Abstract:
An apparatus and method for providing control of a picture within a picture display device having at least two windows that receive input from two different computers. The present invention permits a user to use input devices from one of these computers to control cursor movements in all windows. Moreover, the present invention allows data and images to be cut and pasted between the windows. The apparatus of the present invention includes a PWP control module that resides on each of the computers connected to the PWP display device. The PWP control device provides cursor control on the PWP display device and communicates cursor movements to the appropriate computer, depending on the cursor location. Moreover, the PWP control module includes a buffer for storing cut and paste data such that a common buffer is used to store cut and paste data from each computer. The method of the present invention includes using an input device connected to one of the computers to move the cursor, determining at which window the cursor is located, and sending a movement signal from the input device to the window at which the cursor is located.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates in general to multi-input display devices and more particularly to an apparatus and method for providing control of a picture within a picture (PWP) display device having inputs from two different computers displayed in two separate windows such that an input device from one of the computers can be used to control both windows.  
           [0003]    2. Related Art  
           [0004]    Picture within a picture (PWP) display devices are popular devices that allow connection of at least two computers. PWP display devices are popular among higher-end computer systems for connecting to multiple command workstations. The PWP display device typically has two input ports with each port connected to a separate computer. The PWP display device is similar to a typical computer display device except that the PWP display device can display data from two computers simultaneously. The PWP display device displays data from a first computer in a first window (typically the main or background window) and data from a second computer in a second window (typically a smaller window). A cursor on the PWP display device is controlled by the first computer when the cursor is in the first window. This allows the user to control and manipulate the data displayed in the first window with a first input device (such as a mouse) connected to the first computer. When the cursor is moved to the border of the second window the first input device can no longer control the cursor and the cursor stops. The user must then move over to the second computer and use a second input device (such as a mouse) connected to the second computer to control the cursor. Thus, the mouse connected to the first computer is used to control the cursor when it is in the first window while the mouse connected to the second computer is used to control the cursor when it is in the second window.  
           [0005]    There are several problems with this arrangement. First, whenever the cursor reaches the border of the second window it will no longer accept inputs from the mouse of the first computer. This means that the user must move to the second computer and use the mouse connected to the second computer to control the cursor. This takes time, is inconvenient and can cause user frustration. More importantly, it is not possible to cut or paste in or out of the second window. This is because all cut and paste data is stored in the mouse driver buffer area of each respective computer.  
           [0006]    Accordingly, what is needed is an apparatus and method for controlling a PWP display device that eliminates the need for a user to manually move between the input devices of separate computers. In particular, what is needed is a PWP display device control apparatus and method that allow a single keyboard/mouse pair to be used to control both windows on the PWP display device. Moreover, what is needed is an apparatus and method that permits cutting and pasting between windows of the PWP display device.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    To overcome the limitations in the prior art as described above and other limitations that will become apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the present invention includes an apparatus and method for controlling a picture within a picture (PWP) display device. The PWP display device, which is connected to least two computers, contains a main window (that displays data and images from a first computer) and a PWP window (that displays data and images from a second computer). The present invention allows a user to use input devices from one of the computers to control data and images in both windows. The present invention also allows data and images to be cut and pasted between the main window and the PWP window.  
           [0008]    The apparatus of the present invention includes a PWP control module that resides on each of the computers connected to the PWP display device. The PWP control device provides cursor control on the PWP display device and communicates cursor movements to the controlling computer. Moreover, the PWP control module includes a buffer for storing cut and paste data such that a central buffer is used to store cut and paste data from each computer. This enables the present invention to allow cutting and pasting between the main window and the PWP window. The method of the present invention includes providing a PWP display device and computers connected to the device and selecting a default input device. The method further includes determining which display area the cursor in located and using the PWP control module to communicate cursor movements to the corresponding computer. Moreover, the present invention includes storing cut and paste data in a common PWP control module buffer.  
           [0009]    Other aspects and advantages of the present invention as well as a more complete understanding thereof will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention. Moreover, it is intended that the scope of the invention be limited by the claims and not by the preceding summary or the following detailed description. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    The present invention can be further understood by reference to the following description and attached drawings that illustrate the preferred embodiments. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the present invention.  
         [0011]    Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout:  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computer system incorporating the present invention and is shown for illustrative purposes only.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the components of the present invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3A is an exemplary example illustrating the control flow of the present invention when the cursor is in the main window.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3B is an exemplary example illustrating the control flow of the present invention when the cursor is on the border of the PWP window.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is a general flow diagram illustrating the operation of the PWP control module shown in FIG. 2.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0017]    In the following description of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration a specific example whereby the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.  
