WO2004081912A1 - System comprising a computer and a monitor-television using picture-in-picture or picture-in-graphic technology - Google Patents

System comprising a computer and a monitor-television using picture-in-picture or picture-in-graphic technology Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2004081912A1
WO2004081912A1 PCT/IB2004/050217 IB2004050217W WO2004081912A1 WO 2004081912 A1 WO2004081912 A1 WO 2004081912A1 IB 2004050217 W IB2004050217 W IB 2004050217W WO 2004081912 A1 WO2004081912 A1 WO 2004081912A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
television
monitor
computer
signal
receiving
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2004/050217
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Chunrui Zhang
Jun Cai
Naing Win
Original Assignee
Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
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 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. filed Critical Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Publication of WO2004081912A1 publication Critical patent/WO2004081912A1/en

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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
    • G09G5/003—Details of a display terminal, the details relating to the control arrangement of the display terminal and to the interfaces thereto
    • G09G5/006—Details of the interface to the display terminal
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/4104—Peripherals receiving signals from specially adapted client devices
    • H04N21/4113—PC
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/422—Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
    • H04N21/42204—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/431—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering
    • H04N21/4312—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
    • H04N21/4316—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/436—Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or one or more peripheral devices inside the home
    • H04N21/4363—Adapting the video or multiplex stream to a specific local network, e.g. a IEEE 1394 or Bluetooth® network
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09G—ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION
    • G09G2340/00—Aspects of display data processing
    • G09G2340/10—Mixing of images, i.e. displayed pixel being the result of an operation, e.g. adding, on the corresponding input pixels
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09G—ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION
    • G09G2340/00—Aspects of display data processing
    • G09G2340/12—Overlay of images, i.e. displayed pixel being the result of switching between the corresponding input pixels
    • G09G2340/125—Overlay of images, i.e. displayed pixel being the result of switching between the corresponding input pixels wherein one of the images is motion video
    • 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
    • G09G2370/04—Exchange of auxiliary data, i.e. other than image data, between monitor and graphics controller
    • G09G2370/045—Exchange of auxiliary data, i.e. other than image data, between monitor and graphics controller using multiple communication channels, e.g. parallel and serial
    • 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
    • G09G2370/04—Exchange of auxiliary data, i.e. other than image data, between monitor and graphics controller
    • G09G2370/045—Exchange of auxiliary data, i.e. other than image data, between monitor and graphics controller using multiple communication channels, e.g. parallel and serial
    • G09G2370/047—Exchange of auxiliary data, i.e. other than image data, between monitor and graphics controller using multiple communication channels, e.g. parallel and serial using display data channel standard [DDC] communication
    • 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
    • G09G5/14—Display of multiple viewports
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N5/00—Details of television systems
    • H04N5/44—Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards
    • H04N5/445—Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards for displaying additional information
    • H04N5/45—Picture in picture, e.g. displaying simultaneously another television channel in a region of the screen

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a system comprising a computer and a monitor- television, and also relates to a method, a monitor, a (monitor) processor program product, a computer, and a (computer) processor program product.
  • the computer may be a personal computer like a desk top computer, a lap top 5 computer, or a hand-held computer.
  • a prior-art monitor-television has a monitor input for receiving a monitor signal from a computer and a television input for receiving a television signal.
  • the operation of one of the computers can be watched via the main screen area, and the operation of the other one can be watched via the smaller PIP screen area.
  • the known system has, inter alia, the disadvantage that a separate controller is required for coupling the computers and the monitor.
  • the system according to the invention comprises a computer and a monitor- television having a monitor input for receiving a monitor signal originating from the computer and a television input for receiving a television signal originating from a television source for simultaneously displaying at least a part of the monitor signal and, in dependence on a television control signal originating from the computer, at least a part of the television signal.
  • monitor-television having a first (monitor) input for receiving, in a wired or wireless manner, a monitor signal originating from the computer like, for example, a personal computer (such as a desk top computer, a lap top computer, a hand-held computer) and having a different second (television) input for receiving, in a wired or wireless manner, a television signal originating from a television source like, for example, cable-TV, a video player/recorder, a digital versatile disk player/recorder, a satellite receiver, both the monitor signal originating from the computer and the television signal can be displayed simultaneously through Picture-In-Picture (PIP) or Picture-In-Graphic (PIG) technology.
