Image displaying system and information processing apparatus

Abstract

In an image displaying system, the distribution of functions among the image displaying apparatus, the information processing apparatus, and an operating system controlling the operations of the information processing apparatus are clarified, and the capability of the image displaying apparatus to display an image with a display attribute varying from area to area on the display screen of the image displaying apparatus is determined. The image displaying system includes an image displaying apparatus having such a capability, and an information processing apparatus that can generate an image signal and transmit the image signal to the image displaying apparatus. The system can communicate according to USB standards, or according to DDC standards. The information processing apparatus transmits area-attribute information for changing a display attribute of a specific area on the display screen to the image displaying apparatus.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An image displaying system, comprising: 
 an image displaying apparatus having a display screen and a specific-area-display-attribute changing means for changing a display attribute of a specific area on the display screen; and    an information processing apparatus having a display control means for generating an image signal and for transmitting said image signal to said image displaying apparatus;    wherein said information processing apparatus has a communication means for sending said image displaying apparatus an inquiry signal for making an inquiry into whether said image displaying apparatus has a capability of displaying an image signal on said specific area of said display screen by modifying a display attribute of said specific area.    
     
     
         2 . An image displaying system, comprising: 
 an image displaying apparatus having a display screen and a specific-area-display-attribute changing means for changing a display attribute of a specific area on said display screen; and    an information processing apparatus having a display control means for generating an image signal and transmitting said image signal to said image displaying apparatus;    wherein said image displaying apparatus has a communication means for sending said information processing apparatus a report signal that indicates that said image displaying apparatus has a capability of displaying an image signal on said specific area of said display screen by modifying said display attribute of said specific area.    
     
     
         3 . An image displaying system according to  claim 2 , wherein said image displaying apparatus receives an inquiry signal for making an inquiry into whether said image displaying apparatus has a capability of displaying an image signal on said specific area of said display screen, from said information processing apparatus through said communication means.  
     
     
         4 . An image displaying system according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said information processing apparatus transmits, to said image displaying apparatus, area-attribute information for changing said display attribute of said specific area on said display screen of said image displaying apparatus; and    said specific-area-display-attribute changing means changes said display attribute of said specific area on said display screen in accordance with said area-attribute information received from said information processing apparatus.    
     
     
         5 . An image displaying system according to  claim 4 , wherein said area-attribute information includes area information for specifying the position of said specific area on said display screen of said image displaying apparatus, and attribute information for specifying said display attribute.  
     
     
         6 . An image displaying system according to  claim 1 , wherein said communication means sends said inquiry signal in conformity with USB standards.  
     
     
         7 . An image displaying system according to  claim 1 , wherein said communication means sends said inquiry signal in conformity with DDC standards.  
     
     
         8 . An image displaying system, comprising: 
 an image displaying apparatus having a display screen and specific-area-display-attribute changing means for changing a display attribute of a specific area on said display screen;    an information processing apparatus having display control means for generating an image signal and transmitting said image signal to said image displaying apparatus; and    communication means for carrying out communication conforming to USB standards provided in said information processing apparatus and said image displaying apparatus,    wherein: 
 said information processing apparatus transmits, to said image displaying apparatus through said communication means, area-attribute information for changing said display attribute of said specific area on said display screen; and  
 said image displaying apparatus changes said display attribute of said specific area on said display screen by using said specific-area-display-attribute changing means in accordance with said area-attribute information received from said information processing apparatus through said communication means.  
   
     
     
         9 . An image displaying system according to  claim 8 , wherein said area-attribute information includes area information for specifying the position of said specific area on said display screen, and attribute information for specifying said display attribute.  
     
