How to map a display wall with multiple display modules

Abstract

A method is provided for mapping a display wall comprising a plurality of display modules, each display module comprising a controller and a port on each side connected to the controller. Each display module is connected to its immediately adjacent display module at each side port. The method includes the steps of powering up the display wall, each display module continuously communicating with its immediately adjacent display module via each side port by sending and receiving tile-to-tile packets including at least information regarding the coordinates of the display module, defining a reference position within the display wall, the reference position having a reference coordinate, and defining an incremental direction within the display wall relative to the reference position. Each display module continuously updates its display module coordinates by comparing its own coordinates with the coordinates of each of its succeeding adjacent modules in the incremental direction and relative to the reference display module position.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for mapping an array of display modules, a method for generating an automated display wall routing scheme, and a method for installing a display wall. [Background technology]

[0002] Large LED displays usually consist of an array of smaller LED modules and an LED display processor that processes the video input to send a portion of the image to each LED module. Link cables are used to connect the processor to the LED modules and to interconnect the different LED modules.

[0003] However, various challenges arise from this configuration.

[0004] The user must follow a (complex) routing scheme that must prevent too many tiles from being connected to a single link, and must logically connect all tiles to the processor.

[0005] The processor needs to know the position (X and Y position) of each LED module in the module array to enable correct image mapping onto the different LED modules.

[0006] Different LED modules are usually connected in a daisy chain, so if one or more modules or link cables are damaged, the majority of the display will fail.

[0007] Current solutions in the prior art have developed different solutions to each of the above problems.

[0008] Users or technicians responsible for installing LED displays need to follow a certain routing scheme, but it is difficult to detect routing errors.

[0009] Array mapping of LED modules may also be provided.

[0010] Manual array mapping provided by the user to the LED display processor. The technician must follow the correct array mapping.

[0011] Automatic array mapping via secondary communication channels (e.g. IR, RFID...). For example, US20130181884 discloses the use of detection means such as LEDs and photoreceptors located on the LED modules to detect the presence of neighboring LED modules. A map of the display geometry is generated based on the detection of the presence of neighboring display units.

[0012] Additionally, to prevent system failure, an additional link and processor can be provided at the other end of the chain, for example as shown in Figure 1. This link redundancy, with a processor at each end of the serpentine cabling, allows the display to operate even when a link or controller indicates a failure.

[0013] However, if the additional link fails, part of the display will not be able to operate.

[0014] US8766880 describes a system and method in which pixel modules (each module being a single pixel) are provided to determine their position within a large LED display. The system and method determine the position of the pixel modules based on the data received by the modules and the identity of the module's port through which the data was received. A master module counting state machine performs a counting process to determine the position of the master LED module within the display panel and therefore the address of the master LED module, so that each pixel of the display can be individually addressed and provided with data. However, the counting message received by the first master module is generated by an external data hub. This counting message is then incrementally transferred from the first master LED module to the next LED module.

[0015] Such a method can only start from one location on the display panel and requires the data hub to trigger the start of the counting process.

[0016] Thus, there is a need for improvements in the art. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0017] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Publication No. 20130181884 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent No. 8,766,880 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0018] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a processor-independent method for automatically mapping a display wall comprising an array of display modules, in which the display modules can autonomously and automatically update their positions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0019] In one aspect, a method is provided for mapping a display wall comprising a display module controller and a port on each side of the module connected to the controller, each display module being further connected to at least one directly adjacent display module via a respective side port, the display wall having a reference display module having a reference coordinate and an incremental direction of the coordinates of the display module, the method comprising: powering up the display wall so that all display module controllers are on; setting all display module coordinates to an initial setting, where all display module coordinates have the same default value coordinates corresponding to the coordinates of a reference display module; each display module communicating successively with its directly neighboring display modules via a corresponding side port by sending a Tile-to-Tile packet including at least information regarding the coordinates of the display module and by receiving a Tile-to-Tile packet including at least information regarding the coordinates of the directly neighboring display module from each directly neighboring display module; After sending and receiving the tile-to-tile packet, for each display module, comparing its coordinates with the coordinates of each of its neighboring display modules and continuously updating the display module coordinates by following the incremental direction to the coordinates of each of its neighboring display modules; Includes.

[0020] This method allows the display modules to generate their coordinates automatically, without the use of an external processor: the display wall is self-updating, and the coordinates of each display module are updated automatically and autonomously, even when display modules are added or removed.

[0021] Furthermore, the method can be carried out for an indefinite period of time if desired.

[0022] Preferably, the step of updating the coordinates by comparing the coordinates of two adjacent display modules is performed as follows: if the coordinates of a first one of the two adjacent display modules are higher, lower or equal to the coordinates of a second one of the two adjacent display modules, increase, decrease or keep the coordinates of the first display module as a function of the coordinates of the second display module and the incremental direction of the display wall.

[0023] This method is easy to implement at the level of each module controller.

[0024] Advantageously, the default values ​​for the coordinates of the plurality of display modules are the coordinates of a reference position within the display wall.

[0025] For example, all coordinates can be set to {1;1}, which may correspond to the coordinates of a reference display module located, for example, in the upper left corner. All other display modules calculate their coordinates relative to the reference display module.

[0026] The tile-to-tile packet may further include information regarding the display module unique ID of the display module.

[0027] Advantageously, the step of continuously communicating with the immediately adjacent display module is performed at a bandwidth compatible with the bandwidth of a link cable connecting the two display modules.

[0028] For example, the bandwidth can be 375,000 times per second when using the maximum packet length, or up to about 4.6 million times per second when using the minimum packet length. If no display wall processor is attached, the minimum packet length can be used since there is less information to transfer. However, a lower bandwidth than is available in the system is also possible for transferring tile-to-tile packets.

[0029] Preferably, the method further comprises the step of dividing the display wall into at least one section or into at least two sections.

[0030] For larger display walls, it is important to provide multiple sections, since each section independently receives section packets from the display wall processor containing the visual data to be displayed.

[0031] However, the automatic array mapping procedure is independent of the section, which is important for transmitting the information to be displayed. Thus, in the present invention, each display module knows its position within the display wall regardless of the section, whereas in prior art solutions, the display modules only know their position within the section, not within the display wall.

[0032] The number of display modules per section depends on the bandwidth of the link and the resolution of the display modules, so that the display wall can display video data at the required frequency.

[0033] The method may further include connecting at least one display module of the section to a display wall processor.

[0034] Another advantage of the present invention is that a display wall processor can be connected to any display module of a section. The system automatically adapts to any configuration selected by the person installing the display wall. This also provides the person installing the display wall with flexibility to be able to adapt to mechanical constraints. It also eliminates the possibility of making errors when connecting the display modules of a section to the display wall processor.

