Software and method providing graphic user interface for graphics adapter configuration

• US 20060048062A1
• Filed: 09/01/2004
• Published: 03/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: ATI Technologies Incorporated (Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ATI Technologies Incorporated (Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.)
• Inventors: Adamson, Dale F.
• Application Number:
  US10/930,827
• Publication Number:
  US 20060048062A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/760
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/363 Graphics controllers

Abstract

A graphical user interface has a drag-and-drop region used to activate one or more display devices interconnected with a graphics adapter. Display devices interconnected with a graphic adapter may be activated by a user dragging-and-dropping icons representing the display devices. If multiple adapter configurations reflecting icons as dragged-and-dropped are allowed, the user may be presented with multiple configuration options. Adapter configuration may also optionally be controlled by clicking icons already within the drag-and-drop regions.

Claims

1. In a computing device, a method of configuring a graphics adapter, comprising:

presenting a graphical user interface including first and second drag-and-drop regions;

populating said first and second drag-and-drop regions with icons reflecting display devices interconnected with said graphics adapter, and active, with said first drag-and-drop region reflecting a first display device;

presenting a plurality of additional icons, each additional icon representing an additional display device interconnected with said graphics adapter;

sensing interaction of a user dragging-and-dropping a selected one of said plurality of additional icons into said second drag-and-drop region;

in response to said dragging-and-dropping, determining allowable configurations of said graphics adapter with said first display device active and a second display device as represented by said selected one of said plurality of additional icons, active.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising presenting said user with a plurality of choices for said graphics adapter, each of said choices reflecting an allowable configuration of said graphics adapter with said first display device active and a second display device as represented by said selected one of said plurality of additional icons, active.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said graphics adapter comprises first and second display paths each to drive at least one display device, and wherein one of said choices allows activation of said first and second display devices to present video from a single one of said display paths.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising receiving input reflecting one of said choices made by said user, and configuring said adapter in accordance with said one of said choices.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising presenting an icon between said first and second drag-and-drop regions reflecting the relationship between said first and second display devices.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said first and second display devices each comprise one of an LCD panel, an analog monitor, a television, a projector, and a digital flat panel.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising sensing mouse action by said user on said first drag-and-drop region and responsive thereto presenting to said user a plurality of allowable configuration options for said first display device.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising sensing a user mouse action on said second drag-and-drop regions and responsive thereto presenting to said user a plurality of allowable configuration options for said second display device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said graphical user interface further comprises a display control area for selecting one of said display devices and configuring output provided by said graphics adapter on said one of said display devices selected in said display control area.

11. Computer readable medium storing computer software that when loaded at a computing device, adapts said computing device to perform the method of claim 1.

10. A computing device comprising at least two display devices interconnected with a graphics adapter, and a graphical user interface for configuring said graphics adapter, said graphical user interface comprising:

an adapter control area, including first and second drag-and-drop regions populated with icons reflecting display devices interconnected with said graphics adapter, and active, with said first drag-and-drop region reflecting a first display device;

a plurality of additional icons, each additional icon representing an additional display device interconnected with said graphics adapter;

said first and second drag-and-drop region responsive to a user dragging-and-dropping a selected one of said plurality of additional icons into said first or second drag-and-drop region, to re-configure said adapter to provide outputs to said display devices, as represented by icons dragged-and-dropped from said additional icons in said first and second drag-and-drop regions.