Abstract:
The present invention, which meets the needs identified above, is an improved computer display device which is capable of displaying more computer desktop space than traditional display devices. The invention comprises a display monitor and at least one display module. The display monitor and the display module each contain their own desktop real estate. When the display module and the display monitor are connected together, the two desktops merge and create the improved desktop.  
     The display module and the display monitor are lined with a series of male and female couplers which contain electrical connections. When the couplers are connected, they are capable of supporting the weight of the display module when attached to the display monitor. Additionally, the couplers provide power to the display module and all the transmission of information back and forth between the display module and the display monitor. The transmitted information includes display data, the module size, and the module boundaries. Having couplers along the periphery of the display monitor and the display module allows the modules to be connected in various configurations and also allows the display modules to be indirectly connected to the display monitor through at least one other display module. The display monitor and display module communication allows the icons, programs, applications and cursor on the desktop to be positioned anywhere on the improved desktop. In addition, new cursor rules have also been invented to address areas of concavity.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to modular additions to graphical display devices and improvements thereon.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Flat panel LCD computer monitors are well known in the art. Unfortunately, flat panel LCD computer monitors have a fixed amount of real estate for users to work within (i.e. 1024×768 pixels). Although available in different sizes and aspect ratios, these monitors are also restricted to rectangular geometry. The inflexible characteristics of geometry and real estate often limit the ease of use and broad application of display technology. Over the years, computers have become faster and contain more robust operating systems, applications, memory, and hardware. Regrettably, the screen geometry and real estate have not advanced accordingly.  
           [0003]    LCD screen technology has advanced to the point where fiber optics can be used to display images up to the edge of the display monitor, such that the protective casing is not visible from the front of the display monitor. Such technology is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,128,662 issued Jul. 7, 1992 entitled “Collapsibly Segmented Display Screen for Computers or the Like” and U.S. Pat. No. 5,768,096 issued Jun. 16, 1998 entitled “Portable Computer with Movable Display Panels Forming a Concatenated Display Screen in Response to Opening the Computer.” While various applications for this technology have been conceived, the previous inventions have not disclosed a method for expanding the display device beyond its initial size, or for any type of display geometries besides a rectangular display.  
           [0004]    Traditional computer displays reveal only a fixed, finite portion of the total desktop, both visible and virtual. Current windows-type computer operating systems allow application windows and other objects to be placed on the virtual desktop outside the visible desktop area, where the application and other objects become clipped at the boundaries of the display area. Users have to reposition or resize some or all of the programs if part of one of the applications fall outside of the visible desktop area. For example, in FIG. 1 the user would have to move or resize program 3 so that the entire application window fits within the visible desktop area. This limitation forces the user to adapt to the constraints of the computer. The user will likely have to reorganize, minimize, or hide programs 1 and 2 in order to effectively work with program 3. Managing programs in this manner is very cumbersome. Therefore, a need exists for a display device that enables the user to reveal more of the virtual desktop (i.e. around program 3 at the lower right corner of the display in FIG. 1). Furthermore, a need exists for an apparatus and method that will allow the display device to be adaptable to a variety of different display size and configuration requirements. Finally, a need exists for an apparatus and method to increase the amount of real estate and/or screen configuration of an existing display device.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    The present invention, which meets the needs identified above, is an improved computer display device which is capable of displaying more computer desktop space than traditional display devices. The invention comprises a display monitor and at least one display module. The display monitor and the display module each contain their own desktop real estate. When the display module and the display monitor are connected together, the two desktops merge and create the improved desktop.  
           [0006]    The display module and the display monitor are lined with a series of male and female couplers which contain electrical connections. When the couplers are connected, they are capable of supporting the weight of the display module when attached to the display monitor. Additionally, the couplers provide power to the display module and all the transmission of information back and forth between the display module and the display monitor. The transmitted information includes display data, the module size, and the module boundaries. Having couplers along the periphery of the display monitor and the display module allows the modules to be connected in various configurations and also allows the display modules to be indirectly connected to the display monitor through at least one other display module. The display monitor and display module communication allows the icons, programs, applications and cursor on the desktop to be positioned anywhere on the improved desktop.  
