WO2013184163A1 - System for implementing uniform display attributes - Google Patents

Abstract

A system is provided for updating attributes of a display for rendering an image which includes a tool, a host device, and a monitor including the display. The tool is utilized to define the desired display attributes and to create and export a configuration file which includes the attribute information and profile information; it allows for creation of the configuration file without requiring the user to have knowledge of the firmware associated with the display. The configuration file is received by the host device or may be received by the monitor. Upon a triggering event, updates are provided to the memory addresses of a display controller to effectuate updates to the display attributes. The agent provides the ability to update memory addresses of the display controller, unassigned under the communications standard. The configuration file may be utilized to update the configuration of multiple monitors in a uniform manner.

Description

SYSTEM FOR IMPLEMENTING UNIFORM DISPLAY ATTRIBUTES

PRIORITY

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of United States Patent application serial

number 13/162,177 filed June 17, 2011 and international application serial number

PCT/US2012/41313 filed June 7, 2012. The disclosure of each of these documents in herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention is generally directed to a system and method for updating display

attributes without updating the firmware associated with the display and for providing the updated display attributes to a plurality of displays.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Currently, uniform configuration of a plurality of video displays is achieved through the use of firmware installed on a microcontroller attached to each display. The display firmware typically provides information utilized to define the attributes of the image rendered on the display such as brightness, contrast, etc. When a user desires changes to be made to the display attributes, the firmware is updated to effectuate the desired changes. A problem with this approach is that users do not typically have sufficient knowledge of the firmware to effectuate the desired changes to the display attributes. Additionally, although the manufacturer has intimate knowledge of the display's firmware, once the display has been shipped to the user, revisions/updates to the firmware are cumbersome and require the manufacturer to reprogram/re-flash the firmware altogether.

[0004] United States Patent Application Publication 2007/0174418 ("the '418 Publication") is entitled Display Firmware Upgrade Without External Devices and describes a method for updating the firmware of a display. As described by the '418 Publication, the firmware upgrades are achieved when the user executes the firmware upgrade utility software 222 to upgrade the firmware 260 of the display 205. As described at paragraph [0024] execution of the firmware upgrade utility software 222 generates a plurality of instructions to upgrade the firmware 260. These firmware instructions are only carried out when the display is in a non- operating or off-line state. Updates to the display firmware occur, for example, upon boot up of the display. The '418 Publication, therefore, results in a static change to the display attributes. Dynamic changes to the display attributes are not achieved.

[0005] The present invention overcomes problems presented in the prior art and provides

additional advantages over the prior art. Such advantages will become clear upon a reading of the attached specification in combination with a study of the drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Briefly, the present invention discloses a system and method for defining attributes of a display. These display attributes are defined without requiring an update to the firmware of the display and therefore no knowledge of the firmware is required by the user. An embodiment of the invention provides for dynamic updates to the display attributes. An embodiment of the invention provides for updates to the display attributes without the use of a host device in communication with the display.

[0007] The invention includes a first software program which includes a graphical user interface and provides the user with a user- friendly means for defining the desired display attributes. The first software program is also referred to as a tool and further includes profiles which are utilized to efficiently define multiple display attributes. A configuration file is generated by the first software program or tool. The configuration file includes information regarding the desired display attributes and regarding the defined profiles. The configuration file is presented to either the central processing unit of the host device or the microcontroller unit of the monitor. A second software program is provided on the host device and on the monitor. Alternatively the second software program is provided on only the monitor. This second software program receives the configuration file and communicates the display attribute information to the display controller of the monitor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The organization and manner of the structure and operation of the invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals identify like elements in which:

[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the system of the present invention;

[00010] FIG. 2a illustrates the graphical user interface provided by the user tool of the present invention;

[00011] FIG. 2b illustrates an example of a configuration file defined by the user tool;

[00012] FIG. 3a is a flow diagram illustrating the prior art method of updating the display

attributes;

[00013] FIG. 3b is a flow diagram illustrating the method for updating display attributes utilizing the system illustrated in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an alternative system of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 illustrates the graphical user interface of the monitor of the system of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

[00014] While the invention may be susceptible to embodiment in different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and herein will be described in detail, specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to that as illustrated and described herein.

[00015] A first preferred embodiment of the system of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS.

1 -3 and a second preferred embodiment of the system of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 4-5.

[00016] A system 8 of the current invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. The system 8 generally

includes a monitor 10 including a display 12 for which the desired display attributes are to be defined, a host device 14 in communication with the monitor 10 for communicating the desired display attributes to the monitor 10, and a tool 16 for communicating the desired display attributes to the display 12. The host device 14, can be for example, a gaming machine which is in communication with the monitor 10.

