Hub system control method

Abstract

A method for controlling a hub system connected to a plurality of displays, the hub having a maximum bandwidth, includes obtaining, by the hub, a resolution and a refresh rate for each display, calculating, by the hub, a used bandwidth for each display based on the resolution and the refresh rate, and causing the hub to act in accordance with a relationship between the used bandwidths and the maximum bandwidth.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a hub system control method, and more particularly to a hub system control method that causes the hub to operate accordingly based on the operating bandwidth of the display. Background Technology

[0002] In existing technologies, to enable multiple displays to show content, a hub is typically used to connect multiple displays to a single image source, allowing the multiple displays to show the image provided by the image source. In a multi-stream transport (MST) architecture, different displays can show different content, but in a single-stream transport (SST) architecture, multiple displays will show the same content.

[0003] However, each monitor consumes a portion of the hub's bandwidth (hereinafter referred to as "usable bandwidth") when displaying images. When the total usable bandwidth of all monitors exceeds the hub's maximum available bandwidth, at least one monitor may fail to display an image. However, the current method for setting the bandwidth of multiple monitors is quite inconvenient. For example, one of the monitors might display a main screen, allowing the user to set the resolution of all monitors through this screen. However, the user may not know the correspondence between resolution and usable bandwidth and therefore not know how to set it. Moreover, if the monitor that fails to display an image includes the monitor originally used to display the main screen, it becomes even more difficult for the user to adjust the resolution of multiple monitors. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One objective of this invention is to provide a hub system control method that allows users to easily obtain recommendations for the resolution or refresh rate of multiple displays.

[0005] Another objective of this invention is to provide a hub system control method to expand the number of usable displays and allow users to set the parameters of all displays through any hub.

[0006] An embodiment of the present invention discloses a hub system control method for controlling a hub connected to multiple displays. The hub has a maximum bandwidth. The hub system control method includes: obtaining a resolution and a refresh rate for each of the displays through the hub; calculating a usable bandwidth corresponding to each of the displays through the hub based on the resolution and the refresh rate; and causing the hub to operate according to a relationship between the usable bandwidth and the maximum bandwidth.

[0007] Another embodiment of the present invention discloses a hub system control method for controlling a hub system, the hub system including a first hub and a second hub, the first hub having a first maximum bandwidth, the second hub having a second maximum bandwidth and connected to a plurality of first displays and the first hub, the hub system control method including: obtaining a resolution and a refresh rate of each first display through the first hub; calculating a first usable bandwidth of each first display based on the resolution and the refresh rate through the first hub; and causing the first hub to operate accordingly based on a first relationship between the first usable bandwidth and the first maximum bandwidth or a second relationship between the first usable bandwidth and the second maximum bandwidth, or controlling the operation of the first hub through the second hub.

[0008] According to the foregoing embodiments, users can easily learn and configure the resolutions or refresh rates of multiple displays, thus improving the problem of difficulty in setting the resolutions of multiple displays in the prior art. Furthermore, by connecting one hub to other hubs, more displays can be added, and users can configure the parameters of all displays through any one of the hubs. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a hub system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 2 This is a detailed structural schematic diagram of a hub according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figures 3 to 5 These are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of a hub system according to different embodiments of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 6 This is the corresponding invention Figure 1 A flowchart of a hub system control method according to one embodiment.

[0013] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a hub system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 8 This is the corresponding invention Figure 7 A flowchart of a hub system control method according to one embodiment.

[0015] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 100, 700 hub systems 101 Image Source 201 Processing Circuit 203 Distribution Circuit AC1 and AC2 icons DS1, DS2, DS3, DSa displays DS11 and DS12 First Displays DS23 and DS24 Second Display Ha hub HB1, HB2, HB3 Hardware Buttons H1 First Hub H2 Second Hub H3 Third Hub INP input port OP1, OP2, OP3 output ports Detailed Implementation

[0016] The present invention will be described below with reference to several embodiments. It should be noted that the elements in each embodiment may be implemented by hardware (e.g., a device or circuit) or firmware (e.g., at least one program written in a microprocessor). Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and similar descriptions in the following description are only used to define different elements, parameters, data, signals, or steps, and are not intended to limit their order.