[0035] Preferably, the method comprises the following steps for each display module: a display module receiving a packet from a corresponding display wall processor, selecting a port receiving the packet as an upstream port, and setting other ports as downstream ports; a corresponding display wall processor receiving a response packet from the display module, the response packet including information about the display module, the display module being a connected display module; Regarding the display wall: when all the display modules of the section are connected to the display wall processor, the display wall processor completing a list of the connected display modules with their information; each of the connected display modules forwarding packets on at least one downstream port, if available; Further includes:

[0036] This method step is possible for only one or more sections in the display wall. This allows the display wall to automatically identify the routing for subsequent transmission of video packets to all display modules of the section. The routing may be changed every time the video wall is restarted. The routing may even be changed automatically during use, for example if there is a bad connection between tiles. The user does not even notice.

[0037] Even more preferably, the method further comprises, when the display wall has at least two sections, each section having a corresponding display wall processor, for each display module belonging to the same section: a display wall processor of the section receiving a packet containing information from the display module to which it is connected, thereby adding the display module to a list of connected display modules of the section; the display wall processor sending a section packet to the connected display modules in the section, the section packet including information about the display module and about other display modules in the section; a display module receiving a section packet from the display wall processor and checking whether the display module information is connected and in the list; if so, the display module selects the port of the display module that receives the section packet as an upstream port and the remaining ports as downstream ports; receiving, by the display wall processor, from each connected display module, a response packet including display module information and adjacent display module information; For each section, When all display modules are connected, completing a list of the connected display modules with their information; each of the connected display modules forwarding the section packets on at least one downstream port, if available; Further includes:

[0038] Even when multiple sections are provided, the above method ensures automatic routing. The section packet may further include a section number.

[0039] Preferably, the display module information includes at least the display module coordinates, preferably its unique ID, preferably the coordinates and / or unique IDs of each adjacent display module, and preferably, if available, the section number to which the display module belongs.

[0040] The display module information ensures that the correct video packets are sent to the correct display module when a display wall is in use.

[0041] Advantageously, the step of selecting an upstream port for each display module is based on selecting the port with the highest priority that is operational.

[0042] Even more preferably, the method further comprises the step of defining, by the display wall processor, the coordinates of the display module to predetermined coordinates.

[0043] Preferably, the method further comprises the step of updating the coordinates of display modules of the display wall other than the display module having the predetermined coordinates with reference to the predetermined coordinates.

[0044] Defining the coordinates to be given can be useful during partial start of a wall, for example the coordinates may be wrong since they always start at 1:1 during partial start of a wall (e.g. the left column remains off).

[0045] While the coordinates are incorrect, an incorrect image will be displayed, but because the display wall processor knows from before what the coordinates should be, the old "correct" coordinates can be forced to ensure the correct image.

[0046] Advantageously, the display module autonomously selects a new upstream port when its current upstream port fails.

[0047] The method may further comprise the step of connecting the same or a second display wall processor to the first or second display module of at least one section.

[0048] Providing redundant cables between the display wall processor and the display modules ensures that the display wall will continue to operate when in use, even if a connection fails.

[0049] The display modules may be at least one of rectangular, hexagonal, and the display wall accordingly follows a matrix arrangement, a honeycomb arrangement, and the like.

[0050] Any geometric shape may be implemented in the present invention.

[0051] The display module may be provided by LED, OLED, micro LED, LCD, e-ink, display module, (rear) projection display or any other visualization technology.

[0052] Each display module may also include a controller and a port on each side of the module, with each port having a port ID that specifies the location of the port on the display module.

[0053] The method advantageously further comprises the step of detecting an incorrect cable connection using the port ID.

[0054] For example, if the top of a display module is connected to the left side of an adjacent display module instead of the bottom side of the adjacent module, the method can identify an incorrect cable connection that results in an incorrect coordinate.

[0055] In another aspect, there is also provided a method of installing a display wall comprising a plurality of display modules to generate a display wall having a desired configuration, each display module comprising a display module controller and a port on each side of the module connected to the controller, the method comprising: - positioning each display module until the display wall has a desired configuration; connecting each display module to its immediately adjacent display module at each side port; - executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 so that the display module coordinates are updated; Further includes:

[0056] Preferably, the method comprises the steps of: adding, removing or replacing display modules in the display wall; repeating the steps of executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 so that the display module coordinates are updated; Further includes:

[0057] After replacing, removing or adding a display module, the coordinates are updated automatically.

[0058] This may be useful, for example, when installing such a display wall for commercial purposes. The display wall may require an additional display module for a new commercial. A technician updating the display wall need only connect the new display module to the existing display module in the display wall without further requirements.

[0059] Even more preferably, the method may further comprise the step of dividing the display wall into at least one or more sections.

[0060] The method may further include providing at least one display wall controller and connecting at least one display module per section to the at least one display wall controller.

[0061] Only when a new section needs to be created does one display module of the section need to be connected to the display wall processor: the technician simply adds connections between the display wall processor and any display module of the new section.

[0062] The method also includes a step of displaying an image by the display wall of the present invention by further sending a video packet to each display module, the video packet including, for each display module, its video data and a corresponding display module unique ID.

