WO2002069313A2 - Screensaving apparatus - Google Patents

Screensaving apparatus Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2002069313A2
WO2002069313A2 PCT/GB2002/000874 GB0200874W WO02069313A2 WO 2002069313 A2 WO2002069313 A2 WO 2002069313A2 GB 0200874 W GB0200874 W GB 0200874W WO 02069313 A2 WO02069313 A2 WO 02069313A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
screensaving
display
screen
computer
time
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2002/000874
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2002069313A3 (en
Inventor
Stephen Plowright
Jon Sayer
Original Assignee
Itinspires Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Itinspires Limited filed Critical Itinspires Limited
Publication of WO2002069313A2 publication Critical patent/WO2002069313A2/en
Publication of WO2002069313A3 publication Critical patent/WO2002069313A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09G—ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION
    • G09G5/00—Control arrangements or circuits for visual indicators common to cathode-ray tube indicators and other visual indicators
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09G—ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION
    • G09G2320/00—Control of display operating conditions
    • G09G2320/04—Maintaining the quality of display appearance
    • G09G2320/043—Preventing or counteracting the effects of ageing
    • G09G2320/046—Dealing with screen burn-in prevention or compensation of the effects thereof
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09G—ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION
    • G09G2370/00—Aspects of data communication
    • G09G2370/02—Networking aspects
    • G09G2370/027—Arrangements and methods specific for the display of internet documents

Definitions

  • This invention relates to apparatus for preserving the quality and life of a display screen of a computer and/or for providing an alternative display thereon.
  • screensaving apparatus comprising means for changing the display on a computer screen if the computer has not been used for a predetermined period of time, and including means for initiating a process at least for a predetermined period of time after the screensaving display ceases to be displayed on the screen, said process being arranged to display an image and/or to retain a portion of said screensaving display on the screen!
  • the image associated with the screensaving display or the retained portion of the screensaving display remains on the computer screen for a predetermined period of time, say 7 seconds, and is then removed from the screen.
  • a predetermined period of time say 7 seconds
  • some images or retained portions may be more suited for permanent retention on the screen.
  • the image or retained portion comprises an image attached to a hyperlink to a specified website, such that when the user moves the mouse and clears the screen saver, the access to the hyper link remains or appears on the screen, at least for a predetermined period of time, so that the user can access the website if they wish.
  • the image and/or retained portion may comprise a company logo, trademark, or any other information which is required to be retained after the rest of the screensaving display has gone from the screen. Means are preferably provided to enable amendment or adaptation of the content of said image and/or retained portion via apparatus remote from the location at which the screensaving apparatus is being used.
  • a commercial body is sponsoring the image/website linked to the screensaver, they can change the message/logo/URL, etc. displayed when the process linked to the screensaver is initiated from a central location, thereby effecting the change on all versions of the screensaving apparatus currently in use (provided, of course, that such screensaving apparatus is being employed on computing apparatus connected to external communication network such as the Internet) .
  • the most preferred embodiment of the invention combines the link from a screensaver to a website and the ability of the screensaver to receive information from an advertiser, sponsor or any other such source, i.e. the interactivity provision of the apparatus.
  • screensaving apparatus comprising means for automatically providing a display on a computer screen if the computer has not been used for a predetermined period of time, the display including information relating to the current time of day and/or the current date .
  • the display provided by the screensaving apparatus may comprise any suitable/desired images or messages.
  • the display may comprise a plurality of different phrases, one phrase for each day of the year, for example.
  • the apparatus may, for example be arranged to display a work-related or motivational phrase or message on a weekday, and/or a family or leisure-related phrase or message at the weekend.
  • the apparatus of both aspects of the present invention is preferably software-based and stored on a CD-ROM or the like so that it is easily installed in most types of computer.
  • the required software may be downloaded from any suitable location, such as a website or network storage site for example.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a display provided by screensaving apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • screensaving apparatus provides a display on a computer screen 10 if the computer has not been used for a predetermined period of time.
  • the screensaving display comprises a section 12 indicating the date and current time of day, which is updated in real time.
  • a stationary phrase, image or message 14 is displayed in a generally central position.
  • the same phrase or image is provided in the form of rolling text 16 across the screen.
  • the apparatus might, for example, be arranged to provide a different message for each day of the week or year. Work-related or motivational messages may be displayed on a weekday, whereas home, family or leisure-related messages may be displayed at the weekend.
  • the screensaving display further comprises one or more bitmap images 18 which is or are attached to a hyperlink for providing access to a specified Internet website.
  • the background is plain, but the apparatus preferably includes means for permitting a user to change the background of the display to accommodate a company logo, for example.
  • the screensaving display disappears from the screen and the apparatus runs a process which continues to display the bitmap image 18 associated with the hyperlink. If the user selects the hyperlink (by clicking the mouse on the bitmap image 18) the computer automatically starts its Internet Browser and attempts to connect to the address of the hyperlink. In this embodiment, the process displays the bitmap image 18 for a predetermined period of time and then stops, thus removing it from the screen. This can be achieved by means of a timer function within the process which ends the process when it reaches its target time.
  • One embodiment of the present invention may be realised using Visual Basic as its programming language.
  • the essential functions of the invention can be achieved using Visual C++ or any other suitable programming language.
  • the hyperlink image may be realised in, for example, PCX, GIF or JPEG format, as opposed to the bitmap format referred to above.
  • the image to which the hyperlink is attached may comprise a company logo or trademark, a menu from which a user can select one of a number of options (possible each attached to a different hyperlink) , or any other suitable type of image.
  • Means are provided whereby, for example, the company sponsoring the hyperlink can change the content of the bitmap image 18 from any chosen computing apparatus, thereby effecting the change to all screensavers currently in use .
  • monitor screen on which the screensaving display is provided need not necessarily be a personal computer screen, but could be a display screen on any suitable apparatus, including for example a television screen or the like which is linked or connected to computing apparatus.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • User Interface Of Digital Computer (AREA)
  • Digital Computer Display Output (AREA)