[0017] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a hub system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 1 As shown, the hub system 100 includes a hub Ha, which is coupled to an image source 101 and multiple displays (in this example, three displays DS1, DS2, and DS3, but not limited thereto), and enables the displays DS1, DS2, and DS3 to display images based on the images provided by the image source 101. The displays DS1, DS2, and DS3 may display the same image or different images. The image source 101 can be various electronic devices, such as a computer host, a laptop computer, or a mobile device.

[0018] Hub Ha obtains the resolution and refresh rate of displays DS1, DS2, and DS3 respectively, and calculates the individual bandwidth of displays DS1, DS2, and DS3 based on the resolution and refresh rate, operating according to the relationship between these bandwidths and the maximum bandwidth of hub Ha. The technical details will be described below. In one embodiment, hub Ha obtains the resolution and refresh rate from EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) received from displays DS1, DS2, and DS3. In another embodiment, the corresponding bandwidth can be calculated based on the resolution and refresh rate using a lookup table. For example, if the display resolution is 1920x1080 and the refresh rate is 60Hz, the bandwidth of this display is 3.2Gbit / s; if the display resolution is 3840x2160 and the refresh rate is 75Hz, the bandwidth of this display is 15.79Gbit / s. However, the calculation of bandwidth is not limited to these examples.

[0019] Figure 2 A detailed structural schematic diagram of a hub according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Please note that... Figure 2 This is merely an example; hubs with other structures but achieving the same function can also be used in this invention. For example... Figure 2 As shown, hub Ha includes input port INP, processing circuit 201, distribution circuit 203, and output ports OP1, OP2, and OP3. Input port INP is used to connect... Figure 1 The image source 101 has output ports OP1, OP2, and OP3 connected to displays DS1, DS2, and DS3. The distribution circuit 203 determines the transmission path between input port INP and output ports OP1, OP2, and OP3. The processing circuit 201 controls the operation of the distribution circuit 203 and other operations of the hub Ha. The distribution circuit 203 can be a switch, FPGA, or other circuitry used to allocate the connection relationships between input port INP and output ports OP1, OP2, and OP3.

[0020] The following describes embodiments of "hub Ha operating in accordance with a relationship," including actions actively performed by hub Ha and actions caused by user control of hub Ha. The "relationship" can be the ratio of used bandwidth to maximum bandwidth, or the difference between used bandwidth and maximum bandwidth. Furthermore, in the following embodiments, the used bandwidth of the display is adjusted by "adjusting the resolution." However, the used bandwidth of the display can also be adjusted by adjusting the refresh rate, or by adjusting both resolution and refresh rate simultaneously. It should be understood that these embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the invention. Those skilled in the art can arbitrarily modify, combine, or divide them. Figures 3 to 5The contents disclosed herein may be used in various ways, and all such variations should be within the scope shown in this invention. Figures 3 to 5 Schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of a hub system according to different embodiments of the present invention are shown. Figure 3 In this configuration, hub Ha controls a display DSa to show the aforementioned relationships. Display DSa can be a monitor mounted on hub Ha, or a display capable of displaying images, such as DS1, DS2, or DS3. In one embodiment, the user can write a program into hub Ha based on the relationships displayed on display DSa to set the resolution of displays DS1, DS2, and DS3.

[0021] For example, in Figure 3 In one embodiment, display DSa shows a user interface including the resolutions of displays DS1, DS2, and DS3, as well as the ratio of their used bandwidth to their maximum bandwidth. Furthermore, in one embodiment, display DSa also displays icons AC1 and AC2. The user can trigger icon AC1 to have hub Ha automatically adjust (update) the resolutions of displays DS1, DS2, and DS3. Alternatively, the user can trigger icon AC2 to manually adjust the resolutions, which can be achieved in various ways. For example, the user can input the resolutions of displays DS1, DS2, and DS3; in this case, a pre-stored lookup table can be displayed so that the user can simultaneously input the resolution and look up the corresponding used bandwidth for each display DS1, DS2, and DS3. Alternatively, display DSa can also display several resolutions for the user to choose from.