           [0007]    As the newly created improved desktop may contain areas of concavity which were previously impossible given existing rectangular display devices, a new series of cursor rules has also been invented. As with the traditional desktop, the cursor may not leave the confines of the improved desktop. In other words, the cursor may not “shortcut” across the virtual desktop space which is not visible on either the display module or the display monitor. However, just as applications and programs could be placed on the virtual desktop in the traditional display device, applications and programs can be placed on the virtual desktop in the improved display device. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]    [0008]FIG. 1 is an illustration of the traditional display with “Program  3 ” becoming clipped as it falls partially outside the desktop.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 2A is an illustration of the process of attaching a display module onto the display monitor.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2B is an illustration of the improved desktop.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 3 is an illustration of the details of the couplers between the display monitor and the display module.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 4 is an illustration detailing the location of the couplers on the display monitor and the display module.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 5 is an illustration detailing the communication of information between the display monitor and the display module.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 6 is an illustration of different examples of display modules.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 7 is an illustration of the internal circuitry of the display modules and is also an illustration of the display monitor interacting with a plurality of display modules.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 8A is an illustration of the process of attaching the display module to the display monitor.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 8B is an illustration of the process of dragging an application onto the improved desktop created by the display module.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 8C is an illustration of the desktop behavior when the display module is removed from the display monitor.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 9A shows how the display monitor can be customized by adding many different display modules.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 9B shows the improved desktop after the addition of many different display modules.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 10 shows the cursor boundary of the improved desktop.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 11 illustrates the concept that the cursor cannot shortcut across the virtual desktop.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 12 shows that the invention allows applications to fall outside of the visible boundaries of the improved desktop. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0024]    As used herein, the term “desktop” means an on-screen work area that uses icons and menus to simulate the top of a desk. A desktop is characteristic of the Apple Macintosh and of windowing programs such as IBM OS/2 and Microsoft Windows. The intent of a desktop is to make a computer easier to use by enabling users to move applications, programs, icons, and pictures of objects, and to start and stop tasks in much the same way as they would if they were working on a physical desktop. The term desktop refers to real desktop space, which is visible on a display device, as opposed to virtual desktop space. As used herein, the term “virtual desktop” means an off-screen work area that uses icons and menus to simulate the top of a desk, but is outside of the display boundaries of a display device. Windows, programs, and applications may be placed on the virtual desktop, but the virtual desktop is not accessible to the cursor. As used herein, the term “real estate” means real desktop space. As used herein, the term “display monitor” means the device on which images generated by the computer&#39;s video adapter are displayed. As used herein, the term “display module” means a display device which may be attached to the display monitor and displays additional desktop space. The display module communicates with the display monitor such that the cursor can access both the display monitor desktop and the display module desktop. As used herein, the term “cursor” means the arrow or other on-screen icon that moves with movements of the mouse or similar input device. As used herein, the term “communication” means the process by which one computer component interfaces with another computer component. Communication is usually indicative of transmission of electrical signal, but can also include fiber optic transmissions, microwave signals, infrared signals, and other wireless transmission types. As used herein, the term “direct attachment” means an attachment between the display monitor and the display module via a single set of couplers. As used herein, the term “indirect attachment” means an attachment between the display monitor and the display module via a plurality of sets of couplers. Indirect attachment occurs when a display module is attached to another display module which is attached to the display monitor. The display monitor and the indirectly attached display module do not come into direct contact with each other. As used herein, the term “handshake signal” means an initial communication between a display module and a display monitor that takes place when power is provided to the display module. For a handshake signal to be communicated the display module and the display monitor must be attached to each other by either direct attachment or indirect attachment. The handshake signal is initiated by the display module and provides information necessary for the display monitor to recognize the display module so that the display module and the display monitor may continue to communicate until power is turned off.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 1 is an illustration of a traditional display device  100 . Traditional display device  100  comprises display monitor  102 , icons  104 , applications  106 ,  108 ,  110 , desktop  112 , and cursor  114 . Icons  104  and applications  106 ,  108 , and  110  are placed on desktop  112 , but may also be placed on the virtual desktop (not shown). In FIG. 1, the right half of application  110  is placed on the virtual desktop. Cursor  114  is used to manipulate program icons  104  and program applications  106 ,  108 ,  110 . However, cursor  114  cannot extend beyond desktop  112  onto the virtual desktop.  