[0063] The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims, but the invention itself may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which set forth illustrative embodiments of the invention. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0064] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an LED display with nine LED modules connected in a snake-like cabling scheme and with two processors for redundancy. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B is the same as FIG. 1A, but showing a link between two LED modules failing. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of an LED display in which each display module controller is configured to connect to four adjacent LED modules. [Figure 3A] 1 is a schematic diagram of an LED display and a possible routing scheme. [Figure 3B] Schematic of an LED display with a faulty connection and a new routing scheme implemented. [Figure 4A] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an LED display with two faulty connections. [Figure 4B] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an LED display with two faulty connections and a redundant link added to the processor. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an LED display in which a redundant processor handles the failure of one of the processors. [Figure 6A] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing possible coordinate systems; [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is the same as FIG. 6A, but with some modules missing or defective. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 shows an LED wall including different sections and the coordinates of the display modules within each of the sections. [Figure 8A] FIG. 1 illustrates an automatic LED wall routing procedure and intermediate steps during the routing of the wall. [Figure 8B] FIG. 1 illustrates an automatic LED wall routing procedure and intermediate steps during the routing of the wall. [Figure 8C]FIG. 1 illustrates an automatic LED wall routing procedure and intermediate steps during the routing of the wall. [Figure 8D] FIG. 1 illustrates an automatic LED wall routing procedure and intermediate steps during the routing of the wall. [Figure 8E] FIG. 1 illustrates an automatic LED wall routing procedure and intermediate steps during the routing of the wall. [Figure 9A] FIG. 13 illustrates the auto-routing procedure for a LED wall when coordinating coordinates. [Figure 9B] FIG. 13 illustrates the auto-routing procedure for a LED wall when coordinating coordinates. [Figure 9C] FIG. 13 illustrates the auto-routing procedure for a LED wall when coordinating coordinates. [Figure 9D] FIG. 13 illustrates the auto-routing procedure for a LED wall when coordinating coordinates. [Figure 9E] FIG. 13 illustrates the auto-routing procedure for a LED wall when coordinating coordinates. [Figure 9F] FIG. 13 illustrates the auto-routing procedure for a LED wall when coordinating coordinates. [Figure 10A] FIG. 13 illustrates the functioning of the automatic array mapping procedure when a new column of tiles is added to the left of the display wall. [Figure 10B] FIG. 13 illustrates the functioning of the automatic array mapping procedure when a new column of tiles is added to the right of the display wall. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 illustrates a system for controlling an LED wall system that is divided into multiple sections. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 illustrates a system for controlling an LED wall system, further comprising an LED video wall management suite, a client network, and an LED wall network. [Figure 13A] 13 is a flow chart illustrating an auto-routing procedure at the tile level. [Figure 13B]13 is a flow chart illustrating an auto-routing procedure at the tile level. [Figure 13C] 13 is a flow chart illustrating an auto-routing procedure at the tile level. [Figure 14] 1 is a flow chart illustrating an auto-routing procedure at the processor level. [Figure 15A] 1 is a flow chart illustrating an automatic array mapping procedure at the module level. [Figure 15B] 1 is a flow chart illustrating an automatic array mapping procedure at the module level. [Figure 16A] 13 shows an automatic array mapping procedure for an LED wall when some modules are missing or faulty. [Figure 16B] 13 shows an automatic array mapping procedure for an LED wall when some modules are missing or faulty. [Figure 16C] 13 shows an automatic array mapping procedure for an LED wall when some modules are missing or faulty. [Figure 16D] 13 shows an automatic array mapping procedure for an LED wall when some modules are missing or faulty. [Figure 16E] 13 shows an automatic array mapping procedure for an LED wall when some modules are missing or faulty. [Figure 16F] 13 shows an automatic array mapping procedure for an LED wall when some modules are missing or faulty. [Figure 16G] 13 shows an automatic array mapping procedure for an LED wall when some modules are missing or faulty. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0065] The terms used to describe certain embodiments are not intended to limit the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be understood that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising" specify the presence of the stated features, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features. When a particular step of a method is recited after another step, it will be further understood that the step may directly follow the other step, unless otherwise stated, and that one or more intermediate steps may be performed prior to performing the step. Similarly, when a connection between structures or components is described, it will be understood that the connection may be established directly or through an intermediate structure or component, unless otherwise specified.

[0066] The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and non-limiting. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes. Where the term "comprising" is used in the present description and claims, it does not exclude other elements or steps.

[0067] Moreover, the terms first, second, third, etc. in the specification and claims are used to distinguish between similar elements and are not necessarily intended to describe a sequential or chronological order. The terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances, with the understanding that the embodiments of the invention described herein can operate in sequences other than those described or illustrated herein.

[0068] Terms such as "about" or "approximately" are synonymous and are used to indicate that the value modified by this term has an understood range associated with it, which may be +20%, +15%, +10%, +5%, or +1%. The term "substantially" is used to indicate that a result (e.g., a measurement) is close to a target value, where close may mean, for example, that the result is within 80% of the target value, within 90% of the target value, within 95% of the target value, or within 99% of the target value.

[0069] definition

[0070] The display module information ID is a unique ID that identifies the display module. (For example, a MAC address in an Ethernet application.) This can be, for example, an unsigned long integer (64-bit) ID of the display module / display wall processor. It is a unique serial number associated with the MAC address.

[0071] The video data is sent to the display module in separate video packets via the information ID.

[0072] A display wall is typically composed of multiple individual display modules (or tiles) tiled together to form a larger display. Multiple display modules may be operated together such that the entire display wall appears as a single larger display. The front viewing surface may be formed from multiple individual light emitting elements such as LEDs, OLEDs, micro LEDs, etc., in which case the display modules are LED or OLED modules. Other types of displays may also be provided, such as LCD displays, reflective displays such as E-ink displays, etc. The display wall may be controlled by at least one processor or display wall processor.

[0073] The display modules of the display wall of the present invention are all identical and interchangeable, with a module controller connected to a port on each side of the display module. A side is any side of a module that may have an adjacent display module. Thus, the display modules are interchangeable throughout the display wall. Thus, the display modules may have any shape, such as rectangular, square, but also hexagonal, etc.

[0074] Each display module is automatically and dynamically assigned its own coordinates within the display wall. Each display module further has its own information ID.

[0075] A section is a group of interconnected display modules that form a logical part of the display wall. A display wall processor sends video data in packets (video packets) dedicated to that section. The same display wall processor may be connected to different sections of the LED wall. One output of the display wall processor is connected to one section of the LED wall.

[0076] Different types of data packets can be used. The structure of the different types of data packets can be implemented in different ways. The data packets that can be used are section packets, response packets, T2T packets, and video packets.

[0077] The section packet contains the coordinates of each display module connected to that particular section. Each display module calculates its own coordinates, checks if it belongs to this section, and if so, selects an upstream port. The display module checks any section packets it receives.

[0078] A response packet is a communication data packet that the display module sends to the processor to indicate its presence.

[0079] The response packet means that the display module is sending data to the display wall processor, so that the display wall processor knows that that particular display module is still active and has not been disconnected. The display wall processor can also keep a list of connected display modules, including, for example, the display module coordinates and the display module information, for example the corresponding information ID. Only by having a means of identifying the display module can the display wall processor send video data to the display module.

[0080] The response packet may further include adjacent port information, which may be used by the display wall processor to add an upstream information ID to the configuration information and to find redundant display wall processors connected to the wall.

[0081] There can be five different information IDs returned to the display wall processor. The order can be, for example, the current display module, the left neighbor, the top neighbor, the right neighbor, and the bottom neighbor.

[0082] A T2T packet (Tile-to-Tile packet) is a communication data packet that a display module sends to a directly adjacent display module to communicate its current position. A Tile-to-Tile packet contains at least information about the display module coordinates.

[0083] The display module can create full bandwidth T2T packets on this upstream and port if no display wall processor is connected to the display module. These packets should be small and are only meant to update display module communication and are used in the automatic array mapping procedure. Tile-to-tile (T2T) packets may also contain the information ID of the display module / display wall processor. Every display module can preferably update this field with its own information ID so that neighboring display modules have this information and can send it back to the display wall processor in a response packet.

[0084] A display wall processor is a processor configured to be connected to at least one tile of a display wall, or to at least one tile of a section of the display wall if the display wall is divided into sections. The display wall processor is responsible for reading video data from any video source or medium and sending this video data to the display modules in a format (video packets) suitable for the purpose. The display wall processor also keeps a list of connected display modules per output port. It also collects information from the connected display modules and makes it available to the connected video wall manager. Video processing can also be performed within the display wall processor.

