Patent Publication Number: US-2012044137-A1

Title: Screen capture

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     In many instances, a person may desire to quickly retrieve small pieces of information, such as calendar appointments, a meeting agenda, documents or the like from a computer or other source. To retrieve the information, the source of the information is typically powered on and navigated. For example, to obtain information from a computer source, the person will typically (1) boot up the computer, (2) navigate to the program or application and (3) open and run the application. As a result, such retrieval of information may be tedious and time-consuming. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of a display system according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a flow diagram of a method for storing and displaying a information according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of the display system of  FIG. 1  according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of the display system of  FIG. 1  according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of the display system of  FIG. 1  according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of the display system of  FIG. 1  according to an example of embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a flow diagram of another method for storing and displaying information according to an example embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of a display system  20  according to an example embodiment. As will be described hereafter, display system  20  enables a person to easily retrieve small pieces of information. Display system  20  includes source  30 , input  32 , display screen  36 , memory  40 , input  42  and screen capture system  46 . 
     Source  30  comprises a source of images, including static and video images, text, data or other information (hereinafter referred to as “output”) to be presented, depicted or displayed on display screen  36 . In one embodiment, source  30  comprises a computer operating system and one or more applications. For purposes of this disclosure, a computer operating system comprises software configured to serve as an interface between the applications and any hardware of system  20 . Hardware may comprise any physical structures of display system  20 . Examples of hardware include, but are not limited to, a motherboard, a central processing unit (CPU) chip, a memory, a monitor, a printer, a scanner, input  32 , display screen  36  and the like. The applications comprise software which runs on top of the operating system. The operating system acts as a host for the applications that run on the display system  20 . Serving as a host, the operating system handles the details of the operation of the hardware for the applications. In one embodiment, the operating system offers services to such applications or application programs through system calls or application programming interfaces. Such an operating system may comprise a multi-user operating system, a multiprocessing operating system, a multitasking operating system, a multithreading operating system and a real-time operating system. Specific examples of contemporary operating systems include Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Unix, BSD, Solaris, Plan 9, and various embedded systems. In yet another embodiment, source  30  may comprise other sources such as a source of a broadcast television display. 
     In one embodiment, source  30  is at least partially embodied as a memory  48  and a processor  49 . Memory  48  comprises one or more persistent storage devices configured to store the computer operating system. Examples of such a memory include a hard disc drive. 
     Processor  49  comprises one or more processing units configured to generate control signals according to the operating system stored on the memory  49 . For purposes of this application, the term “processing unit” shall mean a presently developed or future developed processing unit that executes sequences of instructions contained in a memory. Execution of the sequences of instructions causes the processing unit to perform steps such as generating control signals. The instructions may be loaded in a random access memory (RAM) for execution by the processing unit from a read only memory (ROM), a mass storage device, or some other persistent storage. In other embodiments, hard wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to implement the functions described. Unless otherwise specifically noted, the controller is not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software, nor to any particular source for the instructions executed by the processing unit. In other embodiment, source  30  may have other configurations. 
     Input  12  comprises one or more mechanisms or devices by which a person may turn on or initiate the operation of source  30  and by which a person may provide or enter instructions or commands to source  30  for directing the operation of source  30  or for facilitating interface with source  30 . In some embodiments, input  32  may further facilitate the entry, loading or input of images, data or other information to source  30  for storage on a memory associated with source  30  or for use by source  30 . Examples of input  32  include, but are not limited to, keyboards, touch pads, touch screens, a mouse, push buttons, slider bars, toggle switches and a microphone with speech recognition application. In one embodiment, input  32  may be provided as part of display screen  36 , such as when display screen  36  comprises a touch screen. In one embodiment, input  32  comprises a push button serving as a power on/off button, wherein depressment of the pushbutton turns on source  30  and initiates the operation of source  30 . For example, in one embodiment, depressment of the push button boots up the operating system of source  30 . 
