Connecting multiple monitors to a computer using a single cable

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.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to computer systems and specifically to operation of multiple monitors with a single computer over a single cable. The invention further relates to extension of the operational distance between the computer and the monitors.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] The components of a computer system (such as PCs, minicomputers and mainframes) may be divided into two functional units—a computing system and a human interface (or “HI”) to the computing system. For a PC, the computing system may be the CPU, memory, hard drive, power supply and similar components. The computing system may be comprised in a chassis which holds the motherboard, power supply, hard drive and the like. The computer system may also be implemented in other forms, such as a blade computer as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,101 entitled “Computer Network Having Commonly Located Computer Systems”, or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/728,667 entitled “Computer On A Card With A remote Human Interface” filed Dec. 1, 2000. The human interface, on the other hand, may comprise those devices that humans use to transfer information to and/or receive information from the computing system. The most commonly recognized devices which form part of the human interface with the computing system include the monitor, keyboard, mouse and printer. The human interface may also include a variety of other devices, such as a joystick, trackball, touchpad, microphone, speakers, and telephone, as well as other devices too numerous to specifically mention.

[0006] Increasingly, HIs for computer systems include multiple monitors for presenting large amounts of information to a user. For example, financial or stock analysis workstations typically include at least two monitors to display various tables, graphs, documents, and program interfaces to the analyst. Generally, this is accomplished through the use of multiple (usually two) video cards in the computer, although there are some video cards which support two independent video outputs. Drawbacks to this approach include the cost of providing multiple video cards (or special video cards with multiple outputs) for the computer system, as well as the limitation on the number of monitors supported (usually two or three), due to the limited number of slots and/or buses available on the computer.

[0007] In most multi-display computer systems, e.g., current PC architectures, the human interface (e.g., the display monitor, mouse, and keyboard, etc.) is closely located to the computer system, by a distance typically less than about 10 to 15 feet. This distance constraint severely limits the placement of the multiple video monitors in a system, and thus, limits the usability and flexibility of the system. In some current multi-display computer systems, the operational distance from the computer to the video displays has been extended, e.g., by converting digital video signals to analog signals for propagation over distances up to ˜100 feet, and by using compensation amplifiers in the case of longer cable runs.

[0008] However, current approaches to extended multiple monitor computer systems require individual cables for each monitor. In other words, current approaches include a hub which connects to the computer, and which has multiple outputs for connecting with respective multiple monitors via respective multiple cables. Thus, if the computer system includes four monitors at the HI location, then four separate cables must be run from the hub to the displays, increasing the expense of the system.

[0009] Additionally, in the installation of cabling, the cost of pulling the cable, e.g., through walls, ceilings, etc., may greatly exceed the cost of the cable, and so the use of multiple cables to connect the monitors may involve substantial expense. These problems may be illustrated more clearly by FIG. 1 and it's associated text.

[0010] FIG. 1—Computer System with Multiple Display Devices (Prior Art)

[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a computer system which supports multiple display devices, i.e., computer monitors, according to the prior art. As FIG. 1 shows, in the prior art approach, a computer 102 is coupled to a hub 111, e.g., via a cable 104. The hub 111, in turn, is coupled to a plurality of computer displays, i.e., computer monitors 108A-108D via respective cables 104A-104D. Multiplexed video signals, and optionally, I/O device signals, are sent from the computer 108 to the hub 111, where the multiplexed video signals are separated and routed over the appropriate cables 104 to respective monitors 108. Thus, as FIG. 1 shows, the prior art approach necessitates that multiple cables (e.g., 104A-104D) be run from the hub 111 to distribute the video signals. In this prior art approach, the hub 111 receives a single large video frame or image, and partitions the frame into a plurality of sub-frames, each of which constitutes a frame or image for a respective monitor. The processing involved in decomposing the single large frame into the respective sub-frames may require complex processing and may greatly limit the flexibility of the system regarding changes in configuration of the system, e.g., addition or subtraction of monitors from the system, changes in resolution of the images, etc.

[0012] The parallel couplings between the hub 111 and the monitors 108 may also require substantially more cable than a single monitor system. As was mentioned above, generally, the cost of running the cable exceeds that of the cable itself, thus, the use of multiple parallel cables to couple the monitors to the hub may involve significant expense, in that in some embodiments, each of the cables 104A-104D may have to be “pulled” through walls, floors, etc., during installation of the system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] A method and system for transmitting video images from a computer system to multiple monitors over a single cable is disclosed. In one embodiment, the computer system is located at a first location, and is coupled to a human interface through a cable. The human interface may be located at a second location remote from the first location. The human interface may include a plurality of frame grabbers and a plurality of monitors.