[0085] The video wall manager is a program configured to divide the wall into sections, for each display wall processor connected to the wall, and provides all this information to the display wall processor.

[0086] Port Priority. A display wall processor can have ports with different priority levels that all transmit the same video data. The display module always listens to the highest priority display wall processor port. Only in case of a failure does it start listening to lower priority ports.

[0087] Upstream, Upstream Port

[0088] Upstream is the direction of communication towards the processor. In a display module, the upstream port is the port that sends packets towards the processor. All other ports are downstream ports. A display module may only have one upstream port.

[0089] downstream, downstream port

[0090] Downstream is the direction away from the processor. In a display module, communications from the processor are forwarded on a downstream port. A display module may have multiple downstream ports.

[0091] Increment Direction

[0092] An incremental direction typically refers to a direction in which an amount or value is increasing or decreasing in small incremental steps or increments.

[0093] In a tiled display, the incremental direction refers to the direction of updating or changing display coordinates or placement. Depending on the particular implementation, the incremental direction is typically either left-to-right and top-to-bottom, or right-to-left and bottom-to-top. For example, if the incremental direction for a tiled display is left-to-right and top-to-bottom, the system will update the left-most column of display modules from top to bottom before moving to the second column, and so on, until all display modules have been updated. The direction is called incremental because each update brings the system closer and closer to its final state.

[0094] The reference position is a position of a display module corresponding to the display wall, which is used as a reference for finding the coordinates corresponding to all display modules of the display wall. The reference position further refers to the default value of the coordinates of all display modules during initialization. The reference position may be any position on the display wall. Optionally, the reference position is the position of a corner display module. The increment direction of the coordinates of the display module further depends on the coordinates of the reference position used during the comparison.

[0095] The present invention is described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. In the drawings, absolute and relative sizes of systems, components, layers, and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. The embodiments may be described with reference to schematic and / or cross-unit illustrations of possible idealized embodiments and intermediate structures of the invention. In the specification and drawings, like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Relative terms and their derivatives should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawings in the description. These relative terms are for convenience of description and do not require that the system be constructed or operated in a particular orientation, unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0096] Throughout the specification, the terms display module and tile are used interchangeably.

[0097] 2 shows a display wall section 200 of a display wall. A display wall section is a group of display modules 210 connected to at least one display wall processor. Typically, a display wall section comprises between 9 and 64 display modules, although more or less display modules may be provided. The number of display modules per section typically depends on pixel pitch, frame rate, bandwidth, compression, etc. The example shown in this application comprises 9 display modules per display wall section.

[0098] A first display module 211 of the display wall section is connected to a first processor 220 by a connecting cable 230. The connecting cable is configured to transmit data in both directions. The connecting cable may be provided by a custom fiber cable or any other type of data connection suitable for transmitting video data.

[0099] The display modules 210 of the display wall section are arranged in an array such that each display module can have an adjacent display module, each display module including a module controller with a port on each side of the display module for connecting the adjacent display module on each side of the LED module.

[0100] In the example of Figure 2, the display modules are arranged in an array of 3x3 display modules. Each display module has a controller with four ports for connecting each directly adjacent module by a connecting cable. Thus, in this example, the central display module 215 has four directly adjacent display modules, one above 218, one below 212, one to the left 214, and one to the right 216, while the side display modules or corner display modules are only connected to three or two adjacent display modules, respectively.

[0101] Each controller of the display modules in the array is further configured to detect the presence of an adjacent display module in each port and infer therefrom the position and coordinates of the corresponding display module in the array, This automatic array mapping method is described further below.

[0102] Each port of the display module has a dedicated position in the LED module. Each port can further have its own port ID, i.e. for the top, bottom, left and right ports in case of a rectangular display module. The left port should always connect to the right port, the top port should always connect to the bottom port, and so on.

[0103] Thus, the controller can detect whether a packet on a port was sent from the expected port of an adjacent controller. A port ID can be added to each packet sent by a module controller. For example, a controller can detect that it received a packet on its left port from the right port of another controller. If an error is detected, the user can be notified, for example, by an OSD message to correct the error.

[0104] Providing the display wall sections with this new connection scheme offers several advantages.

[0105] Installation is easier because each display module needs to be connected to its direct neighbors, i.e. each controller is connected to each neighbor above, below, to the left and right, if available, so no errors can be made in connecting the various display modules together.

[0106] If the display module is rectangular, the horizontal connections may have a different size than the vertical connections. Errors can be prevented mechanically by using pigtail cables of precise lengths to make errors physically impossible, or by using cableless solutions (wireless communication or board-to-board connections).

[0107] Upon each system start-up or reset, or upon failure of any element of the system, a new routing scheme is automatically generated for the signal data so that all display modules receive the proper intended image of the display wall.

[0108] As shown in Figure 2, a display wall section may include additional display wall processors or redundant display wall processors in case of processor failure. In Figure 2, processor 221 is connected to display module 219. Additional processors or additional connections between the processors and other display modules may also be provided.

[0109] Each module autonomously selects one port as the upstream port (e.g. based on priority rules) and forwards all packets from that upstream port to the three other ports (downstream ports). If the selected upstream port no longer receives valid data, the module can immediately select a different upstream port that has a valid data stream. This provides a seamless cable redundancy and automatic routing scheme.

[0110] 3A illustrates a possible routing scheme that arises from the above considerations: Every display module controller receives signals from its neighboring module controllers.

[0111] In Figure 3B, one of the connections is faulty. The system automatically recalculates a new routing scheme so that all display modules remain operational while displaying the image. The calculation takes only a few milliseconds, so the user has no time to notice the failure. During the calculation, the previous frame can be displayed.

[0112] Another example is shown in FIG. 4A, where two connections are faulty and the system needs to find a new routing scheme.

[0113] In Figure 4B, there is a fault in the connection between the processor 220 and the display module 211. So, another existing connection 240 between the processor 220 and the display module 217 is activated.

[0114] Multiple processor links can be established between one or different processors and the display module array. By assigning a different priority to each link, the module can seamlessly switch to a lower priority link if one of the higher priority links fails, or if the link cable breaks or a processor fails.

[0115] In FIG. 5, processor 220 also fails, and processor 221 takes over with a new routing scheme.

[0116] It is now possible to describe the automatic array mapping procedure.

[0117] The different types of packets being communicated within the system, particularly tile-to-tile packets, allow the system to provide an automatic array mapping procedure for automatically calculating the coordinates of each display module within the display wall, regardless of section.

[0118] Automatic Array Mapping

[0119] 6A and 6B show the coordinates assigned to each display module of a display wall in two scenarios, as further described below.

[0120] A display wall may contain one section or two or more sections. The automatic array mapping procedure does not require a display wall processor, only tile-to-tile communication. The automatic array mapping procedure runs across the entire display wall, regardless of section.