     Display screen  36  comprises a panel or screen configured to visually present output  50  (schematically illustrated) from source  30  as well as to visually present at least portions of output  50  supplied by screen capture system  46  when source  30  is not operating or running. Display screen  36  may have a variety of different sizes, shapes and configurations. For example, display screen  36  may be a screen which is part of a monitor of a desktop computer, part of a laptop computer, part of a handheld computer, part of a personal data assistant (PDA), part of a personal entertainment system or music player, part of a video game system console or monitor, or part of a larger computer system. 
     Memory  40  comprises one or more persistent storage devices connected to screen capture system  46  and configured to store screenshots (including smaller portions thereof) of output  50  captured by screen capture system  46 . In one embodiment, memory  40  is distinct and independent from any memory accessed by source  30 . In one embodiment, memory  40  is fixedly associated with screen capture system  46  such that memory  40  is inseparable from screen capture system  46 . In another embodiment, memory  40  may be portable and separable from screen capture system  46 . For example, in one embodiment, memory  40  may comprise a flash memory card configured to be removably inserted into a memory card read/write slot associated with screen capture system  46 . In yet another embodiment, memory  40  may be configured to be also accessed and used by source  30  when source  30  is operating. 
     Input  42  comprises one or more mechanisms or devices by which a person may turn on or initiate the operation of screen capture system  46  directing the operation of screen capture system  46  or facilitating interface with screen capture system  46 . Examples of input  42  include, but are not limited to, keyboards, touch pads, touch screens, a mouse, push buttons, slider bars, toggle switches and a microphone with speech recognition application. In one embodiment, input  42  may be provided as part of display screen  36 , such as when display screen  36  comprises a touch screen. 
     In one embodiment, input  42  comprises a pushbutton serving as a screen shot capture button when source  30  is operating and serving as a display button when source  30  is not running or not operating. In yet other embodiments, input  42  may comprise different push buttons or different input devices for (1) capturing screenshots and (2) retrieving and displaying a previously captured and stored screenshot. 
     Screen capture system  46  comprises a system configured to store in memory  40  at least portions of screen shots of output  50  presented on display screen  36  by source  30  when source  30  is running. Screen capture system  46  is also configured to later present the stored screenshots of output  50  on display screen  36  when source  30  is not operating or not running. For purposes of this disclosure, the term “screen capture system” shall mean any hardware, software, computer readable medium, computer program, or integrated circuit configured to store in a memory at least portions of screen shots of output presented on display screen by a source when source  30  is running and to also later present the stored screenshots of output on the display screen when the source is not operating, is not powered or is otherwise not running. For purposes of this disclosure, a “screen shot”, also known as a screen capture or screen dump, is an image taken or captured by screen capture system  46  to record the visible items displayed on display screen  36  (output  50 ). In one embodiment, the screenshot may comprise the entire screen in a bitmap image format such as bitmap (BMP), device independent bitmap (DIB), portable network graphics (PNG) or Joint Photograph Experts Group (PEG). In another embodiment, the screenshot may comprise what is being used internally to form output  50  such as SWD X Window Dump image data in the case of the X Window System (X11) or PNG in the case of Mac OS X. In one embodiment, a screen capture may comprise capturing of the screen over an extended period of time to form a video file. 
     According to one embodiment, screen capture system  46  includes electronic hardware. In other words, screen capture system  46  may be embodied by electronic circuitry, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) without any reliance upon software applications for its operation. Screen capture system  46  is configured to operate independent of source  30  when screen captures system  46  is displaying the stored screenshots on display  36 . In one embodiment, screen capture system  46  is embodied with display screen  36 . In another embodiment, screen capture system  46  is embodied with source  30  or input  32 . Regardless of where screen capture system  46  is embodied, screen capture system  46  may be run or operated while source  30  is not running. 
