FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device and a method for controlling display of content.

BACKGROUND ART It is usual that a user is able to access the content via a network such an Internet from the user's own computer with a monitor. The content not only includes web pages, but also multimedia-based content types such as video, audio and IPT (Internet Protocol TV).

It is also usual that the user would type-in the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) address or click on an item of a list in order to access the content over the network, i.e. the Internet, from the computer. If the content is a web page (usually larger than the window), the user is required to scroll down to view further and scroll back up to return to the beginning of the page. If the content is one of the multimedia-based ones, then the user would require a control mechanism to play, pause and stop the multimedia-based content. In summary, there is a need for control mechanisms to control the display of content on a monitor from the computer.

If the content is a web page, he needs to scroll down to view further and scroll back up to return to the beginning of the page. If the content is one of multimedia-based, then he needs mechanism to play, pause and stop it. To summarize, there must be a mechanism to control display of content.

On a further note, there have also been many initiatives launched to bridge the digital divide between a population that is consisted of people who are IT (Information Technology) literate, and a population that is consisted of people who are non-IT (Information Technology) literate or who have low IT literacy level, in certain countries.

The latter population tends to belong to a lower-income demographic group, which normally resides in rural areas and consists of mostly elderly. Due to the fact that majority: of people in the targeted population consists mostly of elderly, there is a need to display the content on a bigger display. Thus, if a secondary display device such as a television is connected to an enabled computer, the content should therefore be enabled such that it can be displayed on the secondary display unit (i.e. the television). Otherwise, the content can be displayed on a visual display unit such as a monitor by the running computer itself.

However, it should be noted that the content from the Internet is usually displayed on a visual display device, i.e. a monitor by means of a web browser. It is usual that browser reference of the web browser is utilized to execute a function on the content in order to control the display of content. As such, the web browser is required to display the content obtained via the Internet on the monitor from the computer and to execute a function on the content via the browser reference.

Moreover, it should be noted that the secondary display unit is unable to display the content by using the web browser. This is due to the fact that the display data associated with the content is required to be converted from a VGA (Video Graphics Array) signal to secondary display device- compatible signal before displaying the content on the secondary display device, i.e. the television. Furthermore, the content is only limited to. being displayed only and would not be responsive to the user's input from the computer's interface.

In light of the above, it is apparent that the content is only limited to being displayed. To. this end, it appears that there are some difficulties to control the display of content from the computer. It is generally considered arduous to provide control mechanisms that are able to control the content and the display thereof from a computer. The difficulties can be attributed to that the content tends to be consisted of different types of content, as aforementioned, such as a web page, a streaming content, IPTV and etc. As such, there appears a need to provide display as well as control mechanisms that enable the display and the control of the content at the secondary display device, i.e. the television or any other not web browser-compatible display devices.

On a further note, it is more appreciable of the control mechanisms are provided via a touch screen LCD rather than via the usual computer's interface mouse or keyboards so as to greatly facilitate the targeted population. In addition, the secondary display is a device, which does not provide control mechanism via touch screen LCD. Hence, the only way to control the display of content is through the computer itself.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method and a device for controlling a display of content. The content is obtainable from at least one content storage unit via a content network. According to one aspect of the present invention, the device is comprised of a processing unit having an operating system incorporated therein; a primary display unit, connected to the processing unit, for displaying visuals that are interactive by contact initiated by a user, wherein the primary display unit (10) is connected to the processing unit; at least one secondary display unit, connected to the processing unit, for displaying visuals, and a content display control component incorporated into the operating system for generating a primary display on the primary display unit to receive a user's input thereat; for generating a secondary display to display the content; for determining and implementing the display of content in between a single display mode and a multiple display mode; for controlling the display of content on the secondary display (50) based on the user's input received via the primary display (40); and for enabling a message to be sent via the content network (60) and via a cellular network. The content display control component is comprised of an event-managing element for triggering an event based on the user's input to obtain a content-reference instruction in order to execute a function that control the content. The secondary display is displayed on the primary display unit in the single display mode, whereas the secondary display is displayed on the secondary display unit in the multiple display mode.