[0121] Each display module can calculate its own coordinate (e.g., 14-bit X and Y) position within the wall relative to a reference position, e.g., the top-left corner having value {1;1}. Even in configurations where there is no physical tile at that position, other tiles can calculate their own positions relative to a reference position, such as the top-left corner, as if there was a tile at that position (Figure 6B).

[0122] Since each tile has specific ports at the left, top, right, and bottom, an algorithm is provided that determines the tile coordinates depending on which packets are received from each port.

[0123] Separately from or on top of the video data, each tile can autonomously send tile-to-tile packets to each of its neighboring tiles (top, bottom, left, right). A simple algorithm ensures that each module always knows its exact video wall coordinates or location, so that it can recalculate the coordinates or location if there are changes to the display wall configuration, such as a new row in the display wall.

[0124] Here, tile-to-tile communication refers to communication between two adjacent or neighboring display module controllers. The communication takes place between the two adjacent display module controllers via side ports connected to each other.

[0125] Each port of a tile preferably has its own port ID that determines its location on the tile, and therefore the location of a port on the tile can determine which other ports the tile can communicate with.

[0126] For example, the tile coordinates are set to the default coordinates {x c ,y c} to {1;1}. Each tile can send its coordinates to each of its neighbors using tile-to-tile communication packets.

[0127] Coordinates are never decreased, only increased unless after a power off or reset, after which all coordinates revert to the default value {1;1}.

[0128] If no processor is attached, the tile creates a full bandwidth packet containing its coordinates on each port.

[0129] The method for mapping a display wall includes the following steps: powering up the display wall so that all display module controllers are on. Each display module then begins to communicate sequentially with its directly adjacent display modules via each side port by sending Tile-to-Tile packets that contain information about at least the coordinates of the display module. At the same time, each display module also receives Tile-to-Tile packets from each of its adjacent display modules that contain information about at least the coordinates of the adjacent display module.

[0130] A reference position should be defined within the display wall, the reference position having reference coordinates and defining an incremental direction within the display wall relative to a reference display module. For example, the top left corner has coordinates {x=1;y=1}. The incremental direction is left to right for the x coordinate and top to bottom for the y coordinate.

[0131] Each display module continuously updates its display module coordinates by comparing its own coordinates with the coordinates of each of its adjacent succeeding modules in an incremental direction and relative to a reference display module position.

[0132] If the display module coordinates are higher, lower, or equal to the display module coordinates of each of its directly adjacent modules, the coordinates of that display module may be incremented, decremented, or maintained, depending on the incremental direction and the reference position within the display wall.

[0133] For rectangular LED modules, assume that each LED module has a left, right, bottom, and top port.

[0134] For example, assume the top left corner is set to {1;1}, and the following rules may be implemented: 1. When a tile receives a coordinate on its left port, it will move its x-coordinate to x tile received xleft +1 or more, otherwise, x tile received x left It will be +1. 2. When a tile receives a coordinate on its right port, it will calculate its own x-coordinate x tile received x right Must verify that it is greater than or equal to -1, otherwise x tile received x right It will be -1. 3. When a tile receives a coordinate on its top or bottom port, it will update its x-coordinate x tile received x top / bottom If not, verify that x tile The coordinate is received x top / bottom becomes the coordinates. 4. When a tile receives a coordinate on its top port, it will update its y-coordinate y tile received y top Must verify that coordinate is greater than or equal to y+1, otherwise tile is the received y top The coordinate becomes +1. 5. When a tile receives a coordinate on its bottom port, it will update its y-coordinate y tile received y bottom Must verify that coordinate is greater than or equal to -1, otherwise y tile is the received y bottom The coordinate becomes -1. 6. When a tile receives a coordinate on its right or left port, it updates its y tile The y coordinate received left / right If not, y tile is the received y bottom / top become.

[0135] The flow chart shown in Figures 15A-15B illustrates how the automatic array mapping procedure can be performed by a processor. The flow chart illustrates an exemplary embodiment for implementing the above rules. o :Y oDuring the update of a display module with coordinates {X L :Y L} and the right display module has coordinates {X R :Y R} and the top display module has coordinates {X T :Y T} and the lower display module has coordinates {X B :Y B}.

[0136] Information about the coordinates of the left, right, top and bottom display modules are transmitted correspondingly to all display modules before the comparison decision procedure is performed. The comparison decision procedure is performed only when the corresponding tile is detected by updating the display module. If at least one of the comparison decisions is satisfied after the comparison with the existing neighboring display modules, the coordinates {X o :Y o} may be updated. However, the coordinates {X o :Y o} is not satisfied for all adjacent display modules, o :Y o}'s value remains the same.

[0137] The comparison is performed separately for the X and Y axes. o The coordinate comparison process is shown in FIG. o The coordinate comparison process is shown in Figure 15B. o Steps 1511, 1513, 1515, 1517, and Y for updating the coordinates o The comparison and decision process of steps 1521, 1523, 1525, 1527 for updating the coordinates is performed for each iteration of the successive updates of the coordinates of the display module. oAt least one of the processes of steps 1512, 1514, 1516, 1518, and 1519 for updating the coordinates is performed. o At least one of the processes of steps 1522, 1524, 1526, 1528, 1529 for updating the coordinates is performed. Figures 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D, 16E, 16F, 16G show a state where the automatic array mapping procedure of the LED wall can function properly even if some display modules are missing or defective. As shown, the initialization of the array mapping procedure of multiple display modules does not require a particular display module to have the correct coordinates in order to determine the correct coordinates of the display modules.

[0138] By implementing the above rules such as the flowcharts of Figures 15A and 15B, the coordinates of all display modules can be determined even if there is no display module located at the reference coordinates. In this embodiment, the reference position is the upper left corner of the display wall, and the default coordinate values ​​of all modules in the initial setting are {1:1}.

[0139] Even though there is no module located at the reference position {1:1}, successive updates using the array mapping algorithm can determine the correct coordinates continuing in a given incremental direction, i.e., from left to right and from top to bottom, and then propagate from right to left and from bottom to top after the coordinates of the display module in the lower right corner are determined.

[0140] The algorithm can be adapted if the reference position is in a different place, e.g., in another corner, or in the center of the LED wall, etc. The coordinates can also be incremented in the opposite direction. The algorithm can also be adapted to a honeycomb array of display modules, e.g., where each display module has a hexagonal shape.

[0141] Due to the high bandwidth data link and the nature of the system, the array mapping is completed very quickly and is transparent to the user. Any type of link and speed can be used for tile-to-tile communication. For example, 5G over USB can be used for tile-to-tile communication.

[0142] The display wall processor can query the module coordinates to correctly map the video stream onto the display module. This procedure can be done without the user display wall processor, regardless of section.

[0143] Adjacent display modules of a display wall are in continuous communication with each other while the wall is powered on. This continuous communication between adjacent display modules allows coordinates to be updated instantly, and is independent of an external controller.

