US6501441B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of and apparatus for partitioning, scaling and displaying video and/or graphics across several display devices
Assignee: Sony Corp
•
Filing: 1999-06-18
•
Granted: 2002-12-31
•
Expires: 2019-06-18
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for partitioning, scaling and displaying video and/or graphics across several display devices includes a video source, a master device and multiple display devices arranged into a multiple display configuration. Preferably, the master device partitions the video stream into image sections and assigns each display device a corresponding image section based on its position within the multiple display configuration. Each display device then preferably receives the video stream and separates the data representing the corresponding image section. Preferably, once the data for the corresponding image section is separated, the display devices then scale their respective image sections to a full screen size image and display the scaled image simultaneously with the display of the entire frame on all display devices within the multiple display configuration. In an alternative embodiment, the master device is responsible for partitioning the video stream into image sections, scaling the image sections, encoding the scaled image sections and transmitting the scaled and encoded image sections to the appropriate display devices within the multiple display configuration. The display devices then simultaneously display the image at an appropriate time based on information in the video stream or as specified by the master device. This process is repeated for each frame within the video stream. In a further alternate embodiment, the multiple display configuration includes a combination of display devices capable of physically partitioning an image section from the video stream and display devices to which the master device partitions, scales, encodes and transmits the image for display.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold Aaron Ludtke
- 👤 Scott D. Smyers
- 👤 Mark Kenneth Eyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 17:40
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/28; H04L12/40; H04L12/40052; H04L12/40058; G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/14; G06F3/1423; G06F3/1446; G06T; G06T15/00; G06T15/10; G09; G09G; G09G5/00; G09G5/14; G09G5/36; G09G5/39; G09G5/393; H04L12/2803; H04L12/2805; H04L12/40071; H04L12/40117; H04L12/66; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/20; H04N21/23; H04N21/238; H04N21/2381; H04N21/40; H04N21/41; H04N21/426; H04N21/43; H04N21/436; H04N21/4363; H04N21/438; H04N21/4381; H04N5/00; H04N5/222; H04N5/262; H04N9/00; H04N9/12; G09G2340/00; G09G2340/02; G09G2340/12; G09G2340/125; H04L12/2807; H04L12/2809; H04L12/283; H04L12/2834; H04L12/2838; H04L2012/2847; H04L2012/2849; H04N5/44; H04N5/445
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 50
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
A method of displaying images on a multiple display configuration including a plurality of display devices comprising the steps of: a. determining capabilities and characteristics of the display devices; b. partitioning an image into a plurality of image sections each corresponding to a display device within the multiple display configuration; c. assigning each image section to a corresponding display device; d. capturing each image section corresponding to each display device from an original data stream; e. scaling each image section for each display device thereby forming scaled image sections corresponding to each display device; f. displaying the corresponding scaled image sections at each display device at an appropriate time thereby forming a magnified image across the multiple display configuration representing the image; g. determining a latency value for each of the display devices; h. determining a worst case latency value for the display devices; and i. communicating the worst case latency value to each of the display devices wherein the worst case latency value is a maximum delay value.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
169 words
A method of displaying images on a multiple display configuration including a plurality of display devices comprising the steps of: a. determining capabilities and characteristics of the display devices; b. partitioning an image into a plurality of image sections each corresponding to a display device within the multiple display configuration; c. assigning each image section to a corresponding display device; d. capturing each image section corresponding to each display device from an original data stream; e. scaling each image section for each display device thereby forming scaled image sections corresponding to each display device; f. displaying the corresponding scaled image sections at each display device at an appropriate time thereby forming a magnified image across the multiple display configuration representing the image; g. determining a latency value for each of the display devices; h. determining a worst case latency value for the display devices; and i. communicating the worst case latency value to each of the display devices wherein the worst case latency value is a maximum delay value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the steps of: a. determining display dimensions of the multiple display configuration; b. determining image dimensions of the image; and c. calculating a size of each image section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the corresponding scaled image section represents a full screen of data for the display device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the steps of capturing and scaling are performed by each display device on the appropriate image section corresponding to the display device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the steps of capturing and scaling are performed by a master device on each appropriate image section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as claimed in claim 5 further comprising the step of encoding each scaled image section into an encoded data stream representing the scaled image section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as claimed in claim 6 wherein the step of encoding includes updating a display time value within the encoded data stream.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as claimed in claim 7 further comprising the step of transmitting the encoded data stream in a format across a high speed serial interface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as claimed in claim 8 wherein the format is a selective one of an MPEG format and Digital Video format and the high speed serial interface is an IEEE 1394 serial bus network.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as claimed in claim 9 wherein the encoded data stream for each display device is transmitted over a separate isochronous channel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as claimed in claim 6 further comprising the step of transmitting each encoded data stream to each appropriate display device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the step of transmitting includes combining data representing the scaled image section for an appropriate display device in a stream of data packets, each including an address value corresponding to a memory location within the appropriate display device.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
241 words
