Switch system for outputting multimedia content to a digital sign
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A switch system for controlling the output of multimedia content to a digital display device, the switch system comprising:
- a plurality of source input ports for receiving external media devices, the external media devices storing multimedia content;
an output port configured to couple the switch system to one or more digital display devices;
a first switching mechanism for selectively connecting one of the source input ports to a processor;
a remote source port for receiving remotely rendered multimedia content from another switch system;
the processor for accessing and rendering the multimedia content on a selected one of the external media devices;
a second switching mechanism for routing either the multimedia content rendered by the processor or the remotely rendered multimedia content to the output port of the switch system;
a remote output port for outputting the multimedia content rendered by the processor to the other switch system;
a third switching mechanism for selectively routing the multimedia content rendered by the processor to the remote output port for output to the other switch system;
a master/slave switch for controlling the second and third switching mechanisms, wherein when the master/slave switch is in a master position, the second and third switching mechanisms route the multimedia content rendered by the processor to the output port of the switch system and to the remote output port respectively, and when the master/slave switch is in a slave position, the second switching mechanism routes the remotely rendered multimedia content to the output port of the switch system; and
an IR touch screen switch for receiving user input for controlling the position of the first switching mechanism.
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Abstract
The present invention extends to a switch system for selecting multimedia content from one or various source inputs to be provided to a digital display. The switch system of the present invention provides a compact, convenient, and simple to use solution for updating a digital display in many environments. The switch system employs an IR touch screen for receiving user input. Based on the user input received by the IR touch screen, control signals are generated that control the position of a switch for selecting a source of content for display.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A switch system for controlling the output of multimedia content to a digital display device, the switch system comprising:
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a plurality of source input ports for receiving external media devices, the external media devices storing multimedia content; an output port configured to couple the switch system to one or more digital display devices; a first switching mechanism for selectively connecting one of the source input ports to a processor; a remote source port for receiving remotely rendered multimedia content from another switch system; the processor for accessing and rendering the multimedia content on a selected one of the external media devices; a second switching mechanism for routing either the multimedia content rendered by the processor or the remotely rendered multimedia content to the output port of the switch system; a remote output port for outputting the multimedia content rendered by the processor to the other switch system; a third switching mechanism for selectively routing the multimedia content rendered by the processor to the remote output port for output to the other switch system; a master/slave switch for controlling the second and third switching mechanisms, wherein when the master/slave switch is in a master position, the second and third switching mechanisms route the multimedia content rendered by the processor to the output port of the switch system and to the remote output port respectively, and when the master/slave switch is in a slave position, the second switching mechanism routes the remotely rendered multimedia content to the output port of the switch system; and an IR touch screen switch for receiving user input for controlling the position of the first switching mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A display system comprising:
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a first and a second switch system, each of the first and second switch systems comprising; a plurality of source input ports for receiving external media devices, the external media devices storing multimedia content; a switching mechanism for connecting one of the source input ports to an output port; a processor for accessing and rendering the multimedia content on the external media devices for display on a display device connected to the switch system via the output port; an IR touch screen switch for receiving user input for controlling the position of the switching mechanism; a master/slave switch for configuring the switch system as a master or a slave in a group of switch systems; a remote output port over which is outputted a control signal for controlling the switching mechanism in another switch system when the master/slave switch is in a master position; and a remote source port over which is input a control signal from another switch system for controlling the switching mechanism of the switch system when the master/slave switch is in a slave position; wherein, when the first switch system is configured as the master, and the second switch system is configured as a slave, the processor of the first switch system controls the state of the switching mechanism of the second switch system. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system for controlling the output of multimedia content to a plurality of digital display devices, the system comprising:
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a first switch system and a second switch system that each comprises; a plurality of source input ports for receiving external media devices, the external media devices storing multimedia content; an output port configured to couple the switch system to a display device; a first switching mechanism for selectively connecting one of the source input ports to a processor; a remote source port for receiving remote multimedia content from the other switch system; the processor for accessing and rendering the multimedia content on a selected one of the external media devices; a second switching mechanism for routing either the multimedia content rendered by the processor or the remote multimedia content received from the other switch system to the output port of the switch system; a remote output port for outputting the multimedia content rendered by the processor to the other switch system; a third switching mechanism for selectively routing the multimedia content rendered by the processor to the remote output port for output to the other switch system; and a master/slave switch for controlling the second and third switching mechanisms, wherein when the master/slave switch is in a master position, the second and third switching mechanisms route the multimedia content rendered by the processor to the output port of the switch system and to the remote output port respectively, and when the master/slave switch is in a slave position, the second switching mechanism routes the remote multimedia content to the output port of the switch system; wherein one or both of the first and second switch systems includes an IR touch screen switch for receiving user input for controlling the position of the corresponding first switching mechanism.
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Specification