  • PIP Picture-In-Picture
  • POG Picture-In-Graphic
  • such a monitor-television has a monitor function and a television function.
  • the television function is controlled via the computer.
  • US 6,373,500 does not disclose a monitor-television having two different inputs and does not disclose any display of television signals coming from a television source.
  • US 6,373,500 introduces a controller (a third computer) located between two computers and a monitor having just one input for receiving a monitor signal from the controller, which controls the simultaneous display.
  • a first embodiment of the system according to the invention is defined by claim 2.
  • the same man-machine- interface (mmi) is used for controlling both the monitor function and the television function as well as for controlling the computer.
  • a second embodiment of the system according to the invention is defined by claim 3.
  • the television control signal define at least a position and/or a size of the displayed television signal within the displayed monitor signal
  • television programs can be watched via the smaller PIG display area.
  • the mouse and/or the keyboard are thereby used to control the position and/or the size of the PIG display area.
  • other parameters can be defined as well, such as, for example, color, contrast, brightness, etc.
  • a third embodiment of the system according to the invention is defined by claim 4.
  • the computer and the monitor may be coupled in an efficient and simple way.
  • the wired or wireless monitor coupling supplies the monitor signal from the computer to the monitor-television
  • the wired or wireless first and second control couplings supply the television control signal from the computer to the monitor-television and return the information signal from the monitor-television to the computer.
  • the output connector and the input connector each comprise, for example, a VGA (Video Graphics
  • first and second control couplings comprise, for example, two wired or wireless couplings, for example, a Serial Clock Line (SCL) and a Serial Data Line (SDL) at the computer which are to be coupled to two general purpose pins of, for example, a processor of the monitor- television for establishing an I2C communication.
  • SCL Serial Clock Line
  • SDL Serial Data Line
  • the output connector may have an input function and that the input connector may have an output function, for example, for returning the information signal.
  • Both connectors are coupled to each other via several parallel couplings comprising the monitor coupling and the first and second control couplings, etc.
  • the output connector and the input connector each comprise, for example, a RS232 comiector for establishing a RS232 communication via a serial coupling comprising the monitor coupling and the first and second control couplings, etc.
  • a fourth embodiment of the system according to the invention is defined by claim 5.
  • Embodiments of the method according to the invention, the monitor according to the invention, the (monitor) processor program product according to the invention, the computer according to the invention and the (computer) processor program product according to the invention correspond to the corresponding embodiments of the system according to the invention.
  • the invention is based upon the insight, inter alia, that monitor-televisions have separated inputs for receiving monitor signals from computers and for receiving television signals from television sources, whereby the display of the signals is controlled separately and is therefore user-unfriendly, and is based upon a basic idea, inter alia, that the television signals can be controlled via a television control signal coming from the computer.
  • the invention solves the problem, inter alia, by providing a user-friendly system comprising a so-called monitor-television, and is advantageous, inter alia, in that the system can be made in an efficient and simple way.
  • Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a system according to the invention comprising a computer according to the invention and a monitor-television according to the invention,
  • Fig. 2 is a flow chart of a (computer) processor program product according to the invention
  • Fig. 3 is a flow chart of a (monitor) processor program product according to the invention.
  • the system 1 according to the invention as shown in Fig. 1 comprises a computer 2 and a monitor-television 3.
  • Computer 2 has an output connector 21 for receiving a monitor signal from a processor 20 and for receiving a television control signal from computer control software 22 and for sending an information signal to computer control software 22.
  • a man-machine- interface like, for example, a mouse and/or a keyboard 23 provides input information to the processor 20 and to the computer control software 22, and the processor 20 and the computer control software 22 may exchange information with each other.
  • processor 20 can also be used for running the computer control software 22.
  • another processor (not shown) is used for running the computer control software 22.