Abstract

A screensaver for providing a display on a computer screen (10) if the computer has not been used for a predetermined period of time. The screensaving display comprises a section (12) indicating the date and current time of day which is updated in real time. In addition to the screensaving display (14,16) itself, the screensaving display further comprises one or more bit map images (18) which is or are attached to one or more hyperlinks for providing access to a specified internet website. When a key on a computer is pressed, or the mouse is moved, the screesaving display disappears from the screen and the apparatus runs a process which continues to display the bit map image (18) associated with the hyperlink for a predetermined period of time and then stops, thus removing it from the screen. The bitmap image (18) can be changed or added to via computing apparatus located remotely from the various computing apparatus on which the screensavers are installed or in use.

Description

SCREENSAVING APPARATUS
This invention relates to apparatus for preserving the quality and life of a display screen of a computer and/or for providing an alternative display thereon.
It is well known to provide screensaving apparatus in a computer which, if it has not been used for a predetermined period of time, causes a rolling or moving display to appear on the screen. This type of apparatus was originally developed to prevent damage to the screen caused by the screen memory effect. Although such screensaving apparatus is no longer necessary to prevent damage to the screen of modern .computers, it has retained its popularity, largely because of its novelty value.
However, there are a number of disadvantages associated with known screensaving apparatus. Firstly, all information is lost from the screen saver display as soon as a key on the computer is pressed or the mouse is moved.
Secondly, most computers provide a display giving at least the current time of day and sometimes the date. However, such information cannot be seen when the screensaving display is on the screen and, in order to check the time, a user must press a key or move the mouse to remove the screensaving display from the screen, even though the user does not otherwise wish to use the computer. As a result, the screensaving display does not return to the screen until the above-mentioned predetermined period of time has elapsed once again, which unnecessarily exposes the screen to further damage . In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided screensaving apparatus, comprising means for changing the display on a computer screen if the computer has not been used for a predetermined period of time, and including means for initiating a process at least for a predetermined period of time after the screensaving display ceases to be displayed on the screen, said process being arranged to display an image and/or to retain a portion of said screensaving display on the screen!
In a preferred embodiment, the image associated with the screensaving display or the retained portion of the screensaving display remains on the computer screen for a predetermined period of time, say 7 seconds, and is then removed from the screen. However, it is envisaged that some images or retained portions may be more suited for permanent retention on the screen.
In a preferred embodiment, the image or retained portion comprises an image attached to a hyperlink to a specified website, such that when the user moves the mouse and clears the screen saver, the access to the hyper link remains or appears on the screen, at least for a predetermined period of time, so that the user can access the website if they wish. However, the image and/or retained portion may comprise a company logo, trademark, or any other information which is required to be retained after the rest of the screensaving display has gone from the screen. Means are preferably provided to enable amendment or adaptation of the content of said image and/or retained portion via apparatus remote from the location at which the screensaving apparatus is being used. Thus, if a commercial body is sponsoring the image/website linked to the screensaver, they can change the message/logo/URL, etc. displayed when the process linked to the screensaver is initiated from a central location, thereby effecting the change on all versions of the screensaving apparatus currently in use (provided, of course, that such screensaving apparatus is being employed on computing apparatus connected to external communication network such as the Internet) .
Thus, the most preferred embodiment of the invention combines the link from a screensaver to a website and the ability of the screensaver to receive information from an advertiser, sponsor or any other such source, i.e. the interactivity provision of the apparatus.
In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided screensaving apparatus, comprising means for automatically providing a display on a computer screen if the computer has not been used for a predetermined period of time, the display including information relating to the current time of day and/or the current date .