The secondary display unit is a display unit that is not capable of displaying the content in a first display condition that are generated from the processing unit by a content-accessing component. As such, the content display control component is provided to generate a secondary display to display the content in a second display condition from the processing unit that is displayable on the secondary display unit. According to another aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a method conducted by a device for controlling display of a content comprising the steps of: i) determining and implementing a display mode of content between a single display mode and a multiple display mode by means of a content display control component of the device;

ii) generating a primary display (40) on a primary display unit (10) for receiving a user's input thereat, and generating at least one secondary display (50) for displaying the content, by means of a content display control component;

in) receiving the user's input via the primary display (40) that is displayed on a primary display unit (10) for controlling the display of the content at the secondary display (50);

iv) triggering an event in the operating system based on the user's input; and v) obtaining a content-reference instruction for executing a function that controls the content that is displayed on the second display. Further to the method of the present invention, it is essential that the content display control component is incorporated in an operating system of a processing unit. The content is obtainable from at least one content storage unit (30) via a content network (60).

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It is also essential that the second display is displayed on the primary display unit in a single display mode, whereas the secondary display is displayed on a second display unit in the multiple display mode. In addition, the primary display unit, connected to the processing unit, is for displaying visuals that are interactive by contact initiated by a user.

The secondary display unit is a display unit that is not capable of displaying the content in a first display condition that are generated from the processing unit by a content-accessing component. As such, the content display control component is provided to generate a secondary display to display the content in a second display condition from the processing unit that is displayable on the secondary display unit.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device and a method for controlling display of content. The device provides control of content that remains on the primary ^' _. . ^' / display regardless of whether the content is displayed on a primary display unit in a single display mode and on at least one secondary display unit in a multiple display mode. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a content display control component for generating a secondary display from the processing unit to display the content in a second display condition that is displayable on the secondary display unit. This is due to that the secondary display unit is not a visual display unit that is capable of displaying the content in a first display condition that are generated from the processing unit by a content- accessing component.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a content display control component that obtains a content-reference instruction that executes a function that controls the display of content.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a first control mechanism that enables switching the display of content between the primary display unit and the secondary display unit.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a second control mechanism that enables scrolling of a content page in relative to the second display's page frame.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a third control mechanism that. enables control of a multimedia-based content in a streaming format. The control essentially includes playing, pausing, and stopping a streaming content.

It is a final object of the present invention to provide a fourth control mechanism that enables a message to be sent via the content network or via a cellular network.

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The present invention consists of certain novel features and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings and particularly pointed out in the appended claims; it being understood that various changes in the details may be without departing from the scope of the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the invention, there is. illustrated in the accompanying drawings the preferred embodiments from an inspection of which when 5 considered in connection with the following description, the invention, its construction and operation and many of its advantages would be readily understood and appreciated.

FIG. 1 shows how a computer or device is connected via a TV-out cable to a secondary : display device i.e. a television to display a content acquired via a network or an Internet. 10 This is known in the present invention as the dual display mode.

FIG. 2 shows how a computer or device is displaying content delivered over a network or the Internet. It also depicts how the content is presented on the computer itself. This is known in the present invention as the single display mode.

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FIG. 3 shows the flow of steps together with the hardware and software components involved when a user, via a touch screen LCD display, selects a customized web page content loaded from a server to be displayed on a secondary display device i.e. a TV.

20 FIG. 4 depicts the flow of steps together with the hardware and software components involved when a user, via touch screen LCD display, scrolls down the customized web page content displayed on the secondary display device i.e. a TV.

FIG. 5 shows the flow of steps together with the hardware and software components: 25 involved when a user, via touch screen LCD display, selects a streaming media loaded from a streaming server to be played on the secondary display device i.e. a TV.

FIG. 6 shows the flow of steps together with the interacting hardware and software components when a user, via touch screen LCD display, stops the streaming media displayed on the secondary display device i.e. a TV.

