Method and system for maintaining even tube burn-in

1. A method for maintaining even burn-in in a display unit having a plurality of display elements, the method comprising the steps of:

identifying active display elements and non-active display elements on the display unit when video content is displayed on the display unit;

monitoring an aging of the active display elements;

detecting when the display unit is turned off;

determining if the display is going to remain off for an extended time period by tracking a user's viewing habits, storing the times that the display is turned on and off, and storing each length of time that the display remains on and off; and

displaying a corrective image on the identified non-active display elements if it is determined that the display is going to remain off for an extended time period.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of identifying includes the steps of:

detecting an aspect ratio of the video content;

detecting an aspect ratio of the display unit;

comparing the video content aspect ratio to the display unit aspect ratio; and

determining that the non-active display elements exist if the aspect ratio of the video content does not match the aspect ratio of the display unit.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the aspect ratio of the video content is 4:3 and the aspect ratio of the display unit is 16:9.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the aspect ratio of the video content is 16:9 and the aspect ratio of the display unit is 4:3.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of monitoring includes the step of:

tracking the length of time that the active display elements are active.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of determining if the display is going to be off for an extended time period further includes the step of:

comparing a current date and time to a user-selected start date and start time.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of:

terminating the corrective image display when an interruption event occurs.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the interruption event is a user turning the display unit on.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the interruption event is a scheduled corrective image display stop time.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the stop time is set by the user.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the scheduled stop time is derived from the user's viewing habits.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the corrective image is displayed at one of a 15 IRE, 30 IRE, and 60 IRE luminance.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the corrective image for a first time period is displayed at 15 IRE luminance, for a second time period is displayed at 30 IRE luminance, and for a third time period is displayed at 60 IRE luminance.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the corrective image is a pair of side panels.

15. A system for equalizing display regions on a display unit, the system comprising:

means for identifying an active display region and an inactive display region on the display unit;

means for tracking a length of time that the active display region remains active;

means for detecting when the active display region becomes inactive;

means for determining if the active display region is going to remain inactive for an extended time period, said means for determining including means for tracking a user's viewing habits, means for storing the times that the active display region is active and inactive, and means for storing the length of time that the active display region remains active and inactive;

means for initiating the display of a corrective image on the inactive display region if it is determined that the active display region is going to remain inactive for an extended time period; and

means for terminating the display of the corrective image after an occurrence of an interruption event.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the means for determining if the active display region is going to be inactive for an extended time period further includes a means for comparing a current date and time to a user-selected start date and start time.

17. The system of claim 15 , wherein the interruption event is a user turning the display unit on.

18. The system of claim 15 , wherein the interruption event is a scheduled corrective image display stop time.

19. The system of claim 18 , wherein the stop time is set by the user.

20. The system of claim 18 , wherein the stop time is derived from the user's viewing habits.

21. The system of claim 15 , wherein the corrective image is displayed at one of a 15 IRE, 30 IRE, and 60 IRE luminance.

22. The system of claim 15 , wherein the corrective image for a first time period is displayed at 15 IRE luminance, for a second time period is displayed at 30 IRE luminance, and for a third time period is displayed at 60 IRE luminance.

23. The system of claim 15 , wherein the corrective image is a pair of side panels.

24. The system of claim 15 , wherein said means for initiating the display further comprises means for initiating display of an onscreen text message.

25. The method of claim 1 , wherein said displaying a corrective image further comprises displaying an on screen text message.

26. A method for maintaining even burn-in in a display unit having a plurality of display elements, the method comprising the steps of:

identifying active display elements and non-active display elements on the display unit when video content is displayed on the display unit;

monitoring an aging of the active display elements;

detecting when the display unit is turned off;

determining if the display is going to remain off for an extended time period based on the user's viewing habits; and

displaying a corrective image on the identified non-active display elements if it is determined that the display is going to remain off for an extended time period.

27. A system for equalizing display regions on a display unit, the system comprising:

means for identifying an active display region and an inactive display region on the display unit;

means for tracking a length of time that the active display region remains active;

means for detecting when the active display region becomes inactive;

means for determining if the active display region is going to remain inactive for an extended time period based on a user's viewing habits;

means for initiating the display of a corrective image on the inactive display region if it is determined that the active display region is going to remain inactive for an extended time period; and

means for terminating the display of the corrective image after an occurrence of an interruption event.