Abstract:
A display device including a display having a touch screen, and a controller for controlling the display to simultaneously provide a selected number of display areas in the display, with each of the display areas being for displaying information from information sources. The controller controls the display to include R display areas when the touch screen is tapped simultaneously R times, and S display areas when the touch screen is tapped simultaneously T times followed by T simultaneous drags on the touch screen, followed by U simultaneous taps on the touch screen, wherein R, S, T and U are integers, R is a selected one of 2, 3 or 4, S&gt;R and T+U=S.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable. 
       FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE 
       [0003]    Not Applicable. 
       FIELD 
       [0004]    The present disclosure relates to controlling display devices, and more particularly to controlling display devices having touch screens and a plurality of information sources. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0005]    Hand held display devices such as smart phones and tablets are widely used for a variety of purposes. With WiFi, 3G, 4G connections and the like, such devices are increasingly used with applications which allow for wireless connection to information sources, including not only broad sources such as the World Wide Web, but also private networks as well. 
         [0006]    For example, such display devices have been used by security personnel as they move within a building, with the devices wirelessly receiving remote data such as alarms as well as pictures and/or video from security cameras placed around the area being secured. It should be appreciated that viewing security camera video as a guard moves around a building can not only allow the guard to be able to see potential problems no matter where he is in the building, but it can also allow him to look ahead into areas that he is about to enter to be warned of any potential danger or situation so that he can be prepared and not surprised when entering that area. 
         [0007]    It should be appreciated that it is desirable for security personnel to be able to see different camera views as quickly as possible. For example, in some instances it may be desirable to see as many views as possible for a general overview of activity in a building. In other instances, it may be desirable to see just a few views relating to a specific area of concern at that moment. In addition, depending on their eyesight, different security personnel may generally prefer different display area sizes to feel comfortable that they can see what they need to see. Given that the display devices&#39; portability generally restricts the size of the display which the security personnel must look at to receive information, different security personnel may require that different numbers of display areas be provided simultaneously to ensure that the size of each area is appropriate for the person using the device at that time. 
         [0008]    While display devices have heretofore allowed security personnel to control the display so that a desired number (and/or size) of display areas will be provided, such switching has required stepping through menu systems. Such menu systems are typically not intuitive, and also can be time consuming and can require the strict attention of the device&#39;s user (to make sure the right menu item(s) are found and that they are the one selected [e.g., by touching, as required with typical touch screen displays]), all of which can be a serious problem when, for example, security personnel are under stress and hurried when reacting to a potentially dangerous situation. Further, such menu systems can even occupy area on the display, thereby causing the display areas for camera feeds to be fit into smaller spaces. 
         [0009]    The disclosure herein is directed toward solving one or more of the above problems. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0010]    In one aspect of the disclosure, a display device is provided, including a processor for running a program responsive to a numeric input, a display having a touch screen, and a controller for controlling the display to show output from the program. The program runs according to one numeric input responsive to two simultaneous taps on the touch screen, runs according to a second numeric input responsive to three simultaneous taps on the touch screen, and runs according to a third numeric input responsive to four simultaneous taps on the touch screen. 
         [0011]    In one form of this aspect, the program generates a display of information from a plurality of sources, with the number of sources displayed corresponding to the numeric input. 
         [0012]    In another aspect, a display device is provided including a processor for running a program generating a display of information from a plurality of sources, a display having a touch screen, and a controller for controlling the display. The display is controlled to simultaneously provide a selected number of display areas in the display, each of the display areas for displaying information from the information sources, wherein the controller provides two display areas to the display responsive to two simultaneous taps on the touch screen, the controller provides three display areas to the display responsive to three simultaneous taps on the touch screen, and the controller provides four display areas to the display responsive to four simultaneous taps on the touch screen. 
         [0013]    In one form of this aspect, each of the taps is a digit of a display device user contacting the touch screen. 
         [0014]    In another form of this aspect, the controller controls the touch screen to provide a single display area for one of the information sources responsive to two consecutive single taps on the touch screen, with the single display area being the only display area for any of the information sources in the display. 
         [0015]    In still another form of this aspect, the controller controls the touch screen to provide X display areas responsive to Y simultaneous taps on the touch screen, followed by Y simultaneous drags on the touch screen, followed by Z simultaneous taps on the touch screen, where X=Y+Z. In a further form, Y=3. 
         [0016]    In yet another form of this aspect, the information sources are security cameras and the information is video from the cameras. In a further form, the controller provides video from selected cameras to the display. 
         [0017]    In another aspect, a display device is provided, including a display having a touch screen, and a controller for controlling the display to simultaneously provide a selected number of display areas in the display, with each of the display areas being for displaying information from information sources. The controller controls the display to include R display areas when the touch screen is tapped simultaneously R times, and S display areas when the touch screen is tapped simultaneously T times followed by T simultaneous drags on the touch screen, followed by U simultaneous taps on the touch screen, wherein R, S, T and U are integers, R is a selected one of 2, 3 or 4, and S&gt;R. 
         [0018]    In one form of this aspect, T+U&gt;R. In a further form, T+U=S. In a further form. T=3 and U&gt;1. 
         [0019]    In another form of this aspect, the information sources are security cameras and the information is video from the cameras. In a further form, the controller provides video from selected cameras to the display. 
         [0020]    In yet another aspect, a display device is provided including a display having a touch screen and a controller. The controller controls the display to simultaneously provide a selected number of display areas in the display, each of the display areas being for displaying video from a selected one of a plurality of remote security cameras. The controller controls the display to include R display areas when the touch screen is tapped simultaneously R times, and S display areas when the touch screen is tapped simultaneously T times followed by T simultaneous drags on the touch screen, followed by U simultaneous taps on the touch screen. R, S, T and U are integers, with R being a selected one of 2, 3 or 4, with S&gt;R and T+U=S. 
         [0021]    In one form of this aspect, T=3 and U&gt;1. 
         [0022]    Other features and advantages will become apparent from a review of the entire specification, including the appended claims and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of a display device as described herein, as used in a security environment in which video feeds from multiple security cameras are available for display on the device; 
           [0024]      FIGS. 2   a - 2   b  illustrate operation of a display device as described herein to change the display to show two display areas for two video feeds; 
           [0025]      FIGS. 3   a - 3   b  are similar to  FIGS. 2   a - 2   b , but show changing the display to show three display areas; 
           [0026]      FIGS. 4   a - 4   b  are similar to  FIGS. 2   a - 2   b  and  3   a - 3   b , but show changing the display to show four display areas; and 
           [0027]      FIGS. 5   a - 5   c  Illustrate operation of another display device as described herein to change the display to show seven display areas. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    Suitable display devices  20  operable according to the disclosure herein are shown in the Figures. Broadly, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the device  20  may include a microcontroller or microprocessor  24  and memory  28 . The microcontroller  24  may suitably control what is shown on a display  30 . The device  20  may also include a wireless receiver  34  which may receive, for example, video signals from a plurality of remote cameras  38 . 
         [0029]    It should be appreciated that the details of the display device  20  may vary from that shown in  FIG. 1  while still embodying one or more features of the disclosure. For example, the microprocessor  24  could be preprogrammed and/or the memory  28  could be integral with the microprocessor  24 . Further, the information which is shown on the display  30  need not be video signals, nor need it be received wirelessly or even remotely. The device and/or method may be particularly advantageously used in security settings where the mobility of wireless communication is desired, and the embodiment particularly described below relates to such an environment. However, it should be appreciated that the device and method, relating to the ability to quickly and easily change the number of display areas shown in a display  30 , may be advantageously used in many other applications with many types of data and information, including those in which multiple displays are initiated locally in the microprocessor  24 . 
         [0030]    In accordance with an advantageous use of the device and method, a display device  120  such as described generally in  FIG. 1 , with a touch screen display  130  (such as a smart phone, e.g., an iPhone), is in communication with a plurality of security cameras  38  is shown in  FIGS. 2   a  to  4   b , with the video signal from only one of the cameras  38  being shown in the touch screen display  130  in  FIG. 2   a . It should also be appreciated that the display device could support multi-touch (such as Apple&#39;s Magic Track Pad), and could also be used with any touch-responsive platform (including Apple iPads and computers using touch-pads). Further, it could be used with devices using any video editing software (e.g., Adobe Premier pro, iMovie, etc.). 
         [0031]    If the user wishes to have a display mode in which the video signal from two cameras instead of just one as in  FIG. 2   a  is shown, he simultaneously taps the touch screen  130  twice (i.e., taps the screen  130  with two fingers at the same time, as represented by the two circles  136  in  FIG. 2   a ). When he does that, the microprocessor  24  is caused to change the display  130  to a view in which two different areas  140 ,  142  are shown (as illustrated in  FIG. 2   b ) in which, for example, video feeds from two different cameras  38  may be displayed. 
         [0032]    It should be appreciated that which video feeds are shown in each area  140 ,  142  may be selected in virtually any manner in accordance with disclosure herein. For example, the selection may be preprogrammed (for example, video feeds from two specific, pre-selected cameras may be automatically shown in the two display areas  140 ,  142 ), or a rolling progression of feeds from different cameras may be shown, or video feeds from specific cameras focused on an area in which an alarm signal has been received may be shown in the display areas  140 ,  142 . Further, the video feeds may be changed in a display mode with the user simply choosing a different video feed for a specific display area through use of an appropriate menu. 
         [0033]    In  FIG. 3   a , like  FIG. 2   a , the display  130  has a single display area for the video feed from one camera  38 . If the user wishes to display the video signal from three cameras, he may simultaneously tap the touch screen  130  three times (i.e., taps the screen  130  with three fingers at the same time as represented by the three circles  136  in  FIG. 3   a ). When he does that, the display  130  changes to a view in which three different areas  140 ,  142 ,  144  are shown (as illustrated in  FIG. 3   b ) in which, for example, video feeds from three different cameras  38  may be displayed. 