     The ability of screen capture system  46  to capture and store screenshots provided by source  30  and to later display such stored screenshots while source  30  is not running enables a person to more quickly retrieve and access information or output  50  that was previously displayed by source  30 . In particular, output  50 , in the form of one of more screenshots, may be retrieved without a person having to turn on source  30  or navigate source  30 . For example, a person may retrieve output  50  without having to boot up the operating system of source  30 , without having to navigate to the one or more software applications of source  30  and without having to run the one or more software applications. 
       FIG. 2  is a flow diagram illustrating one example method  100  which may be carried out by display system  20 . As indicated by step  102 , source  30  presents output  50  on display screen  36 . In one embodiment, the presentation of output  50  on display  36  by source  30  may be the result of a person booting up operating system of source  30  and running one or more software applications of source  30 . The operating system of source  30  interfaces between the one or more software applications and display screen  36 . 
     As indicated by step  108 , screen capture system  46  stores a screen shot of output  50  in memory  40 . In one embodiment, screen shot capture system  46  captures whatever is displayed on display screen  36  (output  50 ) at the time that input  42  is actuated (e.g. the time at which a pushbutton is depressed). Screen shot capture system  46  then automatically stores the captured screenshot in memory  40  for later retrieval. 
     In another embodiment, screen shot capture system  46  captures whatever is displayed on display screen  36  (output  50 ) at the time that input  42  is actuated (e.g. the moment at which a pushbutton is depressed). However, prior to storing the screenshot, screenshot capture system  46  displays the captured screenshot of output  50  on the display screen  36  with a confirmation request before storing the captured screenshot in memory  40 . The person may confirm that the displayed captured screenshot is to be stored in memory  40  using input  42  (such as by depressing the pushbutton a second time while the captured screenshot of output  50  is displayed on display screen  36 ). In response to the second actuation of input  42  (whether it be the same pushbutton or a different element of input  42  that is actuated), screen capture system  46  then stores the captured screenshot in memory  40 . In such an embodiment, the person is permitted to visually see the captured screenshot prior to its storage in memory  40  to ensure that the captured screenshot contains a particular output  50  that the person wishes to capture and later retrieve. In some embodiments, this confirmation step may be omitted to reduce complexity. 
     As indicated by step  110 , screen capture system  46  presents the stored screenshot of output  50  on display screen  36  at a later time without source  30  (without source  30  operating or running). In one embodiment in which display system  20  includes a computer as source  30 , screen capture system  46  presents the retrieved captured screenshot on display screen  36  while the computer is not running or shutdown (the operating system is not running). 
     According to one embodiment, screen capture system  46  retrieves and displays the previously captured screenshot of output  50  on display screen  36  in response to actuation of input  42  while source  30  is not running. For example, depressment of a pushbutton of input  42  while source  30  is not operating causes or results in screen capture system  46  accessing the most recent captured screenshot stored in memory  40  and displaying the captured screenshot on display screen  36 . In one embodiment, actuation of the same element (such as a pushbutton) of input  42  initiates both the capture of a screenshot and the display of a captured and stored screenshot depending upon the state of source  30 , i.e. whether source  30  is turned on or off. In yet another embodiment, actuation of the same element (such as a pushbutton of input  42  initiates either the capture of a screenshot or the display of a captured and stored screenshot depending upon how long or the amount of time that the input  42  is actuated (such as how long the push button is depressed). 
     In another embodiment, separate and independent elements of input  42  may be used to initiate the capture of a screenshot of output  50  and to display a previously stored screenshot. For example, a first button may be used to initiate the capture of a screenshot while a second button may be used to display a stored screenshot. In one embodiment, screen capture system  46  may also be configured to display stored screenshots even when source  30  is running or operating. 
     In one embodiment, screen capture system  46  may be configured such that successive actuations of the element of input  42  used to initiate the display of a stored screenshot causes screen capture system  46  to scroll through previously stored screenshots in sequence starting with the newest stored screenshot and ending with the oldest stored screenshot. In yet other embodiments, screen capture system  46  may be configured so as display an index or thumbnails of multiple stored screenshots response to actuation of an element of input  42 , whereby a person may select one of the indexed screenshots or thumbnails for full display on display screen  36  using an element of input  42 . 