[0022] In one embodiment, hub Ha may otherwise inform the user about the relationship between the bandwidth used by each display and the maximum bandwidth of hub Ha. For example, when the total bandwidth used exceeds the maximum bandwidth or a percentage of the maximum bandwidth (e.g., 50%), hub Ha will notify the user by emitting light through light-emitting elements or by producing sound.

[0023] In another embodiment, after calculating the bandwidth used by displays DS1, DS2, and DS3, hub Ha generates a prompt message suggesting a recommended bandwidth configuration. This prompt message can be displayed... Figure 3 The display DSa described in the document. (e.g.) Figure 4As shown, the display DSa shows an array of suggested resolution configurations, and the sum of the bandwidth corresponding to all suggested resolution configurations does not exceed the maximum bandwidth of hub Ha. Users can select one of these to set the resolution of displays DS1, DS2, and DS3. In this way, even if users do not know the correspondence between resolution and bandwidth, they can easily set the resolution of displays DS1, DS2, and DS3. In one embodiment, when the user triggers... Figure 3 After selecting the AC2 icon, you can switch to... Figure 4 The display screen.

[0024] Users are not limited to setting the resolution of each monitor through the user interface displayed on the monitor. Figure 5 In this embodiment, hub Ha has several hardware buttons HB1, HB2, and HB3, which correspond to setting 1, setting 2, and setting 3, respectively. Setting 1, setting 2, and setting 3 each include different setting combinations, for example... Figure 4 The configuration combination is shown. When a user triggers one of the hardware buttons HB1, HB2, or HB3, the resolution of each display can be set to the configuration combination corresponding to the triggered hardware button. In another embodiment, the hub Ha can generate indication information to suggest which combination to use. For example, hardware buttons HB1, HB2, and HB3 each correspond to different light-emitting elements, and the hub Ha will illuminate the light-emitting element corresponding to the suggested hardware button to indicate which setting to use.

[0025] According to the foregoing embodiments, a hub system control method is provided for controlling a hub system comprising a hub Ha connecting multiple displays. The hub Ha has a maximum bandwidth. Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating a hub system control method according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, which corresponds to... Figure 1 The illustrated embodiment includes the following steps:

[0026] Step 601: Obtain the resolution and refresh rate of each display using a hub (e.g., Ha);

[0027] Step 603: Calculate the bandwidth used by each display (e.g., DS1, DS2, DS3) based on the resolution and refresh rate obtained in step 601 using the hub.

[0028] Step 605: The hub operates according to the relationship between the used bandwidth and the maximum bandwidth. For example... Figures 3 to 5 The following is an example. Please also note that "to act in accordance with one relationship" here is not limited to acting in accordance with only one relationship, but may also act in accordance with multiple relationships.

[0029] Other detailed steps have been described in the foregoing embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0030] The aforementioned hub system may contain multiple hubs. Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a hub system according to another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Figure 7 As shown, the hub system 700 includes a first hub H1, a second hub H2, and a third hub H3. The first hub H1 has a first maximum bandwidth and is connected to the second hub H2 and the third hub H3. The second hub H2 has a second maximum bandwidth and is connected to the first displays DS11 and DS12. The third hub H3 has a third maximum bandwidth and is connected to the second displays DS23 and DS24. However, the second hub H2 and the third hub H3 are not limited to being connected to only two displays.