  • Monitor-television 3 has an input connector 31 for receiving the monitor signal from output connector 21 via a wired or wireless monitor coupling 13 and for receiving the television control signal from output connector 21 via a wired or wireless first control coupling 11 and sending the information signal to output connector 21 via a wired or wireless second control coupling 12.
  • Input connector 31 supplies the monitor signal to a processor/display 30 and supplies the television control signal to monitor control software 32 and receives the information signal from monitor control software 32.
  • Processor/display 30 receives a television signal via a wired or wireless coupling 14 from a television source 4 like, for example, a cable, a video player/recorder, a digital versatile disk player/recorder, a satellite receiver, etc.
  • Monitor control software 32 exchanges information with processor/display 30 for controlling the simultaneous display of the monitor signal and the television signal through Picture-In-Picture (PIP) or Picture-In- Graphic (PIG) technology.
  • processor/display 30 can also be used for running the monitor control software 32. Or, alternatively, another processor (not shown) is used for running the monitor control software 32.
  • the television control signal defines at least a position and/or a size of the displayed television signal (in a PIG window) within the displayed monitor signal (for example, the main window).
  • the television control signal may also define another mode of displaying the television signal, such as a dual-screen mode. While working with the computer via the main window, television programs can be watched via the PIG window. The mouse and/or the keyboard are then used to control the position and/or the size of the PIG window.
  • other parameters can be defined as well, like, for example, color, contrast, brightness, etc.
  • Both control couplings 11, 12, for example operate in accordance with the
  • Block 50 Start, go to block 51.
  • Block 51 Read mouse coordinates (and update the computer control software
  • Block 52 Has PIG been selected (is the mouse select key activated and is the mouse located within the PIG window) ? If yes, go to 53, if no, go to block 51 (the computer control software is also run in response to a detection of changed mouse coordinates).
  • Block 53 Has PIG been deselected (is the mouse select key released) ? If yes, go to block 51, if no, go to block 54.
  • Block 54 Update display panel software (for a PIG movement or a PIG size change, compute delta between original and new mouse positions and update display panel driver software to move PIG to new position or to adapt PIG correspondingly), go to 53.
  • Each block shown in Fig. 2 may contain one or more sub-steps for the method according to the invention and one or more sub-functions for the processor program products according to the invention.
  • Block 52 results from the information signal being sent from the monitor-television 3 to the computer 2
  • block 54 results in the television control signal being sent from the computer 2 to the monitor-television 3.
  • a (monitor) processor program product according to the invention comprising monitor control software 32 as shown in Fig. 3, the following blocks have the following meaning:
  • Block 60 Start, go to block 61.
  • Block 61 Has the mouse information been received (the mouse actions within the PIG window and related to a PIG movement or PIG size adaptation are passed on to the monitor control sofware) ? If yes, go to block 62, if no, go to block 61.
  • Block 62 Update the PIG position or the PIG size in accordance with the mouse actions, go to block 63.
  • Block 63 Update the computer control software 22 with the latest PIG information with respect to position and size (this updating is, for example, done in block 51), go to block 61.
  • Each block shown in Fig. 3 may contain one or more sub-steps for the method according to the invention and one or more sub-functions for the processor program products according to the invention.
  • Block 61 results from the television control signal being sent from the computer 2 to the monitor-television 3
  • block 63 results in the information signal being sent from the monitor-television 3 to the computer 2.
  • the invention is based upon the insight, inter alia, that monitor-televisions have separate inputs for receiving monitor signals from computers and for receiving television signals from television sources, whereby the display of the signals is controlled separately and is therefore user-unfriendly, and is based upon a basic idea, inter alia, that the television signals can be controlled via a television control signal coming from the computer.
  • the invention solves the problem, inter alia, of providing a user- friendly system comprising a so-called monitor-television, and is advantageous, inter alia, in that the system is efficient and simple.

