iaddend.
.Iadd.48. The method according to claim 47, wherein the
transmitting the information signal from the peripheral device to
the computer comprises: converting the information signal
transmitted from the peripheral device into a signal transmittable
to the computer; and transmitting the converted signal to the
computer..Iaddend.
.Iadd.49. A method of controlling a computer display, the method
comprising: providing a signal generated by an external device to a
display controller; receiving at least one of a display setting
signal and an information signal transmitted from a peripheral
device such that the controller directly receives the at least one
of the display setting signal and the information signal from the
peripheral device; setting an environment of the computer display
in response to receiving the display setting signal; transmitting
the information signal from the peripheral device to the external
device through the display controller in response to receiving the
information signal; and transmitting display identification data
from the computer display to the external device in response to a
monitor environment setting signal transmitted from the peripheral
device separate from the controller to the monitor, wherein the
controller directly transmits the received information signal to
the external device..Iaddend.
.Iadd.50. The method of claim 49, wherein the external device
comprises a computer..Iaddend.
.Iadd.51. The method of claim 50, wherein the signal is generated
by a software program executed in the computer..Iaddend.
.Iadd.52. The method of claim 50, wherein the display controller
can receive a remote-control signal..Iaddend.
.Iadd.53. The method of claim 50, wherein the display setting
signal includes information to control the computer display and the
information signal includes information to control the
computer..Iaddend.
.Iadd.54. A display control device to control a display of a
computer, comprising: a remote control unit to generate and
transmit a signal including at least one of a display environment
setting signal and an information signal to be transmitted to the
computer; and a display controller provided in the display to
receive the generated signal directly from the remote control unit,
to set an environment of the display according to the display
environment setting signal in response to receiving the display
environment setting signal from the remote control unit, to send
the information signal to the computer in response to receiving the
information signal from the remote control unit, and to control the
display to transmit display identification data to the computer in
response to a monitor environment setting signal transmitted from
the remote control unit separate from the controller to the
monitor, wherein the controller directly transmits the received
information signal to the computer..Iaddend.
.Iadd.55. The display control device of claim 54, wherein the
remote control unit comprises: a remote control signal generating
unit to generate the signal; and a remote control transmitting unit
to transmit the generated signal to the display controller.
.Iaddend.
.Iadd.56. The display control device of claim 54, wherein the
remote control unit transmits the generated signal to the display
controller through a wire and/or a radio signal..Iaddend.
.Iadd.57. The display control device of claim 54, wherein the
display controller comprises a signal interpreting unit to
determine whether the transmitted signal includes the display
environment setting signal or the information signal to be
transmitted to the computer..Iaddend.
.Iadd.58. The display control device of claim 56, wherein the
remote control unit is a keyboard and/or a mouse..Iaddend.
.Iadd.59. A monitor comprising: a controller having signal
receiving unit to receive a control signal directly from a
peripheral device; and a signal interpreting unit to determine
whether the received control signal is a monitor environment
control signal or an information signal to be transmitted to a
computer, to set an environment of the monitor according to the
received control signal when it is determined that the received
control signal is the monitor environment control signal, to
transmit the received control signal to the computer when it is
determined that the received control signal is the information
signal, and to transmit display identification data to the computer
in response to a monitor environment setting signal transmitted
from the peripheral device separate from the controller to the
monitor, wherein the signal interpreting unit directly transmits
the received control signal to the computer..Iaddend.
.Iadd.60. The monitor of claim 59, wherein the received control
signal comprises a signal to control picture color and tuning of
the monitor..Iaddend.
.Iadd.61. The monitor of claim 59, wherein the peripheral device
comprises a keyboard..Iaddend.
.Iadd.62. The monitor of claim 59, wherein the peripheral device
comprises a mouse..Iaddend.
.Iadd.63. An apparatus to control a monitor, comprising: a monitor
to display an image; and a controller having an input signal
receiving unit to receive a first input signal and a second input
signal directly from an input unit, and a signal transmitting unit
to transmit the first input signal to the monitor when the first
input signal is a monitor control signal to set an environment of
the monitor, to transmit the second input signal to a computer when
the second input signal is an information signal to be transmitted
to the computer, and to control the monitor to transmit display
identification data to the computer in response to a monitor
environment setting signal transmitted from the signal transmitting
unit separate from the controller to the monitor, wherein the
controller directly transmits the received second input signal to
the computer..Iaddend.
.Iadd.64. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein the input unit
comprises: one of a keyboard and a mouse connected to the
controller to generate the first input signal and the second input
signal..Iaddend.
