Hybrid Docking Station Video Routing Logic

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Portable electronic devices, such as laptops and tablets, often lack ergonomic efficiency and functionality due to their design prioritizing portability over integrated accessories like multimedia drives and displays, leading to the need for hybrid docking stations that can handle both native and virtualized video processing without requiring unnecessary software updates or support systems.

Innovation Solution

A hybrid docking station that determines whether native video data is present, allowing it to pass through without activating a virtualized video processor, or activates a virtualized processor when native data is absent, using USB 3.0 interfaces and other connections to manage video data routing and provide additional functionality like wireless charging and connectivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a hybrid docking station activates a virtualized video processor to handle video data from portable devices, then video functionality is improved, but device complexity and software management requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevideo functionalityVSAvoidsoftware management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The docking station automatically detects whether native video data is present from the portable device and autonomously decides whether to activate the virtualized video processor, eliminating the need for user software updates or manual configuration. The system self-manages the video processing mode based on detected video data characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The docking station performs preliminary detection of native video data presence before activating the virtualized video processor. By checking for native video data in advance, the system prevents unnecessary processor activation and avoids subsequent software management complications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If a hybrid docking station always activates virtualized video processing, then compatibility with all portable devices is improved, but processing efficiency and performance decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoidvideo processing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of always activating the virtualized video processor, the system applies partial action by activating it only when native video data is absent. When native video data is present, the system uses only the necessary native processing path, avoiding excessive processing overhead and maintaining optimal performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies different processing qualities to different video data types: native video data receives direct processing while virtualized video data receives enhanced processing through the virtualized processor. This local differentiation optimizes performance for each data type appropriately.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If a hybrid docking station uses native video data passing, then video performance is improved, but compatibility with devices without native video capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevideo performanceVSAvoiddevice compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The virtualized video processor acts as an intermediary between portable devices without native video capability and the docking station's video output. It translates and processes video data from devices that lack native video support, enabling universal compatibility while maintaining high performance for devices that do have native video capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between native video passing and virtualized video processing modes based on the detected capabilities of the connected portable device. This dynamic adaptation ensures optimal performance for each device type while maintaining broad compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3510490B1Systems, methods and devices for native and virtualized video in a hybrid docking station

Publication Date: 2023.10.11 TARGUS INTERNATIONAL LLC

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

A hybrid docking station determines whether native video data exists and can be passed through to a video port or whether a virtual video processor should be activated to provide virtual video data to a video port. For example, a laptop is connected to a hybrid docking station using a USB™ 3.0 connection. The hybrid docking station recognizes that the USB™ 3.0 connection includes a native video data and passes the native video data to a DisplayPort™. By avoiding activating a virtualized video processor and using native video data, the laptop avoids installing software to communicate with the virtualized video processor and communicates with one or more displays using a native video channel. By avoiding installing software, it simplifies IT's and user's usage and experience with universal docking station.