         [0018]    I. Introduction  
         [0019]    Current picture within a picture (PWP) display devices allow the connection of two or more computers and display information (such as data, text, video and images) from these computer in separate windows on the PWP display device. One way to control the information in each window is using a cursor on the PWP display device that can be moved within each window to manipulate and control information within the respective window. However, input devices from each computer can only be used to control each computer&#39;s respective window. In other words, which computer is controlling the cursor depends on which window the cursor is located. For example, if the cursor is located in the main window displaying data from a first computer the user controls the cursor using input devices from the first computer. Similarly, if the cursor is located in the PWP window displaying data from a second computer the user controls the cursor using input devices from the second computer. In order to change between input devices for the first and the second computers, the user must manually move between the two computers and associated input devices.  
         [0020]    The present invention provides an apparatus and method for allowing the input devices of one of the computers connected to the PWP display device to control information displayed in both windows. By way of example, even if the user is controlling the information using a cursor with an input device connected to the first computer and the cursor is moved to the border of the PWP window, the user can use the first computer&#39;s input devices to control and manipulate information within the PWP window without moving to another computer. Moreover, the present invention allows data and images to be cut and paste between the main window and the PWP window of the PWP display device.  
         [0021]    II. Exemplary Operating Environment  
         [0022]    The following discussion is designed to provide a brief, general description of a suitable environment in which the present invention may be implemented. It should be noted that FIG. 1 depicts only one of several ways in which the present invention may be implemented.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computer system incorporating the present invention and is shown for illustrative purposes only. In particular, a computer system  100  includes any suitable central processing unit (CPU)  110 , such as a standard microprocessor, and any number of other objects interconnected by a computer bus  112 . It should be noted that the computer system  100  may also include a plurality of CPUs  110 , such as may be used in a mainframe computer. For purposes of illustration, the computer system  100  includes memory such as random-access memory (RAM)  114 , read-only memory (ROM)  116 , and storage devices (such as hard disk or disk drives  120 ) connected to the computer bus  112  by an input/output (I/O) adapter  118 . The computer system  100  further includes a display adapter  122  for connecting the computer bus  112  to a suitable display device  128 . A communications adapter  134  connects the computer bus  112  with a network  135 . The communications adapter  134  includes a picture within a picture control module  136 , which includes communications program for controlling a picture within a picture (PWP) display device in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0024]    A user interface adapter  138  is capable of connecting the computer bus  112  to other user interface devices, such as a keyboard  140 , a speaker  146 , a mouse  150  and a touchpad (not shown). In a preferred embodiment, a graphical user interface (GUI) and an operating system (OS) reside within a computer-readable media and contain device drivers that allow one or more users to manipulate object icons and text on the display device  128 . Any suitable computer-readable media may retain the GUI and OS, such as, for example, the RAM  114 , ROM  116 , hard disk or disk drives  120  (such as magnetic diskette, magnetic tape, CD-ROM, optical disk or other suitable storage media).  
         [0025]    III. Components and Operation of the Invention  
         [0026]    The apparatus of the present invention allows control of a picture within a picture (PWP) display device by providing a PWP control module on each computer connected to the PWP display device. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the components of the present invention. In general, the present invention includes a first computer (computer A  200 ) and a second computer (computer B  205 ), which are in communication over a network  210 . Computer A  200  includes input devices such as keyboard A  215  and mouse A  220 . Keyboard A  215  is in communication with a keyboard device driver  225  and mouse A  220  is in communication with a mouse device driver  230 . A network interface  235  and a network device driver  240  allow communication between computer A  200  and the network  210 . Similarly, computer B  205  includes input devices such as keyboard B  245  and mouse B  250  and a keyboard device driver  255  and a mouse device driver  260 . These respective input devices for each computer provide interaction between a user and data on a display device. Moreover, mouse A  220  and mouse B  250  provide additional functions such a drag and drop capabilities used in cut and paste operations. These additional functions and operations are well known to those having ordinary skill in the art. Computer B  205  also includes a network interface  265  and a network device driver  270  for allowing communication between computer B  205  and the network  210 .  
         [0027]    A picture within a picture (PWP) display device  275  includes an input A (for connecting computer A  200  to the PWP display device  275 ) and an input B (for connecting computer B  205  to the PWP display device  275 ). The PWP display device includes a main window  280  (to which computer A  200  is connected) and a PWP window  283  (to which computer B  205  is connected). This gives the PWP display device  275  the capability to display data and images from computer A  200  in the main window  280  and to display data and images from computer B  205  in the PWP window  285 . A cursor  288  is located on the PWP display device  275  and can be controlled by mouse A  220  or mouse B  250 . In a preferred embodiment, mouse A  220  is all that is needed to control the cursor  288  in both the main window  280  and the PWP window  285 . It should be noted that the picture within a picture concept can be implemented in several other ways, and FIG. 2 is merely an exemplary representation of the PWP concept.  
