Electronic display devices and their operation methods

Abstract

This application discloses an electronic display device and an operating method of the electronic display device. The operating method includes: receiving multiple data sources from multiple data source devices; providing a display screen to display the multiple data sources from the multiple data source devices respectively by enabling multiple different windows; providing a peripheral control circuit to receive a user control signal transmitted from an external peripheral device and to forward the user control signal to the controller circuit; and controlling the display screen according to the user control signal, so that the display screen displays the multiple data sources respectively through the multiple different windows, so as to dynamically control and manage the multiple different screen positions of the multiple different windows on the display screen and to dynamically control the window size of the multiple different windows.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of electronic display devices and human-computer interaction, and in particular to the design of a user interface (UI) for a multi-screen display. Background Technology

[0002] In existing technologies, most multi-screen displays use fixed screen layout patterns, such as dividing the display into equal or proportional sections. However, these technologies lack flexibility and cannot dynamically adjust the screen size or window position. Furthermore, the interaction functions between multiple data source devices and the display (such as volume control or external device management) usually require additional hardware or software support, making operation complex and unintuitive. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, one of the objectives of this invention is to provide an electronic display device and a corresponding operating method to solve the problems of the prior art.

[0004] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an electronic display device is disclosed. The electronic display device is externally coupled to multiple data source devices and includes multiple interface circuits, a controller circuit, a display screen, and a peripheral control circuit. The multiple interface circuits are respectively coupled to the multiple data source devices. The controller circuit is coupled to the multiple data source devices through the multiple interface circuits to receive multiple data source contents from the multiple data source devices. The display screen is coupled to the controller circuit and is controlled by the controller circuit to display the multiple data source contents from the multiple data source devices by enabling multiple different windows, each window corresponding to a data source. The peripheral control circuit is coupled to the controller circuit and an external peripheral device and receives a user control signal transmitted from the external peripheral device, and forwards the user control signal to the controller circuit. The controller circuit controls the display screen according to the user control signal, causing the display screen to display the content from multiple data sources through multiple different windows, so as to dynamically control and manage the different screen positions of the multiple different windows and dynamically control the window size of the multiple different windows. A specific window has a window behavior control and a data source behavior control. The window behavior control includes at least one of the operations of minimizing, maximizing / restoring, and closing, and the data source behavior control includes at least one of the operations of volume adjustment, mouse image and data source device interaction control functions, and other device behavior settings.

[0005] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method for operating an electronic display device is further disclosed. The electronic display device is externally coupled to a plurality of data source devices. The method includes: providing a plurality of interface circuits, each coupled to the plurality of data source devices; providing a controller circuit, each coupled to the plurality of data source devices via the plurality of interface circuits, to receive multiple data source contents from the plurality of data source devices; providing a display screen, controlled by the controller circuit to display the multiple data source contents from the plurality of data source devices by activating multiple different windows, each window corresponding to a data source; providing a peripheral control circuit to receive a user control signal transmitted from an external peripheral device, and to forward the user control signal to the controller circuit; and according to the... User control signals are used to control the display screen, causing the display screen to display the content of the multiple data sources through multiple different windows, so as to dynamically control and manage the multiple different screen positions of the multiple different windows on the display screen and to dynamically control the window size of the multiple different windows; wherein a specific window has a window behavior control and a data source behavior control, the window behavior control includes at least one of the following operations: minimize, maximize / restore, and close, and the data source behavior control includes at least one of the following operations: volume adjustment, mouse image and data source device interaction control functions, and other device behavior settings. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an electronic display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0007] Figure 2 According to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 1 The diagram shows an example of a multi-screen display on an electronic display device.

[0008] Figure 3 According to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 2 The diagram shows a standalone window WA. Detailed Implementation

[0009] The embodiments of the present invention belong to the field of electronic display devices and human-computer interaction, and aim to provide a design of a user interface (UI) for a multi-screen display and an operating system and method based on windowing technology, for managing and controlling the display and interactive behavior of multiple data source devices.