FIG. 7 shows the flow of steps together with the hardware and software components involved when a user, via touch screen LCD display, selects a customized web page content loaded from a server to be displayed on a device (in the single display mode). The left hand side is before while the right hand side is after the content is loaded.

FIG. 8 shows the flow of steps together with the interacting hardware and software components when user, via touch screen LCD display, scrolls down the customized web page content displayed on device (in the single display mode).

FIG. 9 shows the flow of steps together with the hardware and software components when user, via touch screen LCD display, selects a streaming media loaded from a streaming server to be played on device (in the single display mode).

FIG. 10 shows how the frame buffer is partitioned into two sections in which the first partition/section display data is displayed on the primary display unit whilst the second partition primary display-signal is converted to into a secondary display unit-compatible signal via primary display to secondary display signal converter so that the content can be displayed on the secondary display unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention relates to a device 500 and a method for controlling display of content. Hereinafter, the device 500 and the method shall be described according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention and by referring to the accompanying description and drawings. However, it is to be understood that limiting the description to the preferred embodiments of the invention and to the drawings is merely to facilitate discussion of the present invention and it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications without departing from the scope of the appended claim.

As represented in the drawings, the device 500 and the method according to the present ; invention will be hereinafter described in greater detail.

With reference to FIG. 1, an overall diagram of a system architecture providing a device/system 500 and a method for controlling display of content to multiple display units from a primary display of a processing unit or a computer is depicted. :

; The content is preferably obtainable from at least one content storage unit 30 via a content network 60. It should be noted that a visual display unit such as a monitor is capable of displaying content in a first display condition that are generated from a processing unit by a content-accessing component that is incorporated into an operating system in a processing unit. The processing unit is usually the computer whilst the content-accessing component is the web browser. .

It is preferred that the device 500 of the present invention for controlling a display of content is preferably comprised of a processing unit that is consisted of an operating system incorporated therein; a primary display unit 10, connected to the processing unit, for displaying visuals that are interactive by contact initiated by a user; at least one secondary display unit 20, connected to the processing unit, for displaying visuals; and a content display control component for generating a primary display 40 on the primary display unit 10 to receive a user's input thereat, for generating a secondary display 50 to display the content, for determining and implementing the display of content in between a single display mode and a multiple display mode; for controlling the display of content on the secondary display 50 based on the user's input received via the primary display 40; and for enabling a message to be sent via the content network 60 and via a cellular network. The content display control component is preferably comprised of an event managing element 70 that is adapted for triggering an event based on the user's input to obtain a content-reference instruction 80 in order to execute a function that control the display of content. The secondary display unit 20, preferably such as a television, is a display unit 20 that is not capable of displaying the content in the afore-mentioned first display condition. As such, the secondary display 50 is preferably generated from the processing unit in a second display condition that is displayable on the secondary display unit 20. In view of the above-described, it is preferred that the content storage unit 30 is a serve device 500, the processing unit is a computer, and the content network 60 is the Internet. The content is preferably one of web page, video, audio or IPTV (Internet Protocol Television). These contents, that are preferably hosted at a server device 500 (or a plurality of it), are preferably made available to a processing unit or a computer (or plurality of it) over a network or the Internet. Therefore, when a user keys in the content URL (Uniform Resource Locator) or selects an item from a list of items which represents available: contents at a server, the content would be transferred or downloaded over the network to the requesting processing unit/computer. The Internet is preferably of a type that includes WiFi (Wireless Fidelity), WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access).