         [0028]    Computer A  200  and computer B  205  also include a PWP control module on computer A  290  and a PWP control module on computer B  292  for allowing control of the PWP display device  275 . The operation of the PWP control modules  290 ,  292  is explained in detail below. Both computer A  200  and computer B  205  also include a window manager  295  that notifies the PWP control modules  290 ,  292  on each computer the location of the cursor  288 .  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 3A is an exemplary example illustrating the control flow (as depicted by the dashed arrows) of the present invention when the cursor  288  is in the main window  280 . In this example, the cursor  288  is controlled by mouse A  220 . When a user moves mouse A  220 , a signal to move the cursor (or a movement signal) is generated. The path of the movement signal from mouse A  220  to the cursor  288  located in the main window  280  is shown in FIG. 3A by the arrows. Specifically, the movement signal is sent from mouse A  220  through the mouse device driver  230  to the PWP control module on computer A  290 . The PWP control module  290  knows to send the movement signal to input A because the window manager  295  on computer A  200  informs the PWP control module  290  that the cursor  288  is within the main window  280 .  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 3B is an exemplary example illustrating the control flow (as depicted by the dashed arrows) of the present invention when the cursor  288  is on the border of the PWP window  285 . In this example, the present invention allows the cursor  288  to continue to be controlled by mouse A  220 . When the user moves mouse A  220 , a movement signal is generated. The path of the movement signal from mouse A  220  to the cursor  288  located at the border of or in the PWP window  285  is shown in FIG. 3B by the arrows. In particular, the movement signal passes from mouse A  220  through the mouse device driver  230  and to the PWP control module on computer A  290 . At this point, the PWP control module  290  has been notified by the window manager  295  on computer A  200  that the cursor  288  is on the border the PWP window  285 . Upon receiving this information, the PWP control module on computer A  290  redirects the movement signal received from mouse A  220  to the network device driver  240  and the network interface  235  where the movement signal is sent over the network  210  to computer B  205 . The movement signal is received by the network interface  265  and network device driver  270  on computer B  205  and sent to the PWP control module on computer B  292 . The PWP control module  292  recognizes that the movement signal needs to be sent to the PWP window  285  because the window manager  295  informed the PWP control module on computer B  292 . The PWP control module  292  sends the movement signal from mouse A  220  through input B to the PWP window  285  where the cursor  288  is moved in response to the movement signal from mouse A  220 .  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 4 is a general flow diagram illustrating the operation of the PWP control module shown in FIG. 2. Referring to FIGS. 3A, 3B and  4 , the operation of the PWP control module will now be explained. This explanation assumes that mouse A is the input device used to control the cursor. The PWP control module on computer A  290  and the PWP control module on computer B  292  are in communication over the network  210 . Referring to the PWP control module on computer A  290 , a movement signal is received from mouse A (box  400 ). Based on information from the window manager, it is determined whether the cursor is in the main window or on the border of the PWP window (box  410 ). If the cursor is in the main window, the PWP control module  290  passes the movement signal received from mouse A to input A (box  420 ). In addition, if a cut and paste operation is being performed between windows, the cut and paste data is stored in a PWP control module common buffer  435 . If the cursor is on the border of the PWP window, the movement signal from mouse A is sent over the network  210  to computer B (box  440 ).  
         [0032]    Referring now to the PWP control module on computer B  292 , the movement signal from mouse A is received over the network from computer A (box  450 ). The window manager determines whether the cursor is in the main window or on the border of the PWP window (box  460 ). If the cursor is in the main window, the PWP control module on computer B  292  does nothing because computer A has control of the cursor and all movement signals are sent to input A (box  470 ). If the cursor is on the border of the PWP window, the PWP control module on computer B  292  passes the movement signal to input B (box  480 ). In this manner, mouse A can be used to control the cursor within both the main window and the PWP window. If a cut and paste operation is being performed between windows, the cut and paste data is stored in the PWP control module common buffer  435 .  
         [0033]    The PWP control module common buffer  435  is a common mouse buffer storage area for consolidated buffering of cut and paste data. This enables data and images from the PWP window to be cut and pasted into the main window and vice versa. This is achieved using the PWP control module common buffer  435  to store cut and paste data instead of using the separate buffers for mouse A and mouse B.  
         [0034]    The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description of the invention, but rather by the claims appended hereto.