Optical module and device manufactured using the same

Abstract

The application discloses an optical module and a device made by using the same. The transmitter and the receiver are both provided with the optical module. The optical module comprises an upper cover and a lower cover assembled together to define the shape of the optical module, a circuit board and a fiber connector both arranged between the upper cover and the lower cover and connected, an optical transceiver arranged on the circuit board and coupled with the fiber connector, and a video signal processing chip arranged on the circuit board and coupled with the optical transceiver, and the video signal processing chip can be programmed to perform the video signal processing function. A plurality of electric signal pins capable of being coupled to the video signal processing chip and used to transmit the video signal and the non-video signal are arranged on the circuit board. The optical module can be used as a part of the signal transmitter, the signal receiver, the video switching system and the fiber cable device to provide greater service flexibility.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of transmitting video and other signals using optical fibers, and specifically provides an optical module and an apparatus made therefrom. Background Technology

[0002] Fiber optic cables are widely used to transmit video, audio, and other signals between video sources (such as video players, video switchers, and computers) and display devices (such as digital televisions and monitors). Besides video signals, the signals transmitted between the video source and the display device typically include audio signals and data signals (such as peripheral data signals in USB (Universal Serial Bus) format). Video signals are usually in industry-standard video transmission formats, such as HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface), DP (DisplayPort), DVI (Digital Vision Interface), and VGA (Video Graphics Array).

[0003] Some fiber optic transmitters and receivers, such as those used in data centers, typically use optical transceiver modules (called optical modules), which convert signals between optical and electrical signals. SFP (Small Form Factor) optical modules are industry-standard, compact, and hot-pluggable optical transceiver modules for this purpose. SFP optical modules typically come with industry-standard fiber optic connectors for connecting to fiber optic cables, such as MPO (Multi-fiber Push On) connectors.

[0004] However, traditional SFP optical modules only process and control the electrical signals of the optical transceiver module, and do not have the ability to process video signals, thus limiting their effectiveness and application areas.

[0005] In view of this, the present invention is hereby proposed. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To overcome the above-mentioned defects, the present invention provides an optical module and a device made therefrom, which has high service flexibility, wide application range and excellent applicability.

[0007] The technical solution adopted by this invention to solve its technical problem is as follows: an optical module, including an upper cover, a lower cover, a circuit board, a fiber optic connector, an optical transceiver, and a video signal processing chip. The upper cover and the lower cover are assembled together to define the shape of the optical module, such that the dimensions of the optical module are no greater than 75mm × 20mm × 15mm. The circuit board and the fiber optic connector are both disposed between the upper cover and the lower cover, and the fiber optic connector is connected to the circuit board. The optical transceiver is mounted on the circuit board and coupled to the fiber optic connector, and the optical transceiver is used to convert electrical signals into optical signals and vice versa. The video signal processing chip is also mounted on the circuit board and coupled to the optical transceiver, and the video signal processing chip can be programmed to perform video signal processing functions.

[0008] The circuit board also has multiple electrical signal pins that can be coupled to the video signal processing chip and used to transmit video signals and non-video signals.

[0009] As a further improvement of the present invention, the shape of the optical module and the plurality of electrical signal pins conforms to the SFP standard; the fiber optic connector is an MPO connector;

[0010] The video signal processing chip measures 1 / 4 inch x 1 / 4 inch and is programmed to perform video signal processing according to a video transmission format selected from HDMI, DP, and DVI. The video signal includes two uncompressed lossless video signals: an uncompressed high-speed audio / video signal using an 8-core fiber optic cable and an uncompressed low-speed handshake signal using a 4-core fiber optic cable. Alternatively, the video signal may include ten compressed video signals, comprising a compressed high-speed audio / video signal using a 10-core fiber optic cable and a compressed low-speed handshake signal using a 2-core fiber optic cable.

[0011] In addition, the video signal processing chip can be programmed to control the optical transceiver.

[0012] The present invention also provides a video signal transmission device, which, in addition to the optical module described in the present invention, further includes a main circuit board electrically coupled to the optical module, a plurality of external electrical signal connectors mounted on the main circuit board, and one or more additional signal processing chips mounted on the main circuit board and electrically coupled to the plurality of external electrical signal connectors and the optical module, wherein the additional signal processing chips can be programmed to perform signal processing on a plurality of non-video signals.

[0013] As a further improvement of the present invention, the plurality of non-video signals include one or more signals selected from the group consisting of audio signals, USB data signals for peripheral devices, network signals, RS-232 signals and IR remote control signals;

[0014] The plurality of external electrical signal connectors include one or more connectors selected from the group consisting of USB connectors, Ethernet connectors and RS-232 connectors;

[0015] It also includes an optical module mounting frame, which is mounted on the main circuit board, and the size and shape of the optical module mounting frame can be adapted to the optical module inserted therein, wherein the optical module can be inserted into and removed from the optical module mounting frame.

