Display management for multi-screen computing environments

• US 8,806,235 B2
• Filed: 06/14/2011
• Issued: 08/12/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Deakin, Oliver, Deakin, Jamin H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Elamin, M
• Application Number:
  US13/160,482
• Publication Number:
  US 20120324256A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,155 Days
• Field of Search: 713/300, 713/310, 713320-324, 713/330, 713/340, 345/1.1, 345/212
• US Class Current: 713/300
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3265 Power saving in display device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3287 by switching off individual functional units in the computer system
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/013 Eye tracking input arrangements G06F3/015 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1454 involving copying of the display data of a local workstation or window to a remote workstation or window so that an actual copy of the data is displayed simultaneously on two or more displays, e.g. teledisplay
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for power management for a multi-display computing environment. In an embodiment of the invention, a computer data processing system can be configured for power management for a multi-display computing environment. The system can include a computer with at least one processor and memory, a video display adapter disposed in the computer and multiple different displays driven by the adapter. The system also can include a selective power management module coupled to the computer and configured to selectively apply power management to only one of the displays in which a period of inactivity is detected, while not applying power management to remaining ones of the displays.

Claims

1. A computer data processing system configured for power management for a multi-display computing environment, the system comprising:

a computer with at least one processor and memory;

a video display adapter disposed in the computer;

multiple different displays driven by the adapter; and

,

a selective power management module coupled to the computer and configured to;

monitor activity in connection with multiple different displays;

detect a period of inactivity in a particular one of the displays;

determine if the period of inactivity in the particular one of the displays has exceeded a threshold value;

in response to a determination that the period of inactivity in the particular one of the displays has not exceeded a threshold value, reduce an intensity of display on the particular one of the displays; and

in response to a determination that the period of inactivity in the particular one of the displays has exceeded a threshold value, direct power management only in the particular one of the displays, but not in remaining others of the displays.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising an eye detector detecting when a gaze from an end user indicates a period of inactivity with respect to a display amongst the displays.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the power management is a dimming of a corresponding display.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the power management is a putting to sleep of a corresponding display.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the power management is an invoking of a screen saver in a corresponding display.

6. A power management method for a multi-display computing environment, the method comprising:

monitoring activity in connection with a plurality of displays coupled to a single computer by a selective power management module executed in a memory of the computer;

detecting a period of inactivity in a particular one of the displays;

determining if the period of inactivity in the particular one of the displays has exceeded a threshold value;

in response to a determination that the period of inactivity in the particular one of the displays has not exceeded a threshold value, reducing an intensity of display on the particular one of the displays; and

,

in response to a determination that the period of inactivity in the particular one of the displays has exceeded a threshold value, directing power management only in the particular one of the displays, but not in remaining others of the displays.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the activity is monitored through eye tracking and gaze detection.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the power management is a dimming of the particular one of the displays.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the power management is a putting to sleep of the particular one of the displays.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the power management is an invoking of a screen saver in the particular one of the displays.

11. A computer program product for power management for a multi-display computing environment, the computer program product comprising:

a computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code embodied therewith, the computer readable program code, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform the steps comprising;

monitoring activity in connection with a plurality of displays coupled to a single computer;

detecting a period of inactivity in a particular one of the displays;

determining if the period of inactivity in the particular one of the displays has exceeded a threshold value;

in response to a determination that the period of inactivity in the particular

one of the displays has not exceeded a threshold value, reducing an intensity of display on the particular one of the displays; and

,

in response to a determination that the period of inactivity in the particular one of the displays has exceeded a threshold value, directing power management only in the particular one of the displays, but not in remaining others of the displays.

12. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the activity is monitored through eye tracking and gaze detection.

13. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the power management is a dimming of the particular one of the displays.

14. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the power management is a putting to sleep of the particular one of the displays.

15. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the power management is an invoking of a screen saver in the particular one of the displays.