Method and system for auxiliary display of information for a computing device

• US 20070195007A1
• Filed: 08/23/2006
• Published: 08/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Plank, Robert, Chandley, Adrian, Ledbetter, Carl, Kaneko, Steve, Magendanz, Chad, Schoppa, Chris, Westerinen, William, Adams, Aditha, Crosier, Dale, Bear, Eric
• Granted Patent: US 7,913,182 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/1.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]

Abstract

A method and system for auxiliary display of information for a computing device. An auxiliary display is integrated with a computing system to provide an area where notifications can be peripherally presented off-screen. Whenever a background task sends a notification to the main display of the system, the notification may be redirected to appear instead on the auxiliary display. A user may then glance at the notification appearing on the auxiliary display to be informed of the message without interruption from the current task onscreen. Any type of information may be presented on the auxiliary display including incoming communications, meeting reminders, system alerts, and information from Internet subscription services. The auxiliary display may be placed on the central processor chassis or on the monitor border along with LED indicator lights to provide simple peripheral-vision notification. By pressing a button, a user may obtain additional detailed follow-up information.

Claims

1. A computer system for auxiliary display of information, comprising an auxiliary display coupled to the computer system for auxiliary display of information generated by executables running on the computer system.

2. The computer system of claim 1 further comprising an input device for controlling the output of the auxiliary display.

3. The computer system of claim 1 wherein the auxiliary display comprises a display of another computing device.

4. The computer system of claim 1 wherein the auxiliary device comprises one or more notification indicators.

5. The computer system of claim 1 wherein the auxiliary display uses at least one member of the set consisting of visual, audible, and tactile representations.

6. The computer system of claim 1 wherein the executables running on the computer system run on a secondary processor when the main processor is powered down.

7. In a computing device, a method, comprising:

receiving information for display on an auxiliary display of a computing device;

displaying the information on the auxiliary display; and

providing the information from the auxiliary display to an executing component of the computer system.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the auxiliary display displays the information when the main display of the computer system is powered down.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the auxiliary display maintains the information until the executing component of the computer system is powered up.

10. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the method of claim 7.

11. A system for auxiliary display of information, comprising:

means for coupling an auxiliary display to the system; and

means for auxiliary display of information generated by executables running on the system.