Computer system with true video signals

• US 8,375,138 B2
• Filed: 11/05/2009
• Issued: 02/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: FH Innovations Limited
• Original Assignee: FH Innovations Limited
• Inventors: Peterson, David A.
• Primary Examiner(s): DAILEY, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US12/613,389
• Publication Number:
  US 20100115125A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,195 Days
• Field of Search: 709/231, 709/326, 715/719
• US Class Current: 709/231
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2805 Home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] networks

Abstract

A computer system where a computer sends out video signal signals in true video format directly to a standard monitor type display device (see DEFINITIONS section) through either a network (wired or wireless or both), or over a wireless connection. In network embodiments, the network may be a local area network (“LAN”) a wide area network (“WAN”) or a combination of these types. Preferably, the true video signal is in one of the following formats: conventional television type broadcast signal, VGA, xVGA, D-sub 15, RGBHV video signal with DDC2 digital clock and data. Preferably, the true signal sent from the computer to the standard monitor type display device is in analog form.

Claims

1. A computer system comprising a computer, a communication network and a first standard monitor type display device, wherein:

the computer comprises a true video transmission module and a network output module;

the true video transmission module is structured and/or programmed to receive a first true video signal, corresponding to a first computer display used in working on a computer and generated by the computer, and output the first true video signal to the network output module in true video form and without encapsulation in a network protocol;

the network module is structured, connected and/or programmed to send the first true video signal through the communication network to the first standard monitor type display device;

the first standard monitor type display device receives the first true video signal from the communication network and displays an image corresponding to the first true video signal on a display of the first standard monitor type display device;

the computer further comprises a processing hardware set, a controller kernel and a first guest operating system;

the first true video signal corresponds to a first computer display used in working on a computer through the first guest operating system;

the controller kernel runs directly on the processing hardware set;

the true video transmission module is included in the controller kernel; and

the first guest operating system communicates with the processing hardware set at least in part by exchanging instructions in native form with the processing hardware set through and under the control of the controller kernel.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the true video transmission module comprises a true video frame buffer sub-module structured and/or programmed to receive a plurality of frame buffers corresponding to the first true video signal from elsewhere in the controller kernel.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the true video frame buffer module further comprises a digital-to-analog converter sub-module structured and/or programmed to receive the plurality of frame buffers corresponding to the first true video signal from true video frame buffer sub-module and to convert the plurality of frame buffers from a first true video signal in digital form to a first true video signal in analog form.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the controller kernel comprises hypervisor software;

the hypervisor software is programmed to virtualize and communicate audio and video related instructions between the first guest operating system and the processing hardware set; and

the hypervisor software is further programmed to send a plurality of frame buffers corresponding to the first true video signal to the true video transmission module.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the true video transmission module comprises a true video frame buffer sub-module structured and/or programmed to receive the plurality of frame buffers corresponding to the first true video signal from the hypervisor software of the controller kernel.

6. The system of claim 1 further comprising a second standard monitor type display device, wherein:

the computer further comprises a second guest operating system;

the second guest operating system communicates with the processing hardware set at least in part by exchanging instructions in native form with the processing hardware set through and under the control of the controller kernel;

the true video transmission software module is further structured and/or programmed to receive a second true video signal, corresponding to a second computer display used in working on a computer through the second guest operating system, and to output the second true video signal to the network output module in true video form and without encapsulation in a network protocol;

the network module is structured, connected and/or programmed to send the second true video signal through the communication network to the second standard monitor type display device; and

the second standard monitor type display device receives the second true video signal from the communication network and displays it on a display of the second standard monitor type display device.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein:

the controller kernel controls the first and second guest operating systems so that they are containerized with respect to each other; and

the controller kernel comprises an idle loop programmed to communicate native form instructions between the processing hardware set and the first and second guest operating systems in a way that allows the first and second guest operating systems to run concurrently in a containerized manner.