[00017] As noted above, the monitor 10 includes the display 12 in communication with a

microcontroller (MPU)l 8, memory 20, and a display controller 21. The host device 14 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 22 in communication with a memory 25 and a graphics controller 24. An interface cable 26 allows for communication between the host device 14 and the monitor 10.

[00018] The tool 16 is a software program which is preferably provided on a user's evaluation platform. The tool 16 allows the user to define the desired attributes of the display 12 to render the video content in the desired manner. The tool 16 includes a graphical user interface to present the user with options for defining the display attributes in an easy-to-use manner, i.e. in a manner which does not require the user to have knowledge of the inner workings of the display's firmware. An embodiment of the graphical user interface 30 is illustrated in FIG. 2a. The interface 30 includes a list of the display attributes 32 along with an associated profile value 33, an associated active value 34, and an allowed value 36 for each display attribute 32. Display attributes 32 include, for example, brightness 32a, contrast 32b, Horizontal Position 32c, and Sharpness 32d. Many other attributes are listed in FIG. 2a and it is to be understood that the list illustrated in FIG. 2a is a partial list and that additional display attributes are included in the present invention. In addition, if the user would like to access an attribute of the display 12 which is not identified by the tool 16, the user may request that the tool 16 be modified to accommodate the additional attribute as will be discussed below. The list of allowed values 36 defines the range of values which the user may associate with each display attribute 32. For example, an integer value in the range from 0 to 100 may be selected for the display attribute Brightness 32a. If the user wants to increase the brightness of the display, the user simply increases the integer value presented in the Active Value column 34 for the field associated with the display attribute Brightness 32a.

[00019] The host device 14 is often provided in communication with a plurality of monitors 10.

As shown in FIG. 2a, the tool 16 includes a monitor selection field 31 to allow the user to select the monitor in order to provide an indication as to which monitor the attributes will be defined by the user. If for example, "monitor 1" is selected, the list of the display attributes 32, profile value 33, active value 34, and allowed value 36 for each display attribute 32 of a first monitor will be shown and can be modified by the user. On the other hand, if "monitor 2" is selected, the list of the display attributes 32, profile value 33, active value 34, and allowed value 36 for each display attribute 32 of a second monitor will be shown and can be modified by the user. Although, FIG. 2a illustrates that the tool 16 is configured to allow the user to define the attributes of a first and second monitor, it is to be understood, that the tool 16 can be configured to accommodate additional monitors if desired.

[00020] The tool 16 is also configured to provide for the creation and selection of profiles. As illustrated in FIG. 2a, the graphical user interface 30 presents a selection of profiles 40 which are configured by the manufacturer of the monitor 10 or the user of the monitor 10. Each profile 40 is configured to set or update a number of the display attributes 32 to a predetermined value as defined by the manufacturer or user. Upon selection of a profile 40, the pre-determined value associated with the attribute will be displayed in the profile value field 33. Updates to the tool 16 can be made at any time to accommodate the user's preferences. These updates can be achieved through the use of additional or revised profiles 40.

[00021] The use of a profile 40 allows several display attributes 32 to be "batched" together to minimize the user's effort and simplifies implementation in the field. This simplified manner of updating several data fields provides efficiency and ensures greater uniformity when updating the display attributes 32 of multiple displays 12. For example, if the user will be implementing a number of monitors 10 in a first environment which requires configuration of a first set of display attributes of the displays 12 of those monitors 10 in a first manner and additional monitors 10 will be implemented in a second environment which requires configuration of a second set of display attributes in another manner, the tool 16 can be utilized to provide an appropriate profile 40 for each environment. Rather than requiring the user to identify and set each of the display attributes in the first set for each display 12 to be implemented in the first environment or to identify and set each of the display attributes in the second set for each display 12 to be implemented in the second environment, the tool 16 can be configured accordingly to simplify the process for the user. The tool 16 is configured, for example, to present the user with the selection of a user defined profile 40 for

environment #1 or environment #2. Upon the user's selection of the profile 40 relating to environment #1, the tool 16 is configured to update the profile value 33 column as defined by the profile 40 relating to environment #1. When the selection of the profile 40 is applied, the active value 34 data fields relating to the appropriate display attributes 32 are updated to appropriately define the first set of display attributes. Alternatively, upon the user's selection of the profile 40 relating to environment #2, the tool 16 is configured to update the profile value 33 column as defined by the profile 40 relating to environment #2. When the selection of the profile 40 relating to environment #2 is applied, the active value 34 data fields relating to the appropriate display attributes 32 are updated to appropriately define the second set of display attributes.