[0031] exist Figure 7 In this embodiment, if only the second hub H2 is included and the third hub H3 is not included, the first hub H1 will obtain the resolution and refresh rate of the first displays DS11 and DS12, and calculate the first usable bandwidth of the first displays DS11 and DS12 based on the obtained resolution and refresh rate. After calculating multiple first usable bandwidths, the first hub H1 can be activated accordingly based on a first relationship between the first usable bandwidth and the first maximum bandwidth or a second relationship between the first usable bandwidth and the second maximum bandwidth, or the first hub H1 can control the operation of the second hub H2. For example, if the sum of multiple first usable bandwidths exceeds the second maximum bandwidth, or if the sum of multiple first usable bandwidths exceeds the first maximum bandwidth, the first hub H1 can display as follows: Figure 3 The user interface is shown. After the user triggers icon AC1 or AC2 as described in the previous embodiment, the first hub H1 can correspondingly control the second hub H2 to set the resolution of the first displays DS11 and DS12. Alternatively, the user can write a program to the first hub H1 to set the resolution of the first displays DS11 and DS12 based on the information contained in the user interface. This embodiment can also be used... Figure 4 This embodiment provides a setting combination to allow the user to select the resolution of the first displays DS11 and DS12. This embodiment can also use... Figure 5 In one embodiment, the user sets the resolution of the first displays DS11 and DS12 using a hardware button on the first hub H1. The hardware button can also be located on the second hub H2, allowing the user to set the resolution of the first displays DS11 and DS12 using a hardware button on the second hub H2.

[0032] In one embodiment, the first hub H1 and the second hub H2 have an auxiliary channel (such as an AUX channel) as a communication channel, and the first hub H1 obtains the EDID of the first display DS1 and DS2 through the auxiliary channel to obtain the resolution of the EDID of the first display DS1 and DS2.

[0033] Figure 7 When the embodiment includes a second hub H2 and a third hub H3, the third hub H3 can also follow the aforementioned rules. In such an embodiment, the first hub H1 obtains the resolution and refresh rate of the first displays DS11 and DS12 and the second displays DS21 and DS22, and calculates multiple first used bandwidths of the first displays DS11 and DS12 and multiple second used bandwidths of the second displays DS21 and DS22 based on these resolutions and refresh rates. The first hub H1 is then activated accordingly based on a third relationship between the sum of the multiple second used bandwidths and the multiple first used bandwidths and the first maximum bandwidth, or a fourth relationship between the multiple second used bandwidths and the third maximum bandwidth. Alternatively, the first hub H1 can be controlled by one of the second hub and the third hub H3.

[0034] For example, when the sum of multiple first used bandwidths and multiple second used bandwidths is greater than the first maximum bandwidth (third relationship), or when the sum of multiple second used bandwidths exceeds the third maximum bandwidth (fourth relationship), the first hub H1 can display as follows: Figure 3 The user interface is shown. After the user triggers icon AC1 or AC2 as described in the previous embodiment, the first hub H1 can correspondingly control the second hub H2 to control the resolution of the first displays DS11 and DS12, or control the third hub H3 to control the resolution of the second displays DS21 and DS22. This embodiment can also use... Figure 4 This embodiment provides a setting combination that allows a user to select the resolution of the first displays DS11 and DS12 and the second displays DS21 and DS22. This embodiment can also use... Figure 5 In one embodiment, the user sets the resolution of the first display DS11, DS12 or the second display DS21, DS22 using a hardware button on the first hub H1. The hardware button can also be located on the second hub H2 or the third hub H3, allowing the user to set the resolution of the first display DS11, DS12 using the hardware button on the second hub H2 and the resolution of the second display DS21, DS22 using the hardware button on the third hub H3.

[0035] In one embodiment, the third hub H3 or the first hub H1 can be controlled by the second hub H2, and vice versa. For example, a user can set the resolution of the second displays DS21 and DS22 connected to the third hub H3 using a hardware button on the second hub H2, or set the resolution of the first displays DS11 and DS12 connected to the second hub H2 using a hardware button on the third hub H3. Alternatively, the user can write a program to the second hub H2 to set the resolution of the second displays DS21 and DS22 connected to the third hub H3, or write a program to the third hub H3 to set the resolution of the first displays DS11 and DS12 connected to the second hub H2. Users can also set the bandwidth allocated by the first hub H1 to the second hub H2 and the third hub H3 using the buttons on the second hub H2 and the third hub H3, or write a program to the second hub H2 and the third hub H3 to set the bandwidth allocated by the first hub H1 to the second hub H2 and the third hub H3.

[0036] pass Figure 7 In one embodiment, a user can control multiple hubs through a single hub (e.g., the first hub H1) to control more displays.