     
         10 . An image displaying system, comprising: 
 an image displaying apparatus having a display screen and specific-area-display-attribute changing means for changing a display attribute of a specific area on said display screen;    an information processing apparatus having display control means for generating an image signal and transmitting said image signal to said image displaying apparatus; and    communication means for carrying out communication conforming to DDC standards provided in said information processing apparatus and said image displaying apparatus,    wherein: 
 said information processing apparatus transmits, to said image displaying apparatus through said communication means, area-attribute information for changing said display attribute of said specific area on said display screen; and  
 said image displaying apparatus changes said display attribute of said specific area on said display screen by using said specific-area-display-attribute changing means in accordance with said area-attribute information received from said information processing apparatus through said communication means.  
   
     
     
         11 . An image displaying system according to  claim 10 , wherein said area-attribute information includes area information for specifying the position of said specific area on said display screen, and attribute information for specifying said display attribute.  
     
     
         12 . An image displaying system, comprising: 
 an image displaying apparatus, including a display screen on which display data is displayed; and    an information processing apparatus having a display memory for storing display data to be displayed on said image displaying apparatus; and display control means for reading out display data from said display memory, generating an image signal representing said display data, and transmitting said image signal to said image displaying apparatus;    wherein said display control means has a storage means for storing area-attribute information for changing a display attribute of a specific area on said display screen of said image displaying apparatus.    
     
     
         13 . An image displaying system according to  claim 12 , wherein said image signal generated and transmitted by said display control means includes an attribute control signal which is generated on the basis of said area-attribute information and used for changing said display attribute.  
     
     
         14 . An image displaying system according to  claim 12 , wherein said image signal generated and transmitted by said display control means includes said display attribute which has been changed on the basis of said area-attribute information.  
     
     
         15 . An image displaying system according to  claim 12 , wherein said information processing apparatus includes communication means for sending said image displaying apparatus an inquiry signal for making an inquiry into whether said image displaying apparatus has a capability of displaying an image based on said image signal on said specific area of said display screen.  
     
     
         16 . An image displaying system according to  claim 15 , wherein said communication means sends said inquiry signal in conformity with USB standards.  
     
     
         17 . An image displaying system according to  claim 15 , wherein said communication means sends said inquiry signal in conformity with DCC standards.  
     
     
         18 . An image displaying system according to  claim 12 , wherein said image displaying apparatus includes communication means for sending said information processing apparatus a report signal that indicates that said image displaying apparatus has a capability of displaying an image based on said image signal on said specific area of said display screen by modifying said display attribute of said specific area.  
     
     
         19 . An image displaying system according to  claim 18 , wherein said image displaying apparatus receives, from said information processing apparatus through said communication means, an inquiry signal for making an inquiry into whether said image displaying apparatus has a capability of displaying said image based on said image signal on said specific area of said display screen.  
     
     
         20 . An image displaying system according to  claim 19 , wherein said communication means receives said inquiry signal and sends said report signal in conformity with USB standards.  
     
     
         21 . An image displaying system according to  claim 19 , wherein said communication means receives said inquiry signal and sends said report signal in conformity with DCC standards.  
     
     
         22 . An image displaying system, comprising: 
 an image displaying apparatus, including a display screen on which display data is displayed; and    an information processing apparatus having a display memory for storing display data to be displayed on said image displaying apparatus; and a display control means for reading out display data from said display memory, generating an image signal representing said display data, and transmitting said image signal to said image displaying apparatus;    wherein said display memory has a storage portion in which area-attribute information for modifying a display attribute of a specific area on said display screen of said image displaying apparatus is developed.    
     
     
         23 . An image displaying system according to  claim 22 , wherein said image signal generated and transmitted by said display control means includes an attribute control signal which is generated on the basis of said area-attribute information and used for changing said display attribute.  
     
     
         24 . An image displaying system according to  claim 22 , wherein said image signal generated and transmitted by said display control means includes said display attribute which has been changed on the basis of said area-attribute information.  
     
     
         25 . An image displaying system according to  claim 22 , wherein said information processing apparatus includes communication means for sending said image displaying apparatus an inquiry signal for making an inquiry into whether said image displaying apparatus has a capability of displaying an image based on said image signal on said specific area of said display screen.  
     
     
         26 . An image displaying system according to  claim 25 , wherein said communication means sends said inquiry signal in conformity with USB standards.  
     