Abstract

The system (1) comprises a computer (2) and a monitor-television (3) with separate inputs for simultaneously displaying a part of a monitor signal originating from the computer (2) and, in dependence on a television control signal, a part of a television signal originating from a television source (4), using Picture-In-Picture (PIP) or Picture-In-Graphic(PIG) technology. The computer (2) supplies the television control signals to the monitor­television (3). Preferably, the mouse and/or the keyboard (23) of the computer (2) is used for this control. An output connector (21) of the computer (2) and an input connector (31) of the monitor-television (3) are coupled to each other via couplings (11,12,13) comprising a monitor coupling (13), a first control coupling (11) and a second control coupling (12).

Description

SYSTEM COMPRISING A COMPUTER AND A MONITOR-TELEVISION USING PICTURE-IN-PICTURE OR PICTURE-IN-GRAPHIC TECHNOLOGY
The invention relates to a system comprising a computer and a monitor- television, and also relates to a method, a monitor, a (monitor) processor program product, a computer, and a (computer) processor program product.
The computer may be a personal computer like a desk top computer, a lap top 5 computer, or a hand-held computer.
A prior-art monitor-television has a monitor input for receiving a monitor signal from a computer and a television input for receiving a television signal. The monitor-
10 television is controlled by a remote control unit. The directions for use with code number 3104 305 4990.2 of a Philips Flat-TV disclose that a dual screen mode is available. However, a monitor signal (VGA) cannot be displayed in a dual screen mode. US 6,373,500 discloses a monitor coupled to two computers via a controller. This controller comprises a Picture-In- Picture (PIP) circuit allowing both computers to display their information on the same
15 monitor. The operation of one of the computers can be watched via the main screen area, and the operation of the other one can be watched via the smaller PIP screen area.
The known system has, inter alia, the disadvantage that a separate controller is required for coupling the computers and the monitor.
20
It is an object of the invention to provide a user-friendly system comprising a so-called monitor-television.
The invention is defined by the independent claims. The dependent claims define advantageous embodiments. 25 The system according to the invention comprises a computer and a monitor- television having a monitor input for receiving a monitor signal originating from the computer and a television input for receiving a television signal originating from a television source for simultaneously displaying at least a part of the monitor signal and, in dependence on a television control signal originating from the computer, at least a part of the television signal.
By using a monitor-television having a first (monitor) input for receiving, in a wired or wireless manner, a monitor signal originating from the computer like, for example, a personal computer (such as a desk top computer, a lap top computer, a hand-held computer) and having a different second (television) input for receiving, in a wired or wireless manner, a television signal originating from a television source like, for example, cable-TV, a video player/recorder, a digital versatile disk player/recorder, a satellite receiver, both the monitor signal originating from the computer and the television signal can be displayed simultaneously through Picture-In-Picture (PIP) or Picture-In-Graphic (PIG) technology. In other words, such a monitor-television has a monitor function and a television function. By displaying the television signal in dependence on a television control signal coming from the computer, the television function is controlled via the computer. In that case, it is no longer necessary to use, for example, a separate prior-art infrared remote control just for controlling the television function in the monitor-television, which makes the system very user-friendly. It should be noted that US 6,373,500 does not disclose a monitor-television having two different inputs and does not disclose any display of television signals coming from a television source. US 6,373,500 introduces a controller (a third computer) located between two computers and a monitor having just one input for receiving a monitor signal from the controller, which controls the simultaneous display. Even when integrating the monitor and the controller disclosed in US 6,373,500, the result would be a monitor- controller having two inputs for receiving two monitor signals coming from two computers, with both computers as well as the display being controlled via a mouse and a keyboard coupled to the monitor-controller. In other words, such a monitor-controller is not controlled via one of the two computers. This system is completely different from the system according to the invention in a disadvantageous way.
A first embodiment of the system according to the invention is defined by claim 2.
By using the mouse and/or the keyboard of the computer for generating the television control signal, the same man-machine- interface (mmi) is used for controlling both the monitor function and the television function as well as for controlling the computer.
A second embodiment of the system according to the invention is defined by claim 3. By letting the television control signal define at least a position and/or a size of the displayed television signal within the displayed monitor signal, while working with the computer via the main display area, television programs can be watched via the smaller PIG display area. The mouse and/or the keyboard are thereby used to control the position and/or the size of the PIG display area. Of course, other parameters can be defined as well, such as, for example, color, contrast, brightness, etc.