.Iadd.65. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein the computer is
connected to the signal transmitting unit of the controller to
receive the second input signal..Iaddend.
.Iadd.66. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein the controller is
mounted to an inside of the monitor..Iaddend.
.Iadd.67. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein the controller is
electrically connected to the monitor to transmit the first input
signal to the monitor..Iaddend.
.Iadd.68. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein the controller is
electrically connected to the computer to transmit the second input
signal to the computer..Iaddend.
.Iadd.69. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein the monitor and the
controller are formed in a single body, and the computer is
separated from the single body..Iaddend.
.Iadd.70. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein the controller
prevents the first input signal from being transmitted to the
computer..Iaddend.
.Iadd.71. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein the monitor controls a
monitor environment according to the first input
signal..Iaddend.
.Iadd.72. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein the computer outputs a
control signal corresponding to the second input signal received
through the controller, and the monitor displays the image
according to the control signal received from the
computer..Iaddend.
.Iadd.73. A method of setting an environment of a display
apparatus, the method comprising: receiving a computer control
signal or an environment setting signal in a controller of the
display apparatus directly from a peripheral device; setting the
environment of the display apparatus according to the environment
setting signal received directly from the peripheral device without
transmitting the environment setting signal to an external device;
transmitting the computer control signal to a computer in response
to the display apparatus receiving the computer control signal from
the peripheral device; and transmitting display identification data
from the display apparatus to the external device in response to
the environment setting signal transmitted from the peripheral
device separate from the controller to the display
apparatus..Iaddend.
.Iadd.74. The method according to claim 73, wherein the display
identification data comprise extended display identification data
(EDID)..Iaddend.
.Iadd.75. The method according to claim 73, wherein the external
device comprises a computer..Iaddend.
.Iadd.76. The method according to claim 75, wherein said setting
the environment of the display apparatus comprises controlling
picture color based on the environment setting signal..Iaddend.
.Iadd.77. The method according to claim 73, wherein said setting
the environment of the display apparatus comprises controlling
tuning of the display apparatus based on the environment setting
signal..Iaddend.
.Iadd.78. A display apparatus comprising: a controller to receive a
signal including at least one of a computer control signal and an
environment setting signal to set an environment of the display
apparatus directly from a peripheral device, to set the environment
of the display apparatus according to the environment setting
signal without transmitting the environment setting signal to a
computer, to transmit the computer control signal to the computer
in response to receiving the computer control signal and to control
the display apparatus to transmit display identification data to
the computer in response to the environment setting signal
transmitted from the peripheral device separate from the controller
to the display apparatus..Iaddend.
.Iadd.79. The display apparatus according to claim 78, wherein the
peripheral device comprises at least one of a keyboard and a
mouse..Iaddend.
.Iadd.80. The display apparatus according to claim 78, wherein the
display identification data comprises extended display
identification data (EDID)..Iaddend.
.Iadd.81. The display apparatus according to claim 80 wherein the
peripheral device transmits the environment setting signal to set
the environment of the display apparatus to the
controller..Iaddend.
.Iadd.82. A method of controlling a display input device, the
method comprising: receiving a signal in a controller transmitted
directly from the display input device; determining whether the
signal is a monitor control signal or an information signal to be
transmitted to a computer; if it is determined that the signal is
the monitor control signal, setting an environment of a display
apparatus according to the monitor control signal; if it is
determined that the signal is the information signal, transmitting
the signal from the display input device to the computer through
the controller separated from the computer and connected to the
display apparatus; and transmitting display identification data
from the display apparatus to the computer in response to the
monitor environment setting signal transmitted from the display
input device separate from the controller to the display apparatus,
wherein the controller directly transmits the received information
signal to the computer..Iaddend.
.Iadd.83. The method according to claim 82, wherein the
transmitting the signal from the display input device to the
computer comprises: converting the signal transmitted from the
display input device into a signal transmittable to the computer;
and transmitting the converted signal to the computer..Iaddend.
.Iadd.84. The method according to claim 82, wherein the display
input device comprises a keyboard..Iaddend.
.Iadd.85. The method according to claim 82, wherein the display
input device comprises a mouse..Iaddend.
.Iadd.86. An apparatus comprising: a monitor; an input device
including a keyboard and/or a mouse; a computer; and a controller
disposed in the monitor, the controller to receive a first signal
to set an environment of the monitor directly from the input device
without transmitting the first signal to the computer and to
transmit a second signal including display identification data to
the computer in response to a monitor environment setting signal
transmitted from the input device separate from the controller to
the monitor, wherein the controller directly transmits the received
second signal to the computer..Iaddend.