[0010] Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of an electronic display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electronic display device 100 is a novel multi-screen display device and has a user operation interface for multi-screen display. The user operation interface includes, for example, a display screen and at least one peripheral device, allowing the display screen to show multiple data source contents from multiple data source devices to the user, and allowing the user to manage and control the multiple data source devices through the at least one peripheral device. The electronic display device 100 includes, for example, a display screen 105, a controller circuit 110, at least one peripheral control circuit 115, and multiple interface circuits 120A-120E, wherein the number of interface circuits is not a limitation of the present invention.

[0011] In this embodiment, the electronic display device 100 is externally coupled to multiple data source devices 102A-102E respectively. The multiple interface circuits 120A-120E are coupled to the multiple data source devices 102A-102E respectively via multiple wired connections (or via multiple wireless connections). The multiple wired connections can be multiple wired connections with different transmission specifications, such as Universal Serial Bus (USB Type-C, hereinafter referred to as Type-C), High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI, hereinafter referred to as HDMI), and DisplayPort (hereinafter referred to as DP) communication interfaces, or multiple wired connections with the same transmission specification, such as multiple Type-C connections, or multiple wireless connections, or a combination of multiple wired and wireless connections. The multiple data source devices 102A-102E can be different electronic devices of the same type or different types of electronic devices, such as personal computers, laptops, and mobile phones.

[0012] The controller circuit 110 is correspondingly coupled to the plurality of data source devices 102A-102E through the plurality of interface circuits 120A-120E to receive the plurality of data source contents from the plurality of data source devices 102A-102E. The display screen 105 is coupled to the controller circuit 110 and is controlled by the controller circuit 110 to display the plurality of data source contents from the plurality of data source devices 102A-102E by enabling multiple different windows, each different window corresponding to a different data source. The peripheral control circuit 115 is coupled to the controller circuit 110 and an external peripheral device 101 to receive a user control signal transmitted from the external peripheral device 101 and to forward the user control signal to the controller circuit 110. For example, the external peripheral device 101 is a mouse device; in other embodiments, it may also be a keyboard device (not limited). The controller circuit 110 controls the display screen 105 according to the user control signal, causing the display screen 105 to display the content of the multiple data sources through the multiple different windows, so as to dynamically control and manage the different screen positions of the multiple different windows on the display screen 105 and dynamically control the window size of the multiple different windows. For example, a specific window has a window behavior control and a data source behavior control. The window behavior control includes at least one of the operations of minimizing, maximizing / restoring, and closing, and the data source behavior control includes at least one of the operations of volume adjustment, mouse image and data source device interaction control functions, and other device behavior settings.

[0013] Figure 2 According to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of multi-screen display on the display screen 105 of the electronic display device 100. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the user interface of the multi-screen display of the electronic display device 100 can simultaneously present and display data from multiple data source devices 102A~102E in multiple independent windows. The window size, window position, and stacking order (Z-order of the windows, i.e., the position of the windows in the overlapping window stack. This window stack extends outward along the imaginary axis and Z-axis from the screen. The window at the top of the stacking order overlaps with all other windows) of these multiple independent windows can be connected via wired or wireless connection to an external peripheral device 101 of the electronic display device 100 (e.g., a keyboard device or...). Figure 2 The external peripheral device 101 is dynamically adjusted using a mouse device (as shown); the external peripheral device 101 is controlled by a user. For example, in Figure 2The multi-screen display of the display screen 105 uses multiple windows WA, WB, WC, WD, and WE to display the different data source contents of the data source devices 102A to 102E independently and simultaneously, for example (but not limited to). Figure 2 The data source devices 102A-102E can be different laptops, for example, connected to the electronic display device 100 via different HDMI cables of the same transmission standard. The electronic display device 100 can then simultaneously and independently display multiple different data source contents to the user controlling the external peripheral device 101. In other embodiments, these data source devices 102A-102E can also be combinations of personal computers, mobile devices, or other data source devices of different specifications and types (with different operating system platforms) that store data sources. That is, each independent window corresponds to the data source content of a different data source device, such as the data source content of different transmission standard HDMI, Type-C, or DP communication interface connection cables, and is used to display the data source content of that data source device.

