1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to multiple user computer systems, and particularly to display parameters of a multiple user computer system.
2. Description of Related Art
Generally, display devices, such as computer monitors are provided with a plurality of push-buttons. The push-buttons can be actuated by a user to invoke modifiable user interfaces, also known as on screen displays (OSDs), for modifying display parameters such as brightness, contrast etc.
However, if there is more than one user, then each user must modify the settings manually each time if they have different preferences from the previous user.
Therefore, providing a multiple user computer system and a method for independently setting different display parameters for each user account are desired.
Referring to
The display device 30 may be a computer monitor with default display parameters (e.g., brightness, contrast etc.). The default display parameters are capable of being modified by pressing buttons 32 disposed on the display device 30 and also by adjusting relevant software stored in the host machine 20, which will be described in detail hereafter.
The host machine 20 is capable of creating a number of user accounts, each account may include a user name, a password, a password hint, and one or more user preferences (e.g., brightness setting, contrast setting etc.). For each user account, the host machine 20 provides a separate environment such that the preferences are not accessible from other user accounts.
When the user logs in to the host machine 20 for the first time, the host machine 20 prompts the user to personalize their display parameters. For successive log-ins thereafter, the host machine 20 retrieves the personalized display parameters as set by the user, and the display device 30 displays the user's preferences accordingly. A user may modify their previous preferences any time they are logged in to their account.
When the host machine 20 is started, a user logs into his/her account on the host machine 20. The user can get access to resources stored locally on the host machine 20 or on a network to which the host machine 20 may be connected to after logging in. Thereafter, the user can modify and optimize the display parameters associated with the user account if they wish. Any modifications made to current display parameters are then associated with that user account and will be used in future sessions.
Table 1 (below) lists display parameters associated with each user account. For a first user account, herein named Lisa, the preferences include a high brightness setting and relatively average contrast setting. For a second user account, named Jim, the preferences include a low brightness setting and a high contrast setting. The display parameters associated with the first and second user accounts can be modified by the users according to their preferred display preferences. Thereafter, the display parameters associated with each user account are stored in the host machine 20 or stored in the display device 30. As listed in table 1, the user accounts may include other preferences, such as color and position preferences.
Referring to
The multiple user computer system 10 includes an input module 100, a control module 200, a storage module 300, and a display module 400.
The input module 100 is configured for receiving various instructions/commands for creating user accounts information and adjusting display parameters etc. The input module 100 may be the buttons 32 provided in the display device 30 or a keyboard (not shown) coupled to the host machine 20, or software push buttons, or other suitable input device.
The control module 200 includes a judging unit 203 and an adjusting unit 205. The judging unit 203 is configured for receiving input from the input module 100. More specifically, the judging unit 203 extracts user account information of a user account. The judging unit 203 accesses the storage module 300 and retrieves the display parameters associated with the user account. The judging unit 203 compares the retrieved display parameters with the default display parameters to determine whether the default display parameters should be changed or not. When the retrieved display parameters do not match the default display parameters, the judging unit 203 transmits a modify signal. When the retrieved display parameters match the default display parameters, the judging unit 203 transmits a default signal.
The adjusting unit 205 is coupled to the judging unit 203 for receiving signals transmitted from the judging unit 203. The adjusting unit 205 controls the display module 400 to display data and graphics according to the default display parameters in response to the default signal. The adjusting unit 205 controls the display module 400 to display data and graphics according to the retrieved display parameters associated with the user account in response to the modify signal.
As mentioned above, the display module 400 automatically displays data and graphics according to personalized display parameters associated with each user account that is logged into the multiple user computer system 10. The personalized display parameters are modifiable according to user preferences, and the modified display parameters are stored in the display device or the host machine. Therefore, it is not needed to manually adjust the display parameters each time a different user uses the multiple user computer system 10, thus, the multiple user computer system 10 is much more user-friendly.
Referring to
At step 802, a user logs in using the input module 100, and the judging unit 203 receives the input from the input module 100.
At step 804, the judging unit 203 retrieves display parameters associated with the user account. For first time use, the display parameters are preset and associated with the user account.
At step 806, the judging unit 203 determines whether the retrieved display parameters match the default display parameters. If yes, the procedure goes to step 810. If no, the procedure goes to step 808.
At step 808, the adjusting unit 205 controls the display module 400 to display data and graphics according to the retrieved display parameters associated with the user account.
At step 810, the inputting module 100 determines whether modification signals are inputted.
When the retrieved display parameters are not modified, the procedure loops back to the step 808, and the data and graphics are displayed according to the retrieved display parameters.
At step 812, the display parameters are modified and associated with the user account correspondingly. The modified display parameters are stored in the host machine 20 or stored in the display device 20.
As the method 800 described above, data and graphics are displayed according to preset display parameters associated with a user account. It is not needed to manually modify the display parameters each time a user log in to his account in a multiple user computer system 10, thus, time is saved when operating in a multiple user computer system 10.
It is believed that the present embodiments and their advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the examples hereinbefore described merely being preferred or exemplary embodiments of the invention.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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200810300382.4 | Feb 2008 | CN | national |