         [0026]    The present invention is an improved display device incorporating a display module which attaches to the display monitor. FIG. 2A is an illustration of improved display device  200  showing the process of attaching display module  204  to display monitor  202 . Display module  204  allows virtual desktop space to be converted into real desktop space. The addition of more real estate to the desktop gives the user additional flexibility in running multiple applications simultaneously. Similar to traditional display device  100 , improved display device  200  comprises display monitor  202 , display module  204 , icons  206 , applications  208 ,  210 ,  212 , display monitor desktop  214 , display module desktop  216 , and cursor  220 . As seen in FIG. 2B, the addition of display module  204  to display-monitor  202  creates improved desktop  218 , which has more real estate than traditional desktop  100 . As the LCD screens in both the display monitor and the display module can be capable, through the use of fiber optics or of other technologies known to persons skilled in the art, of displaying an image up to the edge of the device, the illustration in FIG. 2B is an accurate representation of improved desktop  218 . Cursor  220  flows freely across improved desktop  218 , which in FIG. 2B is comprised of display monitor desktop  214  and display module desktop  216 . The increased real estate of improved desktop  218  allows the user to place application  212  in a position on improved desktop  218  where the entire application can be viewed, alleviating the need to have application  212  clipped by the previous boundary of display monitor  202 . With the addition of display module  204  to display monitor  202 , users can work with the additional real estate just as they did with the original desktop.  
         [0027]    Although display modules can come in assorted sizes and aspect ratios, the one selected for FIGS. 2A and 2B resulted in a non-rectangular display surface. This was done deliberately as non-rectangular display geometries can open up a world of possibilities and uses where the environment imposes real estate constraints. Examples of applications which frequently desire non-rectangular display geometries include industrial control panels, automotive dashboards, and aircraft cockpits, where irregular and non-flat, curving surfaces are typical.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 3 is an illustration of the connections between display monitor  202  and display module  204 . Male couplers  302  and female couplers  304  (couplers  300 ) surround the perimeter of both display monitor  202  on the left and display module  204  on the right. Couplers  300  serve three primary functions. First, they mesh together, providing a secure physical connection between the main display and each display module. If desired, additional clasps, clips, or support structures could be added to reinforce the physical connection. Second, they provide an electrical connection to power the display modules. Third, they provide a conduit for the main display to communicate row and column data to the modules. Couplers  300  resemble those made on children&#39;s blocks, such as LEGO® brand children&#39;s blocks. Couplers  300  alternate between male coupler  302  and female coupler  304  as illustrated in FIG. 3, allowing display module  204  to connect to display monitor  202  at any orientation. The alternating coupler design also allows display modules to be “daisy chained” together so that the display modules may be indirectly attached to display monitor  202  through another display monitor.  
         [0029]    As seen in FIG. 3, the periphery of both display monitor  202  and display housing  204  are lined with the series of alternating male  302  and female  304  couplers. Couplers  300  are evenly spaced and connected together with sufficient rigidity to support the weight of display module  204  when attached to display monitor  202 . Additionally, couplers  300  contain a series of electrical connections that allow communication between display monitor  202  and display module  204 . The electrical connections on couplers  300  also supply power to display module  204 .  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 4 is an illustration of the location of couplers  300  on display monitor  202  and display module  204 . Couplers  300  can be located on any number of sides of display monitor  202  and display module  204 , however in the preferred embodiment couplers  300  are located along the entire periphery of display monitor  202  and display module  204 . Those skilled in the art are aware of couplers which provide structural support and electrical connections and will know how to best configure couplers  300 .  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 5 is an illustration of the exchange of information between display monitor  202  and display module  204 . Couplers  300  create an electrical connection between display monitor  202  and display module  204  and make the exchange of information between display monitor  202  and display module  204  possible. When display module  204  is connected to display monitor  202 , display monitor  202  supplies power and display data to display module  204 . Internal circuitry  700  of display module  204  requires power to display the display module desktop  216  and to send display data back to display monitor  202 . Display data comprises the orientation and dimensions of the additional real estate (display module desktop  216 ) created by the addition of display module  204  to display monitor  202 . Additionally, display module  204  supplies display monitor  202  with the new display boundaries created by the addition of display module  204 . Display monitor  202  can confirm the display boundaries by detecting which couplers are communicating with display modules and which couplers are not communicating with display modules. The display boundaries are the limits of the visible desktop and are important in cursor movement as explained in conjunction with FIGS.  10 - 12 .  
