Abstract:
Conventional method sets up parameters for a monitor by using the panel buttons installed in the front of the monitor, especially when the monitor is first connected to a computer. However, it is inconvenient to use the panel buttons to set up a monitor. To overcome the shortcomings of the available art, a monitor set up application displays a visual interface for setting up a monitor. The visual interface provides a pattern background and an adjustment window. Monitor adjustments can be performed through the adjustment window. The pattern background changes in response to each step of the adjustment, so that a user can observe the impacts of the adjustment. In addition, based on the model of the monitor, the visual interface provides the message indicating the recommended adjustments to the monitor.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for setting up monitors. 
     2. Related Art 
     Display monitors are commonly used to display inputs to, and outputs from, computers to which the monitors are connected. To obtain optimal display effects, a monitor has to be set up with appropriate parameters, including resolution, scanning frequency, brightness, contrast, center position, tilt position, etc. The conventional method adjusts monitor parameters, especially when a monitor is connected to a computer for the first time, by using the panel buttons installed in the front of the monitor. However, it is not convenient to use the panel buttons to adjust the monitor parameters. Specifically, monitor panel buttons are usually unable to provide instructions as how to set up a particular monitor parameter. A user may need to frequently consult a monitor menu in adjusting a monitor parameter. In addition, in an adjustment process of a monitor, the conventional method does not provide a user with recommended adjustments for the monitor and the adjustment impact upon the monitor in each step of the adjustment process. Furthermore, the panel buttons of the available monitors may not be able to adjust some of the monitor parameters. For example, the panel buttons of the available monitors are not able to adjust display resolution. 
     There is, therefore, a need for an improved method and apparatus to adjust monitor parameters. 
     There is another need for an improved method and apparatus to provide a user with recommended adjustments in the adjusting process to the monitor. 
     There is yet another need for an improved method and apparatus to provide a user with visual information to indicate the impact in each step of the adjusting process to the monitor. 
     The present invention provides a method and an apparatus to meet these needs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To address the shortcomings of the available art, the present invention provides a novel method for adjusting a monitor having a screen. The method comprises the steps of: displaying, on the screen, a pattern background for indicating current displaying quality of the screen; displaying, on the pattern background, an adjustment window; and performing adjustment to the monitor through the adjustment window. 
     The present invention also provides an apparatus for performing the method described above. 
     The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be more readily understood upon consideration of the following detailed description of certain preferred embodiments of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an exemplary computer system having a monitor, which can be used as a hardware platform to implement the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 shows some circuits within the monitor of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 shows a screen display for setting up the monitor, in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIGS. 4,  5 A and  5 B show screens illustrating resolution adjustment to the monitor, in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 shows a screen for adjusting the brightness and contrast to the monitor, in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIGS. 7A-F show screens illustrating the size, center position, and tilt position adjustments to the monitor, in accordance with the present invention; and 
     FIG. 8 shows a screen for completing the monitor adjustment, in accordance with the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a block diagram of an exemplary computer system  100 , which can be used as a hardware platform to implement the present invention. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, the computer system  100  includes a system bus  101 , a processing unit  102 , a memory device  104 , a disk drive interface  106 , a hard disk  108 , a display interface  110 , a display monitor  112 , a serial bus interface  114 , a mouse  116 , and a keyboard  118 . 
     The hard disk  108  is coupled to the disk drive interface  106 ; the monitor  112  is coupled to the display interface  610 , and the mouse  116  and keyboard  118  are coupled to the serial bus interface  114 . Coupled to the system bus  101  are the processing unit  102 , the memory device  104 , the disk drive interface  106 , and the display interface  110 . 
     Memory device  104  stores data and programs. Specifically, the memory device  104  stores a monitor set up application  103  for setting up the monitor  112 . Operating together with the disk drive interface  106 , the hard disk  108  also stores data and programs. However, memory device  104  has faster access speed than hard disk  108 , while the hard disk  108  has higher capacity than memory device  104 . The hard disk  108  contains a monitor identification (monitor ID) file. After a monitor has been set up, the monitor ID list file stored the monitor ID associated with the monitor. 
     Operating together with the display interface  110 , the monitor  112  provides visual interfaces between the programs being executed and users, and displays the outputs generated by the programs. 
     Operating together with the serial bus interface  114 , the mouse  116  and keyboard  118  provide inputs to the computer system  100 . 
