Patent Application
20140292616
This application is directed, in general, to a computer system and, more specifically, to a computer monitor equalization system and a computer monitor equalization method.
Many computer systems employ more than one monitor for display purposes. Multiple monitors may be used to improve workflow or enhance recreational pursuits such as video gaming. When using multiple monitor computer systems, users may encounter monitors having display characteristics, such as color or brightness, which are significantly different. This can result for monitors from different manufacturers, or commonly manufactured monitors that use different display panel venders. Even different manufacturing runs from the same manufacturer for a given monitor model may provide different display characteristics. Additionally, monitor calibration techniques require expensive calibration tools that need to be applied separately or manually to each monitor. An improved display adjustment technique for monitors would be beneficial to the art.
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a computer monitor equalization system and a computer monitor equalization method.
In one embodiment, the computer monitor equalization system includes a computer system having a plurality of monitors and a mobile networking unit that captures display image samples from the plurality of monitors, wherein the display image samples are captured optically for monitor equalization. The computer monitor equalization system also includes an image analyzing unit that analyzes the display image samples to determine a monitor adjustment required to equalize the plurality of monitors.
In another aspect, the computer monitor equalization method includes providing a computer system having a plurality of monitors and capturing display image samples from the plurality of monitors, wherein the display image samples are captured optically for monitor equalization employing a mobile network device. The computer monitor equalization method also includes analyzing the display image samples to determine a monitor adjustment required to equalize the plurality of monitors.
The foregoing has outlined preferred and alternative features of the present disclosure so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the disclosure that follows. Additional features of the disclosure will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiment as a basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure.
Reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
The computer system 105 includes a general purpose computer 106 having a graphics processing unit (GPU) that supports first and second monitors 107A, 107B over respective first and second monitor control cables 108A, 108B, which additionally provide test image commands and monitor adjustments. The handheld device 110, which is generally representative of a mobile networking unit, is a mobile (cell) phone in the illustrated embodiment and may be a computer tablet or a standalone digital camera in other embodiments, for example. The communications network 115 is representative of a general purpose network that allows communication between the general purpose computer 106 and the handheld device 110 as well as data transfer and analysis. The general purpose network may include a WiFi system, an Internet system or a cloud system, for example.
Generally, the handheld device 110 employs an image capturing unit that captures display image samples from the first and second monitors 107A, 107B. In this particular embodiment, the mobile phone is a smart phone that employs its associated camera as the image capturing unit. In some embodiments, the handheld device 110 includes an image analyzing unit that analyzes the display image samples to determine a monitor adjustment required to equalize the first and second monitors 107A, 107B.
In other embodiments, the image analyzing unit may be contained in the general purpose computer 106 and data corresponding to the display image samples obtained by the handheld device 110 are conveyed through the communications network 115 to the general purpose computer 106 for analysis. In yet other embodiments, the image analyzing unit is contained in an Internet server or a cloud server and data corresponding to the display image samples obtained by the handheld device 110 are conveyed for analysis to these servers through the communications network 115. In still other embodiments, analysis of the display image samples may employ a combination of the above.
Equalization of the first and second monitors 107A, 107B may be initiated through equalization instructions (e.g., a set-up wizard) provided on one of the first and second monitors 107A, 107B or on the handheld device 110. These equalization instructions can provide tips on using the smart phone's imaging system to capture the display image samples for analysis as well as actual steps to follow for the equalization process. Equalization of a plurality of monitors typically includes adjustments to the monitors in the three areas of brightness, gamma and color.
In
The handheld device 110 employs its camera to capture first and second display image samples S212A, S212B at the same time, as shown on the handheld device 110. The first and second display image samples S212A, S212B are analyzed for relative brightness employing one or more image analyzing techniques previously discussed. Here, it is found that the second monitor 107B is less bright than the first monitor 107A by a ratio of 140/190. Two approaches to brightness balancing are discussed below. In
In
The handheld device 110 again employs its camera to capture the updated first display image sample S212C and second display image sample S212B at the same time, as shown on the handheld device 110. These first and second display image samples S212C, S212B are analyzed for relative brightness employing one or more image analyzing unit techniques previously discussed. Here, the image analysis may indicate that the current brightness adjustment is correct, or that the previous brightness adjustment was too small or too large. If the brightness adjustment represented in
If the brightness adjustment was not close enough, a second DDC/CI command representing the recent analysis is sent to adjust the brightness of the first monitor 107A in an indicated correct direction while maintaining both the first and second test image commands (RGB: 255,255,255), as before. This brightness balancing process is repeated until the brightness equalization of the first and second monitors 107A and 107B is satisfactory. Once the brightness balancing process is complete, the computer system 105 retains the established brightness balancing parameters for future application.
