Multi-Monitor Power Control via Human Presence Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power management methods in multi-monitor environments are inefficient, requiring users to manually turn monitors on and off, and fail to effectively reduce power consumption when users are not actively working, leading to increased energy usage and user inconvenience.

Innovation Solution

A system where human sensors detect user presence on multiple monitors connected to a PC, allowing the display control device to automatically switch monitors to low power states when the user is absent, ensuring efficient power management and reducing energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If multiple monitors are connected to expand display area, then the display area is expanded at relatively low cost, but the user must operate power switches of each monitor individually which makes operation more troublesome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidoperation convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple monitor power control into a single unified operation. The display control device receives one power control signal and distributes it to multiple monitors, allowing the user to control all monitors' power states simultaneously through a single action rather than operating each monitor's power switch individually.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The display control device acts as an intermediary between the user and multiple monitors. It receives the user's power control signal and automatically distributes it to the appropriate monitors, eliminating the need for users to directly operate each monitor's power switch and simplifying the operation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of energy

If power is turned off for each monitor individually to save energy, then power consumption is reduced, but the operation becomes more troublesome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidoperation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple power control operations into a single action. By distributing one power control signal to multiple monitors through the display control device, users can turn off all monitors simultaneously, reducing both power consumption and the time required compared to operating each monitor's power switch separately.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary setup by establishing the display control device as a central control point that automatically manages power distribution to multiple monitors. This preliminary configuration enables automated power management, eliminating the need for repeated manual operations and reducing time loss in future power control actions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If PC power control signal is used to control monitor power, then power management is simplified, but monitors cannot be turned off independently when PC is still in use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower management simplicityVSAvoidindependent monitor control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic power control where the display control device can adaptively respond to different user needs. It can distribute power control signals to one or multiple monitors based on the situation, allowing flexible combinations of synchronized and independent monitor control, thus providing both simplicity and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the power control function to allow selective distribution. The display control device can choose to send power control signals to specific monitors or all monitors depending on the situation, enabling both unified power management and independent monitor control as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2405322B1Display system, display controller, computer program and memory product
Publication Date: 2013.12.18 EIZO CORP
  • EP2405322B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2405322B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2405322B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is: a display system capable of accomplishing power saving by switching a plurality of monitors to an operation state of low power consumption, for example, when the user who uses a multi-monitor environment stops working for a short time; a display control device constituting this display system; and a computer program. In the multi-monitor environment in which a plurality of monitors (2a to 2c) are connected to a PC (1), a human sensor (3) is mounted on at least one monitor (2a to 2c), and the PC (1) controls the switching of the operation states of the plurality of monitors (2a to 2c) according to the detection result of the human sensor (3). When all the human sensors (3) have detected the absence of the user, the monitors (2a to 2c) are operated in a sleep mode or a power OFF mode; and when at least one human sensor (3) has detected the presence of the user, the monitors (2a to 2c) are operated in an ordinary operation mode.