It is further preferred that the content display control component is adapted for providing at least one control mechanism that controls the display of content on the secondary display 50 based on the user's input received via the primary display 40. Preferably, there are a few types of control mechanisms provided in the present invention. According to the first control mechanism, it is preferred that the content is presented either on a primary display unit 10 or on a secondary display unit 20. According to the second control mechanism, a web page is preferably allowed to be scrolled by control via the primary display 40. According to a third mechanism, the multimedia-based content is preferably allowed to be played, paused, and stopped by control via the primary display. Lastly, according to the fourth mechanism, the device 500 of the present invention also allows the user to send SMS (Short Text Message) and email, as will be hereinafter described in greater detail.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the user is preferably enabled to view the content on the primary display 40 for mobility purposes. This type of viewing is preferably coined as the single display mode, according to the present invention. Besides, if the user is at home and has a secondary display unit 20 or preferably a television, the user is preferably facilitated to view and navigate through the content by switching to a multiple display mode or preferably a dual display mode (one primary and one secondary display 40 & 50). Therefore, the first control mechanism is to enable the user to switch between the single and the multiple display modes. In the single display mode, the secondary display 50 is preferably displayed on the primary display unit 10 whereas in the multiple display mode, the secondary display 50 is preferably displayed on the secondary display unit 20. For instance, firstly, it is preferred that the user plug in television-out RCA cable (or cinch plug) to computer or processing unit on one end and connect it to the TV or the secondary display unit 20 itself on the other end. Only then the user would be able to switch between single and multiple display mode. In the single display mode, the control is preferably available in the same application or device 500 of the present invention as the one presenting the content. In dual/multiple display mode, the control is made available on desktop residing in the computer or the processing unit. In light of this, it is preferred that the device 500 is further comprised of an application framework for incorporating an application component such as the content display control component of the present invention into the operating system as shown in FIG. 3 to 9. On a further note, it is preferred that the event managing element 70 is adapted to trigger the event such that the content's address is executed as the content-reference instruction to acquire the content over the content network 60.

Referring now to FIG. 10, a frame buffer implementation perspective is shown. The device 500 is preferred to further comprise a frame buffer component for providing a display area in accordance to the predetermined boundaries of the primary and the secondary display units. The display area is also preferably partitioned into at least one section. Also more preferably, the display area is expanded where the frame buffer 140 is partitioned into two; sections according to the described boundaries. It is preferred that the display area is partitioned into a primary section 150 that is adapted for implementing the primary display 40 on the primary display unit 10, and at least one secondary section 160 that is adapted for implementing the secondary display 50 on the secondary display unit 20. It is also preferred that the display area is partitionable into a section (not shown) that is definable to a display condition of the content that a display unit displays. The frame buffer 140 is also preferably implemented as a virtual frame buffer (not shown).

The first section/partition is preferably comprised of first display data, having color depth data, resolution data, and other display-related data, to be used for generation of the primary display 40 at the primary display unit 10. It is preferred that the control of content resides at the primary display 10 and is accessible via the primary display unit 10. In this instance, the desktop providing control mechanism resides on the primary display 40 displayed at the primary display unit 10. The second section preferably comprises second display data to be used for generation of the secondary display 50 at the second display unit 20. Preferably, the second display data is converted from a visual display unit-compatible signal to a secondary display unit- compatible signal via a visual display unit-secondary display unit signal converter in order to ably present the secondary display 20 which is in the second display condition on the secondary display unit 50. As such, for instance, the second partition/section display data, is preferably converted from VGA (Video Graphics Array) signal to a television _^ compatible signal via computer-to-television converter which is then presented in the second display device i.e. the TV. If more than one additional display is observed, the frame buffer 140 preferably has a bigger dimension in which the frame buffer 140 is further partitioned and defined in such a manner for the associated display units/devices, accordingly. In either single or multiple display modes, the control mechanism is most preferably accessible via touch screen LCD. In other words, the primary display unit 10 is most preferably a touch screen display device or a touch screen LCD (Liquid Crystal Display).

In light of above, this alleviates the need to use a mouse, a keyboard or any other computer-associated interface which tremendously helps the user to achieve the user's intended actions directly. This is particularly also useful for the people belonging to IT illiterate, children and elderly groups. Multiple display mode enables a web page content to have bigger fonts and images as the content is being displayed on a TV or any equivalent secondary display unit 20, which essentially have a bigger dimension than a monitor or the afore-mentioned virtual display unit. Furthermore, for the multimedia-based content, the characters and environments presented would appear larger. Subsequently, the content is ^: therefore also viewable by more people as compared to the single display mode.