In the case of both the first and second aspects of the present invention, the display provided by the screensaving apparatus may comprise any suitable/desired images or messages. In one specific embodiment of the invention, the display may comprise a plurality of different phrases, one phrase for each day of the year, for example. In this case, the apparatus may, for example be arranged to display a work-related or motivational phrase or message on a weekday, and/or a family or leisure-related phrase or message at the weekend. The apparatus of both aspects of the present invention is preferably software-based and stored on a CD-ROM or the like so that it is easily installed in most types of computer. However, it will be appreciated that the required software may be downloaded from any suitable location, such as a website or network storage site for example.
An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a display provided by screensaving apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
Referring to Figure 1, screensaving apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a display on a computer screen 10 if the computer has not been used for a predetermined period of time. The screensaving display comprises a section 12 indicating the date and current time of day, which is updated in real time. In a generally central position, a stationary phrase, image or message 14 is displayed. In addition, the same phrase or image is provided in the form of rolling text 16 across the screen. The apparatus might, for example, be arranged to provide a different message for each day of the week or year. Work-related or motivational messages may be displayed on a weekday, whereas home, family or leisure-related messages may be displayed at the weekend.
The screensaving display further comprises one or more bitmap images 18 which is or are attached to a hyperlink for providing access to a specified Internet website. In the illustrated example, the background is plain, but the apparatus preferably includes means for permitting a user to change the background of the display to accommodate a company logo, for example.
When a key on the computer is pressed, or the mouse is moved, the screensaving display disappears from the screen and the apparatus runs a process which continues to display the bitmap image 18 associated with the hyperlink. If the user selects the hyperlink (by clicking the mouse on the bitmap image 18) the computer automatically starts its Internet Browser and attempts to connect to the address of the hyperlink. In this embodiment, the process displays the bitmap image 18 for a predetermined period of time and then stops, thus removing it from the screen. This can be achieved by means of a timer function within the process which ends the process when it reaches its target time.
One embodiment of the present invention may be realised using Visual Basic as its programming language. However, the essential functions of the invention can be achieved using Visual C++ or any other suitable programming language. Further, the hyperlink image may be realised in, for example, PCX, GIF or JPEG format, as opposed to the bitmap format referred to above.
The image to which the hyperlink is attached may comprise a company logo or trademark, a menu from which a user can select one of a number of options (possible each attached to a different hyperlink) , or any other suitable type of image. Means are provided whereby, for example, the company sponsoring the hyperlink can change the content of the bitmap image 18 from any chosen computing apparatus, thereby effecting the change to all screensavers currently in use .
It will be appreciated that the monitor screen on which the screensaving display is provided need not necessarily be a personal computer screen, but could be a display screen on any suitable apparatus, including for example a television screen or the like which is linked or connected to computing apparatus.
A specific embodiment of the present invention has been described above by way of example only and it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made to the described embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS :
1. Screensaving apparatus, comprising means for changing the display on a computer screen if the computer has not been used for a predetermined period of time, and means for initiating a process at least for a predetermined period of time after the screensaving display ceases to be displayed on the screen, said process being arranged to display an image and/or retain a portion of said screensaving display on the screen.
2. Screensaving apparatus according to claim 1, including means arranged to enable the content of said image and/or retained portion to be amended or adapted via apparatus remote from the location at which said screensaving apparatus is installed or in use.
3. Screensaving apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the image associated with the screensaving display or the retained portion of the screensaving display remains on the computer screen for a predetermined period of time, and is then removed from the screen.
Screensaving apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the image or retained portion comprises an image attached to a hyperlink to a specified website.
5. Screensaving apparatus, comprising means for automatically providing a display on a computer screen if the computer has not been used for a predetermined period of time, the display including information relating to the current time of day and/or the current date .
6. Screensaving apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
PCT/GB2002/000874 2001-02-28 2002-02-28 Screensaving apparatus WO2002069313A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0105056A GB0105056D0 (en) 2001-02-28 2001-02-28 Screensaving apparatus
GB0105056.6 2001-02-28