     
         27 . An image displaying system according to  claim 25 , wherein said communication means sends said inquiry signal in conformity with DCC standards.  
     
     
         28 . An image displaying system according to  claim 22 , wherein said image displaying apparatus includes communication means for sending said information processing apparatus a report signal that indicates that said image displaying apparatus has a capability of displaying an image based on said image signal on said specific area of said display screen by modifying said display attribute of said specific area.  
     
     
         29 . An image displaying system according to  claim 28 , wherein said image displaying apparatus receives, from said information processing apparatus through said communication means, an inquiry signal for making an inquiry into whether said image displaying apparatus has a capability of displaying said image based on said image signal on said specific area of said display screen.  
     
     
         30 . An image displaying system according to  claim 29 , wherein said communication means receives said inquiry signal and sends said report signal in conformity with USB standards.  
     
     
         31 . An image displaying system according to  claim 29 , wherein said communication means receives said inquiry signal and sends said report signal in conformity with DCC standards.  
     
     
         32 . An information processing apparatus, comprising: 
 display control means for generating an image signal and transmitting said image signal to an image displaying apparatus; and    communication means for sending said image displaying apparatus an inquiry signal for making an inquiry into whether said image displaying apparatus has a capability of displaying said image signal on a specific area of a display screen thereof by modifying a display attribute of said specific area.    
     
     
         33 . An information processing apparatus according to  claim 32 , wherein said communication means sends said inquiry signal in conformity with USB standards.  
     
     
         34 . An information processing apparatus according to  claim 32 , wherein said communication means sends said inquiry signal in conformity with DCC standards.  
     
     
         35 . An information processing apparatus according to  claim 32 , wherein said communication means transmits area-attribute information for changing said display attribute of said specific area on said display screen to said image displaying apparatus.  
     
     
         36 . An information processing apparatus according to  claim 35 , wherein said communication means sends said inquiry signal and transmits said area-attribute information in conformity with USB standards.  
     
     
         37 . An information processing apparatus according to  claim 35 , wherein said communication means sends said inquiry signal and transmits said area-attribute information in conformity with DCC standards.  
     
     
         38 . An information processing apparatus, comprising: 
 display control means for generating an image signal and transmitting said image signal to an image displaying apparatus; and    communication means for receiving, from said image displaying apparatus, a report signal that indicates that said image displaying apparatus has a capability of displaying said image signal on a specific area of a display screen thereof by modifying a display attribute of said specific area.    
     
     
         39 . An information processing apparatus according to  claim 38 , wherein said communication means receives said report signal in conformity with USB standards.  
     
     
         40 . An information processing apparatus according to  claim 38 , wherein said communication means receives said report signal in conformity with DCC standards.  
     
     
         41 . An information processing apparatus according to  claim 38 , wherein said communication means transmits area-attribute information for changing said display attribute of said specific area on said display screen to said image displaying apparatus.  
     
     
         42 . An information processing apparatus according to  claim 41 , wherein said communication means sends said image displaying apparatus an inquiry signal for making an inquiry into whether said image displaying apparatus has a capability of displaying said image signal on said specific area of said display screen thereof by modifying said display attribute of said specific area.  
     
     
         43 . An information processing apparatus according to  claim 42 , wherein said area-attribute information includes area information for specifying the position of said specific area of said display screen, and attribute information for specifying said display attribute.  
     
     
         44 . An information processing apparatus according to  claim 43 , wherein said communication means sends said inquiry signal and transmits said area-attribute information in conformity with USB standards.  
     
     
         45 . An information processing apparatus according to  claim 43 , wherein said communication means sends said inquiry signal and transmits said area-attribute information in conformity with DCC standards.  
     
     
         46 . An information processing apparatus, comprising: 
 display control means for generating an image signal and transmitting said image signal to an image displaying apparatus; and    communication means for communicating with said image displaying apparatus in conformity with USB standards;    wherein said communication means transmits, to said image displaying apparatus, area-attribute information for changing a display attribute of a specific area on a display screen of said image displaying apparatus.    
     