     The processing unit  102  controls the operations of the computer system  100  by executing the programs stored in the memory device  104  and hard disk  108 . The processing unit  102  also controls the transmissions of data and programs between the memory device  104  and the hard disk  108 . 
     Referring to FIG. 2, there are shown some circuits within the monitor  112  shown in FIG.  1 . As shown in FIG. 2, the monitor  112  includes a ROM (read-only memory)  202 , an EEPROM (electronically erasable programmable read-only memory)  204 , a display memory  206 , and a display control circuit  208 . 
     The ROM  202  stores the information about the monitor  112 , such as monitor ID, model, and name of the manufacture. The EEPROM  204  stores display parameters, such as resolution, scanning frequency, contrast, display size, center position, and title position. The display memory  206  stores the contents that are received from the display interface  110  and to be displayed on the monitor  112 . The display control circuit  208  reads the contents from the display memory  206 , and generates vertical and horizontal scanning signals to display the contents on the screen of the monitor  112 , in accordance with the parameters stored in EEPROM  204 . 
     Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a screen  304  displayed on the monitor  112 , in accordance with the present invention. 
     The screen  304  is invoked in two situations: (1) when the monitor  112  is connected to the computer system  100  for the first time, and (2) when a user changes monitor parameters for the monitor  112  using application produced by another manufacture, such as Window 95 produced by Microsoft. 
     When the computer system  100  is booted, the processing unit  104  reads the identification of the monitor  112  (monitor ID) from ROM  102 , and checks monitor ID stored in ROM  102  against the monitor ID list file stored in the hard disk  108 . If the monitor ID does not exist in the monitor list file (thus indicating that the monitor  112  is connected to the computer system  100  for the first time), the processing unit  102  executes the monitor set up application  103  to display the screen  304 . 
     When a user changes a monitor parameter for the monitor  112  using an application produced by another manufacture, such as Window 95 produced by Microsoft, it may cause the needs to adjust the other monitor parameters for the monitor  112 . For example, changing resolution and scanning frequency may cause the needs to adjust screen size, center position, and tilt position. Therefore, when the processing unit  102  detects that a user has changed the resolution and scanning frequency, it also displays the screen  304 . 
     Based on the information stored in the ROM  202 , the processing unit  102  is able to provide the recommended adjustments to the monitor  112 . As shown in FIG. 3, the screen  304  contains a resolution background  306  and an adjustment window  308 . The resolution background  306  displays the current resolution at which the monitor  112  is set up. The adjustment window  308  contains the information about the monitor  112  and a “Next” button  310 . The information includes model (CPD-420GS, a 19 inch monitor), monitor ID (2100156), and manufacture&#39;s name (Sony Electronics Inc). To start a basic set up process, a user clicks the “Next” button  310  using mouse  116  shown in FIG.  1 . In response, the processing unit  102  executes the monitor set up application  103  to display a subsequent screen  404 . The basic set up process adjusts the monitor parameters including: resolution, brightness, size, center position, and tilt position. 
     Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a screen  404 , time sequentially to the screen  304  shown in FIG. 3, in accordance with the present invention. 
     As shown in FIG. 4, the screen  404  contains a resolution background  406  and an adjustment window  408 . The resolution background  406  displays the resolution at which the monitor  112  is set up. The adjustment window  408  displays a message indicating the resolution displayed in the resolution background  406  and a recommended resolution for the monitor  112 . Specifically, the message indicates that the monitor  112  is currently set up at 800×600 at 60 Hz vertical scanning frequency. The message also indicates that, for CPD-420GS model monitor, the recommended resolution is 1024×786 at 85 Hz vertical scanning frequency. The display control circuit  208  can calculated the horizontal scanning frequency using the resolution and the vertical scanning frequency. The adjustment window  408  also contains a “Yes” button  410  and a “No” button  420 . To continue the adjustment process, the user selects (or clicks) either the “Yes” button  410 , or the “No” button  420 , using mouse  116 . 
     In response to the selection of the “Yes” button  410 , the processing unit  102  executes the monitor set up application  103  to store the adjusted resolution (1024×768) and the vertical scanning frequency (85 Hz) into the EEPROM  204 . The processing unit  102  then displays a subsequent screen  504 A. 
     In response to the selection of the “No” button  420 , the processing unit  102  executes the monitor set up application  103  to store the adjusted resolution (800×600) and the vertical scanning frequency (60 Hz) into the EEPROM  204 . The processing unit  102  then displays a subsequent screen  504 B. 