         [0034]    In  FIG. 4   a , like  FIGS. 2   a  and  3   a , the display  130  has a single display area for the video feed from one camera  38 . If the user wishes to display the video signal from four cameras, he may simultaneously tap the touch screen  130  four times (i.e., taps the screen  130  with four fingers at the same time as represented by the four circles  136  in  FIG. 4   a ). When he does that, the display  130  changes to a view in which four different areas  140 ,  142 ,  144 ,  146  are shown (as illustrated in  FIG. 4   b ) in which, for example, video feeds from four different cameras  38  may be displayed. 
         [0035]    It should be appreciated that the above described operations (tapping the touch screen display  130  with the number of fingers representing the number of display areas  140 - 146  desired) may be accomplished in any display mode (e.g., tapping the screen of  FIG. 2   a  with four fingers simultaneously could be used to change from a display with two display areas  140 ,  142  to a display with four display areas  140 ,  142 ,  144 ,  146 , or vice versa). 
         [0036]    Further, it should be appreciated that the display mode may be changed to a single display area (as in  FIGS. 2   a ,  3   a  and  4   a ) by another distinct operation. Advantageously, a double single tap (i.e., tapping one finger twice in a short period of time) may be used to change the display mode to a single display area. Such an operation is sufficiently intuitive that it will be easily remembered by any user, even when hurried or under stress, and advantageously will not risk being confused for another command or operation (since single touches are widely used for many operations with the single touch being different depending on precisely where on the touch screen  130  the touch occurs. Such operation may be accomplished from any screen (e.g., from display modes with two, three or four display areas  140 - 146  such as in  FIGS. 2   b ,  3   b  and  4   b ). 
         [0037]    It should be appreciated that the above described advantageously operating display device  120  may be of a relatively small size, wherein four separate display areas  140 - 146  may be the maximum which would be desired to enable the user to adequately see sufficient detail of what is displayed in each area. It should, however, be appreciated that display devices could operate according to the disclosure herein to allow more than four display areas to be shown simultaneously. Advantageously that may be accomplished, for example, with tablet devices  220  (such as iPads) wherein the display  230  may be sufficiently large to easily accommodate more than four display areas. In accordance with the disclosure herein, switching to views having more than four views may be accomplished by a similar operation as described in connection with switching to two to four display areas but with an initial step or key. 
         [0038]    That is, the tablet device  220  shown in  FIGS. 5   a - 5   c  may be operated as described above so that, for example, tapping the display  230  simultaneously with four fingers would cause the display  230  to show four display areas. However, if more than four display areas were desired, the user would first simultaneously tap the touch screen display  230  with three fingers (see circles  236  in  FIG. 5   a ) and then drag those three fingers up on the screen (see arrows  237  in  FIG. 5   a ). The tablet device  220  would recognize that such an operation (with the dragging) does not mean to show three display areas but instead is an initial key to be completed with a following step. After that initial step, the user would simultaneously tap the display  230  with a selected number of fingers (see circles  236 ′ in  FIG. 5   b ) to display the selected number of display areas  240 - 246  as shown in  FIG. 5   c.    
         [0039]    Advantageously, in accordance with the disclosure herein, the combination of the number of fingers in the two steps can be the number of display areas  240 - 246  to show on the display  230 . Thus, in the example illustrated in  FIGS. 5   a - 5   c , touching and dragging three fingers followed by tapping four fingers would cause the tablet device  220  to show seven display areas  240 - 246  as illustrated in  FIG. 5   c , making the selection of display areas  240 - 246  as intuitive as when selecting two, three or four screens. 
         [0040]    It should be appreciated that while in many configurations, the display areas would be the same size as illustrated, it would be within the scope of the disclosure herein to provide display areas of different size. For example, in the display  230  illustrated in  FIG. 5   c , if five display areas were selected (e.g., by tapping and dragging three fingers then tapping two fingers), one of the display areas could be the size of four areas shown in  FIG. 5   c.    
         [0041]    Moreover, it should be appreciated that display devices having touch screen displays can be intuitively and easily controlled by a user to show a selected number of display screens. Still further, such changing can be accomplished without requiring close attention of the user (a user could operate such devices to change the number of display areas without even looking at the screen), such operation being particularly advantageous for persons such as security guards who might be distracted, under stress and/or in a hurry. 
         [0042]    Although a few embodiments have been described in detail above, other modifications are possible. For example, the device may be used in numerous applications in which numeric inputs are desired for various scenarios. Further, the steps of operation of the devices disclosed could be in different orders while still achieving desirable results. Still further, other components may be added to, or removed from, the described devices. Other embodiments may be within the scope of the following claims.