Help service function control device added to a multi-channel monitor of a personal computer

• US 6,100,886 A
• Filed: 02/18/1998
• Issued: 08/08/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tatung Company
• Original Assignee: Tatung Company
• Inventors: Lin, Yi-Jen
• Primary Examiner(s): Bayerl, Raymond J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): JOSEPH, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US09/025,548
• Time in Patent Office: 902 Days
• Field of Search: 345/336, 345/337, 345/338, 345/10, 345/3, 345/11, 345/970, 345/327, 348/177, 348/179
• US Class Current: 715/709
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 1/165 Details of a display terminal using a CRT, the details relating to the control arrangement of the display terminal and to the interfaces thereto details suitable for both CRT and flat panel G09G5/003; specific for a flat panel G09G3/2092
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 1/167 Details of the interface to the display terminal specific for a CRT details suitable for both CRT and flat panel G09G5/006, specific for a flat panel G09G3/2096
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/08 Arrangements within a display terminal for setting, manually or automatically, display parameters of the display terminal
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/003 Details of a display terminal, the details relating to the control arrangement of the display terminal and to the interfaces thereto specific for a CRT G09G1/165; for a flat panel G09G3/2092

Abstract

A help service function control device is added to a multi-sync(or multi-modc)monitor of a personal computer. The control device uses a micro controller and an on-screen display to control a video display to show the contents of "Help Service". The help service contains Install. Adjustment and Specification instructions for instructing the user to install and adjust the monitor and to understand the specifications of the monitor. The micro controller picks up a serial signal from the on-screen display, permitting the fetched signal to be amplified by a video pre-amplifier and then displayed through the video display so as to help the user eliminate troubles.

Claims

1. A help service function control device added to a multi-sync (or multimode) monitor of a personal computer, comprising:

circuitry including a micro controller and software implemented by the micro controller, said circuitry and software being arranged to manage operation and adjustment of a connected monitor, and also to produce a function selection message and a level adjustment message which assists a user in providing appropriate inputs as necessary for managing the operation and adjustment control of the connected monitor;

a control switch unit havinng at least two control switches for causing said micro controller to produce said function selection message and said level adjustment message respectively;

an on-screen display controlled by said micro controller to produce characters and signs, and to output produced characters and signs to a video pre-amplifier, permitting a help service message to be displayed on a video display, wherein said help service message include installation procedures, adjustment procedures, and specifications of said monitor; and

memory means for providing access to set data when said micro controller is a function selection or level adjustment.

2. The help service function control device of claim 1, wherein the control switches of said control switch unit are tact switches.

3. The help service function control device of claim 1, wherein the control switches of said control switch unit are formed by contacts of an encoder.

4. The help service function control device of claim 1, wherein said installation procedures include instructions for connection between the computer monitor and the computer.

5. The help service function control device of claim 1, wherein said specifications describe input characteristics, resolution and security confirmation of the monitor.