.Iadd.87. The apparatus according to claim 86, wherein the display
identification data comprises extended identification data
(EDID)..Iaddend.
.Iadd.88. The apparatus according to claim 86, wherein the monitor
comprises a microprocessor executing at least one of predetermined
functions including a control function about the extended
identification data (EDID)..Iaddend.
.Iadd.89. The apparatus according to claim 88, wherein the
controller is provided as a functional part of the
microprocessor..Iaddend.
.Iadd.90. The apparatus according to claim 88, wherein the
microprocessor communicates with the controller and sets the
environment of the monitor based on the first signal..Iaddend.
.Iadd.91. The apparatus according to claim 90, wherein the
controller includes a software program executed in the
computer..Iaddend.
.Iadd.92. The apparatus according to claim 88, wherein the
controller comprises: a signal receiving unit to receive the first
signal transmitted from the input device; a signal interpreting
unit to convert the first signal received through the signal
receiving unit into a signal transmittable to the computer; and a
signal transmitting unit to transmit the signal converted by the
signal interpreting unit to the computer..Iaddend.
.Iadd.93. The display apparatus according to claim 92, wherein the
signal interpreting unit determines whether the first signal
received through the signal receiving unit includes a signal to
control the monitor, and the signal transmitting unit transmits the
first signal from the signal interpreting unit to the monitor when
the signal received through the signal receiving unit is determined
as the signal to control the monitor..Iaddend.
.Iadd.94. An apparatus to control a monitor communicating with a
peripheral device and a computer, comprising: an input signal
receiving unit to receive a signal directly from the peripheral
device; a signal interpreting unit to determine whether the
received signal includes a monitor control signal or an information
signal to be transmitted to the computer; and a signal transmitting
unit to transmit the received signal to the monitor if it is
determined that the received signal includes the monitor control
signal, to transmit the received signal to the computer if it is
determined that the received signal includes the information
signal, and to control the monitor to transmit display
identification data to the computer in response to a monitor
environment setting signal transmitted from the peripheral device
separate from the controller to the monitor, wherein the controller
directly transmits the received signal to the
computer..Iaddend.
.Iadd.95. The apparatus of claim 94, wherein the signal
transmitting unit exclusively transmits the monitor control signal
to the monitor and the information signal to the
computer..Iaddend.
.Iadd.96. The apparatus of claim 94, wherein the monitor controls a
monitor environment according to the monitor control
signal..Iaddend.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
This application makes reference to, incorporates the same herein,
and claims all benefits accruing under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119 from an
application entitled MONITOR CONTROL DEVICE AND CONTROL METHOD
THEREOF earlier filed in the Korean Industrial Property Office on
the day of Feb. 17, 1996, and there duly assigned Serial No.
96-3966 by that Office.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to generally to monitor control
devices and processes, and, more particularly, to a monitor control
device and process enabling a picture control and other controls of
a monitor by using a computer peripheral device.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Contemporary designs for computers and its peripheral devices use
have a monitor as one of the peripheral devices for displaying
characters or pictures which can be recognized by a viewer in
accordance with signals transmitted from the computer. A keyboard
has a number of keys each having its own inherent signal content.
Thus, if each key is input, the computer performs an operation
corresponding to the input key signal. A mouse is another of the
input devices for inputting signals to the computer. In
contemporary practice, a number of tuning keys are installed in one
side of the monitor to adjust the image or color of the picture
displayed on the monitor. I have found that the number of such
tuning keys that can be installed in the monitor is limited. I have
also noticed that this contemporary practice is somewhat
inconvenient because a complicated procedure for depressing the
tuning keys must be repeated several times in order to perform
multiple functions Moreover, it is inconvenient to reach for the
tuning keys when the monitor is placed at some distance from a
user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an
improved monitor control device and a control method of the monitor
control device.
Another object is to provide an improved monitor control device
which enables a picture control and other controls of a monitor by
using a computer peripheral device.