[0014] In this way, by introducing a windowed multi-screen display operation mode, the present invention can provide flexible multi-screen management functions, support the simultaneous display of multiple data sources, such as simultaneous input of HDMI and Type-C communication. In addition, it can also allow users to adjust the size and position of each independent window, and provide a more intuitive user operation interface, simplifying the user experience of multi-screen displays. For example, in the initial setting, the controller circuit 110 uses a random method (or a predetermined fixed method) to control the display screen 105 to display the window size, window position, and stacking of the multiple independent windows. Then, the user can control the peripheral device 101 (such as a mouse device) to drag the windows to change the window size, window position, or stacking.

[0015] Furthermore, the present invention can also achieve efficient interactive control operations between the electronic display device 100 and multiple data source devices 102A~102E through one or more different window controls (i.e., window control options), such as volume control, mouse mapping and other functions. Figure 3 According to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a single independent window WA. Each independent window is, for example... Figure 2 The independent windows WA shown all include two types of window controls, such as a window behavior control and a data source behavior control. The window behavior control includes, for example, window minimize, window maximize, window restore and window close, and the data source behavior control includes, for example, volume control, mouse image and / or other interactive options.

[0016] For example, in Figure 3 The upper right corner of the independent window WA shown includes four controls, from left to right: a mouse image control C1, a volume control C2, a window maximize control C3, and a window close control C4. For example, the mouse image control C1 is a data source behavior control, and its mouse image operation is used to allow the controller circuit 110 to allow the mouse device 101 connected to the electronic display device 100 to directly operate a specific window (i.e., WA) to manage a specific data source content of a specific data source device (i.e., 102A) corresponding to the specific window WA when enabled. In other words, the mouse image control C1 is used to enable the mouse image function so that the user can use the mouse device 101 connected to the electronic display device 100 to control the operation and data of the data source device 102A corresponding to the independent window WA. Conversely, when the mouse image control C1 displays that the mouse image function is disabled, it means that the user is not allowed to use the mouse device 101 to control the operation and data of the data source device 102A corresponding to the independent window WA.

[0017] In addition, the volume control C2 is a data source behavior control, and its volume adjustment operation changes the volume output of a specific data source device 102A corresponding to a specific window WA by adjusting a volume control on a specific window (i.e., WA). For example, when a user moves the cursor of the mouse device 101 close to, hovers over, or clicks the volume control C2, the controller circuit 110 can control the display screen 105 to display a volume control panel on the volume control C2, allowing the user to directly adjust the volume output of the data source device 102A using the mouse device 101. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the volume control C2 is used to indicate enabling or disabling the volume output. For instance, when the volume output is enabled, the controller circuit 110 can control the display screen 105 to display the volume control C2 in a specific color (or a specific pattern) to indicate that the volume is enabled. When the user then switches the volume output from enabled to disabled by clicking the cursor of the mouse device 101, the controller circuit 110 can control the display screen 105 to display the volume control C2 in another color (or another pattern) to indicate that the volume is disabled.

[0018] In addition, the window maximize control C3 and the window close control C4 are window behavior controls. The window maximize control C3 allows the user to click on the independent window WA through the mouse device 101 to maximize the display image of the data content of the corresponding data source device 102A. The window close control C4 allows the user to click on the corresponding data source device 102A to close the display image of the data content of the corresponding data source device 102A.

