Automatic configuration of multiple monitor systems

• US 8,963,801 B1
• Filed: 09/17/2013
• Issued: 02/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Scott C Harris
• Original Assignee: Scott C Harris
• Inventors: Harris, Scott C.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHOW, JEFFREY J
• Application Number:
  US14/028,697
• Time in Patent Office: 525 Days
• Field of Search: 345/1.1, 345/156, 345/903, 715/764
• US Class Current: 345/1.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1423 controlling a plurality of local displays, e.g. CRT and flat panel display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1431 using a single graphics controller
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 1/007 Circuits for displaying split screens
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2330/02 Details of power systems and of start or stop of display operation
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/005 Adapting incoming signals to the display format of the display terminal
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/14 Display of multiple viewports
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/971 Cooperative decision support systems for group of users

Abstract

Control of multiple display screens associated with a computer, wherein the auxiliary screen display content that depends on conditions of the computer. During some times the auxiliary screen displays content associated with the presently executing program, and during other times the auxiliary screen displays history information. The rules can be automatically changed or manually changed.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

a computer, forming an output to be displayed on one or more computer screens;

automatically determining if only one computer screen is attached to said computer or if two computer screens are attached to said computer;

responsive to said automatically determining that only one computer screen is attached to said computer, first arranging said output for said computer screen to automatically fit on a single computer screen;

responsive to said automatically determining that two computer screens are attached to said computer, second arranging said output such that the same content that fits on the single computer screen in said first arranging, is changed to fit on two separate computer screens and where at least a part of the content is on each of said two separate computer screens according to a priority that sets, for different programs, how to set outputs for those different programs on the two computer screens, and where a first output on the two computer screens for a first program is different than a second output on the two computer screens for a second program, and where the priority sets how the output will be set on the two computer screens when both said first program and said second program are running, according to which of said first program or said second program has a higher priority; and

responsive to said first arranging and/or said second arranging, outputting said content to display said content.

2. A method as in claim 1, further comprising detecting a program in said computer which can produce a single display across said two computer screens, displaying an output of the program on said one computer screen when the only one screen is attached, and automatically displaying the program on multiple screens without adaptation when said two computer screens are attached.

3. A method as in claim 1, wherein said automatically determining comprises detecting display of a page which has multiple frames thereon, displaying the frames on a single page when said first arranging determines that a single screen is attached, and displaying the frames on multiple screens when said second rearranging determines that multiple screens are attached.

4. A method as in claim 3, wherein said frames form parts of a view from a web browser that operates in a frame mode.

5. A programmed computer, comprising:

a computer, forming an output to be displayed on one or more computer screens;

said computer operating for automatically determining if only one computer screen is attached to said computer or if two computer screens are attached to said computer and responsive to said automatically determining that only one computer screen is attached to said computer, first arranging said output for said computer screen to automatically fit on a single computer screen and responsive to said automatically determining that two computer screens are attached to said computer, second arranging said output such that the same content that fits on the single computer screen in said first arranging, is changed to fit on two separate computer screens and where at least a part of the content is on each of said two separate computer screens,

said second arranging operating according to a priority that sets, for different programs, how to set outputs for those different programs on the two computer screens, and where a first output on the two computer screens for a first program is different than a second output on the two computer screens for a second program, and where the priority sets how the output will be set on the two computer screens when both said first program and said second program are running, according to which of said first program or said second program is higher in the priority; and

responsive to said first arranging and/or said second arranging, said computer outputting said content to display said content.

6. A computer as in claim 5, wherein said computer operates to detect a program in said computer which can produce a single display across said two computer screens, displaying an output of the program on said one computer screen when the only one screen is attached, and automatically displaying the program on multiple screens without adaptation when said two computer screens are attached.

7. A computer as in claim 5, wherein said computer operates to detect display of a page which has multiple frames thereon, displaying the frames on a single page when said first arranging determines that a single screen is attached, and displaying the frames on multiple screens when said second rearranging determines that multiple screens are attached.

8. A computer as in claim 5, wherein said frames form parts of a view from a web browser that operates in a frame mode.

9. A programmed computer system, comprising:

a computer, forming an output to be displayed on multiple display screens;

said computer operating for creating a display of a focus screen on a first of said multiple display screens, said focus screen showing a currently running program, and for creating a second display for a second of said multiple display screens, where the second display has multiple different reduced sized windows showing all inactive windows, and where both said first and second display form includes access to a special control that is always accessible in both said first and

second display forms that switches between the first display and the second display when actuated.

10. The system as in claim 9, wherein the computer automatically determines if only one computer screen is attached to said computer or if two computer screens are attached to said computer and responsive to said automatically determining that only one computer screen is attached to said computer, first arranging said display form to automatically fit on a single computer screen and responsive to said automatically determining that two computer screens are attached to said computer, second arranging said display form such that the same content that fits on the single computer screen in said first arranging, is changed to fit on two separate computer screens and where at least a part of the content is on each of said two separate computer screens.

11. A computer as in claim 9, wherein said computer operates to detect a program in said computer which can produce a single display across said two display screens, displaying an output of the program on said one computer screen when the only one screen is attached, and automatically displaying the program on multiple screens without adaptation when said two computer screens are attached.

12. A computer as in claim 9, wherein said computer operates to detect display of a page which has multiple frames thereon, displaying the frames on a single page when said first arranging determines that a single screen is attached, and displaying the frames on multiple screens when said second rearranging determines that multiple screens are attached.

13. A computer as in claim 9, wherein said frames form parts of a view from a web browser that operates in a frame mode.

14. The computer as in claim 9, wherein said special control is a control that is always on top.

15. The computer as in claim 9, wherein said special control is a hotkey.