[0144] The speed at which it continues to communicate depends on the type of cable and protocol used. For example, using a 1G Ethernet link with a minimum packet length of 64 bytes, a maximum packet length of 1518 bytes, and a minimum interframe gap of 12 clocks. The minimum speed is when the maximum packet length is used, which is approximately 81,700 times per second. The maximum speed is when the minimum packet length is used, which is approximately 1,645,000 times per second. Increasing the bandwidth from 1G to 5G / 10G / 100G and using Ethernet protocols increases the speed by the same relative amount.

[0145] As explained above, each tile automatically updates its coordinates based on the coordinates of its neighboring tiles at all times and throughout the display.

[0146] In prior art methods, the main controller is responsible for at least initiating the counting process. The coordinates of each tile are transferred from one reference display module, which is usually directly connected to the processor.

[0147] The processor is connected to the reference display module and initiates communication from the first display module to each of the neighboring modules, which immediately update their coordinates with the new coordinates and forward the new coordinates to the next one.

[0148] Partial start of the wall

[0149] If no display wall processor is connected, there is no problem and the coordinates can be updated when the tiles start powering up. If a display wall processor is connected and already knows what coordinates the tiles should have (same wall configuration), then problems arise. The display wall processor may start sending incorrect video data because it receives incorrect coordinates from the connected tiles. For example, a wall may be powered up from right to left, creating the effect of the video moving from right to left. To solve this problem, the display wall processor should preferably be able to set the correct coordinates to the tiles by using tile communication. In other words, the display wall processor may define the coordinates of the tiles to be predefined coordinates. The tile with the predefined coordinates may be used to further update the coordinates of the remaining adjacent tiles.

[0150] The display wall processor can force coordinates by inputting the expected coordinates into the tile communication and can set a "force coordinate" bit.

[0151] The display wall processor can only coerce coordinates if the tile's current coordinates are lower than expected. If the tile's coordinates are higher than the display wall processor was expecting, the tile has been added to the wall (left or top). The display wall processor does not have to do anything other than update its internal lists.

[0152] If the coordinates are indeed low, it can be due to several reasons: the tile is still up, the tile has been removed from the wall, or the tile is damaged. In either case, the display wall processor does not receive a response packet containing the tile information such as the info ID. User action is required to clear the current information after removing the tile. If a stale list is used, the display wall processor may force incorrect coordinates onto the wall and the list will no longer be updated.

[0153] Video Wall Management Suite

[0154] The video wall manager is configured to divide the wall into sections for each display wall processor connected to the wall and gives all this information to the display wall processor. Once the display wall processor has this internal table, it can start sending section packets that contain a list of all the tiles that should be in that section. The tiles respond with tile information, e.g., coordinates and information IDs that allow the correct video packets to begin being sent. Specifying a list of coordinates allows the flexibility to create non-rectangular sections.

[0155] Although the tile sends its own data across the boundary between the two sections, the receiving tile should not be allowed to select this port as upstream or use this data. The only time the data can be used is for exchanging coordinates. The data should be ignored because it contains an incorrect section number or the section packet does not contain coordinates.

[0156] Figure 7 shows eight sections of the LED wall and their coordinates, each with a different grey tone.

[0157] The section list corresponding to the LED wall in Figure 7 is shown in the table below. [Table 1]

[0158] Auto-routing steps

[0159] In addition to the automatic array mapping procedure, an automatic routing procedure is also provided: tiles are routed upon receiving a section packet containing their coordinates. For redundancy re-routing (cable removal), the display module is only allowed to route to another port that has the same this section number in the packet.

[0160] The auto-routing procedure occurs within sections and requires at least one display wall processor connected to at least one section. A tile that receives a section packet that does not contain coordinates MUST drop it upstream and wait for the correct section packet. A section packet can be sent when a new valid information ID is seen in either a T2T or response packet. New valid info ID = info ID from an adjacent tile that is included in the current section but not yet in the "list of currently connected". Tile-to-tile packets, or T2T packets, contain information for each tile, such as the tile's coordinates and a unique ID. They may also contain adjacent tile coordinates.

[0161] Case 1: A powered-up wall that is unknown to the display wall processor

[0162] We assume that the wall has been powered up long enough that all tiles have the correct coordinates (the display wall processor does not enforce coordinates, so there are no redundancies). The information IDs of the tiles are assumed to be the same as the coordinates for simplicity.

[0163] None of the tiles have any images and they are still sending full bandwidth T2T packets to each other. Tiles connected to a display wall processor also send T2T packets to the display wall processor containing the tile coordinates and an information ID. The display wall processor does not yet have knowledge of this information ID so it sends a section packet as shown in Figure 8A. The display wall processor maintains the list shown in the table below. [Table 2]

[0164] The first tile receives this packet, checks if its coordinates are in the section list, and selects this port as upstream and the other three ports as downstream to receive the next packet. The first tile responds to the display wall processor with a response packet containing the tile information, e.g., MAC address, coordinates, and neighbor information, as shown in Figure 8B. The contents of the section packet are as follows: [Table 3]

[0165] Here, the display wall processor receives the information ID's information (MAC address and coordinates), but also the information ID's of any neighboring tiles that are connected. Again, the display wall processor sends a single section packet to which the two neighboring tiles (7;8), (8;7) respond. The display wall processor can add these tiles to the "list of currently connected" only after they send a response packet with their coordinates, as shown in Figure 8C. The contents of the section packet look like this: [Table 4]

[0166] After just a few iterations, most of the tiles are connected, as shown in Figure 8D. The contents of the section packet include the following list of connected tiles: [Table 5]

[0167] In this example, it may take 15 iterations before the wall is fully connected, as shown in Figure 8E. The display wall processor must stop sending section packets once no new information IDs are found. Adding a new tile changes the information IDs of tiles adjacent to the connected tile, and the display wall processor detects this.

[0168] The section packet contains a list of all tiles that are currently connected. Video data is sent synchronously in video packets, and each video frame is displayed by the appropriate tile. [Table 6]

[0169] Case 2: A powered wall known to the display wall processor

[0170] The routing must be repeated because tiles are not allowed to remember which section they belonged to (to support rentals, demo kits, etc.). Even if routing has been done before and the display wall processor knows what to connect, it must do the routing in the same way. The "currently connected" information ID list is emptied and routing is done in the same way as in case 1. The coordinates must not be forced because the wall is already powered up with the correct coordinates. This situation is also shown in Figure 8A.

[0171] Case 3: Wall startup known to the display wall processor (coordinate coercion)

[0172] For example, only the rightmost two columns are active. The coordinates for this part of the wall are incorrect. The display wall processor receives a T2T packet with coordinates {1;1} and MAC address {88:88:88:88:88}, as shown in Figure 9A. [Table 7]

[0173] The display wall processor already has this info ID in its list, but knows the coordinates are wrong. It sends a single packet to the tile to force the coordinates {8;8}, as shown in Figure 9B. Assuming this is confirmed within the time of one packet, it is easier to explain this case. [Table 8]

[0174] The next packet the display wall processor receives will be a correct T2T packet, meaning the coordinates and info ID are as expected, so the display wall processor sees a new valid info ID and sends a section packet to the first tile.

