Screen Multiplexor for Flexible Display Data Distribution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for transmitting graphical data across digital connections face limitations in flexibility and distance due to electrical constraints, making it difficult to efficiently manage multiple displays connected to general-purpose data networks.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for multiplexing graphical display data streams, allowing for spatial, temporal, and overlay multiplexing, which adjusts data characteristics such as resolution and transmission rate based on target display device status, enabling efficient distribution over general-purpose networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If graphical display data streams are transmitted directly over general-purpose data networks to multiple display devices, then flexibility in display placement and one-to-many mapping is improved, but network bandwidth consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the networked display system into three functional components: display data generators (DDGs), display data distributors (DDD), and display data recipients (DDRs). This segmentation allows centralized intelligence at the DDD to manage multiple DDGs and DDRs efficiently, reducing redundant data transmission and optimizing bandwidth usage across the network.
Solution Approach 2:
The display data distributor acts as an intermediary between display data generators and display data recipients. It receives data from multiple DDGs, processes and multiplexes the data streams, then distributes them to multiple DDRs. This intermediary role enables intelligent data management, reducing overall network bandwidth consumption through efficient routing and multiplexing.
2Productivity
If multiple graphical display data streams are transmitted simultaneously to multiple displays, then display functionality and information availability are improved, but network load and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple graphical display data streams into a single multiplexed data stream at the display data distributor. This merging process consolidates what would otherwise be multiple separate transmissions into one efficient data flow, reducing network processing complexity while maintaining full information availability across multiple displays.
Solution Approach 2:
The display data distributor is designed as a universal device that can handle multiple types of data streams from different generators and distribute them to various recipients. This multi-functionality allows a single device to manage diverse display configurations without proportionally increasing system complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If display data is transmitted at full resolution and rate to all displays, then display quality is improved, but network bandwidth usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display data distributor implements local quality adaptation by adjusting data stream characteristics based on the specific requirements of each display device. Each recipient receives data optimized for its particular resolution and performance capabilities, ensuring high display quality for each device while minimizing overall network bandwidth consumption through targeted rather than universal high-resolution transmission.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a screen multiplexor for processing graphical display data and an associated distribution method. A plurality of graphical display data streams is received at the multiplexor, processed and directed to one or more network-connected display devices. The network is a general purpose data network and may be wireless. The directed data streams can be spatially multiplexed, temporally multiplexed, and/or multiplexed in such a way that data from one stream is overlaid on data from another stream. The distribution method and screen multiplexor thus allow a flexible relationship between the number of screens and the sources of the information to be displayed thereon.