     Referring to FIG. 5A, there is shown a screen  504 A, time sequentially to the screen  404  shown in FIG. 4, in accordance with the present invention. 
     As shown in FIG. 5A, the screen  504 A contains a resolution background  506  and an adjustment window  508 . The resolution background  506  displays the resolution newly adjusted, so that a user can observe the impact of the resolution adjustment performed at FIG.  4 . The adjustment window  508  displays a message indicating that the resolution is changed to 1024×765 at 85 Hz vertical scanning frequency. 
     Referring to FIG. 5B, there is shown a screen  504 B, time sequentially to the screen  404  shown in FIG. 4, in accordance with the present invention. 
     As shown in FIG. 5B, the screen  504 B contains a resolution background  506  and an adjustment window  508 . The resolution background  506  displays the resolution at which the monitor  112  is set up. The adjustment window  508  displays a message indicating that the resolution is 800×600 at 60 Hz vertical scanning frequency. 
     In FIGS. 5A and 5B, the adjustment window  508  also contains a “Next” button  510 . To continue the basic set up process, the user clicks the “Next” button  510 . In response, the processing unit  102  executes the monitor set up application  103  to display a subsequent screen  604  to adjust the brightness for monitor  112 . 
     Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown a screen  604  time sequentially to the screen  504  shown in FIG. 5, in accordance with the present invention. In describing FIG. 6, it is assumed that has clicked “Next” button  510  on the screen  504 A. 
     As shown in FIG. 6, the screen  604  contains a brightness background  506  and an adjustment window  608 . The brightness background  606  displays 16 levels of gray scales numbered from 1 to 16. The adjustment window  506  contains a contrast icon  614  having a contrast displaying region  615 , a contrast bar  616  having a contrast sliding button  617 , a brightness icon  618  having a brightness display region  619 , a brightness bar  620  having a brightness sliding button  621 , and a “Next” button  622 . The adjustment window  608  also contains a message indicating that the recommended brightness and contrast. The message indicates that, for CPD-420GS model monitor, the brightness and contrast are recommended at the 4th level of the gray scale. 
     To adjust the contrast for the monitor  112 , a user slides the sliding button  617  over the contrast bar  616  using the mouse  116 . In response, the processing unit  102  executes the monitor set up application  103  to display the contrast adjusted on the contrast display region  615 , so that the user can observer the impact of the contrast adjustment. While sliding the button  617  over the contrast bar  616 , the user compares the contrast displayed in the region  616  with the contrast indicated by the 4th level scale in the brightness background  606 . The user sets the sliding button  617  in a position where the contrast displayed in region  615  matches that indicated by the 4th level scale in the brightness background  606 . In response, the processing unit  102  executes the monitor set up application  103  to store the level of the contrast adjusted into the EEPROM  204 . 
     To adjust the brightness for the monitor  112 , a user slides the button  621  over the brightness bar  620  using the mouse  116 . In response, the processing unit  102  executes the monitor set up application  103  to display the brightness adjusted on the brightness display region  619 , so that the user can observer the impact of the brightness adjustment. While sliding the button  620  over the brightness bar  621 , the user compares the brightness displayed in the region  619  with the brightness indicated by the 4th level scale in the brightness background  606 . The user sets the sliding button  621  in a position where the brightness displayed in region  619  matches that indicated by the 4th level scale in the brightness background  606 . In response, the processing unit  102  executes the monitor set up application  103  to store the level of the brightness adjusted into the EEPROM  204 . 
     To continue the basic set up process, the user clicks the “Next” button  610 . In response, the processing unit  102  executes the monitor set up application  103  to display a subsequent screen  704 . 
     Referring to FIG. 7A, there is shown a screen  704  time sequentially to the screen  604  shown in FIG. 6, in accordance with the present invention. 
     As shown in FIG. 7A, the screen  704  contains a position background  706  and an adjustment window  708 . The position background  706  contains a scale indicating the size, center position, and tilt position of the screen  704 . The adjustment window  708  contains a center position icon  720 , a vertical position bar  724  having a vertical sliding button  725 , a horizontal position bar  726  having a horizontal sliding button  727 . The adjustment window  708  also contains a size icon  730 , a vertical size bar  734  having a vertical sliding button  735 , a horizontal size bar  736  having a horizontal sliding button  737 . The adjustment window  708  additionally contains a tilt position icon  740  and a tilt bar  746  having a sliding button  747 . The adjustment window  708  further contains a “Next” button  710 . 
     To adjust the vertical center position for the monitor  112 , a user slides the button  725  over the vertical position bar  724  using the mouse  116 . In response, the processing unit  102  executes the monitor set up application  103  to move the vertical center position of the adjustment window  708 , so that the user can observer the impact of the vertical center position adjustment. FIG. 7B shows that the adjustment window  708  is vertically moved up in response to the vertical center position adjustment. When the user sets the sliding button  725  in a desired position over the vertical position bar  724 , the processing unit executes the monitor set up application  103  to store the adjusted vertical center position into the EEPROM  204 . 
     To adjust the horizontal center position for the monitor  112 , the user slides the button  727  over the horizontal position bar  726  using the mouse  116 . In response, the processing unit  102  executes the monitor set up application  103  to move the horizontal center position of the adjustment window  708 , so that the user can observer the impact of the horizontal center position adjustment. FIG. 7C shows that the adjustment window  708  is horizontally moved to the right in response to the horizontal center position adjustment. When the user sets the sliding button  727  in a desired position over the horizontal position bar  726 , the processing unit  102  executes the monitor set up application  103  to store the adjusted horizontal center position into the EEPROM  204 . 
     To adjust the vertical size for the monitor  112 , a user slides the sliding button  735  over the vertical size bar  734  using the mouse  116 . In response, the processing unit  102  executes the monitor set up application  103  to reduce or enlarge the vertical dimension of the position background  706  and the adjustment window  708 , so that the user can observer the impact of the vertical size adjustment. When the user sets the sliding button  735  in a desired position over the vertical size bar  734 , the processing unit  104  executes the monitor set up application  103  to store the adjusted vertical size into the EEPROM  204 . 
     To adjust the horizontal size for the monitor  112 , the user slides the button  737  over the horizontal size bar  736  using the mouse  116 . In response, the processing unit  102  executes the monitor set up application  103  to reduce or enlarge the horizontal dimension of the position background  706  and the adjustment window  708 , so that the user can observer the impact of the horizontal size adjustment. When the user sets the sliding button  737  in a desired position over the horizontal bar  736 , the processing unit  104  executes the monitor set up application  103  to store the adjusted horizontal size into the EEPROM  204 . 
     FIG. 7D shows that the position background  706  and the adjustment window  708  are reduced vertically and horizontally in response to vertical and horizontal size adjustments. 
     To tilt the display on the screen  704  to the left, a user slides the button  747  to the left over the tilt position bar  746  using the mouse  116 . In response, the processing unit  102  executes the monitor set up application  103  to rotate the screen  704  to the left, so that the user can observe the impact of the left tilt adjustment. FIG. 7E shows that the adjustment window  708  is rotated to the left in response to a left tilt adjustment. 
     To tilt the display on the screen  704  to the right, a user slides the sliding button  747  to the right over the tilt position bar  746  using the mouse  116 . In response, the processing unit  102  executes the monitor set up application  103  to rotate the screen  704  to the right, so that the user can observer the impact of the right tilt adjustment. FIG. 7F shows that the adjustment window  708  is rotated to the right in response to a right tilt adjustment. 
     When the user sets the sliding button  747  in a desired position over the tilt position bar  734 , the processing unit  102  executes the monitor set up application  103  to store the tilt position adjusted into the EEPROM  204 . 
     To continue the basic set up process, the user clicks the “Next” button  710 . In response, the processing unit  102  executes the monitor set up application  103  to display a subsequent screen  804 . 
     Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown a screen  804  time sequentially to the screen  704  shown in FIG. 7, in accordance with the present invention. 
     As shown in FIG. 8, the screen  804  contains a resolution background  806  and an adjustment window  808 . The resolution background  806  displays the resolution to which the monitor  112  has been adjusted. The adjustment window  808  contains a message indicating that the basic set up process is completed. To quit the basic set up process, the user clicks the “Finish” button  810 . In response, the processing unit  102  executes the monitor set up application  103  to end the basic set up process. If the monitor ID for monitor  112  does not exist in the monitor ID list file, the processing unit stores the monitor ID into the monitor ID list file before ending the basic set up process. 
     Although the present invention has been shown and described with respect to preferred embodiments, various changes and modifications are deemed to lie within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.