[00022] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, two classes of profiles are utilized;

sequential profiles and instantaneous profiles. FIG. 2a illustrates examples of each classification of profile. Examples of sequential profiles illustrated in FIG. 2a include BRIGHT-80, CONTRAST-5, BAD and B100. Examples of instantaneous profiles illustrated in FIG. 2a include INSTANT-00 through INSTANT-09. The utilization of these types of profiles is described herein.

[00023] Any information regarding the active values 34 which the user has associated with the display attributes 32 and any information regarding the profiles 40 are stored in a

configuration file 50 associated with the tool 16. An example of a configuration file 50 is shown in FIG. 2b. Once all of the display attributes 32 have been defined by the user and the profiles 40 have been defined, the tool 16 is configured to export the configuration file 50 which includes the attribute and profile information from the tool 16. The configuration file 50 is received by the CPU 22 of the host device 14.

[00024] As noted above, the monitor 10 includes a display controller 21. The display controller 21 includes a plurality of addresses 46, 48 for communication of instructions to the display 12 and a plurality of function routines 49 associated with the addresses 46, 48. The addresses 46 of the display controller 21 are assigned in accordance with an appropriate

communication standard, e.g. a standard defined by the Video Electronics Standards

Association (VESA) such as the Display Data Channel Command Interface (DDC/CI) standard. This standard was designed to accommodate a fixed number of addresses, however, only a portion of this fixed number of addresses are assigned/utilized under the DDC/CI standard. The remainder of the addresses are unassigned. These unassigned addresses 48 are intended to accommodate future developments, such as, for example, new display characteristics not envisioned at the time the standard was developed.

[00025] A second software program, referred to herein as an "agent" includes two portions a host agent 60a and a monitor agent 60b. The host agent 60a is installed on memory 25 associated with the host device 14 and the monitor agent 60b is installed on memory 20 associated with the monitor 10. The agents 60a, 60b provide for communication of the information in the configuration file 50 to the display 12 as illustrated in FIG. 1. [00026] The host agent 60a receives the configuration file 50 prepared and exported from the tool 16. A variety of devices and methods may be utilized to communicate the configuration file to the host agent 60a of the host device 14, for example, a communications cable, wireless communication with the host device, or a memory device placed in communication with the host device 14. The configuration file received by the host agent 60a includes attribute and profile information. The configuration file 50 includes standard attribute information to be provided to the assigned memory addresses 46 and customized attribute information to be provided to the unassigned memory addresses 48 of the display controller 21, i.e., memory addresses which are not assigned in accordance with the communication standard utilized to a particular function routine 49.

[00027] The host agent 60a translates the configuration file 50 into information which can be communicated by the CPU 22 to the graphics controller 24. This information includes information relating to profiles and information relating to attributes which were not previously accounted for in the communications standard of the display controller 21. When the host agent recognizes that a triggering event has occurred, the graphics controller 24, via the interface cable 26, transmits the attribute information to the monitor agent 60b via MPU 18. Triggering events may be, for example, initiation of a particular game on the host device 14, or a particular event within a game running on the host device 14. The interface cable 26 can use any one of a number of physical layer link solutions for transferring the information, such as for example, I²C, USB, DisplayPort or Thunderbolt. Although the interface cable 26 has been described, it is to be understood that connection between the host device and the monitor can be made in a wireless manner. Additionally, it is to be understood that a graphics controller 24 may not be necessary to provide communication between the host device 14 and the monitor 10.

[00028] The monitor agent 60b, which is in communication with the MPU 18, receives the

information provided for the assigned and unassigned addresses of the display controller 21. The monitor agent 60b translates the information received via the graphics controller 24 and provides the information to the appropriate memory addresses of the display controller 21. The standard attribute information is provided to the assigned addresses 46 of the display controller 21 and the customized attribute information is provided to the unassigned addresses 48 of the display controller 21. The display controller 21 includes a number of function routines 49. Each function routine 49 is associated with a memory address of the display controller 21. E.g. memory address 010 of the display controller 21 is associated with a function routine 49 used to set brightness; memory address 012 of the display controller 21 is associated with a function routine used to set contrast, etc. The MPU 18 is configured to periodically scan the addresses 46, 48 of the display device controller 21. When upon scanning the addresses the MPU 18 determines that an update has occurred, the appropriate function routine 49 is called to provide the information associated with the memory address 46, 48 to the display 12 and the function routine 49 effectuates the desired display attributes on the display 12.

