Image Output Apparatus Automatic Terminal Correspondence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face complexity in setting up desktops when connecting multiple monitors with multiple input terminals to a PC, as they struggle to comprehend the correspondence between physically present and logically recognized monitors, leading to suboptimal utilization of monitor capabilities.
Innovation Solution
An image output apparatus and method that acquire correspondence information for each connected communicating unit, allowing automatic setting of output modes to optimize image display across multiple partial display areas, ensuring effective utilization of monitor capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple input terminals of a monitor are connected to multiple output terminals of a PC, then the monitor can display high resolution images by combining multiple input images, but the user cannot comprehend the correspondence relationship between physically present and logically recognized monitors, making desktop setup operations complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the controller that manages terminal correspondence information) that mediates between the physical connection configuration and the logical recognition by the OS. This intermediary automatically tracks which physical terminals are connected to which logical monitors, providing a bridge that resolves the complexity for users while enabling high-resolution display through multiple terminal combinations
2Ease of operation
If only two of four input terminals of a monitor are connected to a PC, then the connection is simpler, but the monitor capabilities cannot be maximized as only 1/2 of the screen area is utilized for image display
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic system where the controller can flexibly adapt to different connection configurations. When all four terminals are connected, the system dynamically recognizes the full screen area and enables high-resolution display across the entire monitor. The system dynamically adjusts its recognition of display areas based on which terminals are actually connected, allowing users to start with simple connections and gradually add more terminals to maximize capabilities as needed
3Reliability
If the OS recognizes monitors in units of output terminals, then each connected terminal is properly identified, but four input terminals of one monitor are recognized as four separate monitors, creating confusion in desktop setup
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the controller pre-establish and maintain correspondence information between physical terminals and logical monitors before the OS needs to recognize them. The controller proactively manages the mapping relationships, so when the OS queries about display devices, the correspondence is already determined and can be communicated back to the OS, preventing the misrecognition issue from occurring in the first place
Data Source
AI summary
An image output apparatus according to the present invention includes: communicating units; an acquiring unit configured to acquire, for each of the communicating unit connected to an image display apparatus, correspondence information; a setting unit configured to set, for each of the communicating unit, an output mode; and an outputting unit configured to output, for each of the communicating unit, image data based on an output mode set with respect to the communicating unit, wherein the setting unit automatically sets a first output mode with respect to a communicating unit for which the correspondence information has been acquired.