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2002069313A2 true WO2002069313A2 (en) 2002-09-06
WO2002069313A3 WO2002069313A3 (en) 2003-11-27

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GB (1) GB0105056D0 (en)
WO (1) WO2002069313A2 (en)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2003003189A2 (en) * 2001-06-29 2003-01-09 Kevin Biggs System and method for customized time display
WO2014149346A1 (en) * 2013-03-15 2014-09-25 Motorola Mobility Llc Method and apparatus for displaying a predetermined image on a display panel of an electronic device when the electronic device is operating in a reduced power mode of operation
EP2983162A3 (en) * 2014-08-08 2016-03-02 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Image display apparatus and image display method for reducing power consumption
US9625987B1 (en) 2015-04-17 2017-04-18 Google Inc. Updating and displaying information in different power modes
US10200444B1 (en) * 2005-08-24 2019-02-05 Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A. System and method for controlling a screen saver

Citations (3)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0579505A1 (en) * 1992-07-16 1994-01-19 Gerald William Candy Video graphics apparatus
GB2321376A (en) * 1997-01-17 1998-07-22 Ground Zero Systems Limited Screen saver transparent terminal information system
US5850220A (en) * 1995-09-29 1998-12-15 Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. Image display apparatus and a recording medium displaying a message as a screen saver

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JPH01123850A (en) * 1987-11-10 1989-05-16 Asahi Glass Co Ltd Resin composition for laminating material and metal foil-clad laminate comprising the same

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0579505A1 (en) * 1992-07-16 1994-01-19 Gerald William Candy Video graphics apparatus
US5850220A (en) * 1995-09-29 1998-12-15 Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. Image display apparatus and a recording medium displaying a message as a screen saver
GB2321376A (en) * 1997-01-17 1998-07-22 Ground Zero Systems Limited Screen saver transparent terminal information system

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 013, no. 367 (C-626), 15 August 1989 (1989-08-15) & JP 01 123850 A (ASAHI GLASS CO LTD), 16 May 1989 (1989-05-16) *

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2003003189A2 (en) * 2001-06-29 2003-01-09 Kevin Biggs System and method for customized time display
WO2003003189A3 (en) * 2001-06-29 2003-07-17 Kevin Biggs System and method for customized time display
US6714486B2 (en) 2001-06-29 2004-03-30 Kevin Biggs System and method for customized time display
US10200444B1 (en) * 2005-08-24 2019-02-05 Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A. System and method for controlling a screen saver
WO2014149346A1 (en) * 2013-03-15 2014-09-25 Motorola Mobility Llc Method and apparatus for displaying a predetermined image on a display panel of an electronic device when the electronic device is operating in a reduced power mode of operation
US9250695B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2016-02-02 Google Technology Holdings LLC Method and apparatus for displaying a predetermined image on a display panel of an electronic device when the electronic device is operating in a reduced power mode of operation
EP2983162A3 (en) * 2014-08-08 2016-03-02 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Image display apparatus and image display method for reducing power consumption
US9865193B2 (en) 2014-08-08 2018-01-09 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Image display apparatus and image display method for reducing power consumption
US9625987B1 (en) 2015-04-17 2017-04-18 Google Inc. Updating and displaying information in different power modes

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0105056D0 (en) 2001-04-18
WO2002069313A3 (en) 2003-11-27

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