[00029] As noted above, in some instances the host device 14 communicates with multiple

monitors 10. Each monitor 10 includes a display 12 and a display controller 21. The display 12 of each monitor 10 may be configured to render images in a different manner than the remaining displays 12 associated with the host device 14. In these instances, the

configuration file 50 includes information relating to each monitor 10 associated with the display host device 14. The host agent 60a is configured to communicate with each monitor 10 and provides updates to the addresses 46, 48 of each display controller 21.

[00030] In one example, a user desires to define brightness of the display 12 and to activate the parallax filter of the display 12. An assigned memory address 46 is used to control the brightness function routine 49 and an unassigned memory address 48 is used to control a function routine 49 for turning on or off the parallax filter to enable the monitor to render 3D content. The parallax barrier function routine 49 is not associated with any of the addresses defined by the VESA Standard. More specifically, no portion of the DDC/CI

communications standard is assigned for providing parallax filter information to the display 12. Memory address E5 of the display controller 21 is unassigned under the DDC/CI communications standard and is therefore used to hold the parallax filter information, i.e. to designate whether the parallax filter of the display 12 is to be set in the "on" or "off mode. The host agent 60a, therefore, is configured to, identify the type of monitor which is in communication with the host device, to receive the configuration file 50, to provide information regarding brightness and information regarding the parallax filter to the host graphics controller 24 and to define the association of the information received with the appropriate addresses 46, 48. Upon the occurrence of a triggering event associated with the brightness attribute, the graphics controller 24 provides the information regarding brightness to the monitor agent 60b via MPU 18. The monitor agent 60b, translates the brightness information and provides the information to the assigned memory address 46 of the display controller 21. Upon the occurrence of a triggering event associated with the parallax attribute, the graphics controller 24 provides the information regarding the parallax filter to the monitor agent 60b via the MPU 18. The monitor agent 60b translates the parallax attribute information and provides the information to the unassigned memory address E5 of the display controller 21. Specifically a "1" is placed on memory address 48 of the display controller 21. When the MPU 18 scans the registers of the display controller 21, updates to the addresses are recognized and the appropriate function routines 49 are called upon to adjust the brightness and to turn on the parallax filter of the display 12.

[00031] By utilizing the additional capacity provided by the unassigned addresses 48 of the

communication standard, the software agent 60a, 60b is configured to provide additional commands to the display 12 which were not previously accommodated in the

communications standard. The user is therefore provided with a convenient means for accessing additional capabilities of the display 12.

[00032] The host agent 60a provides the ability to simultaneously update several addresses of the display controller 21 with a single command. In other words, the host agent 60a provides the ability to update several addresses in a "batch" form. As noted above, the configuration file 50 includes attribute information and profile information. As described above, the host agent 60a is configured to update individual attributes upon the occurrence of triggering events associated with the individual attributes. Additionally or alternatively, the host agent 60a is configured to update a plurality of attributes upon the occurrence of profile triggering events by using the profile information from the configuration file 50. Specifically, upon the occurrence of a profile triggering event, the host agent 60a is configured to update all attribute fields associated with a profile 40 and provide the updated attribute information to the MPU 18. The agent 60b associated with the monitor MPU 18 is configured to receive this information and in response update several memory addresses of the display controller 21.

[00033] As noted above, two types of profiles are utilized; sequential profiles and instantaneous profiles. Sequential profiles provide for a sequential update of the associated attributes. For example, if five attributes are associated with the sequential profile, the information relating to the first attribute will be provided over the interface cable 26, followed by the information relating to the second attribute, and so on, until the information relating to the fifth attribute is provided over the interface cable 26.

[00034] Instantaneous profiles are utilized in a different manner. Upon initialization or boot up of the monitor 10, the host agent 60a is configured to provide the instantaneous profile information to the graphics controller 24 and to the monitor agent 60b and the instantaneous profile information is stored in the memory of the monitor 10. When the host agent 60a receives confirmation of a profile triggering event associated with the instantaneous profile, an instruction to activate the profile is provided by the graphics controller 24 to the monitor agent 60b via the interface cable 26. Upon receipt of the instruction to activate the instantaneous profile, the attribute information associated with each attribute defined by the instantaneous profile is provided to the appropriate memory addresses of the display controller 21. Use of the instantaneous profile, therefore, allows a single profile activation instruction to be provided over the interface cable 26 during operation of the monitor 10 in order to update several memory addresses of the display controller 21. Thus, the information to be provided over the interface cable 26 during operation of the monitor 10 is minimized.