A further object is to provide a monitor control device which
enables a monitor control with a key board and a mouse without the
use of a picture tune key on the monitor, a monitor power switch
and other functions controlling the visual display, even when the
monitor is placed far away from the user and enables the
transmission of the monitor information to the computer, and a
control method thereof
To achieve these or other objects, a monitor control device
includes a monitor connected to the computer. The monitor displays
the character or picture which is recognizable by the user
according to the signal transmitted from the computer. An input
device is connected to the monitor, for outputting an image tune
signal or a picture color tune signal and other control signals. A
controller is installed in the monitor, for receiving and
interpreting the control signals generated from the input device
and transmitting a signal for controlling the monitor.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for
controlling a monitor by connecting the peripheral device of a
computer to the monitor, which includes the step of receiving a
signal generated by the computer peripheral device at a signal
receiving unit in the monitor. Other steps may be includes, such as
the steps of interpreting the received signal at a signal
interpretation controller to determine whether the received signal
is for controlling the monitor or for being transmitted to the
computer. If the received signal is for controlling the monitor, a
monitor control signal can be outputted. If the received signal is
for controlling the computer, a computer control signal can be
outputted to the computer via a transmission line. In addition, the
present invention provides a method for controlling a monitor by
connecting the computer peripheral device to the monitor, which
includes the steps of transmitting a monitor setting start signal
via the computer peripheral device connected to the monitor,
transmitting the setting state of the monitor to the computer via a
transmission line connected to the computer, outputting a signal
reception completion message from the computer after receiving
information on the monitor, and transmitting a reset command to the
monitor via the computer peripheral device to reset the environment
of the monitor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ATTACHED DRAWINGS
A more complete appreciation of the invention, and many of the
attendant advantages thereof, will be readily apparent as the same
becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed
description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings in which like reference symbols indicate the same or
similar components, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration for a contemporary
computer and its peripheral devices;
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a monitor
control device constructed as a first preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a monitor
control device constructed as a second preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a monitor
control device constructed as a third preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a method for the practice with the
monitor control device illustrated in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a controller constructed
according to the principles of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing a process for controlling a visual
monitor according to the principles of the present invention;
and
FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a process for transmission of
extended data in accordance with the principles of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a
contemporary computer and its peripheral devices. A monitor 20, one
of the peripheral devices of a computer 10, can display characters
or picture which can be recognized by a user. This is done
according to the signal transmitted from the computer 10. A key
board 30 has a number of keys each having its own inherent signal
content. Thus, if each key is input, the computer 10 performs an
operation corresponding to the input key signal. A mouse 40 is one
of the input devices for inputting signals to the computer 10.
Likewise, the key board 30 can be used for inputting. In a
contemporary practice, a number of tune keys are installed in one
side of the monitor to tune the image or color of the picture
displayed on the monitor. However, the number of the tune keys
which can be installed in the monitor is limited.
Referring now to FIGS. 2 to 4, various monitor control devices
according to the principles of the present invention constructed
with a key board 30 and a mouse 40 that are separated from a
computer 10 and can be remote-controlled. A remote-control signal
receiving unit (not shown) is installed in one side of the front of
the monitor, to receive the remote-control signals generated from
the key board 30 and mouse 40. Referring to FIG. 3, the key board
30 and mouse 40 are not connected to the computer 10 but to the
monitor 20, and two signal transmission lines are connected between
the monitor 20 and the computer 10. Referring to FIG. 4, the key
board 30 and mouse 40 separated from the computer 10 are connected
to the monitor 20 via a controller 50.
As described above, the key board 30 and mouse 40 of the computer
peripheral device are connected to the monitor 20 in various form
and transmit signals. The signals are transmitted to the monitor 20
to control the monitor 20 or to the computer 10. In this case, the
important feature is that the peripheral device (key board and
mouse) is not connected to the computer but to the monitor. In
addition, the signal generated from the computer peripheral device
is determined whether it is a monitor control signal or a computer
transmission signal. The controller 50 for generating a
corresponding control signal according to the determination is
installed inside or outside of the monitor 20.
The operation of the monitor control device according to the
present invention will be discussed hereinbelow.
Referring to FIG. 2, the key board 30 which can be
remote-controlled generates a signal by combination of several
keys. The mouse 40 generates a signal by combination of the mouse
buttons at the right and left or center thereof This generated
signal is outputted via a remote-control signal transmitting unit
(not shown), such as located in mouse 40. The signal output via the
remote-control signal transmitting unit is transmitted to a
remote-control signal receiving unit (not shown) installed in one
side of the monitor 20. Thereafter, this signal is transmitted to a
signal receiving unit of the controller 50 in monitor 20, for
example. A signal interpreting unit determines whether the
transmitted signal is a monitor control signal or an information
signal to be transmitted to the computer. According thereto, a
corresponding signal is generated. The control signal is
transmitted to the monitor 20 and computer 10 by the signal
transmitting unit of the controller 50.
