Computer monitor with dual-purpose control switches, and method for providing screen-control switches on a computer monitor with different functions

A computer monitor adapted for use with a computer, comprising:

• a plurality of screen-control switches, said screen-control switches including a select switch and at least one adjustment switch;
• an input 1 out put circuit adapted to be connected to the computer;
• and
• a processor connected to said screen-control switches and said input/output circuit, and adapted to detect if a universal serial bus (USB) standard compliant-interface was established between said inputloutput circuit and the computer;
• said processor performing a hardware-based on-screen display routine to adjust screen characteristics of the computer monitor when the screen-control switches are operated and the USB standard compliant-interface is not detected;
• said processor generating a command that is assigned to an operated one of said screen-control switches and that is to be received by the computer via the USB standard compliant interface when the USB standard compliant-interface is detected.