[00035] Instantaneous profiles may also be utilized when the host device 14 communicates with a number of monitors 10. In this case, upon initialization or boot up of each monitor 10, the host agent 60a is configured to provide instantaneous profile information to the monitor agent 60b associated with each monitor 10 and the appropriate instantaneous profile information is stored in the memory of each monitor 10. When the host agent 60a receives confirmation of a profile triggering event associated with an instantaneous profile, the instruction to activate the profile is provided to the display agent 60b. Upon receipt of the instruction to activate the instantaneous profile, the attribute information associated with each attribute defined by the instantaneous profile is provided to the appropriate memory address of the appropriate controller 21.

[00036] As described above, the attributes of the display 12 are updated without requiring an update to the display firmware of the monitor 10 in contrast to the prior art which requires updates to the firmware. The user is not required, therefore, to have a working knowledge of the display firmware. [00037] Updates to the display attributes, which occur as a result of firmware updates, occur when the display is in a boot-up/initialization mode. These firmware updates only allow for static updates to the display attributes. In contrast, the updates to the display attributes provided by the present invention provide for updates that can occur during the operational mode of the display. Use of the agents 60a, 60b in connection with triggering events therefore provide the ability to update the display attribute information to the display 12 in a dynamic fashion. The ability to provide dynamically defined display attributes without requiring any updates to the firmware of the monitor 10 provides the user with increased flexibility.

[00038] The agent 60a, 60b can be utilized to provide updated display attributes to the display 12 as frequently as desired by the user. In order to maximize the bandwidth of the interface cable 26, instantaneous profiles are utilized. By providing the attributes associated with the instantaneous profiles to the memory of the monitor 10 at initialization, during operation, a single instruction can be carried by the interface cable upon the occurrence of the triggering event, however, all attributes associated with the display 12 will be updated at the display controller 21. Thus, even when updates are requested by the user very frequently, the delay in rendering the image is minimized.

[00039] Use of systems 8 results in cost efficiencies, time efficiencies and added flexibility to the user. As noted above, in the past updates to the display attributes required an intimate knowledge of the display firmware associated with the monitor 10. The previous methodology 100 of achieving updates to the display attributes is illustrated in FIG. 3a. Steps of the methodology 100 performed by the monitor manufacturer are provided above line 102 and steps performed by the user are provided below the line 102. As shown in FIG. 3 a, the method begins at step 104 wherein the manufacturer collects preliminary display attributes from the user to provide an initial sample. Next, at step 105 the manufacturer encodes the preliminary display attributes in the display firmware of the monitor 10. Next, at step 106, the userreviews the display attributes to confirm compliance with the user's requirements provided at step 104. If compliance is achieved, the display is then shipped to the user. Next, at step 107 the user reviews the display attributes to confirm compliance with the user's requirements. Next, if at step 108 it is determined that the display is configured satisfactorily, at step 109 the display is ready to be incorporated into the final product for mass production. If, however, at step 108 the user determines that the display is not satisfactorily configured, the monitor is returned to the monitor manufacturer, and at step 110 the revised and/or new display attributes are communicated to the monitor manufacturer and the process can begin again from step 104.

[00040] The new methodology 150 achieved with implementation of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 3b. Steps of the methodology 150 performed by the monitor manufacturer are provided above the line 152 and steps performed by the user are provided below the line 152. As shown in FIG. 3b, the method begins at step 156 where the manufacture identifies and captures the display attributes to be defined, i.e. the manufacturer configures the tool 16 and the agent 60a, 60b to set or reset the desired attributes of the display 12. If necessary, the manufacture also associates function routines 49 with unassigned memory addresses 48. Next, at step 158 the user determines if any new display attributes desired are not currently accommodated by the tool 16. If at step 158, the user determines that each of the desired display attributes is not accommodated by the tool 16, i.e. that the desired display attribute is not included in the list of attributes 32 of the tool 16 and therefore is not associated with a memory address 48 and a function routine 49, at step 159 the user requests definition of the desired attribute in the tool 16 by the monitor manufacturer. Unlike prior art, if the newly desired attribute relates to an assigned memory address 46 or an unassigned memory address

48 and previously associated function routine 49, the monitor does not have to be returned to the monitor manufacturer and the monitor manufacturer can simply revise the list of attributes 32 remotely minimizing disruption to the user. Return of the monitor to the manufacture for firmware upgrade or local firmware upgrades by a technician are only required when an unassigned memory address 48 needs to be associated with a new function routine 49. Next, at step 156 the manufacturer captures the newly defined attributes in the tool 16, and provides the user with the revised tool 16. In addition, if new function routines

49 need to be associated with the unassigned memory addresses 48, the manufacturer provides an upgrade to the monitor firmware to implement the new function routines. The process then returns to step 158 again where the user reviews the tool 16 to determine whether the desired attributes are defined within the tool 16.