         [0032]    As seen in FIG. 5, display monitor  202  manages data communications between the digital interface for the computer&#39;s video controller and display module  204 . Display module  204  draws power and the additional row and column data from display monitor  202  to render the X and Y coordinate mapped pixel data. In turn, display module  204  provides its dimensions (which in turn could be of variable geometry, see FIG. 6) to display monitor  202 . Display monitor  202  can become aware of the newly attached display modules in two ways. First, handshake signals could be used between display monitor  202  and the attached display module. Since the display module receives power from the display monitor, the handshake signal could be communicated the moment the display module is attached. Second, the display monitor processor (not shown) could scan the coupler bus (not shown) to instantly detect newly added display modules.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 6 shows a few examples of snap-in module sizes and aspect ratios, allowing of limitless combinations of resulting geometric surfaces. Display monitor  202  is capable of receiving multiple display modules, which are available in various sizes and can meet the display requirements of the individual user. Since display modules  602 ,  604 ,  606 , and  608  have couplers  300  around their periphery, display modules  602 ,  604 ,  606 , and  608  may be linked together and attached to display monitor  202  by couplers  300 . If the display modules are directly attached to display monitor  202 , as is the case with display modules  602 ,  606 , and  608 , the display modules directly communicate with display monitor  202 . However, if the display modules are indirectly connected to display monitor  202 , as is the case with display module  604 , then display module  604  communicates with display monitor  202  via display module  606 . Alternatively, display module  604  could communicate with display monitor  202  via display module  602 . In FIG. 6, display monitor  202  represents a 1024×768 pixel array. Display module  602  represents a 1024×384 pixel array. Display module  604  represents a 340×384 pixel array. Display module  606  represents a 340×768 pixel array. Display module  608  represents a 170×384 pixel array.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 7 shows a complex arrangement of display modules. The number and configuration of display modules is limited by the power delivery characteristics of the host system, though no different than daisy chained USB devices. As shown, each display module has its own CPU which is used primarily to assemble a map of connected devices and report the accumulated surface area. Each display module has a distinct ID, so that its surface area is not counted more than once. Arrow A shows display module  702  providing its dimensions to display monitor  202 . The common boundary is already known by display monitor  202  as display monitor  202  scans the coupler bus for connected modules. Arrow B shows display module  714  providing its own dimensions and passing that of display module  704  (via arrow C connection) to display monitor  202 .  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 7 also shows internal circuitry  700  of display module  702 . Internal circuitry  700  is representative of the internal circuitry of any of the display modules. Internal circuitry  700  comprises CPU  706 , electrical connections  708 , and memory  710 . CPU  706  is connected to LCD screen  712  via electrical connections  708 . Memory  710  and CPU  706  receive power from display monitor  202  via couplers  300  and electrical connections  708 . The display module dimensions and module boundaries, which are communicated to display monitor  202  via electrical connections  708  and couplers  300 , are stored in memory  710 . CPU  706  receives data from display monitor  202  and displays the display data on LCD screen  712 . In the case where a display module is indirectly connected to display monitor  202 , CPU  706  passes along to display monitor  202  any communications received from indirectly connected display modules. Once the module is connected, its connectors become an extension of the main monitor in order to provide electrical and data connections to yet more modules. For example, once connected and recognized, display modules  714  and  702  act as extensions of display monitor  202  and detect display module  704 , just as the display monitor  202  detected display modules  714  and  702 .  
