Hybrid On-Screen Display for Digital CATx KVM Switches
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital CATx KVM switches face challenges in providing high graphical quality and functionality for on-screen computer selection menus, especially for medium-sized installations, due to complexity and cost issues related to implementing digital video switching circuitry and frame stores in user stations or central switches.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a user station with a video processing device that modifies video data to add user interface elements on the fly, eliminating the need for complex circuitry like frame stores, and a switching device with video processing circuitry to generate a background image for a user interface, which can be customized and distributed for high graphical quality without additional graphics processing at other parts of the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If on-screen display generation circuit is located within the user station, then high graphical quality and functionality can be achieved, but complexity, size and cost of the user station increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the on-screen display generation circuit from the user station and relocates it to the KVM switch. This extraction resolves the contradiction by maintaining high graphical quality (through centralized generation) while reducing user station complexity (by removing the generation circuit). The KVM switch becomes the central point for generating and distributing OSD images to multiple user stations.
Solution Approach 2:
The KVM switch is enhanced with multi-functionality by adding the on-screen display generation circuit. This single device now serves both as a video switch and as an OSD generation center for multiple user stations, eliminating the need for each user station to have its own generation circuit while maintaining high graphical quality across all stations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple individual on-screen display circuits are implemented within the central switch, then on-screen display functionality can be provided, but device complexity and cost increase and circuits are redundant if not all connections are used
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the on-screen display generation function into a shared resource model. Instead of providing full OSD generation capability at each user station or creating redundant circuits in the switch for every possible connection, the system generates a single OSD image in the KVM switch and distributes it to multiple user stations. This segmentation eliminates redundancy while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The KVM switch generates a single master on-screen display image and creates copies for distribution to multiple user stations. This copying approach allows the central switch to provide OSD functionality to multiple users without implementing multiple individual generation circuits, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining versatility.
3Manufacturing precision
If digital video switching circuitry and frame stores are implemented in user stations or central switches, then high graphical quality can be achieved, but cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the frame store and digital video switching circuitry functions into the KVM switch itself. By consolidating these expensive components into a single centralized location rather than distributing them to multiple user stations, the system achieves high graphical quality while significantly reducing the overall manufacturing cost and complexity of the complete system.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus, systems and methods for generating a hybrid on screen display are described. A background image portion of a user interface is generated at a switching device. Video data representing the background image portion of the user interface is transmitted to a user station of a user console. The video data is modified at the user station as it is received using video data representing a user interface element that is specific to the user station. A customized user interface is displayed on a display device attached to the user station.