USB-C Video Conferencing Control With Master Source Indication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing video conferencing systems face challenges in intuitively and conveniently switching control between multiple source devices without requiring additional cabling or software installation.
Innovation Solution
A video conferencing controller with USB-C ports and a control unit that identifies a master source device via a USB PD protocol, using a USB-C cable with a visual indicator to signal control status, allowing seamless switching without additional cabling or software.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a KVM switch with push button control is used, then control switching between source devices is enabled, but additional control signal cabling is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control signal transmission function into the existing USB-C data cable by utilizing the USB Power Delivery protocol's communication capability. The button on the cable generates control signals that are transmitted through the same USB-C connection already established for data transmission, eliminating the need for separate control cabling.
Solution Approach 2:
The USB-C cable is made multi-functional by enabling it to simultaneously handle data transmission, power delivery, and control signal transmission for master device selection. The USB PD protocol's communication channel is leveraged to convey control commands, allowing a single cable to perform multiple functions.
2Ease of operation
If dedicated control software is installed on each user device, then control switching is enabled, but software installation and configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control functionality is extracted from the user devices and centralized in the video conferencing controller. Instead of requiring software on each participant's device, the control logic is implemented in the controller which receives simple button presses via the USB-C connection and automatically manages master device selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service control switching where the video conferencing controller autonomously determines and switches between master devices based on control signals received through the USB-C connections, without requiring user configuration or software intervention on connected devices.
3Ease of operation
If keyboard snooping is implemented in the KVM switch, then control switching is detected, but system complexity and potential interference with normal keyboard usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary button on the USB-C cable as a dedicated control interface. This button serves as a clear signal to the video conferencing controller that the user wants to take control, avoiding the need to interpret keyboard strokes and eliminating potential conflicts with normal typing while maintaining intuitive control switching.
Data Source
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AI summary
A video conferencing controller (100) connects two or more source devices (101) to at least one target device of a video-conference system. The controller (100) has at least two primary ports (p11, p12, p1n) for connection to a respective one of the source devices (101) and at least one secondary port (s11, s12, s1m, s2) for connection to a respective one of the target device(s). A control unit (110) identifies a single one of the source devices (101) as a master source device from which output data may be forwarded to the at least one target device via the video conferencing controller (100). Specifically, in response to a control command (CMD) received via the USB PD protocol, the control unit (110) identifies the master source device and sends a first control signal (M), via the USB PD protocol implemented over the USB-C cable (121), to this device (101). The first control signal (M), in turn, causes an electrically controllable visual indicator (121i) on a USB-C cable (121) between the master source device and the video conferencing controller (100) to attain a predefined state, e.g. showing a green light.