[0016] The present invention also provides a video switching device, which, in addition to including a plurality of optical modules as described in the present invention, further includes a video matrix switch coupled to the plurality of optical modules, a plurality of video source connectors coupled to the video matrix switch, and one or more additional signal processing chips electrically coupled to the plurality of video source connectors and the plurality of optical modules respectively, wherein the video matrix switch is configured to selectively couple each video source connector to one or more of the plurality of optical modules, and the additional signal processing chips can be programmed to perform signal processing on a plurality of non-video signals.

[0017] The present invention also provides a video signal transmission device, including a main circuit board, a plurality of external electrical signal connectors mounted on the main circuit board, one or more signal processing chips mounted on the main circuit board and respectively coupled to the plurality of external electrical signal connectors, and an optical module, wherein the signal processing chips can be programmed to perform signal processing on a plurality of non-video signals; the optical module is mounted on the main circuit board, and the optical module has a housing with dimensions not exceeding 75mm × 20mm × 15mm, and fiber optic connectors, optical transceivers and video signal processing chips are all disposed in the housing, the fiber optic connectors, the optical transceivers and the video signal processing chips are coupled to each other, and the video signal processing chip can be programmed to perform video signal processing.

[0018] As a further improvement of the present invention, the optical module conforms to the SFP standard; the video signal transmission device also includes an optical module mounting frame mounted on the main circuit board, the size and shape of which can be adapted to the optical module inserted therein, wherein the optical module can be inserted into and removed from the optical module mounting frame; the fiber optic connector is an MPO connector.

[0019] The video signal processing chip measures 1 / 4 inch x 1 / 4 inch and is programmed to perform video signal processing according to a video transmission format selected from HDMI, DP, and DVI. The video signal includes two uncompressed lossless video signals: an uncompressed high-speed audio / video signal using an 8-core fiber optic cable and an uncompressed low-speed handshake signal using a 4-core fiber optic cable. Alternatively, the video signal may include ten compressed video signals, comprising a compressed high-speed audio / video signal using a 10-core fiber optic cable and a compressed low-speed handshake signal using a 2-core fiber optic cable.

[0020] In addition, the video signal processing chip can be programmed to control the optical transceiver.

[0021] As a further improvement of the present invention, the plurality of non-video signals include one or more signals selected from the group consisting of audio signals, USB data signals for peripheral devices, network signals, RS-232 signals and IR remote control signals;

[0022] The plurality of external electrical signal connectors include one or more connectors selected from the group consisting of USB connectors, Ethernet connectors and RS-232 connectors.

[0023] The present invention also provides an optical cable device, comprising an optical cable containing a multi-core optical fiber, an optical fiber connector connected to one end of the optical cable, and an electrical signal connector module connected to the other end of the optical cable. The electrical signal connector module has a housing with dimensions no greater than 45mm × 20mm × 10mm, an optical transceiver disposed within the housing and coupled to the multi-core optical fiber, a video signal processing chip disposed within the housing and coupled to the optical transceiver, and an electrical signal connector electrically coupled to the video signal processing chip and protruding from a second end of the housing. The first end of the housing is connected to the optical cable, and the video signal processing chip can be programmed to perform video signal processing.

[0024] As a further improvement of the present invention, the optical fiber connector is an MPO connector; the electrical signal connector includes one or more connectors selected from HDMI connectors, DP connectors and DVI connectors;

[0025] The optical cable device also includes a USB connector that is connected to the first end of the housing and electrically coupled to the signal processing chip or the electrical signal connector;

[0026] The video signal processing chip measures 1 / 4 inch x 1 / 4 inch and is programmed to perform video signal processing according to a video transmission format selected from HDMI, DP, and DVI. The video signal includes two uncompressed lossless video signals: an uncompressed high-speed audio / video signal using an 8-core fiber optic cable and an uncompressed low-speed handshake signal using a 4-core fiber optic cable. Alternatively, the video signal may include ten compressed video signals, comprising a compressed high-speed audio / video signal using a 10-core fiber optic cable and a compressed low-speed handshake signal using a 2-core fiber optic cable.