[0175] Any T2T packets received prior to this point will contain coordinates whose expected coordinates are incorrect relative to the information ID in the display wall processor, so no section packets are sent. Meanwhile, the forced coordinates (i.e., the predetermined coordinates set by the display wall processor) are used as a reference to update the rest of the wall with the correct coordinates, as shown in Figure 9C. In some embodiments, the update process may use a comparison process or iteration of a process similar to the process shown in Figures 15a and 15b. [Table 9]

[0176] The tiles respond to the section packet with the information IDs of neighboring tiles that the display wall processor does not yet have in its "currently connected" information ID list, as described above. At this point, it does not matter that some tiles have incorrect coordinates when they receive the section packet. The wall is much faster at making coordinate updates than it is at routing the display wall processor. In this example, it is the same speed for ease of representation, but it takes a couple of T2T packets before the next section packet is sent, as shown in Figures 9D and 9E. [Table 10] [Table 11]

[0177] Finally, the activated wall has the correct coordinates, is routed, and plays the correct video. The display wall processor does not send a section packet because it has not received a new information ID. Whenever tiles near the routed wall are activated, their coordinates are updated, and the routed tiles immediately send a response packet containing the newly found information ID (see Figure 9F). [Table 12]

[0178] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the functioning of the automatic array mapping procedure when a new row of tiles is added to the left and right sides, respectively, of the display wall.

[0179] In Fig. 10A, the original configuration is shown in Fig. 10A-0. In Fig. 10A-1, a column of tiles is added to the left. In four steps, the automatic array mapping procedure can update the coordinates of the display wall to the new configuration. Indeed, since columns are added to the left and coordinates are numbered relative to the top left tile, it takes four steps (because there are four columns of tiles) to get the correct coordinates.

[0180] In Figure 10B, a row of tiles has been added to the right, as shown in Figure 10B-1. It only takes one step to update the coordinates to that configuration.

[0181] Figure 11 shows a possible block diagram of a system 1100 for controlling an LED display wall 1110. The LED wall is divided into a number of sections 1111, 1112, 1113, 1114, 1115, 1116, 1117 and comprises at least one display wall processor 1120. The display wall processor processes signals coming from connected video sources and sends them to at least one display module in each section of the LED wall. In the example of Figure 11, seven sections are provided and a display wall processor is connected to each bottom right display module of each section, but any display module can be connected to the display wall processor.

[0182] As mentioned above, it is possible to provide redundant connections to the display wall processors, for example from other tiles in each section. It is also possible to have redundant display wall processors and connect them to any other tile in the section.

[0183] A more complete system 1200 is shown in Fig. 12. A video wall manager 1250 can run a video wall management suite, e.g. a web-based application, that allows a user to create, configure, control and monitor the video wall 1200. A client PC 1270 equipped with a web browser can connect to the video wall manager 1260 via a client network 1240. This can be used to run a user interface (UI) that interacts with the video wall management suite 1250. The video wall manager 1260 controls one or more display wall processors 1220 depending on the size and resolution of the LED wall 1200. The video wall manager 1260 and the display wall processors are connected to each other in a wall network 1230. An additional client network 1240 can be provided for security reasons. Also, only the wall network 1230 may be used.

[0184] Cables 1221 can be used to route data from the display wall processor 1220 to the display modules in each section of the LED wall. In one example, a single display wall processor can manage up to eight output ports (eight sections of the LED wall) and drive a 60Hz, 2,080,000 pixel video wall. This means that the number of tiles (or display modules) processed per display wall processor depends on the resolution, frame rate, and type of connection.

[0185] Each section of the LED wall can be defined in the video wall management suite. A display wall processor connects to at least one tile per section, as described above. Redundant processors and / or connections can also be implemented.

[0186] Also, each display module or tile of the LED wall communicates with its four neighboring tiles through a cable that links them together. The cable (connection) can be any type of high speed link provided by any cable, any board-to-board connector or any wireless link. For example, the cable (connection) can be provided by a custom USB cable. Even neighboring tiles that belong to different sections are connected.

[0187] The inter-tile connections are dual connections such that data flow can always proceed in both directions.

[0188] The bandwidth depends on the type of connection used. For example, the bandwidth may range from 1 Gbps to 100 Gbps.

[0189] Figures 13A, 13B and 13C show a flow chart of a process for auto-routing at the display module level. The basic module functionality is shown in the first flow chart of Figure 13A. When the module is powered on (1310), it automatically routes (1312) and displays (1320) video. If video is lost due to a failure (1316), the auto-routing (1312) attempts to find a new path where the video is still available.

[0190] The second flow chart, shown in Figure 13B, contains more details. When the display module detects (1321) a valid processor (which can be either any valid packet or a routed packet), it selects that port as the upstream and starts sending response packets (1322). It then starts displaying (1320) the video received from this upstream. If the video is lost (1324), the upstream is dropped (1325) and the display module attempts to find a new valid processor.

[0191] In the third flow chart of Figure 13C, at startup, a module creates T2T packets (1331) and sends them to each neighboring module to calculate coordinates. If a valid section packet (meaning it contains those coordinates) is detected (1332), that port is selected as the upstream and begins sending response packets (1322).

[0192] Then, if a higher priority processor is found (1335), it starts displaying the received video (1320) and a new upstream is selected (1322). This can and does happen for a fixed period of time (e.g., one minute).

[0193] After this lock time expires (1336), the upstream is locked (1337) and cannot be further changed due to priority.

[0194] If the video upstream is lost (1324), the tile first checks to see if there is another port with valid video (1338). If there is, that port is selected as the upstream (1339), otherwise the upstream is dropped (1325).

[0195] After dropping the upstream, the routing packets must be received again before the video can be displayed.

[0196] In this flowchart, the following references are used: 1310 start 1312 Auto Routing 1320 Video display 1316 Lost footage? 1321 Video Processor Detected? Select 1322 upstream and start sending response packet 1324 Upstream lost? Drop 1325 upstream Create a T2T packet with 1331 coordinates 1332 Was a valid section packet found? 1325 High priority processor found? 1336 Lock timeout expired? 1337 Lock upstream display video 1338 Is there video available on any other ports? 1339 Selecting a new upstream

[0197] Figure 14 shows a flow chart at the level of the display wall processor. The display wall processor has three processes running in parallel: The display wall processor displays (transmits to the modules) 1401 images according to a configuration map built from the list of currently connected modules.