A method of displaying images on a multiple display configuration including a plurality of display devices comprising the steps of: a. determining capabilities and characteristics of the display devices; b. partitioning an image into a plurality of image sections each corresponding to a display device within the multiple display configuration; c. assigning each image section to a corresponding display device; d. capturing each image section corresponding to each display device from an original data stream; e. scaling each image section for each display device thereby forming scaled image sections corresponding to each display device; f. displaying the corresponding scaled image sections at each display device at an appropriate time thereby forming a magnified image across the multiple display configuration representing the image; g. encoding each scaled image section into an encoded data stream representing the scaled image section; h. transmitting each encoded data stream to each appropriate display device, wherein the step of transmitting each encoded data stream includes combining data representing the scaled image section for an appropriate display device in a stream of data packets, each including an address value corresponding to a memory location within the appropriate display device; and i. transmitting a trigger packet on occurrence of a trigger event, the trigger packet including a trigger address value corresponding to a trigger memory location within the appropriate display device; wherein the steps of capturing and scaling are performed by a master device on each appropriate image section.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
241 words
A method of displaying images on a multiple display configuration including a plurality of display devices comprising the steps of: a. determining capabilities and characteristics of the display devices; b. partitioning an image into a plurality of image sections each corresponding to a display device within the multiple display configuration; c. assigning each image section to a corresponding display device; d. capturing each image section corresponding to each display device from an original data stream; e. scaling each image section for each display device thereby forming scaled image sections corresponding to each display device; f. displaying the corresponding scaled image sections at each display device at an appropriate time thereby forming a magnified image across the multiple display configuration representing the image; g. encoding each scaled image section into an encoded data stream representing the scaled image section; h. transmitting each encoded data stream to each appropriate display device, wherein the step of transmitting each encoded data stream includes combining data representing the scaled image section for an appropriate display device in a stream of data packets, each including an address value corresponding to a memory location within the appropriate display device; and i. transmitting a trigger packet on occurrence of a trigger event, the trigger packet including a trigger address value corresponding to a trigger memory location within the appropriate display device; wherein the steps of capturing and scaling are performed by a master device on each appropriate image section.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method as claimed in claim 13 wherein the trigger packet includes a trigger bit, which when written into the trigger memory location, signals that storage of a current scaled image section for display by the appropriate display device is complete.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as claimed in claim 14 wherein the data packets are isochronous packets.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as claimed in claim 13 wherein the trigger packet further includes a presentation time value specifying a display time of the scaled image section.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the step of transmitting the original data stream to each appropriate display device over a high speed serial interface.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as claimed in claim 17 wherein the high speed serial interface is an IEEE 1394 serial bus network.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the original data stream includes a selective one or more of video, graphics and text.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of transmitting images to display devices within a multiple display configuration comprising the steps of: a. logically partitioning an image into a plurality of image sections each corresponding to a display device within the multiple display configuration; b. instructing each display device to physically partition and capture an appropriate image section corresponding to the display device from an original data stream; c. transmitting the original data stream to each display device; d. determining a latency value for each of the display devices; e. determining a worst case latency value for the display devices; and f. communicating the worst case latency value to each of the display devices.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of transmitting images to display devices within a multiple display configuration comprising the steps of: a. logically partitioning an image into a plurality of image sections each corresponding to a display device within the multiple display configuration; b. instructing each display device to physically partition and capture an appropriate image section corresponding to the display device from an original data stream; c. transmitting the original data stream to each display device; d. determining a latency value for each of the display devices; e. determining a worst case latency value for the display devices; and f. communicating the worst case latency value to each of the display devices.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method as claimed in claim 20 further comprising the steps of: a. determining display dimensions of the multiple display configuration; b. determining image dimensions of the image; and c. calculating a size of each image section.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as claimed in claim 20 further comprising the step of instructing each display device to display its appropriate image section at an appropriate time.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as claimed in claim 22 wherein the appropriate time is based on the worst case latency.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as claimed in claim 20 wherein the step of transmitting is completed over a high speed serial interface.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as claimed in claim 24 wherein the high speed serial interface is an IEEE 1394 serial bus network.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as claimed in claim 20 wherein the original data stream includes a selective one or more of video, graphics and text.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
210 words
A method of displaying images on a multiple display configuration including a plurality of display devices and a master device comprising the steps of: a. partitioning an image into a plurality of image sections each corresponding to a display device within the multiple display configuration; b. assigning each image section to a corresponding display device: c. capturing each image section corresponding to each display device from an original data stream at the master device; d. scaling each image section for each display device thereby forming scaled image sections corresponding to each display device at the master device; e. transmitting each scaled image section to each appropriate display device, wherein the step of transmitting each scaled image section includes combining data representing the scaled image section for an appropriate display device in a stream of data packets, each including an address value corresponding to a memory location within the appropriate display device; f. displaying the corresponding scaled image sections at each display device at an appropriate time thereby forming a magnified image across the multiple display configuration representing the image; and g. transmitting a trigger packet on occurrence of a trigger event, the trigger packet including a trigger address value corresponding to a trigger memory location within the appropriate display device.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
210 words
A method of displaying images on a multiple display configuration including a plurality of display devices and a master device comprising the steps of: a. partitioning an image into a plurality of image sections each corresponding to a display device within the multiple display configuration; b. assigning each image section to a corresponding display device: c. capturing each image section corresponding to each display device from an original data stream at the master device; d. scaling each image section for each display device thereby forming scaled image sections corresponding to each display device at the master device; e. transmitting each scaled image section to each appropriate display device, wherein the step of transmitting each scaled image section includes combining data representing the scaled image section for an appropriate display device in a stream of data packets, each including an address value corresponding to a memory location within the appropriate display device; f. displaying the corresponding scaled image sections at each display device at an appropriate time thereby forming a magnified image across the multiple display configuration representing the image; and g. transmitting a trigger packet on occurrence of a trigger event, the trigger packet including a trigger address value corresponding to a trigger memory location within the appropriate display device.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method as claimed in claim 27 further comprising the step of encoding each scaled image section into an encoded data stream representing the scaled image section, before the step of transmitting is completed.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as claimed in claim 28 wherein the step of encoding includes updating a display time value within the encoded data stream.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method as claimed in claim 29 wherein the step of transmitting includes transmitting the encoded data stream in a selective one of an MPEG format and DV format across an IEEE 1394 serial bus network.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method as claimed in claim 27 wherein the trigger packet includes a trigger bit, which when written into the trigger memory location signals that storage of a current scaled image section for display by the appropriate display device is complete.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as claimed in claim 31 wherein the data packets are isochronous packets.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as claimed in claim 27 wherein the trigger packet further includes a presentation time value specifying a display time of the scaled image section.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as claimed in claim 27 wherein the step of transmitting is performed over a high speed serial interface.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as claimed in claim 34 wherein the high speed serial interface is an IEEE 1394 serial bus network.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method as claimed in claim 27 further comprising the steps of: a. determining display dimensions of the multiple display configuration; b. determining image dimensions of the image; and c. calculating a size of each image section.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as claimed in claim 27 wherein the corresponding scaled image section represents a full screen of data for the display device.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as claimed in claim 27 wherein the original data stream includes a selective one or more of video, graphics and text.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
152 words
A multiple display configuration system comprising: a. a plurality of display devices each comprising: i. a display communications circuit configured for receiving and transmitting data; ii. a capturing circuit coupled to the display communications circuit for capturing an image section assigned to the display for each image within an original data stream; iii. a scaling circuit coupled to the capturing circuit for scaling each captured image section thereby forming a scaled image section; and iv. a display circuit coupled to the scaling circuit for displaying the scaled image section; and b. a master device coupled to the plurality of display devices comprising: i. a master communications circuit configured for receiving and transmitting data; and ii. a control circuit coupled to the master communications circuit for partitioning an image into a plurality of image sections each corresponding to one of the display devices and assigning each image section to a corresponding display device.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
152 words
A multiple display configuration system comprising: a. a plurality of display devices each comprising: i. a display communications circuit configured for receiving and transmitting data; ii. a capturing circuit coupled to the display communications circuit for capturing an image section assigned to the display for each image within an original data stream; iii. a scaling circuit coupled to the capturing circuit for scaling each captured image section thereby forming a scaled image section; and iv. a display circuit coupled to the scaling circuit for displaying the scaled image section; and b. a master device coupled to the plurality of display devices comprising: i. a master communications circuit configured for receiving and transmitting data; and ii. a control circuit coupled to the master communications circuit for partitioning an image into a plurality of image sections each corresponding to one of the display devices and assigning each image section to a corresponding display device.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
41 words
The multiple display configuration as claimed in claim 39 further comprising a video source coupled to the display devices and to the master device for providing a video stream as the original data stream to be displayed on the display devices.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
27 words
The multiple display configuration as claimed in claim 39 wherein the display circuit displays the scaled image section at an appropriate time specified by the master device.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
24 words
The multiple display configuration as claimed in claim 39 wherein the scaled image section represents a full screen of data for the display device.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
27 words
The multiple display configuration as claimed in claim 39 wherein the display devices and the master device are all coupled together by a high speed serial interface.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
22 words
The multiple display configuration as claimed in claim 43 wherein the high speed serial interface is an IEEE 1394 serial bus network.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
25 words
The multiple display configuration as claimed in claim 39 wherein the original data stream includes a selective one or more of video, graphics and text.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-12-30 | 2006-07-01 | 2006-12-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-12-30 | 2010-07-01 | 2010-12-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-12-30 | 2014-07-01 | 2014-12-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |