Connecting multiple monitors to a computer using a single cable
First Claim
1. A multiple monitor computing system, comprising:
- a computer including a video processor, the video processor operable to store a plurality of video images, and further operable to transmit a sequence of video frames, each video frame including a frame identifier and one of the plurality of video images, wherein the computer is located at a first location;
a cable coupled to the computer;
a plurality of monitors, wherein each of the plurality of monitors is configured to display a video image wherein each of the plurality of monitors is located at a second location, the second location being remote from the first location ; and
a plurality of frame grabbers, wherein each of the plurality of frame grabbers couples one of the plurality of monitors to the serial cable, and wherein each of the plurality of frame grabbers is configured to;
examine the sequence of video frames;
select a video frame from the sequence based on a frame identifier, wherein the frame identifier designates one of the plurality of monitors upon which the video frame is to be displayed; and
forward the video frame selected from the sequence to the one of the plurality of monitors.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for transmitting video images from a computer system to multiple monitors over a single cable. In one embodiment, a computing system includes a video processor operable to store a plurality of video images. The video processor is further configured to transmit a sequence of video frames, each video frame including a video image and a frame identifier. The video frames are transmitted across a serial cable to a plurality of frame grabbers, each of which couples the serial cable to one of a plurality of monitors. Each frame grabber is configured to examine the sequence of video frames. The frame grabber is further configured to select a video frame from the sequence based on the frame identifier, which designates the monitor upon which the video frame is to be displayed.
35 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A multiple monitor computing system, comprising:
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a computer including a video processor, the video processor operable to store a plurality of video images, and further operable to transmit a sequence of video frames, each video frame including a frame identifier and one of the plurality of video images, wherein the computer is located at a first location;
a cable coupled to the computer;
a plurality of monitors, wherein each of the plurality of monitors is configured to display a video image wherein each of the plurality of monitors is located at a second location, the second location being remote from the first location ; and
a plurality of frame grabbers, wherein each of the plurality of frame grabbers couples one of the plurality of monitors to the serial cable, and wherein each of the plurality of frame grabbers is configured to;
examine the sequence of video frames;
select a video frame from the sequence based on a frame identifier, wherein the frame identifier designates one of the plurality of monitors upon which the video frame is to be displayed; and
forward the video frame selected from the sequence to the one of the plurality of monitors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for providing images to a plurality of monitors, the method comprising:
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generating a plurality of video frames, wherein each video frame includes a video image and a frame identifier, wherein each of video images is stored in a video processor in a computer system, wherein the computer system is located in a first location;
transmitting a sequence of video frames across a cable to a plurality of frame grabbers, wherein each frame grabber is coupled to the serial cable and one of a plurality of monitors, wherein each of the plurality of monitors is located in a second location, the second location being remote from the first location;
examining the sequence of video frames, said examining performed by a frame grabber, wherein the frame grabber is one of the plurality of frame grabbers;
selecting a video frame, wherein said selecting is based on the frame identifier, the frame identifier designating one of the plurality of monitors upon which the video frame is to be displayed, said selecting performed by the frame grabber; and
forwarding the video frame form the frame grabber to the one of the plurality of monitors. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification