KR20010093317A - Apparatus and method for highlighting selected portions of display screen - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are disclosed for highlighting one or more selected portions of a display screen. The device may receive a user input for selecting one of a plurality of portions of a display screen, and in response to the user input selection, a pixel in the selected portion to increase the color temperature of the pixels. It includes a color shift controller that can change the value of these. The method includes selecting a portion of the display screen and increasing a color temperature of at least one color in the selected portion of the display screen. In one advantageous embodiment of the invention, the color shift controller changes the white pixel values in the selected portion of the display screen to new white pixel values with a higher color temperature. The higher color temperatures increase the apparent brightness of the displayed images.

Description

Apparatus and method for highlighting selected portions of display screen}

As prices drop and performance increases, electronic data processing systems, such as personal computers, have become increasingly useful in many ways. Advances in technology have also resulted in portable laptop computer systems with reduced size, weight, and cost, and increased performance. As designers of laptop computer monitor displays use advanced liquid crystal display (LCD) technology, the size and weight of laptop computers have been significantly reduced.

Graphical user interface (GUI) software allows data to be displayed on the screen of a display unit (such as a computer monitor) in one or more parts of the screen. The parts of these screens that are usually rectangular in shape are called windows. Two or more windows on the computer monitor screen may or may not overlap. When multiple windows exist on a computer monitor screen, it is desirable to be able to highlight one or more windows so that the selected windows are easier to see than other windows that are not selected.

While other non-highlighted windows are simultaneously displaying different data, it is desirable to be able to highlight a window displaying a TV entertainment program or movie. It is desirable to highlight a window with an entertainment program so that viewers are less distracted by other images displayed simultaneously in other unhighlighted windows.

Methods of highlighting a portion of a display screen (such as a window) in a standard cathode ray tube (CRT) TV monitor are well known in the art. Some methods include highlighting the selected portion by making it brighter than other portions of the display screen. This is done by further flowing a beam current within the area of the screen that includes the selected portion to be highlighted. This makes the brightness in the selected portion higher than the brightness in other areas.

This method cannot be used in LCD displays. Because 1) the maximum brightness on the LCD screen is limited to the product of the backlight brightness and the maximum light transmission of the LCD screen, and 2) the maximum brightness of each window is usually chosen equally throughout the LCD screen. Because it becomes.

It is known in the TV industry that increasing the color temperature of the white portion of a TV picture, the TV picture becomes brighter than other areas with the same radiant energy of lower color temperature. The National Television Standards Committee (NTSC) standard for television monitors specifies a white color temperature of 6,770 EK. Industry practice is to use a white temperature of 6,500EK for TV studio monitors. However, it is a common practice to raise the white temperature to make the screen appear brighter. In cathode ray tube (CRT) TV monitors, the white temperature is often set to be equal to a relatively high color temperature between 8,000EK and 15,000EK. This makes the whites in the image appear brighter as a result without increasing the luminance of the image.

There is a need in the art for an improved system and method for highlighting a selected portion of a display screen of a display unit. In particular, there is a need for an improved system and method for making a selected portion of a display screen appear brighter than other areas of the display screen.

The present invention relates generally to an electronic display system and, more particularly, to an apparatus and method for highlighting selected portions of a display screen.

1 shows a block diagram of an exemplary processing system according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention.

2 illustrates computer software that can be used within a typical processing system according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention.

3 is a flow chart illustrating a method of selecting one or more portions of a display screen to vaporize the apparent brightness of selected portions in accordance with an advantageous embodiment of the present invention.

For a more complete understanding of the invention, like reference numerals in the drawings indicate like objects.

The present invention provides an improved apparatus and method for highlighting selected portions of a display screen of a processing system. The present invention highlights the selected portion by increasing the color temperature of the colors in the image in the selected portion while keeping the color temperature of the unselected portions lower. The higher color temperature increases the apparent brightness of the displayed images. The present invention can simultaneously highlight one or more selected portions of the display screen.

Advantageous embodiments of the present invention include a color shift controller that changes white color pixel values within a selected portion of the display screen to new white pixel values having a higher color temperature.

Another advantageous embodiment of the present invention includes a color shift controller that changes the input red-green-blue (RGB) pixel values in a selected portion of the display screen to new red-green-blue (RGB) pixel values having a higher color temperature. do.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for highlighting selected portions of a display screen.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a color shift controller that changes the values of the pixels within a selected portion of the display screen to increase the color temperature of the pixels to increase the apparent brightness of the display screen.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a color shift controller that changes the white values of the pixels in a selected portion of the display screen to increase the color temperature of the white pixels to increase the apparent brightness of the display screen.

It is an additional aspect of the present invention to provide a color shift controller that changes the red-green-blue (RGB) values of the pixels within a selected portion of the display screen to increase the color temperature of the resulting color pixels to increase the apparent brightness of the display screen. Purpose.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for highlighting selected portions of a cathode ray tube (CRT) display screen.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for highlighting selected portions of a liquid crystal display screen.

The features and technical advantages of the present invention have been outlined somewhat broadly so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. In the following, further features and advantages of the invention will be described which form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should recognize that the concept and specific embodiments may be readily utilized as a basis for designing other structures or for changing to other structures that perform the same purposes as the present invention. Those skilled in the art should also understand that such equivalent structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention in its broadest form.

Before entering the description, it would be good to clarify the definitions of words and phrases used in this patent document: the words "comprise" and "consist of" and derivatives thereof mean unlimited inclusion; The word “or” is inclusive and / or means; The terms “related” and “coupled” and derivatives thereof include, included, interrelated, containing, embedded, connecting, combining, deliverable, cooperating, inserting, juxtaposed, close, Combined branches It may have a meaning such as having; The term "controller" means a device, system, or system that controls at least one operation, such as hardware, firmware, or software, or a device that can be implemented in any combination of at least two or more thereof. Means parts. It should be noted that the functionality associated with any particular controller may be centralized or distributed, local or remote. Definitions of specific words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document. Those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that in many, if not most, such definitions apply in the future as well as the future use of such defined words and phrases.

The various embodiments used in describing the principles of the invention in FIGS. 1-3 and the present patent document discussed below are for illustration only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the principles of the present invention may be implemented in any suitably arranged video display system and display screen.

1 shows a block diagram of a typical processing system. The present invention will be described with respect to a typical processing system such as a personal computer. It should be noted that other kinds of processing systems may be used to practice the present invention and that the present invention is not limited to use in a personal computer. As will be described in more detail, an advantageous embodiment of the personal computer 100 includes software that increases the color temperature of the colors in the images in selected portions of the display screen so that the image looks brighter.

The personal computer 100 includes a compact disc (CD) read-only memory (ROM) disk drive 102, a hard disk drive (HDD) 103, a display monitor 104, a keyboard 105, a central processing unit (CPU). 106, random access memory (RAM) 107, pointing device (eg, mouse) 108, input / output (I / O) interface (IF) circuit 110, video / audio interface (IF) ) Circuitry 112, and an audio device (eg, speaker) 120. The CD-ROM disk drive 102 can receive and read a removable CD-ROM disk 125.

Display monitor 104 serves as a computer monitor for personal computer 100. The display monitor 104 may be a cathode ray tube (CRT) screen, a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen, a flat panel display screen, a plasma display screen, or a projection display screen or other suitable device for displaying an image. It may be either. The display monitor 104 includes a screen 130 capable of displaying various different images in the windows 131, 132, and 133. Although windows 131, 132, and 133 are shown not to overlap, it is well known that two or more of them may at least partially overlap each other.

Hard disk drive 105 provides quick access for operating system programs, application programs, and storage and retrieval of data. The keyboard 105 and pointing device 108 are coupled to the personal computer 100 through the I / O IF circuit 110. Display monitor 104 and speaker 120 are coupled to personal computer 100 through video / audio IF circuit 112. Personal computer 100 including CD-ROM disk drive 102, hard disk drive 103, CPU 106, RAM 107, I / O IF circuit 110 and video / audio IF circuit 112. The internal components of CBs are coupled to and communicate with each other via a computer bus 115.