[00041] If at step 158 the user determines that all desired attributes are defined, the user may then proceed to step 160. At step 160, the user defines the display attributes and profiles until at step 162 the user is satisfied. If at step 162, the display attributes are satisfactorily defined, then at step 163, the user generates the configuration file 50. At the next step 164, using the configuration file 50, the monitor is ready to be used in the product development cycle and prepared for mass production. Using the configuration file, the updates to the display attributes are applied uniformly to as many displays as desired by the user. If desired, the user may provide the configuration file 50 to the monitor manufacturer for implementation of the configuration file 50 by the manufacturer rather than by the user. Although the configuration file 50 is incorporated by the manufacturer, the user still maintains the ability to make further updates or revisions to the display attributes by utilizing tool 16 to create an updated configuration file 50.

[00042] The invention obviates the need to iteratively revise the display firmware each time the user desires new display attributes. As can be observed from FIG. 3b, in most cases, knowledge of the firmware is not necessary to implement new display attributes and many of the steps needed to implement new display attributes defined by the user may be completed entirely by the user. Involvement from the monitor manufacturer is required only when the particular display attribute desired by the user is not capable of being defined by the user using the display attributes 32 provided in the tool 16. In that situation, the manufacturer will update the tool 16 to accommodate the new display attribute. Access to the monitor by the manufacturer is required only when a new function routine needs to be associated with an unassigned memory address 48. Because in many cases the user can complete the

implementation of the new display attributes without involvement from the monitor manufacturer, the time in which the user can bring the product to market is reduced. Because the user has the tool 16 to implement the revisions, the user can implement revisions much later in the product development cycle, affording greater flexibility in the development cycle. This increased flexibility avoids costs associated with changes late in the development cycle.

[00043] A second embodiment 200 of the system is illustrated in FIG. 4. The embodiment of the system 200 provides a system for uniformly configuring display attributes of a monitor(s) without requiring communication of the display attribute information via a host device. The system 200 is same as the system 8 except as described herein. Those elements of the system 200 which are the same as the elements of the system 8 have been provided with the same reference numbers.

[00044] The host 206 is similar to the host 14 of the system 8, however, the host 206 does not include a host agent.

[00045] The monitor 202 of the system 8 generally includes a display 12, a microcontroller

(MPU) 18, memory 20, a display controller 21, and interactive controls 262. The interactive controls 262 include, for example, buttons or controls which provide for interaction by the user with a graphical user interface (GUI) of the monitor 202.

[00046] In the same manner as the system 8, the display controller includes a plurality of assigned memory addresses 46 for communication of display attribute information to the display 12 in accordance with known display standards and a plurality of unassigned memory addresses 48 which are utilized in the present invention for the communication of non-standard or customized attribute information to display 12. The display controller 21 includes a plurality of function routines 49. Each function routine 49 is associated with a memory addresses 46, 48.

[00047] As with the system 8 described above, any information regarding the values 34 which the user would like to associate with the display attributes 32 and any information regarding the profiles 40 are stored in a configuration file 50 associated with the tool 16. An example of a configuration file 50 is shown in FIG. 2b. Once all of the display attributes 32 have been defined by the user and the profiles 40 have been defined, the tool 16 is configured to export the configuration file 50 which includes the attribute and profile information from the tool 16. Unlike the system 8 in which the configuration file 50 is received by the CPU 22 of the host device 14, in the system 200, the configuration file 50 is received by the MPU 18 of the monitor 202 and stored in the memory 20 of the monitor 10.

[00048] Unlike the system 8 which provides a host agent 60a and a monitor agent 60b, the system 200 provides only a monitor agent 260. The monitor agent 260 is installed on memory 20 associated with the monitor 202. The monitor agent 260 receives the configuration file 50 prepared and exported from the tool 16. The attribute and profile information provided by the configuration file 50 includes standard attribute information to be provided to the assigned memory addresses 46 and customized attribute information to be provided to the unassigned memory addresses 48 of the display controller 21. Function routines 49 are associated with assigned memory addresses 46 and function routines 49 are associated with unassigned memory addresses 48.

[00049] . In the system 200, the tool 16 is used to select or define one or more instantaneous profiles 40. Each instantaneous profile 40 may include attribute information relating to a plurality of display attributes. This instantaneous profile information is provided in the exported configuration file 50 which is then provided to and stored in the memory 20 of the monitor 202. The configuration file 50 may be placed on the memory 210 of the monitor 202 at the time of manufacture or may be subsequently transmitted to the memory 210 and stored in the memory 210. Transmission of the configuration file 50 may be provided via a wired connection with the monitor 202 or a wireless connection with the monitor 202.