       FIG. 3  schematically illustrates display system  220 , a particular embodiment of display system  20 . Like display system  20 , display system  220  includes source  30 , input  32 , display screen  36 , memory  40 , input  42  and screen capture system  46 . As shown by  FIG. 3 , display system  220  additionally includes housings  254  and  256 . Housing  254  supports, encloses and extends about source  30  and input  32 . In one embodiment, in which source  30  comprise a computer, housing  254  supports and encloses the hardware and software providing the operating system and applications of source  30 . In other embodiments, housing  254  may have a variety of different sizes, shapes and configurations depending upon the form in which display system  220  is embodied. 
     Housing  256  extends about, supports and contains the hardware which form display screen  36 . Housing  256  additionally encloses and extends about screen capture system  46 . For example, in one embodiment, housing  256  contains and encloses the electronic circuitry or electronic hardware forming screen capture system  46 . In the example illustrated, housing  256  also supports and encloses memory  40  and input  42 . As a result, housing  256 , in combination with display screen  36 , memory  40 , input  42  and screen capture system  46 , forms a self-contained unit  258 . The self-contained unit  258  may be preassembled, stored and inventoried for subsequent connection to source  30  and input  32 . For example, in one embodiment, unit  258  may be formed as a laptop computer screen configured to be subsequently attached to a connected to a laptop base including a keyboard. 
     In yet another embodiment, unit  258  may be self-supported independent of source  30  and input  32 , permitting unit  258  to be selectively connected to multiple different sources  30  and input  32 . For example, in one embodiment, unit  258  may be configured as a desktop computer monitor which may be selectively connected to any of a variety of desktop computer hard drive systems which include a source  30  (having an operating system and one or more software applications) and input  32  (such as a on/off button or keyboard). 
       FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of display system  320 , a particular embodiment of display system  220 . Display system  320  includes source  330 , inputs  332 P,  332 A 1 ,  332 A 2  (collectively referred to as inputs  332 ), display screen  336 , memory  340 , inputs  342 C and  342 D, screen capture system  346 , housing  354  and housing  356 . Source  330  is similar to source  30  except that source  330  is specifically embodied as a computer including internal memory (such as a hard drive) upon which an operating system and software applications reside. The operating system of source  330  interfaces between the software applications and the hardware of display system  320  including inputs  332  and display screen  336 . Source  330  is enclosed by housing  354 . 
     Inputs  332  facilitate control of source  330 . Input  332 P comprises an on/off switch or power switch for source  330 . Depressment or actuation of input  332 P boots up the operating system of source  330 . Input  332 A 1  is a keyboard while input  332 A 2  is a mouse. Inputs  332 A 1  and  332 A 2  facilitate navigation through the operating system and control during the running of the software applications of source  330 . As noted above with respect to discussion of input  32 , inputs  332  may have a variety of different configurations. Although input  332 P is illustrated as being enclosed and supported by housing  354 , in other embodiments, input  332 P may alternatively be applied as part of input  332 A 1  or may be provided at other locations. 
     Display screen  336  is similar to display screen  36  except that display screen  336  is specifically embodied as a screen of a desktop monitor. Memory  340  is similar to memory  40  except that memory  340  is specifically embodied as a removable flash memory card connected to screen capture system  346  by being received within a flash memory card slot  362  extending into housing  356 . Because memory  340  is removable, memory  340 , and the screen shots stored on memory  340 , are portable and may be transported and displayed on other display screens having screen capture system  46 , screen capture system  346  or appropriate software or viewing utilities. In other embodiments, memory  340  may comprise other forms of memory and may be largely inaccessible and not removable from within housing  356 . 
     Input  342 C comprises an input element for controlling screen capture system  346  to initiate the capture and storage of a screenshot of output  50  being presented on display screen  336  by source  330  at a particular moment in time. In the example illustrated, input  342 C comprises a pushbutton configured such that depressment causes screen capture system  346  to capture a screenshot. 