     
         47 . An information processing apparatus according to  claim 46 , wherein said area-attribute information includes area information for specifying the position of said specific area, and attribute information for specifying said display attribute.  
     
     
         48 . An information processing apparatus, comprising: 
 display control means for generating an image signal and transmitting said image signal to an image displaying apparatus; and    communication means for communicating with said image displaying apparatus in conformity with DDC standards;    wherein said communication means transmits, to said image displaying apparatus, area-attribute information for changing a display attribute of a specific area on a display screen of said image displaying apparatus.    
     
     
         49 . An information processing apparatus according to  claim 48 , wherein said area-attribute information includes area information for specifying the position of said specific area, and attribute information for specifying said display attribute.  
     
     
         50 . An information processing apparatus, comprising: 
 a display memory for storing display data to be displayed on an image displaying apparatus; and    display control means for reading out display data from said display memory, generating an image signal representing said display data, and transmitting said image signal to said image displaying apparatus;    wherein said display control means has a storage means for storing area-attribute information for changing a display attribute of a specific area on a display screen of said image displaying apparatus.    
     
     
         51 . An information processing apparatus according to  claim 50 , wherein said information processing apparatus includes communication means for sending said image displaying apparatus an inquiry signal for making an inquiry into whether said image displaying apparatus has a capability of displaying an image based on said image signal on said specific area of said display screen.  
     
     
         52 . An information processing apparatus according to  claim 51 , wherein said communication means sends said inquiry signal in conformity with USB standards.  
     
     
         53 . An information processing apparatus according to  claim 51 , wherein said communication means sends said inquiry signal in conformity with DDC standards.  
     
     
         54 . An information processing apparatus according to  claim 50 , wherein said image signal generated and transmitted by said display control means includes an attribute control signal which is generated on the basis of said area-attribute information and used for changing said display attribute.  
     
     
         55 . An information processing apparatus according to  claim 54 , further comprising communication means for sending said image displaying apparatus an inquiry signal for making an inquiry into whether said image displaying apparatus has a capability of displaying an image based on said image signal on said specific area of said display screen.  
     
     
         56 . An information processing apparatus according to  claim 55 , wherein said communication means receives a report signal from said image displaying apparatus, said report signal indicating that said image displaying apparatus has a capability of displaying an image based on said image signal on said specific area of said display screen by modifying said display attribute of said specific area.  
     
     
         57 . An information processing apparatus according to  claim 56 , wherein said communication means sends said inquiry signal and receives said report signal in conformity with USB standards.  
     
     
         58 . An information processing apparatus according to  claim 56 , wherein said communication means sends said inquiry signal and receives said report signal in conformity with DDC standards.  
     
     
         59 . An information processing apparatus according to  claim 50 , wherein said image signal generated and transmitted by said display control means includes said display attribute which has been changed on the basis of said area-attribute information.  
     
     
         60 . An information processing apparatus according to  claim 50 , further comprising communication means for receiving a report signal from said image displaying apparatus, said report signal indicating that said image displaying apparatus has a capability of displaying an image based on said image signal on said specific area of said display screen by modifying said display attribute of said specific area.  
     
     
         61 . An information processing apparatus according to  claim 60 , wherein said communication means sends said image displaying apparatus an inquiry signal for making an inquiry into whether said image displaying apparatus has a capability of displaying said image signal on said specific area of said display screen.  
     
     
         62 . An information processing apparatus, comprising: 
 a display memory for storing display data to be displayed on an image displaying apparatus; and    display control means for reading out display data from said display memory, generating an image signal representing said display data, and transmitting said image signal to said image displaying apparatus;    wherein said display memory has a storage portion in which area-attribute information for modifying a display attribute of a specific area on a display screen of said image displaying apparatus is developed.    
     
     
         63 . An information processing apparatus according to  claim 62 , further comprising communication means for sending said image displaying apparatus an inquiry signal for making an inquiry into whether said image displaying apparatus has a capability of displaying an image based on said image signal on said specific area of said display screen.  
     
