JP4868274B2 - Monitor display setting system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a monitor display setting system including a monitor display having an adjustment function and a monitor management apparatus connected to the monitor display by communication means, a monitor display constituting the system, and a setting method thereof.

  Monitor displays such as LCD, PDP, and EL have an automatic setting function, and the monitor display itself can automatically determine the display position by determining the screen display signal (for example, Patent Document 1 below). There are various types of monitor displays, and there are various types, from displays for general-purpose personal computers used in offices and homes to displays incorporated in production facilities and industrial equipment. In the case of monitor displays used in general-purpose personal computers, the automatic setting function works because most of the standards such as DDC (Display Data Channel: registered trademark) are used, and the desired display can be performed without any manual setting. Is done. On the other hand, when it is mainly used as a monitor display for a dedicated product such as a production facility, a manual setting function may be required in addition to the automatic setting function, for example, because the video card does not support the above standard.

  FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the monitor display 100. The CPU 101 performs operation control within the display 100. With the setting switch 102, settings relating to the screen state and the function of the monitor display can be performed. The set data is stored in the memory 103. When adjusting the display image quality, a video signal is input from the video input unit 111 of the host computer 110. The input video signal is received by the video input unit 106 and displayed on the monitor screen 105 via the image quality setting circuit 103. Since the setting by the setting switch 102 is reflected in the image quality setting circuit 103, the setting content can be confirmed on the screen. In addition, since an OSD (on-screen display) screen for adjusting the image quality of the display is displayed, when setting the image quality, the setting switch 102 can be set by an operation menu displayed on the screen. .

  A procedure for adjusting the monitor screen in general will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9A shows the procedure for automatic setting. First, an OSD screen for image quality setting is activated (# 1). Next, the automatic setting operation is activated (# 2). Thereby, the display position of the video input from the host computer is automatically set. If an item cannot be set automatically, or if you want to make a fine adjustment, set it manually (# 3). The set data is stored in the memory 103. When all items are set manually without automatic setting, each item is set manually according to the procedure shown in FIG. 5B, and the set data is also stored in the memory 103.

JP 2004-287387 A

  According to such a conventional setting method, it is necessary to perform setting for each device based on the input of the video signal from the host computer. For example, when mass-producing industrial machines, it is a very complicated task to start and set the setting screen for each unit. In addition, when it is necessary to perform manual setting after performing automatic setting, there is a sufficient case where the same manual setting is unavoidable for all mass-produced monitor displays. In this case, the complexity of the setting work is further increased.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the problem is that monitor display settings can be set for a number of monitor displays in a short time, and setting workability is simplified. A system, a monitor display, and a monitor display setting method are provided.

In order to solve the above problems, a monitor display setting system according to the present invention is:
A monitor display setting system comprising a monitor display having an adjustment function and a monitor management apparatus connected to the monitor display by communication means,
The monitor display
Setting means for setting items related to monitor use;
Storage means for storing setting data set by the setting means;
Setting data transmission means for transmitting the setting data stored in the storage means to the monitor management device,
Monitor management device
Setting data acquisition means for acquiring setting data stored in the storage means of the monitor display;
It is characterized by comprising setting data transfer means for transferring the acquired setting data to another monitor display.

  The operation and effect of the monitor display setting system with this configuration will be described. The monitor display is provided with setting means for setting items relating to the use of the monitor, and the set data is stored in the storage means. The setting data stored in the storage means is transmitted to the monitor management device. The setting data is transmitted based on access from the monitor management device, for example. The monitor management device can transfer the acquired setting data to another monitor display. That is, when there are a large number of monitor displays that can communicate with the monitor management apparatus, if setting is performed on one of the monitor displays, the setting data can be transferred to the other monitor display. It is possible to save the trouble of making detailed settings for one unit. As a result, it is possible to provide a monitor display setting system in which items relating to monitor display can be set in a short time for a large number of monitor displays, and the setting workability is simplified.

The monitor display constituting the monitor display setting system according to the present invention,
Setting means for setting items related to monitor use;
Storage means for storing setting data set by the setting means;
And setting data transmission means for transmitting the setting data stored in the storage means to the monitor management apparatus.

  According to this configuration, the setting data stored in the storage unit can be transferred to another monitor display via the monitor management device. As a result, items relating to monitor display can be set in a short time for a large number of monitor displays, and a monitor display with simplified setting workability can be provided.

  The setting data according to the present invention preferably includes at least one of screen display color, brightness, screen display position, language, and communication function. By transferring these setting data to another monitor display, the setting work such as the color of the screen display can be simplified.

In the present invention, first operation means for causing the monitor management device to transmit setting data stored in the storage means,
It is preferable to include second operation means for receiving setting data set on another monitor display.