     Input  342 D comprises an input element for controlling screen capture system  346  to initiate the display of a previously stored screenshot of output  50  on display screen  336 . In the example illustrated, input  342 C comprises a pushbutton configured such that depressment causes screen capture system  346  to present or display a previously stored screenshot display screen  336 . 
     Screen capture system  346  is substantially similar to screen capture system  46 . In the example illustrated, screen capture system  346  is embodied or consists of electronic hardware or circuitry, not relying on any software applications which would utilize an operating system of source  330 . As a result, screen capture system  346  may be operated independent of source  330  and independent of the operating system of source  30 . Consequently, screen capture system  346  may present previously stored screenshots of output  50  on display screen  336  while source  330  is shut down or not operating. 
     As with system  220 , system  320  has a housing  356  that extends about, supports and contains the hardware which form display screen  36 . Housing  356  additionally encloses and extends about screen capture system  346 . For example, in one embodiment, housing  356  contains and encloses the electronic circuitry or electronic hardware forming screen capture system  346 . In the example illustrated, housing  356  also supports and encloses memory  340  and inputs  342 . As a result, housing  356 , in combination with display screen  336 , memory  340 , inputs  342  and screen capture system  346 , forms a self-contained unit or display monitor  358  that is self-supported independent of source  330  and input  332 , permitting monitor  358  to be selectively connected to multiple different sources  330  and input  332 . For example, in one embodiment, monitor  358  may be selectively connected to any of a variety of desktop computer hard drive systems which include a source  330  (having an operating system and one or more software applications) and inputs  332  (such as a on/off button or keyboard). Monitor  358  may also be connected to other sources such as a television, video game console, cable box or satellite box. 
       FIG. 5  schematically illustrates display system  420 , another embodiment of display system  20 . Like display system  20 , display system  420  includes source  30 , input  32 , display screen  36 , memory  40 , input  42  and screen capture system  46 . As shown by  FIG. 5 , display system  420  additionally includes housings  454  and  456 . Housing  454  supports, encloses and extends about display screen  36 . Housing  454  encloses and contains the hardware which form display screen  36 . 
     Housing  456  supports and encloses the hardware and software providing the operating system and applications of source  30 . Housing  456  additionally encloses and extends about screen capture system  46 . For example, in one embodiment, housing  456  contains and encloses the electronic circuitry or electronic hardware forming screen capture system  46 . In the example illustrated, housing  456  also supports and encloses memory  40  and input  42 . As a result, housing  456 , in combination with source  30 , input  32 , input  42 , and screen capture system  46 , form a self-contained unit  458 . The self-contained unit  458  may be preassembled, stored and inventoried for subsequent connection to display screen  36 . For example, in one embodiment, unit  458  may be formed as a laptop base configured to be subsequently attached or a connected to a laptop display screen. In other embodiments, housing  456  may have a variety of different sizes, shapes and configurations depending upon the form in which display system  420  is embodied. 
     In yet another embodiment, unit  458  may be self-supported independent of display screen  36 , permitting unit  458  to be selectively connected to multiple monitors including display screen  36 . For example, in one embodiment, unit  458  may be configured as a desktop computer hard drive system which may be selectively connected to any of a variety of desktop monitors. 
       FIG. 6  schematically illustrates display system  520 , another embodiment of display system  20 . Display system  520  is similar to display system  20  except that display system  520  additionally includes capture modification system  570  and automatic screen capture control system  574 . The remaining elements or components of display system  520  which correspond to components or elements of system  20  are numbered similarly. 
     Capture modification system  570  comprises a software application or program, or hardwired circuitry, configured to enable screen capture system  46  to capture and store less than complete or less than whole portions of a screen shot of output  50 . In other words, capture modification system  570  enable screen capture system  46  to capture and store less than all of what is displayed at any moment in time on display screen  36 . In one embodiment, capture modification system  570  comprises an extension of screen capture system  46  in the form of software which is run while source  30  is operating. 