[0027] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: Compared to traditional SFP optical modules, the optical modules (transmitter and receiver optical modules) provided by this patent, while conforming to the SFP standard form factor, also integrate a signal processing chip capable of performing video signal processing functions. Thus, in traditional transmitters and receivers adapted to video sources and display devices, all electrical signal processing functions for video, audio, and data signals are performed by the signal processing chip mounted on the main circuit board, eliminating the need for the main circuit board to perform video signal processing, thereby providing greater service flexibility. Furthermore, the optical modules provided by this patent are well-suited for applications in signal transmitters, signal receivers, video switching systems, optical cable devices, and optical cable adapters, demonstrating excellent applicability. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating the working principle of the signal transmission system for video and other signals according to the present invention. The signal transmission system includes a signal transmitter for a video source and a signal receiver for a display device connected by optical fiber.

[0029] Figure 2a This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the transmitter optical module (and receiver optical module) with video signal processing function described in this invention from a first perspective.

[0030] Figure 2b This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the transmitter optical module (and receiver optical module) with video signal processing function described in this invention from a second perspective.

[0031] Figure 2c This is a side view of the transmitter optical module (and receiver optical module) with video signal processing function according to the present invention.

[0032] Figure 2d This is a bottom view of the transmitter optical module (and receiver optical module) with video signal processing function according to the present invention.

[0033] Figure 2e This is a top view of the transmitter optical module (and receiver optical module) with video signal processing function according to the present invention.

[0034] Figure 2f This is a first cross-sectional structural diagram of the transmitter optical module (and receiver optical module) with video signal processing function according to the present invention;

[0035] Figure 2g This is a second cross-sectional structural diagram of the transmitter optical module (and receiver optical module) with video signal processing function according to the present invention;

[0036] Figure 3 This is an exploded structural diagram of the transmitter optical module (and receiver optical module) with video signal processing function according to the present invention;

[0037] Figure 4 This is a block diagram illustrating the working principle of a video switching device using an optical module with video processing capabilities, as described in this invention.

[0038] Figure 5 This is a block diagram illustrating the working principle of an optical cable device with an integrated optical transceiver and a video signal processing chip as described in this invention.

[0039] Figure 6a This is a schematic diagram of the optical cable adapter with an integrated optical transceiver and a video signal processing chip according to the present invention, viewed from a first perspective.

[0040] Figure 6b This is a schematic diagram of the optical cable adapter described in this invention from a second perspective;

[0041] Figure 6c This is a schematic diagram of the optical cable adapter described in this invention from a third-person perspective;

[0042] Figure 6d This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the electrical signal connector module described in this invention;

[0043] Figure 6e This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the fiber optic connector and the USB connector described in this invention.

[0044] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the following explanations are provided:

[0045] 10—Signal transmitter; 12—Main circuit board; 14—Transmitter optical module; 141—Standard fiber optic connector; 142—Lower cover; 143—Circuit board; 144—Optical transceiver; 145—Signal processing chip; 146—Electrical signal pin; 15—Optical module mounting frame; 18—Other components; 20—Signal receiver; 22—Main circuit board; 24—Receiver optical module; 241—Standard fiber optic connector; 25—Optical module mounting frame; 28—Other components; 30—Fiber optic cable; 40—Video switching device; 41—Video matrix switch; 44—Signal processing chip; 50—Fiber optic cable assembly; 51—Fiber optic cable; 52—Fiber optic connector; 53—Electrical signal connector module; 54—Housing; 55—Optical transceiver; 56—Signal processing chip; 57—Electrical signal connector; 60—Fiber optic cable adapter; 61—Short fiber optic cable; 62—Fiber optic connector; 63—Electrical signal connector module; 64—Electrical signal connector; 65—USB connector. Detailed Implementation

[0046] The following specific embodiments illustrate the implementation of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the content disclosed in this specification.

[0047] It should be understood that the structures, proportions, sizes, etc., illustrated in the accompanying drawings of this specification are only used to complement the content disclosed in the specification for those skilled in the art to understand and read, and are not intended to limit the conditions under which the present invention can be implemented. Therefore, they have no substantial technical significance. Any modifications to the structure, changes in the proportions, or adjustments to the size, without affecting the effects and objectives that the present invention can produce, should still fall within the scope of the technical content disclosed in the present invention.

[0048] Example 1:

[0049] Please see the appendix Figure 1 The diagram illustrates a signal transmission system for video and other signals according to the present invention. This signal transmission system includes a signal transmitter 10 that can be installed in or connected to a video source, and a signal receiver 20 that can be installed in or connected to a display device. The signal transmitter 10 and the signal receiver 20 are connected by an optical fiber 30. The video source (not shown) can be, for example, a video player, a computer, a video signal switch, etc., and the display device (not shown) can be, for example, a digital television, a computer monitor, a flat panel display, a projector, etc. Note that although the device at the video source end is referred to as the signal transmitter 10, and the device at the display device end is referred to as the signal receiver 20, the signal transmission between them is bidirectional. The two ends of the optical fiber 30 are preferably configured with standard optical fiber connectors, such as MPO (multi-fiber push-on) connectors.

