System for processing video in computing devices that multiplexes multiple video streams into a single video stream which is input to a graphics controller

• US 6,558,049 B1
• Filed: 06/13/1996
• Issued: 05/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: Shin, Seong
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Thomas C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WANG, ALBERT C
• Application Number:
  US08/662,584
• Time in Patent Office: 2,518 Days
• Field of Search: 395/821, 395/872, 395/883, 395/850, 345/132, 345/330, 345/339, 345/133, 348/15, 348/552, 348/564, 348/565
• US Class Current: 710/30
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/14 Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2352/00 Parallel handling of streams of display data

Abstract

This is a system and method of processing multiple video streams for a computing device. The system may comprise: a central processing device; a communications bus connected to the central processing device; an input device connected to the central processing device by the communications bus; an output device connected to the central processing device by the communications bus; a multiple video stream processor connected to the output device by the communications bus; and at least two video streams connected to the multiple video stream processor. In addition, the video streams may include input from a CD-ROM, PCMCIA cards, storage devices, peripherals on docking stations and other communications devices. Moreover, multiple video processing device may include input from zoom video ports, buffers and digital-to-analog converters, and a reformatting device. Other devices and systems are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A system for processing multiple video streams, comprising:

a central processing device;

a communications bus coupling an input device, an output device and a graphics controller to said central processing device; and

a video multiplexer having multiple video inputs, at least one of which is coupled to receive a video stream from a peripheral device, and a single video output, said single video output coupled to an input of said graphics controller.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said multiple video inputs are coupled to receive multiple video streams.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said video multiplexer converts said multiple video streams into one multiplexed video stream which is output to said graphics controller.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said multiplexed video stream is formatted into one display window.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said multiplexed video stream is an analog scan-line multiplexed video stream.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said input of said graphics controller is a video port.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said video port can only process one video stream at a time.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said input of said graphics controller is the one and only video input to the graphics controller.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said multiple video inputs act as buffers.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said multiple video inputs are digital-to-analog converters.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein said multiple video inputs are digital-to-analog converters and act as buffers.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein said video multiplexer is further coupled to said communications bus.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said video multiplexer obtains window position and size information from the central processing device and from software application controlling each video input.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein said system is a computer.

15. A computer for processing multiple video streams, comprising:

a central processing device;

a communications bus coupling an input device, an output device and a graphics controller to said central processing device;

a video multiplexer having multiple video inputs and a single video output, said single video output coupled to an input of said graphics controller; and

a docking station coupled to said computer, one of said multiple video inputs coupled to receive a video stream from said docking station.

16. A system for processing multiple video streams, comprising:

a computer, said computer comprising;

a central processing device;

a communications bus coupling an input device, an output device and a graphics controller to said central processing device; and

a video multiplexer having multiple video inputs and a single video output, said single video output coupled to an input of said graphics controller; and

a docking station coupled to said computer, said docking station comprising;

an input device; and

a video multiplexer having multiple video inputs and a single video output coupled to one of said multiple video inputs of said computer'"'"'s video multiplexer.