Redundant data path

• US 8,301,939 B2
• Filed: 05/23/2007
• Issued: 10/30/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Daktronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Daktronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Gloege, Chad N., Mueller, Matthew R., Burghardt, Neil R., Wendler, Brett D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Baderman, Scott
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRUONG, LOAN
• Application Number:
  US11/805,512
• Publication Number:
  US 20090024867A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,987 Days
• Field of Search: 714/3, 714/11, 714/43
• US Class Current: 714/43
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2007 using redundant communication media
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1446 display composed of modules, e.g. video walls
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2330/02 Details of power systems and of start or stop of display operation
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2330/08 Fault-tolerant or redundant circuits, or circuits in which repair of defects is prepared
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2330/12 Test circuits or failure detection circuits included in a display system, as permanent part thereof

Abstract

Disclosed are redundant data path(s) for transmission of graphical data between components in a graphical display system. The redundant data path(s) are used to transmit graphical data by at least two independent means, so that if a failure in one data path occurs, a data transmitted via a separate data path can be used for display. The system is particularly advantageous for multiple-serial-module configurations. The redundant data path(s) minimize disruption of data display and make repair and maintenance of the display system more efficient. The invention includes apparatus for graphical display systems, and also includes methods of data transmission for graphical display systems, and methods of maintenance of graphical display systems.

Claims

1. A graphical display apparatus, comprising:

at least two display modules connected in series and not connected in parallel, the at least two display modules arranged to form a larger graphical display;

a plurality of independent data paths, connected to each of the at least two display modules, allowing graphical data carried by each of the plurality of independent data paths to be transmitted to each of the at least two displays modules; and

one or both of data path diagnostics, for detecting a failure in transmission of graphical data along one of the plurality of independent data paths, or an apparatus for switching between the plurality of independent data paths, so that if a failure in transmission of graphical data along one of the plurality of independent data paths occurs, graphical data supplied by transmission along another of the plurality of independent data paths is utilized for display on the larger graphical display.

2. The graphical display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least two display modules form a first row or column of two or more serially connected display modules, each module connected to the plurality of independent data paths configured to transmit graphical data from a control unit.

3. The graphical display apparatus of claim 1, wherein graphical data is passed from at least one of the at least two display modules to at least one other of the display modules, and

wherein the plurality of independent data paths comprise bidirectional data paths allowing each of the at least two display modules to receive graphical data from a plurality of data paths.

4. The graphical display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus for switching between the plurality of independent data paths switches between the data paths to allow seamless display of graphical data despite the failure.

5. The graphical display apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least two display modules further form a second row or column of two or more serially connected display modules, each module connected to the plurality of independent data paths configured to transmit graphical data from the control unit.

6. The graphical display apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least two display modules comprise at least three display modules, each module connected to the plurality of independent data paths configured to transmit graphical data from the control unit.

7. The graphical display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of independent data paths run within the same cable, but on separate conductors.

8. The graphical display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of independent data paths use one or more wireless transmissions.

9. The graphical display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of independent data paths originate from a single control unit.

10. The graphical display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of independent data paths originate from at least two control units.

11. A method for transmission of graphical data for a graphical display apparatus, comprising the steps of:

connecting a plurality of redundant data paths to each of two or more display modules that are connected in series and not connected in parallel, the two or more display modules arranged to form a graphical display larger in size than the individual display modules;

transmitting graphical data along the plurality of redundant data paths; and

switching between the plurality of redundant data paths to provide substantially seamless display of graphical data.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein transmitting graphical data along the plurality of redundant data paths includes bidirectionally transmitting graphical data between the two or more display modules.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein connecting the plurality of redundant data paths includes connecting a plurality of redundant data paths to a first set of two or more display modules arranged in series and forming a first row or column of display modules;

and

connecting a plurality of redundant data paths to a second set of two or more display modules arranged in series and forming a second row or column of display modules.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein transmitting graphical data along the plurality of redundant data paths includes transmitting graphical data from a control unit along first and second distinct data paths to each of the two or more display modules.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein switching between the plurality of redundant data paths includes switching between the first and second distinct data paths upon detection of a failure in transmission of graphical data along one of the first or second data paths.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of:

detecting the failure in transmission of graphical data along the first or second data paths; and

determining which of the first or second data paths should be utilized for transmission of redundant graphical data for the graphical display.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of:

repairing or replacing one or more failed components at a time when display of graphical data is of secondary importance.

18. A graphical display apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of display modules connected in series and arranged to form a larger graphical display;

a plurality of independent data paths for transmission of graphical data to each of the plurality of display modules, wherein graphical data from the plurality of independent data paths is passed from an output of one of the plurality of display modules to an input of another of the display modules;

data path diagnostics for detecting a failure in transmission of graphical data along one of the plurality of independent data paths; and

an apparatus for switching between the plurality of independent data paths, so that if a detected failure in transmission occurs, graphical data supplied by transmission along another of the plurality of independent data paths is utilized.

19. The graphical display apparatus of claim 18, wherein the plurality of independent data paths comprise bidirectional data paths, so that each of the plurality of display modules receives graphical data from a plurality of data paths.