  The first operation means can transfer (upload) the setting data stored in the storage means to the monitor management apparatus. Further, the setting data set on the other monitor display can be acquired (downloaded) from the monitor management device by the second operation means. Thereby, transfer and acquisition of setting data can be performed easily and setting workability | operativity can be improved.

  The first operating means and the second operating means according to the present invention are preferably based on OSD. By using the OSD, it is possible to make the operation when performing the setting work easier to understand.

  The setting data transmission means according to the present invention preferably transmits the setting data by communication means using either serial communication or LAN. Moreover, it is preferable to transmit setting data via an external storage medium. The setting data can be transferred to the monitor management device by serial communication or LAN. Further, by storing the setting data in the external storage medium, the setting data can be moved to the monitor management device via the external storage medium.

  In the present invention, it is preferable to include data lock means for setting so that part or all of the setting data set by the setting means cannot be rewritten and changed.

  For example, when mass-producing a production facility with a monitor display built in or connected to a production facility and setting the setting data by the method according to the present invention, the monitor display is handed to each user who uses the production facility. After that, the user may not want to change the setting data. For example, items related to the position of the screen display and the communication function are given as examples. In that case, a data lock means is provided so that part or all of the setting data cannot be rewritten and changed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the setting data from being inadvertently changed and causing malfunction. For example, setting with the OSD or setting switch of the monitor display can be prohibited, and the setting can be changed from the monitor management apparatus side.

In the present invention, setting data receiving means for receiving setting data from the monitor management device;
It is preferable that the storage unit in which the setting data is already stored includes a setting data replacing unit that overwrites and saves the received setting data.

  When the setting data is received from the monitor management device, the monitor display is automatically adjusted based on the setting data. Even when the setting data is already set in the storage unit, when the setting data is received, the received setting data is overwritten and saved. Thereby, the latest setting data can be set easily.

A monitor display setting method using the monitor display setting system according to the present invention includes:
Storing setting data in which items related to monitor display are set in the monitor display;
Transmitting the stored setting data in response to an acquisition request from the monitor management device;
Transferring the setting data acquired by the monitor management device to another monitor display;
The other monitor display has a step of automatically adjusting items relating to the monitor display based on the received setting data.

  Moreover, it is preferable to further include a step of saving the setting data acquired by the monitor management apparatus as a setting data file.

  The operations and effects of the monitor display setting method are as described above.

  A preferred embodiment of a monitor display setting system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of the system.

<System configuration>
In FIG. 1, a monitor display 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as “monitor”) is shown, and each monitor 1 is set with items relating to monitor display. Such a system is particularly useful for businesses that produce production equipment or the like in which the monitor 1 is used, and can easily set the individual monitors 1. Among a large number of monitors 1, a specific monitor 1 </ b> A (corresponding to a first monitor display) is adjusted with respect to a connected personal computer to adjust the screen state and communication settings to construct an optimum state. The setting data set for the monitor 1A is transmitted to another monitor 1B group (corresponding to the second monitor display ) via a management device (such as a personal computer). Further, setting data can be set or changed by the personal computer 2.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functions of the system. The CPU 10 controls each unit in the monitor 1 and stores a control program for that purpose. The memory 11 (corresponding to storage means) stores setting data when items related to display on the monitor are set. The memory 11 is composed of an appropriate semiconductor memory.

  The setting operation unit 12 provides an operation function for setting items related to display. This is provided in the form of a touch panel provided on the monitor screen, and various data can be set by pressing a predetermined location on the screen. The configuration of the setting operation unit 12 is not limited to the touch panel, and may be configured by other mechanical switches (push buttons) or a dial operation unit, or may be combined with the touch panel and other operation methods. Good. For example, the color adjustment may be performed by a push button. Specific examples of setting items include hue (brightness, contrast, etc.), display position (horizontal position and vertical position), clock phase adjustment, and communication function adjustment.

  The automatic setting means 12a provides a function for automatically setting setting data. With this function, items such as color and display position are automatically set, but instead of setting all items automatically, only specific items are set automatically, and other items are set manually. Can do. In addition, items that are automatically set can be corrected by manual setting if fine adjustment is desired.

  The first operation means 12 b provides an operation function for causing the management personal computer 3 to transmit the setting data stored in the memory 11. That is, the setting data is uploaded to the management personal computer 3. The second operation means 12c provides an operation function for receiving setting data set on the other monitor 1B. That is, if the management personal computer 3 has acquired the setting data from the other motor 1B, the management personal computer 3 is accessed to download the setting data.