[0037] according to Figure 7 An example provides a hub system control method. Figure 8 A flowchart illustrating a hub system control method according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, which corresponds to Figure 7 The illustrated embodiment does not include the third hub H3. Figure 8 The hub system control method shown includes the following steps:

[0038] Step 801: Obtain the resolution and refresh rate of the first displays DS11 and DS12 connected to the second hub (e.g., H2) through the first hub (e.g., H1);

[0039] Step 803: Calculate multiple first usage bandwidths of the first displays DS11 and DS12 based on the resolution and refresh rate using the first hub;

[0040] Step 805: Based on the first relationship or the second relationship, make the first hub operate accordingly, or control the operation of the first hub through the second hub.

[0041] Other detailed steps can be derived from the foregoing embodiments, and therefore will not be repeated here.

[0042] According to the foregoing embodiments, users can easily set the resolution or refresh rate of multiple displays, thus improving the problem of difficulty in setting the resolution of multiple displays in the prior art. Furthermore, by connecting other hubs to one hub, more usable displays can be expanded, and users can set the resolution of all displays through any one of the hubs.

[0043] The above description, in conjunction with specific preferred embodiments, provides a further detailed explanation of the present invention. It should not be construed that the specific implementation of the present invention is limited to these descriptions. For those skilled in the art, several equivalent substitutions or obvious modifications can be made without departing from the concept of the present invention, and all such modifications, achieving the same performance or purpose, should be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A hub system control method for controlling a hub connected to multiple displays, the hub having a maximum bandwidth, characterized in that, The hub system control method includes: The hub obtains a resolution and a refresh rate for each of the displays. The hub calculates a bandwidth corresponding to each of the displays based on the resolution and the refresh rate; and The hub generates a prompt message or updates the resolution or refresh rate of at least one of the displays in accordance with a relationship between the used bandwidth and the maximum bandwidth, the prompt message indicating a suggested resolution configuration or refresh rate configuration.

2. The hub system control method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It further includes displaying the relationship on a display screen via the hub, corresponding to the relationship.

3. A hub system control method for controlling a hub system, the hub system comprising a first hub and a second hub, the first hub having a first maximum bandwidth, the second hub having a second maximum bandwidth and connected to a plurality of first displays and the first hub, characterized in that, The hub system control method includes: The resolution and refresh rate of each of the first displays are obtained through the first hub; The first hub calculates a first bandwidth for each of the first displays based on the resolution and the refresh rate; and Based on a first relationship between the first used bandwidth and the first maximum bandwidth, or a second relationship between the first used bandwidth and the second maximum bandwidth, the first hub controls the second hub to update the resolution or refresh rate of at least one of the plurality of first displays according to the first relationship or the second relationship.

4. The hub system control method as described in claim 3, characterized in that, Also includes: The resolution or refresh rate of each of the first displays is obtained using an auxiliary channel between the first hub and the second hub. as well as The auxiliary channel is used as a communication channel between the first hub and the second hub.

5. The hub system control method as described in claim 3, characterized in that, Also includes: The resolution or refresh rate of at least one of the plurality of first displays is set via the first hub.

6. The hub system control method as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The hub system further includes a third hub, which is connected to a plurality of second displays and has a third maximum bandwidth. The hub system control method further includes: A resolution and a refresh rate for each of the second displays are obtained through the first hub; The first hub calculates a second bandwidth for each of the plurality of second displays based on the resolution and refresh rate of the second displays; The first hub can be activated according to a third relationship between the sum of the second and first used bandwidths and the first maximum bandwidth, or according to a fourth relationship between the second used bandwidth and the third maximum bandwidth, or the operation of the first hub can be controlled by one of the second and third hubs.

7. The hub system control method as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The hub system further includes a third hub, which is connected to a plurality of second displays and has a third maximum bandwidth. The hub system control method further includes: A resolution and a refresh rate for each of the second displays are obtained through the first hub; The first hub calculates a second bandwidth for each of the plurality of second displays based on the resolution and refresh rate of the second displays; The operation of the second hub is controlled by the third hub based on a third relationship between the sum of the second and first used bandwidths and the first maximum bandwidth, or based on a fourth relationship between the second used bandwidth and the third maximum bandwidth.

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