A third embodiment of the system according to the invention is defined by claim 4.
By using the output connector of the computer and the input connector of the monitor-television, the computer and the monitor may be coupled in an efficient and simple way. The wired or wireless monitor coupling supplies the monitor signal from the computer to the monitor-television, and the wired or wireless first and second control couplings supply the television control signal from the computer to the monitor-television and return the information signal from the monitor-television to the computer. To this end, the output connector and the input connector each comprise, for example, a VGA (Video Graphics
Array) or a DVI (Digital Video Interface) or a DFP (Digital Flat Panel) etc., and the first and second control couplings comprise, for example, two wired or wireless couplings, for example, a Serial Clock Line (SCL) and a Serial Data Line (SDL) at the computer which are to be coupled to two general purpose pins of, for example, a processor of the monitor- television for establishing an I2C communication.
It should be noted that the output connector may have an input function and that the input connector may have an output function, for example, for returning the information signal. Both connectors are coupled to each other via several parallel couplings comprising the monitor coupling and the first and second control couplings, etc. Alternatively, the output connector and the input connector each comprise, for example, a RS232 comiector for establishing a RS232 communication via a serial coupling comprising the monitor coupling and the first and second control couplings, etc.
A fourth embodiment of the system according to the invention is defined by claim 5. By introducing the computer control software usually located in the computer and introducing monitor control software usually located in the monitor-television, an efficient system requiring hardly any hardware adaptations has been created. It should be noted that (parts of) the computer control software and/or (parts of) the monitor control software can be shifted from one apparatus to the other without departing from the scope of this invention.
Embodiments of the method according to the invention, the monitor according to the invention, the (monitor) processor program product according to the invention, the computer according to the invention and the (computer) processor program product according to the invention correspond to the corresponding embodiments of the system according to the invention.
The invention is based upon the insight, inter alia, that monitor-televisions have separated inputs for receiving monitor signals from computers and for receiving television signals from television sources, whereby the display of the signals is controlled separately and is therefore user-unfriendly, and is based upon a basic idea, inter alia, that the television signals can be controlled via a television control signal coming from the computer.
The invention solves the problem, inter alia, by providing a user-friendly system comprising a so-called monitor-television, and is advantageous, inter alia, in that the system can be made in an efficient and simple way.
These and other aspects of the invention are apparent from and will be elucidated with reference to the embodiments(s) described hereinafter.
Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a system according to the invention comprising a computer according to the invention and a monitor-television according to the invention,
Fig. 2 is a flow chart of a (computer) processor program product according to the invention, and Fig. 3 is a flow chart of a (monitor) processor program product according to the invention.
The system 1 according to the invention as shown in Fig. 1 comprises a computer 2 and a monitor-television 3.
Computer 2 has an output connector 21 for receiving a monitor signal from a processor 20 and for receiving a television control signal from computer control software 22 and for sending an information signal to computer control software 22. A man-machine- interface like, for example, a mouse and/or a keyboard 23 provides input information to the processor 20 and to the computer control software 22, and the processor 20 and the computer control software 22 may exchange information with each other. In addition to supplying the monitor signal comprising, for example, graphical information3 processor 20 can also be used for running the computer control software 22. Or, alternatively, another processor (not shown) is used for running the computer control software 22.
Monitor-television 3 has an input connector 31 for receiving the monitor signal from output connector 21 via a wired or wireless monitor coupling 13 and for receiving the television control signal from output connector 21 via a wired or wireless first control coupling 11 and sending the information signal to output connector 21 via a wired or wireless second control coupling 12. Input connector 31 supplies the monitor signal to a processor/display 30 and supplies the television control signal to monitor control software 32 and receives the information signal from monitor control software 32.
Processor/display 30 receives a television signal via a wired or wireless coupling 14 from a television source 4 like, for example, a cable, a video player/recorder, a digital versatile disk player/recorder, a satellite receiver, etc. Monitor control software 32 exchanges information with processor/display 30 for controlling the simultaneous display of the monitor signal and the television signal through Picture-In-Picture (PIP) or Picture-In- Graphic (PIG) technology. In addition to displaying the monitor signal and the television signal, processor/display 30 can also be used for running the monitor control software 32. Or, alternatively, another processor (not shown) is used for running the monitor control software 32.