The data lock means 13 has a function of locking the setting data so that it cannot be changed when the setting data is transferred to another monitor 1B. Locking can be performed on all of the setting data, but can also be performed on a part of the setting data. In particular, it is preferable to lock items that cause problems when the setting contents are changed. For example, communication functions (for example, parity setting) and the like can be locked so that no trouble occurs in communication. The lock release means 14 provides a means for releasing the state locked by the data lock means 13. When locking, for example, it can be locked by setting a decryption key and password.
The data lock means 13 can lock the data by the monitor adjustment screen (OSD or switch) or the management personal computer 3 (setting data is transferred to the other monitor 1B) when it is desired to lock the data. Note that when releasing the lock, the lock may be released in the same manner as the data lock means 13.

  The setting data replacing unit 15 has a function of storing the setting data in the memory 11 when the setting data is acquired from the management personal computer 3. If the setting data is already stored in the memory 11, it has a function of overwriting and saving it. However, in the case of overwriting and saving, it is preferable not to acquire the setting data and immediately overwrite and save it, but to write a message on the screen and save it if it is OK.

  The video input unit 16 receives a video signal output from the video output unit 2a of the personal computer 2 when setting items related to monitor display. The received video signal is displayed on the monitor screen 19 via the image quality setting circuit 17. Since the setting by the setting operation unit 12 is reflected in the image quality setting circuit 17, the setting content can be confirmed on the screen. Further, since an OSD (on-screen display) screen 18 for adjusting the image quality of the monitor is displayed, the image quality can be set by an operation menu displayed on the screen.

  The data transmitting / receiving unit 20 provides a function for exchanging data with the management personal computer 3. The setting data transmission means 20a has a function of transmitting the setting data stored in the memory 11 to the management personal computer 3. The setting data receiving means 20b receives the setting data set on the other monitor 1B from the management personal computer 3. The received setting data is stored in the memory 11.

  Next, main functions of the management personal computer 3 will be described. The management personal computer 3 can be configured by installing management software on a general-purpose personal computer. The data transmitting / receiving unit 30 provides a function for exchanging data with the monitor 1. The setting data acquisition unit 30a has a function of acquiring setting data set on the monitor 1A. The acquired setting data is stored in the setting data storage unit 31. The setting data transfer unit 30b has a function of transferring the setting data stored in the setting data storage unit 31 to another monitor 1B. The setting data storage unit 31 is configured by a hard disk, for example. When the setting data is stored, it is stored in a predetermined file format, for example, a text file. The CPU 32 controls the operation of each part of the management personal computer 3.

  The management personal computer 3 can communicate with a large number of monitors 1. In the example of FIG. 2, the other monitor 1B has the same function as the monitor 1A described above. Therefore, the description is omitted. The personal computer 3 and the monitor 1 can perform data communication by a communication means such as serial communication or LAN. It does not matter whether the form of communication is wired or wireless.

<Setting work>
Next, a procedure for setting the monitor 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure for setting the monitor 1A. When setting is started, adjustment is performed by automatic setting or manual setting. Even when automatic setting is performed, not all settings can be performed automatically, but some can be performed manually. It is also possible to make fine adjustments manually for items that have been set automatically. When the setting is completed, the setting data is stored in the memory 11 (# 22, 23). As shown in FIG. 1, there are a large number of monitors 1 to be set, but if only the first one is set from 1, it is necessary to perform such setting for the other monitors 1B. Absent.

  Next, the procedure for storing the setting data in the management personal computer 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The software for setting data management of the personal computer 3 is activated (# 31). The monitor 1A is designated from the personal computer and a setting data transmission request is issued (# 32). The data transmitter / receiver 20 of the monitor 1A receives the request signal from the personal computer 3 (# 33). In response to this request signal, the CPU 10 reads the setting data from the memory 11 (# 34). The read setting data is transmitted to the personal computer 3 by the setting data transmitting means 20a (# 35). The transmitted setting data is also received by the setting data acquisition means 30a in the personal computer 3 (# 36). The acquired setting data is stored in the setting data storage unit 31 in a file format such as a text file.

  Next, a procedure for expanding (transferring) the setting data stored in the management personal computer 3 to another monitor 1B will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the management software for the personal computer 3 is activated (# 41). Next, the setting data file stored in the setting data storage unit 31 is read (# 42). Next, the read setting data is transferred to the other monitor 1B by the setting data transfer means 30b (# 43). The number of monitors 1B to be transferred is not particularly limited, and data transfer according to the form of communication means can be performed. It is also possible to transfer setting data by designating a specific monitor 1B. When the setting data is transferred, the setting data is received by the setting data receiving means 20b of each monitor 1B (# 44). The received setting data is stored in the memory 11. Thereby, the setting data set in one monitor 1A is transferred to the other monitor 1B, and the setting is automatically performed.