[00050] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the monitor 202 includes a graphical user interface 270 which allows the user 201 to make typical on-screen revisions to the display attributes e.g. change the brightness or contrast. The graphical user interface (GUI) 270 of the monitor 202 also provides the user with the ability to select information from the configuration file 50 stored in the memory 210. More specifically, the monitor GUI presents the user with the ability to select standard attribute information to be associated with assigned memory addresses, customized attribute information to be associated with unassigned memory addresses, or instantaneous profiles 40. The attribute information 32 displayed by the GUI interface 270 includes those attributes 32 selected and/or defined by the user with the user tool 16 and exported to the configuration file 50. The profiles 40 displayed by the GUI interface 270 includes those profiles 40 selected and/or defined by the user via the user tool 16 and exported to the configuration file 50. Selection of the attribute information and selection of a profile is made via interaction by the user 201 with the interactive controls 262. Because the system 200 does not include a host agent 60a, updates to the display attributes are not triggered by actions occurring on the host device 206. Rather, the selection of the attribute information or profile 40 via interaction with the interactive controls 262, provides a triggering event.

[00051] Upon recognition by the monitor agent 260 that the triggering event has occurred, the monitor agent 260 translates the attribute information to the appropriate memory addresses 46, 48 of the display controller 21. If, for example, the triggering event is the selection of standard attribute information, the monitor agent 260 translates the standard attribute information to the appropriate assigned memory address 46. If, for example, the triggering event is the selection of customized attribute information, the monitor agent 260 translates the customized attribute information to the appropriate unassigned memory address 48. If, for example, the triggering event is the selection of a profile 40, the monitor agent 260 translates standard or customized attribute information associated with the profile 40 to the appropriate assigned and unassigned memory addresses 46, 48 of the controller 21.

[00052] Each function routine 49 is associated with a memory address 46, 48 of the display

controller 21. The MPU 18 is configured to periodically scan the addresses 46, 48 of the display device controller 21. If upon scanning the addresses the MPU 18 determines that an update has occurred, the appropriate function routine 49 is called to provide the information associated with the memory address 46, 48 to the display 12 and the function routine 49 configures the desired display attributes as desired on the display 12.

[00053] Selection and thus triggering of customized attribute information, allows a user to

implement customized display attributes without requiring knowledge of the display firmware. Thus, a user may implement display characteristics which were not addressed by the implemented communication standard. Selection and thus triggering of a profile 40 allows a user to update a plurality of display attributes with a single triggering event to result in the update of several memory addresses 46, 48 of the display controller 21 and allows the user to implement a plurality of display characteristics including those not addressed by the implemented communication standard.

[00054] The system 200 allows the user to select and define display attributes via the user tool 16 and the configuration file 50. The new methodology achieved with implementation of system 200 is identical to the method illustrated in FIG. 3b and described above with respect to the system 8. Unlike the system 8 however, wherein at step 164 wherein the user leverages the configuration file by providing the configuration file to a plurality of monitors via a host device, in system 200 the configuration file 50 may be leveraged by providing the configuration file 50 to the monitor 202. Because the configuration file 50 can be provided to a plurality of monitors 202, the updates to a plurality of display attributes can be applied uniformly to each of the monitors 202.

[00055] As with the system 8, many updates to the display attributes are achieved by the system 200 without requiring assistance from the monitor manufacturer or an update to the firmware of the monitor 202. By providing the user with the ability to make the updates, the time in which the user can bring the product to market is reduced. In addition, because the monitor agent 260 provides for translation of the configuration file 50, the user is not required, to have a working knowledge of the display firmware in order to effectuate changes to the display attributes. Because the user can implement revisions later in the product

development cycle greater flexibility is afforded in the product development cycle. The system 200 provides the additional advantage of allowing the user the ability to effectuate the updates to the display attributes without providing an agent (i.e. software) on the host device. Thus the system 200 provides an advantage over the system 8 in the event the user desires the ability to effectuate updates to the display attributes but does want to alter the host device.

As with the system 8, involvement from the monitor manufacturer and knowledge of the firmware is required in connection with the system 200 only when the particular display attribute desired by the user is not capable of being defined by the user using the display attributes 32 provided in the tool 16 (i.e., if the display attribute has not been identified in the user interface). In that situation, the manufacturer will update the tool 16 to accommodate the new display attribute and if necessary provide a function routine 49 to be associated with an unassigned memory address 48.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown and described, it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention.