[0019] Furthermore, in other embodiments, the types of window controls described above can be further expanded to include different types of controls, such as different device switches, peripheral device controls (e.g., keyboard controls), to enhance the interaction capability between the electronic display device 100 and the multiple data source devices 102A-102E. In one embodiment, the multiple data source behavior controls of the multiple different windows each include multiple device switches. When the multiple device switches are enabled, the multiple different windows display the content of the multiple data sources to the user simultaneously. The controller circuit 110 can select a specific window (e.g., WA) among the multiple different windows WA-WE in turn according to the user control signal (i.e., the user's operation of the peripheral device 101) to control the content of a specific data source corresponding to the specific window WA, without moving the cursor position of the peripheral device 101 to the specific window WA. For example, the electronic display device 100 can further support the parallel display of multiple data sources and allow switching operations between multiple data sources. Each of the multiple data sources corresponds to a multiple split-screen window, which has the aforementioned multiple device on / off options. When a user activates these multiple device on / off options using a peripheral device 101, such as a mouse (or keyboard), the multiple split-screen windows can simultaneously display the content of the multiple data sources to the user. The user can easily switch between the multiple split-screen windows (i.e., windows WA~WE) using a button on the peripheral device, such as the mouse (e.g., the middle button / scroll wheel). For example, the user can use the mouse wheel to select a specific split-screen window (e.g., WA) and control the content of a specific data source displayed in that specific split-screen window WA, without needing to move the cursor of the mouse 101 to a specific split-screen window WA. This effectively simplifies the user's operation of switching multiple data source devices. In this case, the controller circuit 110 controls the display screen 105 to directly display the selected split-screen window at the top.

[0020] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the split-screen windowing function of the electronic display device 100 allows users to dynamically adjust the split screen, such as dragging the window position and changing the window size.

[0021] It should be noted that the multiple data source devices 102A-102E can be different electronic devices of the same type or different electronic devices of different types, such as personal computers, laptops, mobile phones, electronic paper display devices, etc., which have different platforms or operating systems. The electronic display device 100 is actually an intelligent device and can establish multiple signal channels with the multiple data source devices 102A-102E through the multiple interface circuits 120A-120E respectively. Therefore, for example, instructions generated by the peripheral device 101 can be transmitted to a specific data source device through a specific signal channel. When a specific signal channel is turned on, the peripheral device 101, which originally controls the electronic display device 100, controls the data source content projected onto the display screen 105 by the specific data source device through the signal channel. Conversely, when the specific signal channel is turned off, the instructions of the peripheral device 101 are only directed to control the electronic display device 100. In other words, the specific signal channel established between the operating system in the electronic display device 100 and the operating system of the specific data source device will transmit control commands, and transmit the commands of the peripheral device 101 to the operating system of the specific data source device (such as a mobile phone device) so as to successfully control the content played by the image.

[0022] In summary, the main functions of the electronic display device 100 in this embodiment of the invention are to provide free adjustment of multi-screen display modes (including dynamic changes in window size and position) and enhance the interaction between the electronic display device 100 and multiple different types of data source devices. It also enables intuitive management of functions such as volume and mouse control through window controls, and supports simultaneous display of multiple data sources. The main advantages of this electronic display device 100 are: providing an innovative user interface that uses a multi-screen windowed design to manage multiple data sources, thereby improving the flexibility of display operation; integrating basic behavior control of each split-screen window with the interactive control function of a corresponding data source device; and allowing all split-screen and device interaction settings to be completed simply through mouse operation without the need for additional hardware or software, thus enhancing the user experience.

[0023] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. All equivalent changes and modifications made within the scope of the claims of the present invention should be included in the scope of the present invention.