2 illustrates selected portions of RAM 107 within personal computer 100 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. RAM 107 stores operating system programs 210, video drivers 240, and application software. The application software includes user applications 220 and 230 and color shift application 250. Computer software 200 may also include other application software (not shown). The operating system program 210 and the application software are loaded from the one or more CD-ROM disks 125 to the hard disk drive 103. The hard disk drive 103 is a hard disk drive containing one or more software programs. Provide non-volatile storage for the loaded software until removed from 103.

Video drivers 240 operate in conjunction with color shift application 250 to control the apparent brightness on screen 130. The video drivers 240 work in conjunction with the operating system program 210 to control and monitor the operation of the display monitor 104 via the video / audio IF circuit 112, according to methods well known in the art. .

The CPU 106 and the color shift application 250 together include a color shift controller capable of carrying out the present invention. Color shift application 250 allows an application program, such as user application program 220 or 230, to highlight one window selected from the group of windows 131-133. When highlighted, the selected window appears brighter than the background brightness of the screens and screen 130 that are not selected among the group of windows 131-133.

For example, assume that window 131 is selected to be highlighted. The user selects the window 131 via the keyboard 105 or pointing device 108 and the CPU 106 informs the video drivers 240 of the selection of the window 131. Video drivers 240 then start color shift application 250. In the active state, color shift application 250 changes the input red-green-blue (RGB) pixel values of window 131 to new red-green-blue (RGB) pixel values with a higher color temperature. The new RGB pixel values with the higher color temperature make the image on the window 131 appear brighter (and than the background of the screen 130) than the images on the windows 132 and 133 that are not selected. Color shift application 250 maintains higher color levels for window 131 until the user selects another window or terminates the user application controlling window 131.

In one embodiment, color shift application 250 converts original red-green-blue (RGB) values into new red-green-blue (RGB) values with a higher color temperature. Increase the color temperature of the white pixels.

In one embodiment, color shift application 250 may simultaneously highlight one or more screens. By sending appropriate selection commands, the user may selectively highlight or not highlight any or all of the windows 131-133 in the screen 130.

3 shows a flowchart 300 illustrating the operation of a personal computer 100 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Progress steps described in the flowchart 300 are executed in the CPU 106. In a first progression step 305, the CPU 106 is simultaneously executing the user application 220 in the window 131 and the user application 230 in the window 132. At decision step 310, the CPU 106 determines whether the window 131 is selected to be highlighted. If window 131 is not selected to be highlighted, control proceeds to decision step 320. If window 131 is selected to be highlighted, CPU 106 causes color shift application 250 to increase the color temperatures within window 131 (progress step 315). Control then returns to decision step 320.

In decision step 320, the CPU 106 determines whether the window 132 has been selected to be highlighted. If window 132 is not selected to be highlighted, control passes to decision step 330. If window 132 has been selected to be highlighted, CPU 106 causes color shift application 250 to increase the color temperatures within window 132 (progression step 325). Control then returns to decision step 330.

At decision step 330, the CPU 106 determines whether the window 133 has been selected to be highlighted. If window 133 is not selected to be highlighted, control passes to decision step 340. If window 133 is selected to be highlighted, CPU 106 causes color shift application 250 to increase the color temperatures within window 133 (progress step 335). Control then returns to step 340.

In step 340, applications on the highlighted screen (or screens) continue to run with applications on other non-highlighted screens.

Although the present invention has been described in detail, those skilled in the art should understand that, in its broadest form, various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

If multiple windows exist on the computer monitor screen, it is desirable to be able to highlight one or more windows so that the selected windows are easier to see than other windows that are not selected.

The present invention provides an improved system and method for highlighting a selected portion of a display screen of a display unit. In particular, it provides an improved system and method for making a selected portion of a display screen appear brighter than other areas of the display screen.