     For example, in one embodiment, upon appropriate actuation of one more elements of input  32  by person, the operating system of source  30  prompts the person to identify what particular portion or area of what is being presented on display screen  36  (output  50 ) is to be captured by screen capture system  46 . The person may identify the selected portion to be captured using a mouse, a keypad, a touch screen, a touchpad or any other elements of input  32 . Once a selection is made, capture modification system  570  and source  30 , working together, transmit the selected area to screen capture system  46  for capture and storage. 
       FIG. 7  is a flow diagram of a method  600  illustrating one example method  600  which may be carried out by display system  520 . Method  600  is similar to method  100  shown and described with respect to  FIG. 2  except that method  600  includes additional steps facilitating the option of capturing and storing less than entire screenshots. For sake of brevity, those steps of method  600  which correspond to steps of method  100  are numbered similarly. 
     As indicated by step  102 , source  30  presents output  50  on display screen  36 . In one embodiment, the presentation of output  50  on display  36  by source  30  may be the result of a person booting up operating system of source  30  and running one or more software applications of source  30 . The operating system of source  30  interfaces between the one or more software applications and display screen  36 . 
     As indicated by step  604 , upon an indication by a person requesting the capturing of a screenshot, capture modification system  570  prompts the person to indicate whether he or she wishes to capture the entire screen shot, the entirety of what is presently being displayed on display screen  36 . The person may respond using one of more elements of input  32 . As shown by  FIG. 7 , if the person responds by indicating that indeed the entire screenshot is to be captured and stored (a “yes”), steps  108  and  110  are carried out. In particular, the entirety of the screenshot is captured and stored in memory  40  as indicated by step  108 . As indicated by step  110 , upon subsequently receiving a command or request via input  42  for display of the captured screenshot, screen capture system  46  presents or displays the entire stored screenshot on display screen  36  without source  30  operating. In one embodiment, screen capture system  46  is also configured to also present or display the entire stored screenshot on display screen  36  while source  30  is operating. 
     As further indicated by  FIG. 7 , if the person responds to the prompt of step  604  by indicating that the entirety of the screenshot is not to be stored (only a portion of the screenshot is to be captured and stored) (a “no”), steps  606 ,  608  and  610  are subsequently performed. As indicated by step  606 , capture modification system  570  prompts or requests the person to identify what portion of what is presently being displayed on display screen  36  should be captured and stored or what portion of what is being presented on display screen  36  should not be captured and stored. A person may respond to this prompt by graphically identifying on display screen  36  using input  32  what is to be captured or what is not to be captured. Examples of elements of input  32  that may be used to identify the portion or multiple separate portions of what presently being displayed is to be captured and stored include, but not limited to, a mouse, keyboard, a stylus, touch pad and a touch screen (possibly display screen  36 ). 
     As indicated by step  608 , screen capture system  46  captures and stores the selected screenshot portion in memory  40 . In one embodiment, capture modification system  570  and source  30 , working together, transmit the selected area or areas to screen capture system  46  for capture and storage. In another embodiment, capture modification system  570  may alternatively transmit the boundaries of those portions which are to be captured to screen capture system  46 . 
     As indicated by step  610 , upon subsequently receiving a command or request via input  42 , screen capture system  46  presents or displays the stored screenshot portion on display screen  36  without source  30  operating. In one embodiment, screen capture system  46  is also configured to also present or display the stored screenshot portion on display screen  36  while source  30  is operating. 
     As with display system  20 , screen capture system  46  may retrieve and present or display the stored screen shot portion from memory  40  and display or present the retrieved screen shot portion on display screen  36  without source  30  necessarily operating or running. As a result, retrieval of information is less time-consuming and tedious. Because capture modification system  570  enables only portions of what is being displayed on display screen  36  to be captured and stored as a screenshot, memory space in memory  40  is conserved and more defined nuggets of images or data may be stored and subsequently retrieved, enabling a person to selectively omit irrelevant and unneeded information from what is being stored. In other embodiments, capture modification system  570  may be omitted. 
