GPU-Based Multi-Screen Display Controller for Synchronized HDMI Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-screen display systems are costly and inflexible, with asynchronous errors and boundary trimming difficulties, especially when scaling up to larger displays, due to the use of splitters and scalers for image replication and amplification.
Innovation Solution
A multi-screen display control device utilizing USB communication and graphics processing units (GPUs) to generate and synchronize HDMI sub-images, eliminating the need for splitters and scalers, allowing for flexible configurations and boundary trimming, and enabling high-resolution displays of various sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If splitters and scalers are used for image replication and amplification, then multi-screen display can be achieved, but the system becomes costly and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple splitters and scalers into a single graphics processing unit (GPU). The GPU receives one image signal and generates multiple sub-images for different screens through software-based processing, eliminating the need for separate hardware devices for each screen while maintaining display synchronization and reducing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The GPU serves multiple functions: it acts as both the image generation device and the scaling device for all screens. A single GPU can generate sub-images for different screen resolutions and configurations, making the system more universal and adaptable to various display arrangements without requiring dedicated hardware for each function.
2Area of stationary object
If more small screens are used to build larger displays, then display size increases, but asynchronous error becomes more severe
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a synchronization mechanism where the GPU receives timing information from all connected screens and adjusts the generation timing of sub-images accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that even as the number of screens increases, the GPU can maintain precise synchronization by coordinating with the actual display timing of each screen, preventing asynchronous errors from accumulating.
3Reliability
If hardware devices are used to combine small images into large-screen image, then display can be achieved, but flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical hardware-based image combination system with a software-based GPU processing system. Instead of using physical splitters and scalers that require fixed connections, the GPU uses software algorithms to generate and combine images, allowing flexible reconfiguration of display arrangements, resolutions, and screen layouts without changing physical hardware connections.
4Manufacturing precision
If boundary trimming is performed after scaler image replication, then video wall borders can be adjusted, but technical difficulties arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs boundary trimming as a preliminary action during the sub-image generation process, rather than as a separate post-processing step. The GPU calculates the required trim amounts based on the video wall configuration and applies the trimming when generating each sub-image, ensuring precise boundary alignment is built into the image data before it reaches the displays, eliminating the need for complex post-processing equipment.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-screen display control device is shown, which is linked to a host through a universal serial bus (USB) port to receive image data from the host, and uses a plurality of high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) ports to output a plurality of HDMI sub-images to a plurality of screens. The multi-screen display control device has a USB hub that couples the USB port to a plurality of graphics processing units (GPUs), so that the GPUs generate the HDMI sub-images based on the image data transferred from the host via USB communication technology.