[0198] If a new unique (module) ID is detected (1402) in either a T2T or response packet received from a module, this unique ID is added to the connected module list (1403). In some embodiments, a new section packet is sent (1404) based on the received coordinates. (This is not necessary if the tile routes without section packets.) The video composition map is then updated with the new module.

[0199] For each module in the connected module list, it tracks (1406) how much time has passed since the last response packet was received.

[0200] If this time is longer than, say, 3 seconds 1407, the module is removed from the connected module list (1408) and the video composition map is updated (1405).

[0201] If a response packet is received within (say) 3 seconds, the timer is reset and nothing happens.

[0202] In this flowchart, the following references are used: 1400 start 1401 Displaying images based on configuration map 1402 Was a new unique ID detected? (T2T or response) 1403 Add unique ID to connected module list 1404 Send new section packet based on received coordinates 1405 Updated the video composition map 1406 For each module in the connected modules list 1407 Was a response received within 3 seconds? 1408 Remove unique ID from connection list

[0203] The following are non-limiting enumerated exemplary embodiments of the disclosed invention.

[0204] 1. A display wall comprising display modules arranged in an array such that each display module has an adjacent display module disposed on at least one side of the display module, each display module includes a controller connected to a port on each side of the display module, each port having a specific location on the display module, each port configured to connect to a port on an adjacent display module; A display wall, wherein each controller of the display modules is further configured to communicate continuously with each adjacent display module via each side port upon power-up of the display wall by exchanging tile-to-tile packets, the tile-to-tile packets including at least information regarding display module coordinates.

[0205] Although the invention has been illustrated with rectangular and square tiles, the invention is not so limited and tiles having any shape can be provided, such as, for example, hexagonal tiles.

[0206] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments, this is intended to clarify the invention and not to limit it, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and different combinations of the disclosed features are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A method for mapping a display wall having multiple display modules, Each display module comprises a display module controller and ports on each side of the module connected to the controller. Each display module is further connected to at least one directly adjacent display module via its respective side port. The display wall has a reference display module having a reference coordinate and an incrementing direction of the coordinate of the display module, The aforementioned method, - The step of turning on the power to the display wall so that all display module controllers are turned on, - A step of setting all display module coordinates to their initial settings, wherein all display module coordinates have the same default value coordinates corresponding to the coordinates of the reference display module, - Each display module communicates continuously with its directly adjacent display modules via a corresponding side port by transmitting a tile-to-tile packet containing at least information about the coordinates of the display module, and by receiving a tile-to-tile packet containing at least information about the coordinates of the directly adjacent display module from each directly adjacent display module. - After transmitting and receiving the tile-to-tile packets, the steps include: comparing the coordinates of each display module with the coordinates of each adjacent display module, and continuously updating the display module coordinates by following an incremental direction relative to the coordinates of each adjacent display module; Methods that include...

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of updating the coordinates by comparing the coordinates of the two adjacent display modules is performed such that, if the coordinates of the first display module among the two adjacent display modules are higher, lower, or equal to the coordinates of the second display module among the two adjacent display modules, the coordinates of the first display module are increased, decreased, or kept the same as a function of the coordinates of the second display module and the increment direction of the display wall.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the default value of the coordinates of the plurality of display modules is the coordinate of a reference position within the display wall.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the tile-to-tile packet further includes information relating to the display module's unique ID of the display module.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of continuously communicating with a directly adjacent display module is performed with a bandwidth compatible with the bandwidth of the link cable connecting the two display modules.

6. further comprising the step of dividing the display wall into at least one section or at least two sections, and / or The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of connecting at least one display module of one section to a display wall processor.

7. For each display module, - The display module receives packets from the corresponding display wall processor, selects the port that receives the packets as the upstream port, and sets the other ports as downstream ports. - The corresponding display wall processor receives a response packet from the display module that includes information about the display module, wherein the display module is a connected display module. It further includes, Regarding the aforementioned display wall, - When all of the display modules in that section are connected to the display wall processor, the display wall processor completes a list of the connected display modules along with their information. - Each of the connected display modules, if available, forwards the packet on at least one downstream port. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

8. If the display wall has at least two sections, and each section has a corresponding display wall processor, then for each display module belonging to the same section, - The display wall processor in the section receives a packet containing information from a connected display module, thereby adding the display module to the list of connected display modules in the section, - The display wall processor transmits a section packet containing information about the display module and information about the other display modules in the section to the connected display module in the section. - The step of the display module receiving the section packet from the display wall processor and checking whether its display module information is connected and is in the list, - If present in the list, the display module selects the port of the display module that receives the section packet as the upstream port and the remaining ports as downstream ports, The display wall processor further includes the step of receiving a response packet from each connected display module, which includes the display module information and the information of adjacent display modules. For each section, - Once all the display modules are connected, the step is to complete the list of connected display modules along with their information, - Each of the connected display modules, if available, forwards the section packet on at least one downstream port. The method according to claim 6, further comprising:

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the display module information includes at least the coordinates of the display module.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the step of selecting the upstream port of each display module is based on selecting the port having the highest operational priority.

11. The display wall processor further includes the step of defining the coordinates of the display module to predetermined coordinates, and / or The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of updating the coordinates of the display modules of the display wall other than the display module having the predetermined coordinates with respect to the predetermined coordinates.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the display module autonomously selects a new upstream port when its current upstream port fails.

13. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of connecting the same or a second display wall processor to the first or second display module of the at least one section.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the display module is at least one of a rectangle or a hexagon, and the display wall follows a matrix arrangement or a honeycomb arrangement accordingly.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the display module is an LED, OLED, microLED, LCD, e-ink, display module, or (rear) projection display.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein each display module comprises a controller and ports on each side of the module, and each port comprises a port ID that specifies the location of the port on the display module.

17. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of detecting an incorrect cable connection using a port ID.

18. A method for installing a display wall comprising multiple display modules in order to generate a display wall having a desired configuration, Each display module comprises a display module controller and ports on each side of the module connected to the controller. The above method further, - The step of installing each display module until the display wall has the desired configuration, - The step of connecting each display module to the module directly adjacent to it via each side port, - The step of performing the method according to claim 1 so that the display module coordinates are updated. Methods that include...

19. - The steps of adding, removing, or replacing display modules within the display wall, - Repeat the step of performing a method for mapping a display wall having multiple display modules so that the coordinates of the display modules are updated. The method according to claim 18, further comprising:

20. The further step includes dividing the display wall into at least one section or more sections, and / or The method according to claim 19, further comprising the step of providing at least one display wall controller and connecting at least one display module to the at least one display wall controller for each section.

21. The method further includes the step of performing a method for mapping a display wall comprising a plurality of display modules, The process further includes dividing the display wall into at least one section or at least two sections. The display wall processor further includes the step of sending video packets to each display module in each section so that the display wall can display an image. The method according to claim 20, wherein the video packet includes, for each display module, its video data and a corresponding display module-specific ID.

Images