     As shown by  FIG. 6 , like capture modification system  570 , automatic screen capture control system  574  modifies the operation of screen capture system  46 . Automatic screen capture control system  574  comprises a software application or program, or hardwired circuitry, configured to direct screen capture system  46  to automatically capture and store at least screenshot portions in memory  40  at preselected times or in response to predefined conditions. Instead of screen capture system  46  capturing and storing what is presently being displayed on display screen  36  or portions of what is presently being displayed on display screen  36  in response to actuation of one more elements of input  42  (such as by depressment of a screen capture button  342 C shown in  FIG. 4 ), screen capture system  46  automatically captures and stores screenshots under the direction of automatic screen capture control system  574  without repeated manual instructions or human intervention. 
     For example, in one embodiment, automatic screen capture control system  574  may be configured to direct screen capture system  46  to automatically capture and store a screenshot of what is being displayed on display screen  36  at predetermined time intervals or at predetermined times. Such predetermined time intervals or predetermined determined times may be selected and established as a setting by person using display system  220 . For example, in one embodiment, screen shots or predefined portions of screenshots may be automatically captured and stored every 5 seconds or at predefined times (i.e., 1:00 PM, 1:20 PM etc.). Such intervals or predefined times may be set by the person using system  220  so as to vary during the course of the day, week or month, or may be temporarily paused. 
     In one embodiment, automatic screen capture control system  574  may be further configured to compare content of what is captured with the content of those screenshots already stored on memory  40  before storing the captured screenshot in memory  40 . If the newly captured screenshot is the same or is not sufficiently different than an already stored screenshot, the newly captured screenshot may be discarded and not stored or the previously stored screenshot may be over written with the newly captured screenshot. 
     In another embodiment, automatic screen capture control system  574  may be configured to automatically capture and store a screenshot report of a screenshot of what is presently being displayed on display screen  36  in response to a change in what is being displayed on display screen  36 . For example, if a preselected minimum percentage of what is being displayed on display screen  36  changes or if a preselected or predefined data elements being displayed on display screen  36  change, automatic screen capture control system  574  may be configured to detect and evaluate such changes and to direct screen capture system  46  to automatically capture and store a screenshot or portion of a screenshot after each change is detected. In this way, automatic screen capture control system  574  automatically creates a screenshot record or backup that may be quickly and easily retrieved at a later time without source  30  being operated. 
     Although display system is illustrated as including both capture modification system  570  and automatic screen capture control system  574 , in other embodiments, display system  520  may alternatively include one of either capture modification system  570  or automatic screen capture control system  574 . As with display system  20 , display system  520  may be embodied in any of the constructions shown and described with respect to  FIGS. 3-5 . In such embodiments, capture modification system  570  and automatic screen capture control system  574  may be contained, enclosed and supported by either housing  254  or housing  256  of display system  220 , by either housing  354  or housing  356  of display system  320  or housing  454  or housing  456  of display system  420 . In some embodiments, capture modification system  570  and automatic screen capture control system  574  may be housed or contained by separate housings. For example, in one embodiment in which capture modification system  570  comprises a software application or program and wherein automatic screen capture control system  574  consists of hardwired circuitry or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), capture modification system  570  may reside with source  30  while automatic screen capture control system  574  resides with screen capture system  46 . 
     Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to example embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. For example, although different example embodiments may have been described as including one or more features providing one or more benefits, it is contemplated that the described features may be interchanged with one another or alternatively be combined with one another in the described example embodiments or in other alternative embodiments. Because the technology of the present disclosure is relatively complex, not all changes in the technology are foreseeable. The present disclosure described with reference to the example embodiments and set forth in the following claims is manifestly intended to be as broad as possible. For example, unless specifically otherwise noted, the claims reciting a single particular element also encompass a plurality of such particular elements.