Abstract:
An integrally formed monitor comprises one or more touchpads to provide function keys, and therefore projecting structure for function keys to be pressed by users is not necessary for the monitor owing to the touch-sense feature of the touchpad.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention is generally related to a monitor and, more particularly, to a monitor having one or more touchpads as function keys.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     For a current monitor, solid keys are used as function keys for the setting adjustment of the monitor by users, which are usually positioned at the front side of the monitor, no matter liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor or cathode ray tube (CRT) monitor.  FIG. 1  shows a conventional monitor  100  comprising a screen  102  and several function keys  104 - 112 , among which power key  112  is used to turn on and off the monitor  100 . When the monitor  100  is powered on, a blank picture will be displayed on the screen  102 , which defines the available display range on the monitor  100 . Then, a menu  114  may be shown on the screen  102  if a menu key  104  is pressed by users. Subsequently, an item to be set may be selected with the movement of a highlight area  116 , which is accomplished by means of minus (“−”) key  108  and plus (“+”) key  110  operated by users. After one item, such as volume, is selected, and enter key  106  is then pressed, a volume control bar  118  is shown on the screen  102  at the moment. Again, the minus (“−”) key  108  and plus (“+”) key  110  are used by users to tune the volume. Setting for other functions may be deduced by analogy. The function keys of this type for the monitor must be presented as a projecting structure to be pressed by users; however, integral appearance is thus impossibly obtained.  
         [0003]     Therefore, it is desired a more attractive and integrally formed monitor.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     An object of the present invention is to provide an integrally formed monitor, which employs one or more touchpads as function keys.  
         [0005]     In accordance with the present invention, one or more touchpads may be used as function keys in an integrally formed monitor. Projecting structure for function keys to be pressed by users is not necessary for the monitor owing to the touch-sense feature of the touchpads, in such a way that an integral and attractive appearance may be obtained for the monitor so as to satisfy the market demand.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0006]     These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0007]      FIG. 1  shows a conventional monitor; and  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  shows an integrally formed monitor according to the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]      FIG. 2  shows an integrally formed monitor  200  according to the present invention, which comprises a screen  202  and a plurality of function keys  204 - 210  provided by one or more touchpads. Among the function keys  204 - 210 , power key  210  is used to turn on and off the monitor  200 . When the monitor  200  is turned on by touching the power key  210 , a blank picture is displayed on the screen  202  that shows the available display range on the monitor  200 . Then, a menu  212  may be shown on the screen  202  if the menu key  204  is touched by users. Subsequently, by sliding a finger on the plus/minus (“+−”) touch scroll bar  208 , a highlight area  214  is thus moved. For instance, the highlight area  214  is moved upward when the finger may either slide toward the plus (“+”) direction, or click once on or touch-and-hold at the location of the plus (“+”); on the contrary, the highlight area  214  is moved downward when the finger may either slide toward the minus (“−”) direction, or click once on or touch-and-hold at the location of the minus (“−”). After one item, such as volume, is selected, and the enter key  206  is then touched, a volume control bar  216  is shown on the screen  202  at the moment. The volume may be tuned by sliding the finger on the plus/minus (“+−”) touch scroll bar  208 . For instance, the increased volume is presented when the finger may either slide toward the plus (“+”) direction, or click once on or touch-and-hold at the location of the plus (“+”); on the contrary, the decreased volume is presented when the finger may either slide toward the minus (“−”) direction, or click once on or touch-and-hold at the location of the minus (“−”). Setting for other functions may be deduced by analogy.  
         [0010]     Each of the function keys  204 - 210  is a region which, defined on the touchpad, may be printed or attached thereon with a corresponding pattern of the function key, in case that these function keys are provided by one touchpad.  
         [0011]     The thickness of monitor may be reduced and the power consumption thereof may be lowered when the conventional solid keys are replaced by touchpad, since the thickness of touchpad is much thinner than that of conventional solid keys and the power consumption thereof is lowered.  
         [0012]     While the present invention has been described in conjunction with preferred embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope thereof as set forth in the appended claims.