[0050] The signal transmitter 10 and the signal receiver 20 transmit signals via the optical fiber 30. The transmitted signals include multimedia video signals, audio signals, data signals (such as USB signals related to keyboards, mice, USB flash drives, hard drives, computer cameras, or other peripherals), network signals (network data signals transmitted via Ethernet from video sources or display devices), RS-232 signals (data signals sent or received by video sources or display devices via RS-232 cables), and IR remote control signals (electrical signals generated by video sources or display devices suitable for infrared remote control). In many application scenarios, the length of the optical fiber 30 between the signal transmitter 10 and the signal receiver 20 ranges from 100 feet to 1000 feet or even longer, transmitting high bandwidths exceeding 40 Gbps, thereby establishing a multi-functional extended transmission based on the optical fiber connection. The signal transmitter 10 and the signal receiver 20 are not connected by any other cables; all signals are transmitted through the optical fiber 30.

[0051] The main circuit board 12 (or transmitter motherboard) of the signal transmitter 10 is equipped with various components, including a transmitter optical module 14, a standard fiber optic connector 141 connected to the optical fiber 30, multiple external electrical signal connectors (as shown by labels 16-1 to 16-n), and other components 18. The multiple external electrical signal connectors include connectors such as USB, Ethernet, and RS-232. The other components 18 include electrically coupled signal processing chips and components supporting various other functions. Similarly, the main circuit board 22 (or receiver motherboard) of the signal receiver 20 is also equipped with various components, including a receiver optical module 24, a standard fiber optic connector 241 connected to the optical fiber 30, multiple external electrical signal connectors (as shown by labels 26-1 to 26-n), and other components 28. The multiple external electrical signal connectors include connectors such as USB, Ethernet, and RS-232. The other components 28 include electrically coupled signal processing chips and components supporting various other functions. The main circuit board 12 and the main circuit board 22 can be, for example, printed circuit boards (PCBs).

[0052] Each of the transmitter optical module 14 and the receiver optical module 24 has form factors conforming to the SFP (Small Form-factor Pluggable) standard, allowing them to be inserted into or removed from their respective main circuit boards 12 and 22. However, unlike conventional SFP optical modules, both the transmitter optical module 14 and the receiver optical module 24 include a signal processing chip capable of performing video signal processing functions. In conventional transmitters and receivers adapted for video sources and display devices, all electrical signal processing functions for video, audio, and data signals are performed by the signal processing chip mounted on the main circuit board. Conventional optical modules are configured with an optical transceiver to perform photoelectric and electro-optic signal conversion. This transceiver includes an optical emitting device (such as a laser diode) and a photodetector (such as a photodiode), and it only processes the electrical signals related to controlling the optical transceiver module, without the ability to process video signals.

[0053] In embodiments of the present invention, the transmitter optical module 14 and the receiver optical module 24 perform the following video signal processing functions: for HDMI, process SCL (DDC (Display Data Channel) I 2 C serial clock), SDA (DDCI) 2The video signal can process C-series serial data, CEC (Consumer Electronics Control), HPD (Hot Plug Detect), and ARC (Audio Return Channel) signals; for DVI, it processes DDC and HPD signals; for DP, it processes AUX (Auxiliary channel) and HPD signals. Furthermore, the video signal may include two uncompressed lossless video signals: an uncompressed high-speed audio and video signal using an 8-core fiber, and an uncompressed low-speed handshake signal using a 4-core fiber; or, the video signal may include 10 compressed video signals, including a compressed high-speed audio and video signal using a 10-core fiber, and a compressed low-speed handshake signal using a 2-core fiber. The transmitter motherboard 12 and the receiver motherboard 22 do not have any signal processing chips that perform the above video signal processing functions; they only provide video signals to the transmitter optical module 14 and the receiver optical module 24, respectively. Furthermore, the transmitter optical module 14 and the receiver optical module 24 do not perform any electrical signal processing functions for non-video signals such as audio, USB data, network, RS-232, and IR remote control signals; these non-video signals are processed by other signal processing chips on the main circuit board, and the transmitter optical module and the receiver optical module only perform electro-optical signal conversion on them. Note that the "audio signal" mentioned here refers to an audio signal separate from the multimedia video signal, while the multimedia video signal itself may contain audio; for example, the audio signal may be a signal from a computer microphone.