In FIG. 3, the key board 30 and mouse 40 are separated from the
computer 10 but connected to the monitor 20 via the transmission
line, as compared with FIG. 2. Thus, the generated signal is
processed by the controller 50 installed in the monitor 20.
In FIG. 4, the controller 50 is placed at the exterior of the
monitor 20, thus forming a signal transmission system of the key
board 30 and mouse 40 and the monitor 20.
Even though the configuration of these monitor control devices are
somewhat different one to another, the operating principles thereof
are similar to each other. The operation of these constructions
will be discussed with reference to accompanying flow sheets shown
in FIGS. 5 through 8, inclusive.
FIG. 5 shows the operating steps of the controller 50 of FIG. 4. If
a signal is input at S51, the controller 50 checks an address first
at S52. If the address is its own address at S53, i.e. a monitor
control signal, the controller 50 performs the command at S54. If
the address is not its own address, it is transmitted to the
computer at S55.
FIG. 6 shows an internal configuration of the monitor including
controller 50 to which the present invention is applied. The input
signal receiving unit 640 receives a signal from the key board,
mouse or the remote-controlled key board or mouse; hence the input
unit 650 of FIG. 6 can be a keyboard 30 or a mouse 40. The
controller 630 interprets the signal transmitted via the input
signal receiving unit, such as a monitor control signal to be
transmitted to a monitor or an information signal to be transmitted
to the computer, and then performs the command. The signal
transmitting unit 620 respectively transmits the input signal or
the command result of the controller to the computer 610 or to the
monitor 20.
The operation of the present invention will be discussed with
reference to the flow sheet of FIG. 7. If a signal is input, the
controller of the monitor checks in step S1 if an environment of
the monitor has been set. If the environment has not been set, the
controller checks in step S7 if the input signal is an environment
set signal. If the input signal is an environment set signal, the
controller sets the environment of the monitor in step S8, and if
not, transmits the signal to the computer in step S9. If it is
checked in step S1 that the environment has been set, the
controller checks in step S2 if the input signal is an environment
reset signal. If the input signal is an environment reset signal,
the controller resets the environment in step S3 and if not,
interprets the command in step S4. After the interpretation, the
controller determines if the command needs to be transmitted to the
computer in step S5 and then transmits it to the computer in step
S6 or completes the procedure.
Meanwhile, the monitor can transmit various data of the computer
peripheral device to the computer by using a specific input signal,
and the operating procedure thereof will be discussed hereinbelow
with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 8. The procedure is
performed on the assumption that a specific software must be
previously driven in step S20 before transmitting an EDID (Extended
Display Identification Data). With this software, the computer can
perceive that the data to be input thereafter is the EDID. After
execution of the software, the user transmits a monitor environment
setting signal to the monitor by using the key board or the mouse
in step S30. Thereafter, the user transmits the command for
transmitting the EDID in step S40. After receiving this command,
the monitor transmits the EDID to the computer in step S50. After
receiving all EDID, the computer displays a signal receiving
completion message on the monitor in step S60. The user transmits
an environment reset signal to the monitor by using the key board
or the mouse in step S70.
In summary, the present invention includes the steps of receiving
the signal generated by the computer peripheral device at the
signal receiving unit in the monitor; interpreting the received
signal to determine whether it is a signal for controlling the
monitor or a signal to be transmitted to the computer; and if the
received signal is a signal for controlling the monitor, outputting
the monitor control signal and if the received signal is a signal
for controlling the computer, outputting the computer control
signal to the computer via the transmission line.
In addition, the method of transmitting the monitor setting state
to the monitor and resetting the monitor state has the steps of
transmitting a monitor setting start signal via the computer
peripheral device connected to the monitor; transmitting data on
the setting state of the monitor to the computer via the
transmission line connected to the computer; displaying a signal
receiving completion message by the computer after receiving the
data on the monitor; and transmitting a monitor environment reset
command to the monitor by using the computer peripheral device to
reset the environment of the monitor.
As described above, without using several tune switches installed
in outer surface of the monitor, the present invention can achieve
the same effect as the case of using them. That is, the monitor can
be controlled by connecting the computer peripheral device thereto,
without the use of the tune switches. Thereby, the manufacturing
costs and additional steps required in manufacturing can be
remarkably reduced. Further, it is possible to control the power by
adjusting the power switch of the monitor and computer, using the
transmission line connected between the monitor and the
computer.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made in the monitor control
device of the present invention without departing from the spirit
or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present
invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention
provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and
their equivalents.
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