  Next, the procedure for setting the data lock will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This is whether or not the setting change by the user should be permitted when the monitor 1 is shipped to the user after the monitor 1 is set up by an operator producing the production equipment using the monitor 1. Is set. The setting of permission / non-permission is performed based on the functions of the data lock unit 13 and the lock release unit 14 described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 shows a setting change from the state where the data lock is set. The OSD screen 18 of the monitor 1 is activated (# 51). It is determined whether or not the setting change of the setting data is permitted (# 52). If the setting data is permitted, a setting changeable state is set on the OSD screen. (# 54). If not permitted, the setting change not permitted state is maintained (# 53). If the setting change is not permitted after step 54, the setting change is changed to non-permitted, thereby making the setting change impossible on the OSD screen 18 and entering the data lock state (# 55, 57). If not changed, the setting changeable state is maintained (# 56). As described above, once the setting change disapproval is set on the monitor 1, the setting change cannot be performed on the monitor 1 thereafter, and an inadvertent setting change by the user can be prevented.

  Next, the setting change from the state in which the data lock is released will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the OSD screen 18 of the monitor 1 is activated (# 61). Next, it is determined whether or not the setting change is set to non-permission (# 62). When the setting change is not allowed, the state is set (# 64). If permitted, the setting changeable state on the OSD screen 18 is maintained (# 63). Further, after step 64, if the setting change is permitted, the setting change permission is allowed (# 65, 67). Otherwise, the state where the setting cannot be changed is maintained (# 66). Such setting change from non-permission to permission is not performed on the monitor 1 but via the management personal computer 3. That is, by transmitting a change command for permitting setting change from the personal computer 3 to the monitor 1, it is possible to change to a permitted state based on the function of the unlocking means 14. As a result, thereafter, the setting can be changed on the OSD screen of the monitor 1.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the setting data set in one monitor 1A can be transmitted to the other monitor 1B, thereby simplifying the setting work in the other monitor 1B. Also, even when fine adjustment is manually performed on one monitor 1A, setting data including the fine adjustment can be transferred to another monitor 1B. Further, even when the setting data is transferred, if manual adjustment is performed on each monitor 1B, for example, setting according to the environment set for each monitor 1B and the preference of the operator can be performed.

<Another embodiment>
The setting data is not developed by a communication means such as serial communication or LAN, but may be developed via an external storage medium such as a memory card. Examples of the memory card include Compact Flash (registered trademark), SmartMedia (registered trademark), Memory Stick (registered trademark), and the like.

  As an unlocking method, a command is transmitted from the personal computer 3, but the lock may be released by a monitor instead. For example, it can be canceled by inputting a cancel key on the screen.

Schematic diagram showing an overview of the monitor display setting system Block diagram showing the functions of the monitor display setting system Flow chart showing the procedure for setting the monitor Flow chart showing the procedure for saving the setting data to the management PC Flow chart showing the procedure for expanding the setting data to other monitors Flow chart showing the procedure for setting data lock Flow chart showing the procedure for releasing data lock Block diagram showing the configuration of a monitor according to the prior art Flow chart showing monitor setting work according to the prior art

Explanation of symbols

10 CPU
11 Memory 12 Setting operation unit 12a Automatic setting unit 12b First operation unit 12c Second operation unit 13 Data locking unit 14 Unlocking unit 15 Setting data replacing unit 17 Image quality setting circuit 18 OSD screen 19 Screen 20 Data transmitting / receiving unit 20a Setting data transmission Means 20b Setting data receiving means

Claims (4)

Setting means for setting each item of hue, display position, clock phase adjustment and communication function adjustment relating to monitor use , storage means for storing setting data set by the setting means, and transmission / reception of the setting data A plurality of monitor displays having transmission / reception means, and data lock means for performing non-permitted setting for changing the setting data stored in the storage means;
A monitor display setting system having the monitor display and a monitor management device connected by communication means,
A first monitor display, which is one of the plurality of monitor displays, transmits the setting data set in the setting means provided in the first monitor display to the monitor management device;
The monitor management device transmits the setting data transmitted from the first monitor display to a second monitor display other than the first monitor display of the plurality of monitor displays;
The second monitor display is provided in the second monitor display after the setting data transmitted from the monitor management device is stored in the storage means provided in the second monitor display. The data lock means performs the non-permission setting.   The said monitor management apparatus transmits the said setting data same as the said setting data transmitted from the said 1st monitor display with respect to the said some 2nd monitor display. Monitor display setting system.   The monitor display setting system according to claim 1, wherein the data lock means is configured by an OSD.   The monitor display setting system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the non-permission setting is canceled through the monitor management device.

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