[0054] This separation of video signal processing from non-video signal processing allows the same transmitter optical module 14 (or receiver optical module 24) to be inserted into different transmitter motherboards 12 (or receiver motherboards 22), or different transmitter optical modules (or receiver optical modules) to be inserted into the same transmitter motherboard (or receiver motherboard), to complete the required combination of signal processing functions to suit different applications. For example, each of the transmitter optical module 14 and the receiver optical module 24 is preferably designed to perform the video signal processing required for a specific video transmission standard (such as HDMI, DP, DVI, etc.), and appropriate transmitter optical modules and receiver optical modules can be selected for a specific system depending on the transmission format of the video signal. Another example is that different transmitter and receiver motherboards may be equipped with different non-video signal processing functions (e.g., if the system does not require USB signal processing, the main board may omit the relevant signal processing components to reduce costs). Depending on the system and application requirements, appropriate main boards can be selected for use with the transmitter and receiver optical modules. These different combinations are possible because different transmitter optical modules 14 and receiver optical modules 24 have the same standard form factor, and different transmitter motherboards 12 and receiver motherboards 22 have the same standard slots to accommodate transmitter optical modules 14 and receiver optical modules 24. Furthermore, for applications used only for video, the transmitter and receiver optical modules can even be used independently without the need for a main board.

[0055] The transmitter optical module 14 and the receiver optical module 24, besides having video signal processing functions, have the same structure. The following is about the appendix... Figure 2a To be continued Figure 2g and appendices Figure 3 The description applies to transmitter optical modules and receiver optical modules (hereinafter referred to as optical modules), wherein, attached Figure 2a To be continued Figure 2g Various external views and perspective views (sectional views) of the optical module are shown, with accompanying drawings. Figure 3 An exploded view of the optical module is shown in the attached diagram. Figure 2a To be continued Figure 2g As shown, the optical module's appearance is approximately that of a slender rectangular shell (slightly thicker at the front end), and the front surface of the optical module also defines two smaller dimensions to accommodate a standard fiber optic connector, such as an MPO fiber optic connector with a specified number of fibers. Preferably, the optical module has external shape parameters conforming to the SFP standard requirements, as shown in the attached diagram. Figure 2c As shown, the dimensions of the optical module are approximately 69.70mm × 18.35mm × 12.55mm. Typically, the dimensions of the optical module are less than 75mm × 20mm × 15mm.

[0056] See attached Figure 3 As shown, the transmitter optical module 14 has an upper cover and a lower cover 142 (e.g., a metal cover), which, when assembled together, form a housing with the aforementioned external dimensions. During assembly, a circuit board 143 and a fiber optic connector 141 connected thereto are installed between the upper and lower covers. The fiber optic connector 141 is preferably a standard connector, such as an MPO connector, which can accommodate multi-core fiber optic cables and is equipped with a cable-locking clip; other fiber optic connectors can also be used. An optical transceiver 144 and a signal processing chip 145 are mounted on the circuit board 143. The optical transceiver 144 is coupled to the fiber optic connector 141 and the signal processing chip 145. The optical transceiver 144 has a light-emitting device (e.g., a laser diode) and a light-detecting device (e.g., a photodiode), configured to perform electrical signal to optical signal and optical signal to electrical signal conversion, respectively. The rear end of the circuit board 143 is provided with multiple electrical signal pins 146, which are exposed outside the housing after assembly. The physical location and number of the multiple electrical signal pins 146 conform to the SFP optical module standard; however, the signals transmitted by these pins differ from those of traditional optical modules. By programming the signal processing chip 145, video processing functions can be implemented, and by programming the signal processing chip 145, functions for controlling the optical transceiver can also be executed. Preferably, the signal processing chip 145 is a 1 / 4-inch × 1 / 4-inch chip. In summary, by programming the signal processing chips in the transmitter and receiver optical modules, different video signal processing functions can be executed.

[0057] Back to Appendix Figure 1 In the signal transmitter 10, an optical module mounting frame 15 is also installed on the transmitter motherboard 12. The size and shape of the optical module mounting frame 15 are adapted to accommodate the transmitter optical module 14 inserted therein. Several conductive pins are located within the optical module mounting frame 15 and coupled to the transmitter motherboard 12. These conductive pins are also electrically connected to multiple electrical signal pins 146 at the rear end of the transmitter optical module 14 to form electrical coupling between the transmitter optical module 14 and the transmitter motherboard 12. A suitable mechanical structure, such as a latch, is also configured within the optical module mounting frame 15. This securely fixes the transmitter optical module 14 within the mounting frame while allowing the transmitter optical module 14 to be easily unlocked and removed from the mounting frame. This facilitates easy insertion and removal of the transmitter optical module 14 from the signal transmitter 10, improving installation flexibility.

[0058] Similarly, the signal receiver 20 has an optical module mounting frame 25 mounted on the receiver motherboard 22, which accommodates the receiver optical module 24. Note that since the transmitter optical module 14 and the receiver optical module 24 have form factors conforming to optical module industry standards, including pin definitions and pin positions, the optical module mounting frames 15 and 25 can have the same structure as those used in conventional optical modules.

[0059] In use, the signal transmitter 10 is installed in or connected to the video source, the signal receiver 20 is installed in or connected to the display device, the transmitter optical module 14 is inserted into the signal transmitter 10, the receiver optical module 24 is inserted into the signal receiver 20, and the optical fiber 30 passes through the required space (e.g., from one room to another) and is inserted into the transmitter optical module 14 and the receiver optical module 24.

[0060] As described above, although the device at the video source end is referred to as signal transmitter 10 and the device at the display device end is referred to as signal receiver 20, the signal transmission between them is bidirectional. Furthermore, although their signal processing chips are programmed to perform different functions, they may generally have similar structures in terms of external electrical signal connectors and various supporting components. Therefore, the signal transmitter 10 and the signal receiver 20 can be more conventionally referred to as signal transmission devices, and their respective transmitter optical modules and receiver optical modules can be more generally referred to as optical modules.

[0061] Example 2:

[0062] Please see the appendix Figure 4 The diagram illustrates a video switching device using an optical module with video processing capabilities, as described in this invention. The video switching device 40 includes a video matrix switch 41, such as a 4x4 or 8x8 matrix switch, connected to multiple (e.g., 4 or 8) video source connectors (labeled 42-1 to 42-m) and multiple (e.g., 4 or 8) display device connectors (labeled 43-1 to 43-n). Each video source connector is connected to a video source, and each display device connector is connected to a display device. The video matrix switch 41 selectively connects each video source connector to one or more display device connectors. The video switching device 40 also includes various signal processing chips 44 and other components (not shown). The video switching device 40 may include other external electrical signal connectors, such as USB, RS-232, etc. connectors (not shown).

[0063] Each display device connector (indicated by reference numerals 43-1 to 43-n) has the same structure as the aforementioned transmitter optical module 14. Specifically, each display device connector includes a signal processing chip configured for video signal processing, an optical transceiver, and a standard fiber optic connector. All display device connectors are positioned between two covers that define shape parameters conforming to the SFP optical module standard. The video switching device 40 does not have any other components performing video signal processing functions; the signal processing chip 44 of the video switching device 40 only performs signal processing functions for non-video signals.

[0064] In some embodiments, multiple optical module mounting frames, similar to the optical module mounting frame 15 described above, can be configured on the circuit board of the video switching device 40 to accommodate corresponding display device connectors (transmitter optical modules). Therefore, different display device connectors with different video processing functions (e.g., for different video transmission standards) can be inserted into or removed from the video switching device 40.

[0065] The video switching device 40 can be applied to applications such as: outputting multiple video signals to a large display system consisting of multiple flat panel displays, or outputting multiple video signals to multiple displays at different locations in a video conference.

[0066] Example 3:

[0067] Please see the appendix Figure 5 The diagram illustrates an optical cable device 50 with an integrated optical transceiver and video signal processing chip, as described in this invention. The optical cable device 50 includes an optical cable 51 containing multi-core optical fibers, one end of which is connected to an optical fiber connector 52, and the other end to an electrical signal connector module 53. The optical fiber connector 52 is preferably a standard ribbon fiber connector, such as an MPO connector.

[0068] The electrical signal connector module 53 includes an optical transceiver 55 mounted within a housing 54 and a signal processing chip 56 mounted on a circuit board. The optical transceiver 55 and the signal processing chip 56 have similar structures and functions to the optical transceiver 144 and signal processing chip 145 of the transmitter optical module 14 described above. Specifically, the signal processing chip 56 is preferably a 1 / 4-inch × 1 / 4-inch chip, which can be programmed to perform the video signal processing functions of the signal processing chip 145. The video signal may include two uncompressed lossless video signals: an uncompressed high-speed audio / video signal using an 8-core optical fiber and an uncompressed low-speed handshake signal using a 4-core optical fiber; or, the video signal may include 10 compressed video signals, including a compressed high-speed audio / video signal using a 10-core optical fiber and a compressed low-speed handshake signal using a 2-core optical fiber. The dimensions of the housing 54 are no greater than 10mm × 20mm × 45mm. The electrical signal connector module 53 also includes an electrical signal connector 57 protruding from the housing 54, which conforms to video transmission standards such as HDMI, DP, and DVI.