Claims (17)

For use in the processing system 100 having a display screen 130, Receives a user input for selecting one of the plurality of portions 131, 132, and 133 of the display screen 130, and changes a value of at least one pixel in the selected portion 131 in response to the user input selection. And color shift controllers 106 and 250 that can increase the color temperature of the at least one pixel. A device for highlighting a selected portion (131) of the display screen (130). The method of claim 1, And the display screen (130) includes one of a liquid crystal display screen, a flat panel display screen, a plasma display screen, and a projection display screen. The method of claim 1, The selected portion 131 of the display screen 130 includes a first window 131 controlled by a first application 250 executed by the processing system 100, and the color shift controller 106, 250. ) Is a selected portion 131 of the display screen 130 that can increase the color temperature of the plurality of pixels by changing the red-green-blue (RGB) values of the plurality of pixels in the first window 131. Device to highlight). The method of claim 1, The selected portion 131 of the display screen 130 includes a first window 131 controlled by a first application 250 executed by the processing system 100, and the color shift controller 106, 250. ) Highlights the selected portion (131) of the display screen (130), which can increase the color temperature of the white pixel values by changing the first set of white pixel values in the first window (131). The method of claim 4, wherein The color shift controller 106,250 uses the linear matrix in software to convert the original red-green-blue (RGB) values into new red-green-blue (RGB) values with higher color temperatures. Device for highlighting a selected portion (131) of said display screen (130), increasing the color temperature of white pixel values. The method of claim 1, And the color shift controller (106,250) increases the color temperature of the at least one pixel relative to the color temperature of the background of the display screen (130). Display screen 130; Memory 107; Data processor 106; And Receiving a user input for selecting one 131 of the plurality of portions 131, 132, 133 of the display screen 130 and responsive to the user input selection to determine the value of at least one pixel in the selected portion 131. A device for highlighting a selected portion 131 of the display screen 130 including color shift controllers 106 and 250 that can increase the color temperature of the at least one pixel by changing it. Processing system 100 comprising. For use in the processing system 100 having a display screen 130, Selecting a portion 131 of the display screen 130; And Increasing the color temperature of at least one color in the selected portion 131 of the display screen 130 Including the selected portion (131) of the display screen (130). The method of claim 8, Increasing the color temperature of at least one color in the selected portion 131 of the display screen 130 A sub-step of changing the red-green-blue (RGB) values of the plurality of pixels in the selected portion 131 of the display screen 130 to increase the color temperature of the plurality of pixels. Including the selected portion (131) of the display screen (130). The method of claim 8, Increasing the color temperature of at least one color in the selected portion 131 of the display screen 130 A sub-step of increasing the color temperature of the white pixel values by changing white values of the plurality of pixels in the selected portion 131 of the display screen 130. Including the selected portion (131) of the display screen (130). The method of claim 10, Increasing the color temperature of the white pixel values by changing the white values of the plurality of pixels in the selected portion 131 of the display screen 130 A sub-step of converting the original red-green-blue (RGB) values into new red-green-blue (RGB) values with a higher color temperature in a linear matrix in the software. Including the selected portion (131) of the display screen (130). The method of claim 8, Increasing the color temperature highlights the selected portion 131 of the display screen 130, including a sub-step of increasing the color temperature of the at least one pixel relative to the color temperature of the background of the display screen 130. How to let. For use in the processing system 100 having a display screen 130, Receiving a user input of selecting a portion 131 of the display screen 130; Increasing the color temperature of at least one color in the selected portion 131 of the display screen 130 Computer executable instructions stored on a computer readable storage medium (125) for highlighting a selected portion (131) of the display screen (130). The method of claim 13, Increasing the color temperature of at least one color in the selected portion 131 of the display screen 130 A sub-step of changing the red-green-blue (RGB) values of the plurality of pixels in the selected portion 131 of the display screen 130 to increase the color temperature of the plurality of pixels. Computer-executable instructions stored on computer-readable storage medium 125, including. The method of claim 13, Increasing the color temperature of at least one color in the selected portion 131 of the display screen 130 A sub-step of increasing the color temperature of the white pixel values by changing white values of the plurality of pixels in the selected portion 131 of the display screen 130. Computer-executable instructions stored on computer-readable storage medium 125, including. The method of claim 15, Increasing the color temperature of the white pixel values by changing the white values of the plurality of pixels in the selected portion 131 of the display screen 130 A sub-step of converting the original red-green-blue (RGB) values into new red-green-blue (RGB) values with a higher color temperature in a linear matrix in the software. Computer-executable instructions stored on computer-readable storage medium 125, including. The method of claim 13, Increasing the color temperature includes a sub-step of increasing the color temperature of the at least one pixel relative to the color temperature of the background of the display screen 130. Orders.