Accordingly, the control available depends on type of content displayed, as to be hereinafter described. It is preferred that the content display content component provides at least one controller that is generated on the primary display 40 for controlling the content and the display of content at the secondary display 50. The controller is preferably responsive to the user's contact at the primary display 40 on the primary display unit 10. The content display control component is therefore for enabling the user to scroll through the content using the controller via the primary display unit 10. As such, in other words, it is much preferred that the second control mechanism enable the user to scroll through the web page content using the controller via the touch screen LCD display. It should be noted that the second control mechanism is preferably conducted when the content is loaded over the content network 60 or when the download of the web page is done. FIG. 3 shows the steps that occur when the user selects the web page content until the web page content is being downloaded and displayed on the secondary display unit 20 or the TV. FIG. 7 shows the same second control mechanism in the single display mode.

Also, if the web page has a height larger than the height of computer's window, the user is preferably enabled to scroll down to view more content and scroll up if the user wants to view the previous content. As such, the controller therefore comprises a scroll button 90 and a scroll indicator (not shown). The user's input at the scroll button 90 by contact preferably executes the content-reference instruction that moves the content in a direction in relative to the secondary display 50. As such, preferably, pressing a scroll button executes the JavaScript command that jumps the content page at certain ; offset. The page scroll indicator would also be moved accordingly. The primary display 40 would therefore show the scroll indicator moving in accordance to the user's input. FIG. 4 further shows, the second control mechanism in a multiple display mode whilst FIG, 8 further shows the same second control mechanism in a single display mode. Next, the third control mechanism preferably provides the capability for the user to control the multimedia-based content. In contrast to that of web page content, the video, audio or IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) content is available to user as a streaming content. The streaming content, which is a multimedia-based content in the streaming format, is preferably obtainable from the content storage unit 30 or the server device that is of the streaming type. The flow of steps for the user to select a multimedia-based content until it starts to be played on the TV, in the multiple display mode, is shown in FIG. 5. In the single display mode, the third control mechanism is shown in FIG. 9.

It is also preferred that a streaming-content accessing element is incorporated with the content-accessing component in order to control the multimedia-based content in the streaming format. In other word, to enable these types of content to be controlled, a media player plug-in is preferably embedded in the web browser. The content display control component of the present invention also comprises controllers generated on the primary display 40 for controlling the multimedia-based content at the secondary display 50. The controller comprises a play; a pause; a stop buttons 120 & 130. It is preferred that the user's input at the controller by contact executes the content-reference instruction in order to execute a function onto the multimedia-based content in order to execute a function onto the multimedia-based content in the streaming format. As such, preferably, when the user presses the play button 120, it would execute a JavaScript command or function to play the media. The same mechanism applies to the pause and stop buttons 130. FIG. 6 shows the stop feature for the third control mechanism of the present invention.

Next, the fourth control mechanism (not shown) is to enable the user to send a SMS (Short Text Messages) or an email to an intended recipient. It is preferred that the content, where the message is enabled to be sent via the content network 60, preferably the Internet, and the cellular network, is displayed on the primary display 40. The content or the web page therefore contains at least one field for the user's input that is associated with the recipient's mobile phone number or the recipient's email address; and at least one field for inputting the messages. It is also preferred that the said content or web page is further, comprised of at least one key for editing the messages, and a submission button for executing a function that sends the message to the server to be received by the recipient. In other words, this is provided by means of a soft keyboard using the touch screen LCD. In a single display mode, it is preferred that the web page viewable area appears relatively smaller in terms of height. Consequently, there is preferably a scroll mechanism available, thereof. On the other hand, in a dual or multiple display mode, the scroll mechanism is preferably optional to be provided. Upon finish entering required details, the user is preferably allowed to send the message to the recipient by pressing a provided 'submit' button. This action would later send the SMS or the email to a server such that it is redirected to the recipient. »

While in the foregoing specification this invention has been described in relation to certain preferred embodiments thereof and many details have been set forth for purpose of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described herein can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention.