Video Switch Sampler Sharing for KVM Cost Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional IP-enabled multi-user KVM switches require separate video processing engines for each simultaneous user, leading to increased complexity, cost, and power consumption, as well as reduced performance due to the need for multiple Analog Front End (AFE) devices and complex cross-point switching circuits.
Innovation Solution
A video switch that allows sharing of a single sampler between multiple users, using a controller to sequence sample video data from each source, reducing the number of samplers and AFEs required, and employing programmable Phase Locked Loops (PLLs) for faster lock times and efficient sampling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate video processing engines are provided for each simultaneous user, then each user can access video data independently, but hardware complexity, cost, and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple video processing functions into a single shared video processing engine that serves multiple users simultaneously. Instead of providing separate video processing engines for each user, the system consolidates these functions into one engine that can handle video data from multiple sources through time-division multiplexing, thereby reducing hardware complexity while maintaining independent access for each user
Solution Approach 2:
The single video processing engine is designed with multi-functionality to handle different video sources and users. The engine can process video data from multiple computer sources and deliver it to different users through the KVM switch, making the processing engine universal rather than dedicated to a single user or source
2Measurement precision
If multiple Analog Front End (AFE) devices are used for each user, then adequate video sampling is achieved, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple AFE functions into a single shared AFE device that serves all users. The system uses time-division multiplexing to allow one AFE to sample video data from different computer sources at different times, eliminating the need for separate AFE devices for each user while maintaining adequate sampling quality
Solution Approach 2:
The single AFE device operates periodically, sampling video data from different sources in sequential time slots. The controller manages the AFE to sample video frames from multiple computer sources at appropriate intervals, ensuring that each user receives adequate video sampling without requiring continuous operation of multiple AFE devices
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex cross-point switching circuits are used to route video signals, then flexible video routing is achieved, but switching circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex cross-point switching functionality and replaces it with a simpler single-output switching architecture. Instead of using complex cross-point switches that can route signals from multiple inputs to multiple outputs simultaneously, the system uses a single output switch that routes video data from different sources to a single output for processing, thereby reducing circuit complexity while maintaining routing flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a single output as an intermediary element that simplifies the switching architecture. Rather than directly routing signals through complex cross-point circuits, the system uses a single output switch as an intermediary to collect video data from multiple sources and deliver it to the single video processing engine, reducing the complexity of the switching circuitry
4Device complexity
If a single sampler is shared between multiple users, then hardware cost and power consumption are reduced, but sampling rate may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The single shared sampler operates periodically, sampling video frames from different computer sources in sequential time slots assigned to different users. The controller manages the sampling timing to ensure that each user receives video data at adequate intervals, maintaining acceptable sampling rates while sharing the single sampler resource among multiple users
Solution Approach 2:
The controller performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating and pre-assigning sampling time slots for each user based on the video sources they need to access. This allows the single sampler to operate efficiently without waiting for user requests, proactively sampling video data in advance and delivering it to the appropriate users, thereby maintaining adequate sampling rates
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces hardware costs, size, and power consumption while maintaining adequate sampling rates, improving performance by allowing multiple users to share samplers and simplifying switching circuits, with a 20% performance improvement in sampling rates compared to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
The sampler includes a Phase Locked Loop (PLL) circuit which is used to synchronise the sampling rate of the sampler with the frequency of the input video signal
Data Source
AI summary
A video switch for allowing at least two users to view video data from respective ones of at least two video sources. The video switch comprises a switch for selecting one of the at least two video sources and at least one sampler connected to the switch. The sampler is for sampling video data from the at least two video sources. The video switch further comprises a controller for controlling the switch and sampler to select one of the at least two video sources and sample a frame of video data. An output is provided for transmitting video data to one of the at least two users. The output supports a maximum number of simultaneous users which is at least two, and the number of samplers in the video switch is less than the maximum number of simultaneous users.A video switch according to the present invention allows a sampler for capturing video data to be shared between at least two simultaneous users. This reduces the cost, size and complexity of the hardware required to implement a video switch.In one embodiment of the invention, the sampler may comprise a programmable Phase Locked Loop which can optionally have a fast lock mode.