Docking display

Abstract

A docking display includes a multiple stream transport port, a multiple stream transport controller, a display panel, a control circuit, a hub, a first video output port, and a second video output port. The multiple stream transport port is configured to input at least one video. The multiple stream transport controller is configured to process the at least one video. The control circuit is configured to output a first video of the at least one video to the display panel to cause the display panel to display a picture according to the first video. When the at least one video includes a plurality of videos, the hub outputs a second video of the videos from a first output port of the hub to the first video output port or from a second output port of the hub and through the multiple stream transport controller to the second video output port.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a display, and more particularly to a display with docking functionality. Background Technology

[0002] Users often use docking stations to amplify various signal interfaces when using monitors, enabling the simultaneous connection of multiple monitors and other devices. However, since monitors and docking stations are two separate devices, each requiring its own placement space, using both simultaneously leads to inefficient space utilization. Furthermore, when a docking station is connected to only one monitor, its internal video hub, located on the video transmission path, cannot be turned off, resulting in unnecessary power consumption. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Embodiments of the present invention provide a docked display, comprising a first video output port, a second video output port, a multistream transmission port, a multistream transmission controller, a display panel, a control circuit, and a hub. The multistream transmission port is used to input at least one video. The multistream transmission controller includes a first input port coupled to the multistream transmission port for receiving the at least one video, a first output port for outputting the at least one video, a second input port, and a second output port coupled to the first video output port. The display panel is used to display an image. The control circuit includes a first input port, a first output port, and a second output port. The first input port of the control circuit is coupled to the first output port of the multistream transmission controller to receive the at least one video. The first output port of the control circuit is used to output the first video from the at least one video to the display panel, so that the display panel displays an image based on the first video. The second output port of the control circuit is used to output the remaining videos other than the first video from the multiple videos when the at least one video includes multiple videos. The hub includes an input port, a first output port, and a second output port. The hub's input port is coupled to the second output port of the control circuit, the hub's first output port is coupled to the second input port of the multiplex stream controller, and the hub's second output port is coupled to the second video output port. When at least one video contains multiple videos, the hub outputs the second video from either the hub's first or second output port. Attached Figure Description

[0004] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a docking display according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0005] Figure 2 Used to explain Figure 1The docking display in the middle receives different numbers of videos, and there are several possible scenarios for the videos received by each component.

[0006] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the connection of multiple docking displays according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0007] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of a docking monitor 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The docking monitor 10 includes a Multistream Transport (MST) port 20, an MST controller 30, a control circuit 40, a display panel 50, an MST hub 60, and multiple video output ports 70, 80, and 100. The MST port 20 is used to input at least one video Vin, which can be a single video or multiple videos among videos V1 to V4. Furthermore, the MST port 20 can be a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, a DisplayPort (DP), a Thunderbolt (TBT) port, a Multi-Function DisplayPort (MFDP), or other transmission ports supporting the MST function. If the MST port 20 is a USB port, its USB version can be USB4. Additionally, the MST controller 30 includes multiple input ports I31 and I32 and multiple output ports O31 and O32, and is used to process at least one video Vin from the MST port 20. In embodiments of the invention, the video output from the output port O31 by the MST controller 30 is in DisplayPort (DP) format. When any of the videos in at least one video Vin is not in DP format, the MST controller 30 converts the non-DP format video to DP format before outputting it from the output port O31. The MST controller 30 is, for example, a Thunderbolt Transmission (TBT) controller called "Goshen Ridge" manufactured by Intel Corporation, but the invention is not limited thereto. Input port I31 is coupled to the MST port 20 to receive at least one video Vin, output port O31 is used to output at least one video Vin, input port I32 is coupled to the MST hub 60, and output port O32 is coupled to the video output port 80 of the connected display 10. The control circuit 40 includes input port I41 and multiple output ports O41 and O42. Input port I41 is coupled to output port O31 of MST controller 30 to receive at least one video Vin. Output port O41 is used to output video V1 from at least one video Vin to display panel 50, so that display panel 50 displays an image based on video V1. Output port O42 is used to output the remaining videos (e.g., video V2) from at least one video Vin, excluding video V1, when at least one video Vin contains multiple videos (e.g., videos V1 and V2). Control circuit 40 may be a scaler connected to display 10, but the invention is not limited thereto.MST hub 60 is a hub supporting Multiple Streaming Transport (MST) functionality and includes an input port 161 and multiple output ports 061 to 063. Input port 161 is coupled to output port 042 of control circuit 40, output port 061 is coupled to input port 132 of MST controller 30, output port 062 is coupled to video output port 70, and output port 063 is coupled to video output port 100. Video output ports 70, 80, and 100 can be connected to different displays or devices (e.g., computer hosts, hubs, etc.) and output the received video or signals to the connected display or device. Furthermore, when at least one video Vin contains multiple videos, MST hub 60 outputs video V2 from one of the multiple video output ports 061 to 063. Additionally, when the MST hub 60 outputs video V2 from output port O61 to input port I32 of the MST controller 30, the MST controller 30 will then output the video V2 received at input port I32 from output port O32 to video output port 80.