[0069] Example 4:

[0070] Please see the appendix Figure 6a To be continued Figure 6e The diagram illustrates an optical fiber adapter 60 with an integrated optical transceiver and video signal processing chip, as described in this invention. The optical fiber adapter 60 includes a short optical cable 61 containing multi-core optical fibers. One end of the short optical cable 61 is connected to an optical fiber connector 62, and the other end is connected to an electrical signal connector module 63. The optical fiber connector 62 is preferably a standard ribbon optical fiber connector, such as an MPO connector.

[0071] The electrical signal connector module 63 has a similar structure to the previously described electrical signal connector module 53 (the internal structure of the electrical signal connector module 63 is not shown in Figure 6). Specifically, the electrical signal connector module 63 includes an optical transceiver installed within a housing and a signal processing chip mounted on a circuit board. The optical transceiver and the signal processing chip have similar structures and functions to the optical transceiver 144 and signal processing chip 145 of the previously described transmitter optical module 14. In particular, the signal processing chip is preferably a 1 / 4-inch × 1 / 4-inch chip, which can be programmed to perform the video signal processing functions of the signal processing chip 145. The video signal may include two uncompressed lossless video signals: an uncompressed high-speed audio and video signal using an 8-core optical fiber and an uncompressed low-speed handshake signal using a 4-core optical fiber; or, the video signal may include 10 compressed video signals, including a compressed high-speed audio and video signal using a 10-core optical fiber and a compressed low-speed handshake signal using a 2-core optical fiber. The housing dimensions of the electrical signal connector module 63 are no greater than 10mm × 20mm × 45mm. In this embodiment, the housing dimensions of the electrical signal connector module 63 are 9mm × 18.5mm × 39mm. The electrical signal connector module 63 also includes an electrical signal connector 64 protruding from the housing. The electrical signal connector 64 conforms to video transmission standards such as HDMI, DP, and DVI.

[0072] The USB connector 65 is also connected to the electrical signal connector module 63 and is located at the same end of the module as the short optical cable 61. The USB connector 65 is also connected to the internal circuitry of the electrical signal connector module 63, including a signal processing chip and / or an electrical signal connector. The USB port has the following functions: first, to supply power to the electrical signal connector module 63; second, to provide data transmission between a computer (e.g., a server) and a display device (e.g., a monitor) for keyboard, mouse, touchscreen, and / or UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver / Transmitter) data.

[0073] In summary, all embodiments provided by this invention share a common feature: a module smaller than 75 mm * 20 mm * 15 mm integrates a standard fiber optic connector or video signal connector, an optical transceiver, and a signal processing chip programmed to perform video signal processing functions. These video signal processing functions include: processing SCL, SDA, CEC, HPD, and ARC signals for HDMI; processing DDC and HPD signals for DVI; and processing AUX and HPD signals for DP. The video signals may include two uncompressed lossless video signals: an uncompressed high-speed audio / video signal using an 8-core fiber and an uncompressed low-speed handshake signal using a 4-core fiber; or, the video signals may include 10 compressed video signals, including a compressed high-speed audio / video signal using a 10-core fiber and a compressed low-speed handshake signal using a 2-core fiber. This module has the dimensions of a standard optical module and includes a standard fiber optic connector, making it suitable as part of a signal transmitter, signal receiver, or video switching system, thus providing greater service flexibility. This module can also be part of a fiber optic cable assembly with standard video signal connectors.

[0074] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but it is not intended to limit the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, various improvements and modifications can be made to signal transmitters, signal receivers, video switching systems, optical cable equipment, etc. with video signal processing functions without departing from the technical principles of the present invention. These improvements and modifications should also be considered to be within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A video signal transmission device, characterized in that: The device includes an optical module; the video signal transmission device also includes a main circuit board electrically coupled to the optical module, a plurality of external electrical signal connectors mounted on the main circuit board, and one or more additional signal processing chips mounted on the main circuit board and electrically coupled to the plurality of external electrical signal connectors and the optical module, wherein the additional signal processing chips can be programmed to perform signal processing on a plurality of non-video signals. The optical module includes an upper cover, a lower cover, a circuit board, a fiber optic connector, an optical transceiver, and a video signal processing chip. The upper cover and the lower cover are assembled together to define the shape of the optical module, ensuring that the overall dimensions of the optical module do not exceed 75mm × 20mm × 15mm. The circuit board and the fiber optic connector are both disposed between the upper cover and the lower cover, and the fiber optic connector is connected to the circuit board. The optical transceiver is mounted on the circuit board and coupled to the fiber optic connector, and is used to convert electrical signals into optical signals and vice versa. The video signal processing chip is also mounted on the circuit board and coupled to the optical transceiver, and can be programmed to perform video signal processing functions. The circuit board also has multiple electrical signal pins that can be coupled to the video signal processing chip and used to transmit video signals and non-video signals.

