Dual-stream image routing for legacy and upgraded displays
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Legacy networked display systems in operating rooms face challenges in efficiently streaming higher resolution images, such as 4K, without requiring extensive modifications or additional bandwidth, as existing solutions often result in increased data streaming demands and potential lag that can hinder real-time surgical operations.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a shared resource network that splits image data into fractions, sending lower resolution data over a single limited bandwidth link and higher resolution data over multiple links, allowing for simultaneous streaming of HD and 4K formats using two 10 GE cables, without the need for special encoder or decoder configurations, and preventing bandwidth overflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If higher resolution images (4K) are streamed over existing network infrastructure, then image quality is improved, but bandwidth requirements increase excessively causing network overload and lag
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the 4K image data into two separate streams: a first stream containing first resolution images (HD) and a second stream containing second resolution images (4K). This segmentation allows the network to handle different resolution requirements separately, preventing bandwidth overflow while maintaining support for both legacy and upgraded displays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing different image resolutions to different displays based on their capabilities. Legacy displays receive HD images while upgraded displays receive 4K images, optimizing the quality-bandwidth ratio for each display type without requiring all displays to handle the full 4K bandwidth load.
2Adaptability or versatility
If both HD and 4K formats are streamed simultaneously over the network, then compatibility with legacy and upgraded displays is achieved, but network complexity and configuration requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing the encoder to automatically generate both HD and 4K streams from a single input, and the network infrastructure to handle both formats without requiring special configuration. The system universally supports both legacy and upgraded displays using the same network architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically managing the dual-stream transmission without requiring manual configuration. The encoder and network infrastructure self-adjust to handle both HD and 4K formats, eliminating the need for complex manual setup and reducing operational complexity.
3Measurement precision
If uncompressed image data is transmitted at high resolution, then image quality is maintained, but transmission speed decreases due to increased data volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the transmission into two separate uncompressed streams - one for HD and one for 4K images. This allows each stream to maintain its own optimal transmission characteristics without the 4K data overwhelming the network, thereby preserving both image quality and acceptable transmission speeds.
Data Source
AI summary
A display system and method including (a) at least one input source encoding images to be displayed in a first format with a first resolution and in a second format with a second resolution higher than the first; (b) a first and second display for displaying images with the first and second resolution, respectively; and (c) a shared resource network linking the at least one input source with the first and second displays. The images encoded in the first format with the first resolution are sent over the shard resource network through a first cable. A first part of each image encoded in the second format with the second resolution is sent over the shared resource network through the first cable. A second part of each image encoded in the second format with the second resolution is sent over the shared resource network through a second cable.