[0008] In embodiments of the present invention, the docked display 10 may further include a Universal Serial Bus (USB) hub 110 and a signal mixer 90, while the MST controller 30 may further include a data input port I33. The input port I92 of the signal mixer 90 is coupled to the output port O63 of the MST hub 60 to receive video output from the output port O63. The USB hub 110 includes a data input port I11 for connecting to a USB device (e.g., a USB mouse or keyboard) to receive a data string St (e.g., a digital signal generated by the mouse or keyboard) from the connected USB device. The USB hub 110 can transmit the data string St received at the data input port I11 to the data input port I91 of the signal mixer 90 and the data input port I33 of the MST controller 30. Both the data input ports I91 and I33 may be USB ports. Signal mixer 90 is coupled to MST hub 60, USB hub 110, and video output port 100 to mix video V2 with the aforementioned data string St, and outputs the mixed second video V2 and data string St from video output port 100. Similarly, MST controller 30 can mix video V2 and data string St, and output the mixed video V2 and data string St from video output port 80.

[0009] In an embodiment of the present invention, the docking display 10 may not further include a USB hub 110, and the data input port I91 of the signal mixer 90 can be directly used as the data input port of the docking display 10, replacing the data input port I11 of the USB hub 110. In other words, the data input port I91 of the signal mixer 90 directly receives the data string St from the external USB device, without going through the USB hub 110. In another embodiment of the present invention, the data input port I11 of the USB hub 110 is replaced by the data input port I33 of the MST controller 30. The data input port I33 directly receives the data string St from the external USB device, without going through the USB hub 110.

[0010] As previously mentioned, at least one video Vin can be a single video or multiple videos among videos V1 to V4. When the at least one video Vin contains multiple videos, except for video V1 which is transmitted to display panel 50, the remaining videos are transmitted by control circuit 40 to MST hub 60 through output port O42. When MST hub 60 receives a video from control circuit 40, it will assign any received video to one of video output ports 70, 80, and 100. Figure 2 Used to explain Figure 1 The docking display 10 in the middle receives several possible scenarios of video received by its various components when receiving different numbers of videos. Figure 2 This description only illustrates a few possible scenarios of video received by the various components of the docked display 10, and does not list all possible scenarios. However, those skilled in the art can deduce other scenarios not listed here through the description. Figure 2 The situation. Figure 2 The numbers in each field of the top row represent Figure 1 The component corresponding to the number, for example: 20 represents Figure 1 In the MST port, 20 and 30 represent Figure 1 MST controllers 30 and 40 represent Figure 1The control circuit 40 in the middle follows the same principle. When MST port 20 receives only video V1, video V1 is transmitted to display panel 50 via MST controller 30 and control circuit 40. When MST port 20 receives both video V1 and V2, video V1 is transmitted to display panel 50 via MST controller 30 and control circuit 40, while video V2 is transmitted to MST hub 60 via MST controller 30 and control circuit 40. MST hub 60 then outputs video V2 to video output ports 70, 80, or 100. When MST port 20 receives video V1 to V3, video V1 is transmitted to display panel 50 via MST controller 30 and control circuit 40, while videos V2 and V3 are transmitted to MST hub 60 via MST controller 30 and control circuit 40. MST hub 60 then outputs video V2 and V3 to one or both of video output ports 70, 80, and 100. When MST port 20 receives videos V1 to V3, video V1 is transmitted to display panel 50 via MST controller 30 and control circuit 40, while videos V2, V3, and V4 are transmitted to MST hub 60 via MST controller 30 and control circuit 40. MST hub 60 then outputs videos V2, V3, and V4 to one, two, or three of video output ports 70, 80, and 100. Each video output from video output ports 70, 80, and 100 (e.g., V2, V3, and V4) can be displayed on its corresponding external display.

[0011] In an embodiment of the present invention, when at least one video Vin contains only video V1, the MST hub 60 will not receive any video. Therefore, the MST hub 60 can be in sleep mode at this time, thereby saving the overall power consumption of the connected display 10.

[0012] In an embodiment of the present invention, the docking display 10 further includes a video input port 120 for receiving external video V5 and outputting external video V5 to the input port 142 of the control circuit 40. The control circuit 40 outputs video V1 and external video V5 to the display panel 50 selectively according to the default display settings to drive the display panel 50 to display the image.

[0013] The input and output ports of the MST controller 30, control circuit 40, and MST hub 60, video output ports 70, 80, and 100, and video input port 120 can be selected from a group consisting of USB ports, DP ports, Thunderbolt ports, Multifunction DisplayPort (MFDP), and other transmission ports supporting Multiple Streaming Transmission (MST) functionality. In embodiments of the present invention, in addition to USB ports, DP ports, Thunderbolt ports, and Multifunction DisplayPort (MFDP), video output port 70 and output port O62 of MST hub 60 can also be High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) ports or Video Graphics Array (VGA) ports, and MST hub 60 can have video format conversion functionality. When the video format received by the input port I61 is different from the video format corresponding to the video output port 70, the MST hub 60 can first convert the video that is expected to be output to the video output port 70 into a video format that conforms to the specifications of the video output port 70, and then output the converted video.

[0014] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the connection of multiple docking displays 10A to 10C according to the present invention. The architecture of the docking displays 10A to 10C is similar to... Figure 1 The docking monitor 10 is the same as that of the computer host 200, and will not be described again here. The docking monitors 10A to 10C can be connected in series with each other through their respective MST ports 20 and video output ports 80 or 100, and coupled to the computer host 200. The data input port I11 of the docking monitor 10B can be coupled to an external mouse 210 to receive the data string St (here, the "cursor signal") generated by the mouse 210. Since the monitors 10A to 10C form a daisy chain with the computer host 200, the data string St can be transmitted to the computer host 200 through the docking monitor 10A to control the operation of the computer host 200, or to control the monitor 10B via the daisy chain. Similarly, the data signals of 10A or 10C can also be transmitted between the daisy chain and the host.

[0015] According to the above embodiments, the docking display of the present invention, in addition to displaying images, also has a docking function. Therefore, users can connect to other devices with multiple stream transmission (MST) functions without the need for an additional docking connector, thereby optimizing space utilization. Furthermore, when the docking display of the present invention receives only a single video signal, its hub can be in sleep mode, thereby saving the overall power consumption of the docking display.

[0016] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. All equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the scope of the patent application of the present invention shall be covered by the present invention.

[0017] Symbol Explanation

[0018] 10, 10A, 10B, 10C: Connecting displays

[0019] 20: Multiple Stream Transmission Port (MST Port)

[0020] 30: Multiple Stream Transmission Controller (MST Controller)

[0021] 40: Control circuit

[0022] 50: Display panel

[0023] 60: Multiple Streaming Hub (MST Hub)

[0024] 70, 80, 100: Video output ports

[0025] 90: Signal Mixer

[0026] 110: Universal Serial Bus Hub (abbreviated as: USB Hub)

[0027] 120: Video input port

[0028] 200: Computer host

[0029] 210: Mouse

[0030] V1 to V4: Video

[0031] V5: External Video

[0032] Vin: At least one video

[0033] I11, I33: Data input ports

[0034] I31, I32, I41, I42, I61, I91, I92: Input ports

[0035] O31, O32, O41, O42, O61, O62, O63: Output ports.

Claims

1. A docking display, comprising: First video output port; Second video output port; Multiple streaming ports are used to input at least one video stream; A multi-stream transmission controller, comprising: A first input port is coupled to the multiple streaming port to receive the at least one video. The first output port is used to output the at least one video; Second input port; as well as The second output port is coupled to the first video output port; The display panel is used to display the screen. Control circuit, including: A first input port is coupled to the first output port of the multi-stream transmission controller to receive the at least one video. A first output port is used to output the first video of the at least one video to the display panel so that the display panel displays the image according to the first video. as well as The second output port is used to output the remaining videos other than the first video when the at least one video contains multiple videos; as well as Hub, comprising: The input port is coupled to the second output port of the control circuit; The first output port is coupled to the second input port of the multi-stream transmission controller; as well as The second output port is coupled to the second video output port; When the at least one video contains multiple videos, the hub outputs the second video from the first output port or the second output port of the hub.

2. The docking display of claim 1, wherein the hub is in sleep mode when the at least one video contains only the first video.

3. The docking display of claim 1, wherein when the second video is output from the first output port of the hub, the multi-stream transmission controller outputs the second video from the hub to the first video output port through the second output port of the multi-stream transmission controller.

4. The docking display of claim 1, wherein the hub outputs the second video to the second video output port through the second output port of the hub.

5. The docking display of claim 1, wherein the hub outputs the second video and the third video of the video to two external displays via the second output port and the second video output port of the hub.

6. The docking display of claim 1, further comprising: The data input port is used to input a data string; and A signal mixer, coupled to the hub, the data input port and the second video output port, is used to mix the second video and the data string, and output the mixed second video and the data string from the second video output port.

7. The docking display of claim 6 further includes a third video output port for outputting a third video of the videos, wherein the hub further includes a third output port for transmitting the third video to the third video output port.

8. The docking display of claim 1, wherein the multiplexer controller further includes a data input port for inputting a data string; and wherein, The multi-stream controller mixes the second video with the data string and outputs the mixed second video with the data string from the first video output port.

9. The docking display of claim 8, further comprising a third video output port for outputting a third video of the videos, wherein the hub further comprises a third output port for transmitting the third video to the third video output port.

10. The docking display of claim 1 further includes a video input port for receiving external video, wherein the control circuit selectively outputs the first video and the external video to the display panel according to the display settings to drive the display panel to display an image.

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