The television control signal defines at least a position and/or a size of the displayed television signal (in a PIG window) within the displayed monitor signal (for example, the main window). The television control signal may also define another mode of displaying the television signal, such as a dual-screen mode. While working with the computer via the main window, television programs can be watched via the PIG window. The mouse and/or the keyboard are then used to control the position and/or the size of the PIG window. Of course, other parameters can be defined as well, like, for example, color, contrast, brightness, etc. Both control couplings 11, 12, for example, operate in accordance with the
Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) Display Data Channel (DDC), which is a serial communication. In the flow chart illustrating a (computer) processor program product according to the invention comprising computer control software 22 as shown in Fig. 2, the following blocks have the following meaning: Block 50 : Start, go to block 51. Block 51 : Read mouse coordinates (and update the computer control software
22 as described for block 63), go to block 52.
Block 52 : Has PIG been selected (is the mouse select key activated and is the mouse located within the PIG window) ? If yes, go to 53, if no, go to block 51 (the computer control software is also run in response to a detection of changed mouse coordinates). Block 53 : Has PIG been deselected (is the mouse select key released) ? If yes, go to block 51, if no, go to block 54.
Block 54 : Update display panel software (for a PIG movement or a PIG size change, compute delta between original and new mouse positions and update display panel driver software to move PIG to new position or to adapt PIG correspondingly), go to 53. Each block shown in Fig. 2 may contain one or more sub-steps for the method according to the invention and one or more sub-functions for the processor program products according to the invention. Block 52 results from the information signal being sent from the monitor-television 3 to the computer 2, block 54 results in the television control signal being sent from the computer 2 to the monitor-television 3. In the flow chart illustrating a (monitor) processor program product according to the invention comprising monitor control software 32 as shown in Fig. 3, the following blocks have the following meaning:
Block 60: Start, go to block 61.
Block 61 : Has the mouse information been received (the mouse actions within the PIG window and related to a PIG movement or PIG size adaptation are passed on to the monitor control sofware) ? If yes, go to block 62, if no, go to block 61.
Block 62: Update the PIG position or the PIG size in accordance with the mouse actions, go to block 63.
Block 63: Update the computer control software 22 with the latest PIG information with respect to position and size (this updating is, for example, done in block 51), go to block 61.
Each block shown in Fig. 3 may contain one or more sub-steps for the method according to the invention and one or more sub-functions for the processor program products according to the invention. Block 61 results from the television control signal being sent from the computer 2 to the monitor-television 3, and block 63 results in the information signal being sent from the monitor-television 3 to the computer 2.
The expression "for" in "for A" and "for B" does not exclude that other functions "for C", etc. are performed as well, simultaneously or not simultaneously. The expressions "X coupled to Y" and "a coupling between X and Y" and "coupling/couples X and Y", etc. do not exclude that an element Z is in between X and Y. The expressions "P comprises Q" and "P comprising Q", etc. do not exclude that an element R is comprises/included as well.
It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb "comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In the device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.
The invention is based upon the insight, inter alia, that monitor-televisions have separate inputs for receiving monitor signals from computers and for receiving television signals from television sources, whereby the display of the signals is controlled separately and is therefore user-unfriendly, and is based upon a basic idea, inter alia, that the television signals can be controlled via a television control signal coming from the computer. The invention solves the problem, inter alia, of providing a user- friendly system comprising a so-called monitor-television, and is advantageous, inter alia, in that the system is efficient and simple.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1. A system (1) comprising a computer (2) and a monitor-television (3), the monitor-television having a monitor input for receiving a monitor signal originating from the computer (2) and a television input for receiving a television signal originating from a television source (4) for simultaneously displaying at least a part of the monitor signal and, in dependence on a television control signal originating from the computer (2), at least a part of the television signal.
2. System (1) according to claim 1, wherein the computer (2) comprises a mouse and/or a keyboard (23) for controlling the television control signal.