Claims

THE INVENTION CLAIMED IS:

1. A monitor comprising :

a display;

a display controller including a plurality of memory addresses for storing display attribute information, said display controller in communication with said display;

a memory in communication with said display controller, said memory including a configuration file, said configuration file including a profile associated with display attribute information relating to a plurality of display attributes; and

a monitor agent, wherein said monitor agent receives said configuration file and upon occurrence of a triggering event associated with said profile translates said display attribute information relating to a plurality of display attributes to said plurality of memory addresses.

2. The monitor as defined in claim 1, wherein said triggering event is provided by the selection of a profile.

3. The monitor as defined in claim 1, wherein the monitor further comprises interactive controls and said selection of a profile is made via interaction with said interactive controls.

4. The monitor as defined in claim 1 , wherein said display controller is configured for use in connection with a communication standard and wherein said monitor agent translates information from said display attribute information to memory addresses assigned in accordance with said communication standard.

5. The monitor as defined in claim 1, wherein said display controller is configured for use in connection with a communication standard and wherein said monitor agent translates information from said display attribute information to memory addresses unassigned in accordance with said communication standard.

6. The monitor as defined in claim 1 , wherein said display controller further includes function routines associated with said memory addresses.

7. The monitor as defined in claim 5, wherein said display controller further includes function routines associated with said memory addresses unassigned in accordance with said communication standard.

8. A monitor comprising:

a display;

a display controller in communication with said display, said display controller including a plurality of memory addresses for storing display attribute information, wherein said display controller is configured for use in connection with a communication standard and at least one of said plurality of memory addresses is unassigned in accordance with said communication standard;

a memory in communication with said display controller, said memory including a configuration file, said configuration file including customized display attribute information to be associated with said unassigned memory address; and

a monitor agent, wherein said monitor agent receives said configuration file and upon occurrence of a triggering event translates said customized display attribute information to said unassigned memory address.

9. The monitor of claim 8 further comprising:

a function routine associated with said plurality of memory addresses.

10. The monitor of claim 9, wherein said function routine is associated with said unassigned memory address.

12. The monitor of claim 8, wherein said triggering event is provided by the selection of said customized display attribute information.

13. The monitor of claim 12, wherein said monitor further comprises interactive controls and said selection of said customized display attribute information is made via interaction with said interactive controls.

14. The monitor as defined in claim 8, wherein said configuration file includes a profile associated with display attribute information relating to a plurality of display attributes; and upon occurrence of a triggering event associated with said profile, said monitor agent translates said display attribute information relating to a plurality of display attributes to a plurality of said memory addresses.

15. A method of configuring display attributes of a display comprising the steps of:

providing a monitor including, the display, a display controller in communication with said display, said display controller including a plurality of memory addresses for storing display attribute information, and a monitor agent in communication with said display controller;

providing a configuration file to said monitor, said configuration file having a profile associated with display attribute information relating to a plurality of display attributes;

providing a triggering event associated with said profile; and

wherein in response to said triggering event, said monitor agent translates said display attribute information relating to a plurality of display attributes to said plurality of memory addresses.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of:

providing interactive controls on said monitor; and

wherein said triggering event is provided by interaction with said interactive controls.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein said step of providing a monitor further includes providing a monitor having function routines associated with said plurality of memory address, and further including the step of:

calling a plurality of function routines to configure said plurality of display attributes.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein said step of providing a monitor further includes providing a monitor having a display controller configured for use in connection with a communications standard and wherein said plurality of memory addresses includes at least one memory address unassigned in accordance with said communication standard; and wherein said step of translating includes translating to said unassigned memory address.

19. A method of configuring display attributes of a display comprising the steps of:

providing a monitor including: the display, a display controller in communication with said display, said display controller configured in accordance with a communications standard, and including a plurality of memory addresses for storing display attribute information, wherein at least one of said memory addresses is unassigned by said communications standard, and a monitor agent in communication with said display controller,

providing a configuration file to said memory of said monitor, said configuration file including customized attribute information to be associated with said unassigned memory address;

providing a triggering event; and

wherein in response to said triggering event, said monitor agent translates said customized attribute information to said unassigned memory address.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said step of providing a monitor further includes providing a function routine associated with said unassigned memory addresses; and further including the step of:

calling said function routine associated with said unassigned memory address to configure a display attribute which is not accommodated by said communications standard.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein said configuration file includes a profile associated with display attribute information relating to a plurality of display attributes, further including the steps of:

providing a triggering event associated with said profile;

wherein in response to said triggering event associated with said profile said agent translates said information relating to a plurality of display attributes to a plurality of memory addresses; and wherein function routines associated with said plurality of memory addresses are initiated to configure a plurality of said display attributes.