         [0036]    Graphics rendering for the system is handled by an enhanced display device driver, resident on the operating system. The device driver works with the video controller and the monitor CPU to automatically reconfigure available real estate based on the currently attached display modules. The main display CPU then initiates or ceases the communication of row and column pixel data to modules that are respectively attached or detached.  
         [0037]    In an alternative embodiment, it may not be necessary to include CPUs in the display modules as long as the display monitor processor can handle the extra row and column data. Most likely, only a modified version of the controller already present in the displays would be necessary. Display pixels are analogous to system memory; that is, memory modules are automatically recognized by the system, and extra grids of screen real estate can be recognized in the same way. The display processor (not shown) could handle the extra information provided sufficient memory exists. A CPU could be used to make the module smarter, but is not necessary to communicate the module size and shape.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIGS. 8A and 8B show the invention in its use with a graphical environment such as Microsoft windows, which incorporates movable application windows. While this invention has novel uses under such an environment, it is important to note that it is equally applicable to specific applications such as industrial control systems, where the interface is custom built to the screen real estate, which in turn needs to fit into an area of non-standard physical geometry.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate the process of attaching display module  802  to display monitor  202  and navigating various applications within improved desktop  806 . As indicated by the arrow in FIG. 8A, display module  802  is attached to display monitor  202 , and the video drivers of display monitor  202  automatically recognize the addition of display module  802 . Display monitor  202  provides power and display data to display module  802 , enabling display module  802  to display the display module desktop  804 . In a windowing graphical environment scenario, users are able to add display modules to create homes for frequently used programs, or programs they wish to remain visible at all times. For example, program  208  may be a user&#39;s favorite chat program and the user would like to see who is or is not online at any given time. So that program  208  is not obscured by other programs, the user could add display module  802  to the upper left side of display monitor  202  as seen in FIG. 8A. As display monitor  202  and display module  802  are capable of displaying images up to their edge, improved desktop  806  (FIG. 8B), which is a combination of display module desktop  804  and display monitor desktop  214  (FIG. 8A), is created.  
         [0040]    Referring to FIG. 8B, the user can now use cursor  220  to drag program  208  into the new desktop space created by display module  802 . As long as display module  802  stays attached to display monitor  202 , program  208  will stay where the user puts it. Users can interact with the program as they would with any other program on the desktop. If display module  802  is detached (as illustrated in FIG. 8C), then program  208  dynamically pops desktop  214  back into display monitor  202 , adjacent to where display module  802  was previously attached.  
         [0041]    Display modules can be made in a variety of sizes and shapes, allowing the user to customize the size and shape of their display as well as the corresponding visible desktop. FIG. 9A shows the addition of three modules: display module  906  on the upper left, display module  902  on the lower right, and display module  904  across the top. Display module desktops  908 ,  910 , and  912  combine with display monitor desktop  214  to create improved desktop  914  (shown in FIG. 9B). Improved desktop  914  is a much larger, more flexible work environment compared to display monitor desktop  214 .  
         [0042]    Improved desktop  914  follows many of the same rules as display monitor desktop  214 . Cursor  220  cannot leave the boundary of improved desktop  914  (as seen in FIG. 10), just as it could not leave the boundary of display monitor desktop  214 . However, to solve a problem unique to non-rectangular desktops, cursor  220  cannot exit the improved desktop  914  at a point of concavity on improved desktop  914  in order to proceed at a diagonal into another portion of improved desktop  914 . As seen in FIG. 11, the virtual desktop which is not displayed is still off limits to cursor  220 . In order to get from point A to point C in FIG. 11, the user must navigate cursor  220  through point B. However, application windows and other objects are still allowed to fall outside of improved desktop  914 , thus becoming clipped at the boundaries of the new display area as shown in FIG. 12. In this way, improved desktop  914  treats applications and programs in much the same way as display monitor desktop  214 .  
         [0043]    With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.