3. System (1) according to claim 2, wherein the television control signal defines at least a position and/or a size of the displayed television signal within the displayed monitor signal.
4. System (1) according to claim 1, wherein the computer (2) has an output connector (21) coupled to an input connector (31) of the monitor-television (3) via a monitor coupling (13) for supplying the monitor signal, via a first control coupling (11) for supplying the television control signal, and via a second control coupling (12) for returning an information signal.
5. System (1) according to claim 4, wherein the system (1) comprises computer control software (22) for receiving input information from a mouse and/or a keyboard (23), for receiving the information signal, and for supplying the television control signal; and monitor control software (32) for receiving the television control signal, for supplying the information signal, and for controlling the display of the television signal.
6. A method for use in a system (1) comprising a computer (2) and a monitor- television (3), the monitor-television (3) having a monitor input for receiving a monitor signal originating from the computer (2) and a television input for receiving a television signal originating from a television source (4) for simultaneously displaying at least a part of the monitor signal and, in dependence on a television control signal, at least a part of the television signal, the method comprising the step of supplying the television control signal from the computer (2) to the monitor-television (3).
7. A monitor-television (3) having a monitor input for receiving a monitor signal originating from a computer (2) and a television input for receiving a television signal originating from a television source (4) for simultaneously displaying at least a part of the monitor signal and, in dependence on a television control signal originating from the computer (2), at least a part of the television signal.
8. A processor program product for use in a system (1) comprising a computer (2) and a monitor-television (3), the monitor-television (3) having a monitor input for receiving a monitor signal originating from the computer (2) and a television input for receiving a television signal originating from a television source (4) for simultaneously displaying at least a part of the monitor signal and, in dependence on a television control signal originating from the computer (2), at least a part of the television signal, the processor program product comprising monitor control software (32) for receiving the television control signal from the computer (2) and for supplying an information signal to the computer (2) and for controlling the display of the television signal.
9. A computer (2) for use in a system (1) comprising the computer (2) and a monitor-television (3) having a monitor input for receiving a monitor signal originating from the computer (2) and a television input for receiving a television signal originating from a television source (4) for simultaneously displaying at least a part of the monitor signal and, in dependence on a television control signal originating from the computer (2), at least a part of the television signal.
10. A processor program product for use in a system (1 ) comprising a computer (2) a monitor-television (3) having a monitor input for receiving a monitor signal originating from the computer (2) and a television input for receiving a television signal originating from a television source (4) for simultaneously displaying at least a part of the monitor signal and, in dependence on a television control signal originating from the computer (2), at least a part of the television signal, the processor program product comprising computer control software (22) for receiving input information from a mouse and/or a keyboard (23) and for receiving an information signal from the monitor-television (3) and for supplying the television control signal to the monitor-television (3).
PCT/IB2004/050217 2003-03-13 2004-03-09 System comprising a computer and a monitor-television using picture-in-picture or picture-in-graphic technology WO2004081912A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SG0300081 2003-03-13
SGPCT/SG03/00081 2003-03-13

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5027212A (en) * 1989-12-06 1991-06-25 Videologic Limited Computer based video/graphics display system
US6373500B1 (en) * 1999-08-19 2002-04-16 Micron Technology, Inc. Method for implementing picture-in-picture function for multiple computers
US20020071055A1 (en) * 2000-11-30 2002-06-13 Junichi Ooshima Display apparatus and method
US20020122046A1 (en) * 2001-03-01 2002-09-05 Dischert Lee R. Method and apparatus for keying of secondary video into primary video

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5027212A (en) * 1989-12-06 1991-06-25 Videologic Limited Computer based video/graphics display system
US6373500B1 (en) * 1999-08-19 2002-04-16 Micron Technology, Inc. Method for implementing picture-in-picture function for multiple computers
US20020071055A1 (en) * 2000-11-30 2002-06-13 Junichi Ooshima Display apparatus and method
US20020122046A1 (en) * 2001-03-01 2002-09-05 Dischert Lee R. Method and apparatus for keying of secondary video into primary video

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