Multimedia Control Architecture Using Universal Extender for Touch Screen Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multimedia control and distribution architectures are complex and costly due to the need for general-purpose computers in touch screen units, limiting their use and flexibility, and traditional on-screen displays (OSDs) are limited in content and integration with video images.
Innovation Solution
A centralized multimedia control and distribution architecture that processes graphics and touch location information, allowing for reduced processing capabilities in touch screen units and enabling high-quality OSDs to be overlaid onto video frames, using a media server/controller and Universal Extender (UVX) for graphics signal generation and distribution, along with universal transmission paths for flexible device connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If general-purpose computers are included in each touch screen unit to provide processing capabilities, then the functionality and control capability are improved, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the general-purpose computer processing unit from the touch screen unit and relocates it to a centralized server. The touch screen unit retains only the display and touch sensing capabilities, while all complex processing functions are performed remotely by the server, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized server provides universal processing capabilities that can serve multiple touch screen units and other display devices simultaneously. This multi-functional approach allows a single server to replace multiple individual computers, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If general-purpose computers are included in each touch screen unit to process touch location information and generate commands, then the system control capability is improved, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the processing functions of multiple touch screen units into a single centralized server. By combining the computational resources of what would otherwise be multiple separate computers into one shared server, the system achieves the same control capability at reduced cost through resource consolidation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of each touch screen unit having its own dedicated computer, the system uses a centralized server that serves as a shared computational resource for all touch screen units. This copying approach allows multiple units to access the same processing capabilities without duplicating hardware costs.
3Reliability
If dedicated interfaces and special interconnections are used for touch screen units to ensure reliable communication, then the communication reliability is improved, but the system flexibility and expandability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal communication interface at the server level that can accommodate multiple types of display devices and communication protocols. This universal interface maintains reliable communication through proper protocol handling while enabling system flexibility and ease of expansion to support different device types.
Solution Approach 2:
The server acts as an intermediary that translates between different communication protocols and interfaces. This mediator approach allows various display devices with different interface requirements to communicate reliably with the system without requiring dedicated specialized connections for each device type.
4Ease of manufacture
If traditional OSDs use predefined text and symbols with limited formatting options to simplify implementation, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the content flexibility and quality are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical approach of predefined OSD templates with a software-based graphics generation system. The server generates OSD content dynamically using graphics signals that can be customized with any text, symbols, or graphical elements, eliminating the constraints of pre-loaded font libraries and predefined formats while maintaining implementation simplicity through software control.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a multimedia control and distribution architecture is provided. A media server/controller generates a plurality of graphics signals, each graphics signal including a separate user interface to be displayed on a particular device, such as a touch screen unit. A universal extender (UVX) coupled to the media server/controller converts and extends the graphics signals for transmission on a plurality of universal transmission pathways. Each of the plurality of devices receives a graphic signal passed thereto, displays graphics embodied in the graphics signals, and accept user input in response to the graphics signal. For example, the one or more touch screen units may accept a user touch and pass a location of the user touch back on a universal transmission pathway to the UVX, for transmission to the media server/controller. The media server/controller generates control commands and provides the control commands.