2. The video signal transmission device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of non-video signals include one or more signals selected from the group consisting of audio signals, USB data signals for peripheral devices, network signals, RS-232 signals, and IR remote control signals; The plurality of external electrical signal connectors include one or more connectors selected from the group consisting of USB connectors, Ethernet connectors and RS-232 connectors; It also includes an optical module mounting frame, which is mounted on the main circuit board, and the size and shape of the optical module mounting frame can be adapted to the optical module inserted therein, wherein the optical module can be inserted into and removed from the optical module mounting frame.

3. A video switching device, characterized in that: The device includes optical modules; the video switching device also includes a video matrix switch coupled to a plurality of the optical modules, a plurality of video source connectors coupled to the video matrix switch, and one or more additional signal processing chips electrically coupled to the plurality of video source connectors and the plurality of optical modules, wherein the video matrix switch is configured to selectively couple each video source connector to one or more of the plurality of optical modules, and the additional signal processing chips can be programmed to perform signal processing on a plurality of non-video signals; The optical module includes an upper cover, a lower cover, a circuit board, a fiber optic connector, an optical transceiver, and a video signal processing chip. The upper cover and the lower cover are assembled together to define the shape of the optical module, ensuring that the overall dimensions of the optical module do not exceed 75mm × 20mm × 15mm. The circuit board and the fiber optic connector are both disposed between the upper cover and the lower cover, and the fiber optic connector is connected to the circuit board. The optical transceiver is mounted on the circuit board and coupled to the fiber optic connector, and is used to convert electrical signals into optical signals and vice versa. The video signal processing chip is also mounted on the circuit board and coupled to the optical transceiver, and can be programmed to perform video signal processing functions. The circuit board also has multiple electrical signal pins that can be coupled to the video signal processing chip and used to transmit video signals and non-video signals.

4. A video signal transmission device, characterized in that: The device includes a main circuit board, a plurality of external electrical signal connectors mounted on the main circuit board, one or more signal processing chips mounted on the main circuit board and respectively coupled to the plurality of external electrical signal connectors, and an optical module, wherein the signal processing chips can be programmed to perform signal processing on a plurality of non-video signals; The optical module is mounted on the main circuit board. The optical module has a housing with a size no greater than 75mm×20mm×15mm, and an optical fiber connector, an optical transceiver, and a video signal processing chip, all of which are disposed in the housing. The optical fiber connector, the optical transceiver, and the video signal processing chip are coupled to each other, and the video signal processing chip can be programmed to perform video signal processing.

5. The video signal transmission device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The optical module conforms to the SFP standard; The video signal transmission device also includes an optical module mounting frame mounted on the main circuit board. The size and shape of the optical module mounting frame are adaptable to the optical module inserted therein, and the optical module can be inserted into and removed from the optical module mounting frame.

6. The video signal transmission device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The plurality of non-video signals include one or more signals selected from the group consisting of audio signals, USB data signals for peripheral devices, network signals, RS-232 signals, and IR remote control signals; The plurality of external electrical signal connectors include one or more connectors selected from the group consisting of USB connectors, Ethernet connectors and RS-232 connectors.

7. An optical cable device, characterized in that: The device includes an optical cable containing multi-core optical fibers, an optical fiber connector connected to one end of the optical cable, and an electrical signal connector module connected to the other end of the optical cable. The electrical signal connector module has a housing with dimensions no greater than 45mm × 20mm × 10mm, an optical transceiver disposed within the housing and coupled to the multi-core optical fiber, a video signal processing chip disposed within the housing and coupled to the optical transceiver, and an electrical signal connector electrically coupled to the video signal processing chip and protruding from a second end of the housing. The first end of the housing is connected to the optical cable, and the video signal processing chip can be programmed to perform video signal processing.

8. The optical cable device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The fiber optic connector is an MPO connector; the electrical signal connector includes one or more connectors selected from HDMI connectors, DP connectors and DVI connectors. The optical cable device also includes a USB connector that is connected to the first end of the housing and electrically coupled to the signal processing chip or the electrical signal connector; The video signal processing chip measures 1 / 4 inch x 1 / 4 inch and is programmed to perform video signal processing according to a video transmission format selected from HDMI, DP, and DVI. The video signal includes two uncompressed lossless video signals: an uncompressed high-speed audio / video signal using an 8-core fiber optic cable and an uncompressed low-speed handshake signal using a 4-core fiber optic cable. Alternatively, the video signal may include ten compressed video signals, comprising a compressed high-speed audio / video signal using a 10-core fiber optic cable and a compressed low-speed handshake signal using a 2-core fiber optic cable.

Images