Patent ID: 6232932
Filing Date: 2001-05-15
Classification: G06F,G09G

Abstract:
A multi-function display system comprising:a host computer having its own primary video display system or systems;a secondary video display system within the host computer, with frame buffer memory that is independent of the primary video display system or systems;a means for dividing the frame buffer memory of the secondary video display system into predetermined subsections, where each subsection serves as a specific video channel's frame buffer;a means for executing a compatible software application on the host computer for rendering independent, self-contained images within each video channel's frame buffer;a means for converting the digital data within each video channel's frame buffer into an independent video channel output signal, thereby generating a plurality of independent video channel output signals;a plurality of multi-function displays;and a means within the host computer for interpreting a transmitted code from the plurality of the multi-function displays and then carrying out a course of events on the host computer that had been preassigned to the transmitted code;wherein each of said plurality of the multi-function displays comprises a means for transmitting the plurality of the independent video channel output signals to one or more multi-function displays for the purpose of being displayed;a plurality of user input devices attached to the display;a means for examining a state of the user input devices on each display;a means for generating an output code indicative of both the examined state of the user input devices on a selected display, and a selected video channel to which the selected display was set by the user input devices when the state of the user input devices was examined;a means for transmitting said output code to said host computer;and a channel selection means for selecting one of the plurality of the independent video channel output signals to be displayed on the display in response to a user input via the user input devices.