Alternately, in
The handheld device 110 again employs its camera to capture an updated first display image sample S212C and second display image sample S212B at the same time, as shown on the handheld device 110. These first and second display image samples S212C, S212B are analyzed for relative brightness employing one or more image analyzing unit techniques previously discussed. Here, the image analysis may indicate that the current brightness adjustment is correct, or that the current brightness adjustment was too small or too large. If the brightness adjustment represented in
If the current brightness adjustment is not close enough, the GPU gain is again adjusted resulting in the first monitor control cable 108A providing another adjusted first test image command (e.g., (RGB: 240,240,240) to provide a reduced brightness) to the first monitor 107A while maintaining the second test image command (RGB: 255,255,255) to the second monitor 107B for further image capturing and image analysis. This brightness balancing process is repeated until the brightness equalization of the first and second monitors 107A and 107B is satisfactory. Once the brightness balancing process is complete, the computer system 105 retains the established brightness balancing parameters for future application.
Gamma is the relationship, usually defined by a particular curve, between sending a digital value to a monitor and a brightness or luminance that is displayed on the screen. This follows the particular curve, which is exponential and typically has an exponent of 2.2. Some monitors may have a gamma coefficient of 1.9 to 2.0, and others may have a gamma coefficient of 2.4 to 2.5. This causes visual differences between two monitors as may be seen in the mid-tones of a scene, which may look darker on one monitor when compared to another monitor. Gamma equalization adjustments may be employed to define and compensate for differences in individual monitor gamma curves.
In
The handheld device 110 employs its camera to capture first and second display image samples S312A, S312B at the same time, as shown on the handheld device 110. The first and second display image samples S312A, S312B are analyzed for relative luminance employing one or more image analyzing arrangements as previously discussed. This analysis indicates that the second display image 312B has a relative luminance of 31.2/35 when compared to the first display image 312A.
In
Alternately, the gamma balancing process may be accomplished by employing a gamma look-up table adjustment that is alternately provided from the GPU in the general purpose computer 106. In this case, a modified first test image command (e.g., (RGB: 115,115,115)) may be employed where the second test image command (RGB: 128,128,128) is maintained. In both of these cases, these gamma balancing processes are repeated until the gamma equalization of the first and second monitors 107A and 107B is satisfactory. Once the gamma balancing process is complete, the computer system 105 retains the established gamma balancing parameters for future application.
Generally, color balancing may be more monitor dependent that brightness or gamma balancing. A preferred approach may be to employ DDC/CI commands to change “Red Gain”, “Blue Gain” and “Green gain”, if such commands are available. If such commands are not available in an employed monitor model, then it may be possible to use “color temperature” DDC/CI commands (e.g., “warm” or “cool”) to change the relative balance of red, green and blue. There may be specialized procedures that correspond to different monitors. Since color calibration is not well standardized in the DDC/CI command set or if a desired monitor lacks the adjustments required, employing or changing the lookup tables in the GPU in the general purpose computer 106 may offer a preferred approach.
In
In
In like manner, the color equalization arrangements of
Additionally, it may be noted that the color balancing procedure is generally going to reduce red, green, or blue gain on one of the monitors. After color balancing, brightness of that monitor is going to be different (e.g., reduced). At that point it may be necessary to re-balance brightness, whereas having to re-balance gamma is unlikely. Probably just a single brightness adjustment and brightness check now completes the entire matching process.
In one embodiment, one of the display image samples is selected for comparison with each remaining display image sample to determine a corresponding monitor adjustment. In another embodiment, the monitor adjustment is selected from the group consisting of a brightness adjustment, a gamma adjustment and a color adjustment. In a further embodiment, the capturing and the analyzing of the display image samples are incorporated into the mobile network device. Correspondingly, the mobile network device is a mobile phone or a computer tablet.
In a yet further embodiment, the analyzing of the display image samples is provided in at least one selected from the group consisting of a computer system, a handheld device, an Internet server and a cloud server. In a still further embodiment, the display image samples are provided to the computer system having the plurality of monitors to determine the monitor adjustment required to equalize the plurality of monitors. Correspondingly, the display image samples are provided to the computer system using at least one selected from the group consisting of a WiFi system, an Internet system and a cloud system.
In still a further embodiment, the monitor adjustment required to equalize the plurality of monitors is selected from the group consisting of a VCP command supported adjustment and a GPU based adjustment. In yet a further embodiment, the capturing of the display image samples is provided by a standalone digital camera having an image transfer connection to the computer system, which then analyzes the display image samples to provide the monitor adjustment required to equalize the plurality of monitors. The method 500 ends in a step 525.
While the method disclosed herein has been described and shown with reference to particular steps performed in a particular order, it will be understood that these steps may be combined, subdivided, or reordered to form an equivalent method without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure. Accordingly, unless specifically indicated herein, the order or the grouping of the steps is not a limitation of the present disclosure.
Those skilled in the art to which this application relates will appreciate that other and further additions, deletions, substitutions and modifications may be made to the described embodiments.