8. A computer system comprising a computer and a first standard monitor type display device, wherein:

the computer comprises true video transmission software and a wireless transmitter;

the true video transmission module is structured and/or programmed to receive a first true video signal, corresponding to a computer display used in working on a computer and generated by the computer, and output the first true video signal to the wireless transmitter in true video form and without encapsulation in a network protocol;

the first standard display device comprises a display and a wireless receiver;

the wireless receiver of the first standard monitor type display device receives the first true video signal from the wireless transmitter of the computer and displays an image corresponding to the first true video signal on the display of the first standard monitor type display device;

the computer further comprises a processing hardware set, a controller kernel and a first guest operating system;

the controller kernel runs directly on the processing hardware set;

the true video transmission module is included in the controller kernel; and

the first guest operating system communicates with the processing hardware set at least in part by exchanging instructions in native form with the processing hardware set through and under the control of the controller kernel.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the true video transmission module comprises a true video frame buffer sub-module structured and/or programmed to receive a plurality of frame buffers corresponding to the first true video signal from elsewhere in the controller kernel.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the true video frame buffer module further comprises a digital-to-analog converter sub-module structured and/or programmed to receive the plurality of frame buffers corresponding to the first true video signal from true video frame buffer sub-module and to convert the plurality of frame buffers from a first true video signal in digital form to a first true video signal in analog form.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein:

the controller kernel comprises hypervisor software;

the hypervisor software is programmed to virtualize and communicate audio and video related instructions between the first guest operating system and the processing hardware set; and

the hypervisor software is further programmed to send a plurality of frame buffers corresponding to the first true video signal to the true video transmission module.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the true video transmission module comprises a true video frame buffer sub-module structured and/or programmed to receive the plurality of frame buffers corresponding to the first true video signal from the hypervisor software of the controller kernel.

13. The system of claim 8 further comprising a second standard monitor type display device, wherein:

the computer further comprises a second guest operating system;

the second guest operating system communicates with the processing hardware set at least in part by exchanging instructions in native form with the processing hardware set through and under the control of the controller kernel;

the true video transmission software module is further structured and/or programmed to receive a second true video signal, corresponding to a second computer display used in working on a computer through the second guest operating system, and to output the second true video signal to the network output module in true video form and without encapsulation in a network protocol;

the network module is structured, connected and/or programmed to send the second true video signal through the communication network to the second standard monitor type display device; and

the second standard monitor type display device receives the second true video signal from the communication network and displays it on a display of the second standard monitor type display device.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein:

the controller kernel controls the first and second guest operating systems so that they are containerized with respect to each other; and

the controller kernel comprises an idle loop programmed to communicate native form instructions between the processing hardware set and the first and second guest operating systems in a way that allows the first and second guest operating systems to run concurrently in a containerized manner.

15. A computer system comprising a computer and a plurality of dummy terminals, wherein:

the computer comprises true video transmission software, a wireless transmitter, a processing hardware set, a controller kernel and a plurality of guest operating systems;

the controller kernel runs directly on the processing hardware set;

the true video transmission module is included in the controller kernel;

each guest operating system of the plurality of guest operating systems communicates with the processing hardware set at least in part by exchanging instructions in native form with the processing hardware set through and under the control of the controller kernel;

the true video transmission module is structured and/or programmed to receive a plurality of true video signals, the plurality of true video signals respectively corresponding to a plurality of computer displays respectively corresponding to the plurality of guest operating systems, and to output the plurality of true video signals to the wireless transmitter in true video form and without encapsulation in a network protocol;

each dummy terminal of the plurality of dummy terminals comprises a display and a wireless receiver; and

the wireless receiver of each dummy terminal of the plurality of dummy terminals respectively receives its corresponding true video signal from the wireless transmitter of the computer and displays it on the display of the dummy terminal.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein:

the controller kernel is written in POSIX; and

each guest operating system of the plurality of guest operating systems is a Windows operating system.