[0024] [Symbol Explanation] 100: Electronic display equipment 101: Peripheral Devices 102A~102E: Data source devices 105: Display screen 110: Controller circuit 115: Peripheral control circuit 120A~120E: Interface Circuit

Claims

1. An electronic display device for externally coupling to multiple data source devices, characterized in that, Including: Multiple interface circuits are respectively coupled to the multiple data source devices; A controller circuit is coupled to the multiple data source devices through the multiple interface circuits to receive multiple data source contents from the multiple data source devices; A display screen, coupled to the controller circuit, is controlled by the controller circuit to display the multiple data source contents of the multiple data source devices by enabling multiple different windows, each window corresponding to a data source; as well as A peripheral control circuit is coupled to the controller circuit and an external peripheral device to receive a user control signal transmitted from the external peripheral device and to transmit the user control signal to the controller circuit. The controller circuit is used to control the display screen according to the user control signal, so that the display screen displays the multiple data source contents through multiple different windows, so as to dynamically control and manage the multiple different screen positions of the multiple different windows on the display screen and dynamically control the window size of the multiple different windows; a specific window has a window behavior control and a data source behavior control. The window behavior control includes at least one of the following operations: minimize, maximize / restore, and close. The data source behavior control includes at least one of the following operations: volume adjustment, mouse image and data source device interaction control function, and other device behavior settings.

2. The electronic display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the peripheral device is a mouse device.

3. The electronic display device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the mouse image operation of the data source behavior control is used to allow the mouse device connected to the electronic display device to directly operate the specific window to manage a specific data source content of a specific data source device corresponding to the specific window when enabled.

4. The electronic display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of interface circuits respectively support a plurality of different wired connections of different specifications or respectively support a plurality of different wired connections of the same specification and are respectively coupled to the plurality of data source devices.

5. The electronic display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the volume adjustment operation of the data source behavior control changes the volume output of a specific data source device corresponding to the specific window by adjusting a volume control on a specific window.

6. The electronic display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of data source behavior controls of the plurality of different windows respectively include a plurality of device switch items, and when the plurality of device switch items are enabled, the plurality of different windows respectively and simultaneously display the content of the plurality of data sources to a user, and the controller circuit switches between selecting a specific window among the plurality of different windows according to the user control signal to control the content of a specific data source corresponding to the specific window, without moving the cursor position of the peripheral device to the specific window.

7. A method of operating an electronic display device, the electronic display device being externally coupled to a plurality of data source devices, characterized in that, The operating method includes: Multiple interface circuits are provided, each coupled to one of the multiple data source devices; A controller circuit is provided, which is coupled to the multiple data source devices through the multiple interface circuits respectively, so as to receive multiple data source contents from the multiple data source devices; A display screen is provided for control by the controller circuit to display the contents of the multiple data sources of the multiple data source devices by enabling multiple different windows, each window corresponding to a data source; A peripheral control circuit is provided to receive a user control signal transmitted from an external peripheral device and to transmit the user control signal to the controller circuit. as well as The display screen is controlled according to the user control signal, so that the display screen displays the content of the multiple data sources through the multiple different windows, so as to dynamically control and manage the multiple different screen positions of the multiple different windows on the display screen and to dynamically control the window size of the multiple different windows; One of the specific windows has a window behavior control and a data source behavior control. The window behavior control includes at least one of the following operations: minimize, maximize / restore, and close. The data source behavior control includes at least one of the following operations: volume adjustment, mouse image and data source device interaction control functions, and other device behavior settings.

8. The operation method as described in claim 7, wherein the peripheral device is a mouse device, and the mouse image operation of the data source behavior control is used to allow the mouse device connected to the electronic display device to directly operate the specific window to manage a specific data source content of a specific data source device corresponding to the specific window when enabled.

9. The operation method as described in claim 7, wherein the volume adjustment operation of the data source behavior control changes the volume output of a specific data source device corresponding to the specific window by adjusting a volume control on a specific window.

10. The operation method of claim 7, wherein the plurality of data source behavior controls of the plurality of different windows respectively include a plurality of device switch items, and the operation method further includes: When the multiple device switches are enabled, the multiple different windows are used to display the content of the multiple data sources to a user, respectively and simultaneously. as well as The user control signal is used to switch between selecting a specific window from the multiple different windows to control the content of a specific data source corresponding to that specific window, without moving the cursor position of the peripheral device to that specific window.

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