     
         64 . An information processing apparatus according to  claim 63 , wherein said communication means sends said inquiry signal in conformity with USB standards.  
     
     
         65 . An information processing apparatus according to  claim 63 , wherein said communication means sends said inquiry signal in conformity with DDC standards.  
     
     
         66 . An information processing apparatus according to  claim 62 , wherein said image signal generated and transmitted by said display control means includes an attribute control signal which is generated on the basis of said area-attribute information and used for changing said display attribute.  
     
     
         67 . An information processing apparatus according to  claim 66 , further comprising communication means for sending said image displaying apparatus an inquiry signal for making an inquiry into whether said image displaying apparatus has a capability of displaying an image based on said image signal on said specific area of said display screen.  
     
     
         68 . An information processing apparatus according to  claim 67 , wherein said communication means receives a report signal from said image displaying apparatus, said report signal indicating that said image displaying apparatus has a capability of displaying an image based on said image signal on said specific area of said display screen by modifying said display attribute of said specific area.  
     
     
         69 . An information processing apparatus according to  claim 68 , wherein said communication means sends said inquiry signal and receives said report signal in conformity with USB standards.  
     
     
         70 . An information processing apparatus according to  claim 68 , wherein said communication means sends said inquiry signal and receives said report signal in conformity with DDC standards.  
     
     
         71 . An information processing apparatus according to  claim 62 , wherein said image signal generated and transmitted by said display control means includes said display attribute which has been changed on the basis of said area-attribute information.  
     
     
         72 . An information processing apparatus according to  claim 62 , further comprising communication means for receiving a report signal from said image displaying apparatus indicating that said image displaying apparatus has a capability of displaying an image based on said image signal on said specific area of said display screen by modifying said display attribute of said specific area.  
     
     
         73 . An information processing apparatus according to  claim 72 , wherein said communication means sends said image displaying apparatus an inquiry signal for making an inquiry into whether said image displaying apparatus has a capability of displaying said image signal on said specific area of said display screen.  
     
     
         74 . An image displaying system according to  claim 1 , wherein said display attribute is selected from the group consisting of contrast, brightness, average brightness level, chromaticity, γ characteristic, and RGB level.  
     
     
         75 . An image displaying system according to  claim 2 , wherein said display attribute is selected from the group consisting of contrast, brightness, average brightness level, chromaticity, γ characteristic, and RGB level.  
     
     
         76 . An image displaying system according to  claim 8 , wherein said display attribute is selected from the group consisting of contrast, brightness, average brightness level, chromaticity, γ characteristic, and RGB level.  
     
     
         77 . An image displaying system according to  claim 10 , wherein said display attribute is selected from the group consisting of contrast, brightness, average brightness level, chromaticity, γ characteristic, and RGB level.  
     
     
         78 . An image displaying system according to  claim 12 , wherein said display attribute is selected from the group consisting of contrast, brightness, average brightness level, chromaticity, γ characteristic, and RGB level.  
     
     
         79 . An image displaying system according to  claim 22 , wherein said display attribute is selected from the group consisting of contrast, brightness, average brightness level, chromaticity, γ characteristic, and RGB level.  
     
     
         80 . An image displaying system according to  claim 46 , wherein said display attribute is selected from the group consisting of contrast, brightness, average brightness level, chromaticity, γ characteristic, and RGB level.  
     
     
         81 . An image displaying system according to  claim 48 , wherein said display attribute is selected from the group consisting of contrast, brightness, average brightness level, chromaticity, γ characteristic, and RGB level.  
     
     
         82 . An image displaying system according to  claim 50 , wherein said display attribute is selected from the group consisting of contrast, brightness, average brightness level, chromaticity, γ characteristic, and RGB level.  
     
     
         83 . An image displaying system according to  claim 62 , wherein said display attribute is selected from the group consisting of contrast, brightness, average brightness level, chromaticity, γ characteristic, and RGB level.