[0014] In one embodiment, the 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 processor may be configured to transmit the sequence of video frames in a time-division multiplexed fashion. The video frames are transmitted across the cable to the plurality of frame grabbers, each of which couples the cable to one of the plurality of monitors. Each frame grabber is configured to examine the sequence of video frames. Each frame grabber is further configured to select a video frame from the sequence based on the frame identifier, which designates the specific monitor upon which the video frame is to be displayed. A frame in the sequence that is not designated for the specific monitor may be allowed to pass through the frame grabber, as well as any subsequent frame grabber, until reaching a frame grabber associated with the monitor designated by its frame identifier.

[0015] In one embodiment, the computer is a blade computer. The blade computer may execute a software driver that generates video images, places the video images into frames, and inserts a frame identifier into the each video frame. The video frames may then be transmitted sequentially onto the serial cable. In one embodiment, the serial cable may be a CAT 5 cable. The frames may be received by frame pods coupled to the serial cable, each of which includes a frame grabber, and is coupled to a monitor. Frames not captured by the frame grabber may be forwarded to subsequent frame pods coupled to the cable. In one embodiment, the frame pods may be located in their respective monitors.

[0016] The computing system may include a plurality of blade computers, and thus may be configured for allowing a large number of monitors to be coupled to computers by single cables. The computing system may be particularly useful where it is necessary to display information on a large number of monitors (e.g. an airport terminal). Transmission of multiplexed video frames to respective frame pods and their associated monitors may reduce cabling requirements for the system by reducing the number of cables which must be “pulled” through walls, ceilings, and so forth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Other aspects of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0018] FIG. 1 (Prior Art) illustrates a prior art computer system having a computer and multiple display devices connected to the computer through a hub;

[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates a multi-monitor computer system, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates the use of frame-grabbers to distribute image frames to respective monitors over a single cable, according to one embodiment;

[0021] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the multi-monitor computer system in which I/O device signals are included with video signals and transmitted over a single cable;

[0022] FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate video frame management in the multi-monitor system, according to one embodiment;

[0023] FIG. 6 illustrates frame timing, according to one embodiment;

[0024] FIG. 7 illustrates video frame sequencing, according to one embodiment;

[0025] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a dual monitor drive system based on the Nvidia GEForce video chip, according to one embodiment;

[0026] FIG. 9 illustrates a video multiplexing scheme for the dual monitor system of FIG. 8, according to one embodiment;

[0027] FIG. 10 illustrates a video encoding scheme for the dual monitor system of FIG. 8, according to one embodiment;

[0028] FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a method for generating video signals in a dual monitor system, according to one embodiment;

[0029] FIG. 12 illustrates a process for receiving and distributing video frames in a multi-monitor system, according to one embodiment; and

[0030] FIG. 13 illustrates the relationship between the frame-grabber's input and output, according to one embodiment.

[0031] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] Incorporation by Reference

[0033] The following patents and patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference as though fully and completely set forth herein:

[0034] U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,101 titled “Computer Network Having Commonly Located Computer Systems” issued on Jan. 4, 2000, whose inventors are Andrew Heller, Barry Thornton, Daniel Barrett, and Charles Ely;

[0035] U.S. Pat. No. 6,119,146 titled “Computer Network Having Multiple Remotely Located Human Interfaces Sharing a Common Computing System” issued on Sep. 12, 2000, whose inventors are Andrew Heller, Barry Thornton, Daniel Barrett, and Charles Ely;

[0036] U.S. Pat. No. 6,038,616 titled “Computer System With Remotely Located Interface Where Signals are Encoded at the Computer System, Transferred Through a 4-wire Cable, and Decoded at the Interface” issued on Mar. 14, 2000, whose inventors are Andrew Heller, Barry Thornton, Daniel Barrett, and Charles Ely;

[0037] U.S. Pat. No. 6,070,214 titled “Serially Linked Bus Bridge For Expanding Access Over A First Bus To A Second Bus” issued on May 30, 2000, whose inventor is Frank Ahern;

[0038] U.S. Pat. No. 5,764,924 titled “Method And Apparatus For Extending A Local PCI Bus To A Remote I/O Backplane” issued on Jun. 9, 1998, whose inventor is Soon Chul Hong;

[0039] U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,105 titled “Long-Haul PCI-to-PCI Bridge” issued on Dec. 14, 1999, whose inventors are Dominique Vicard, Jean-Paul Moiroux, and Pierre-Yves Thoulon;

[0040] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/728,667 titled “Computer On A Card With A Remote Human Interface” filed on Dec. 1, 2000, whose inventors are Andrew Heller and Barry Thornton; and

[0041] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/728,669 titled “A System Of Co-Located Computers In a Framework Including Removable Function Modules for Adding Modular Functionality” filed on Dec. 1, 2000, whose inventor is Barry Thornton.

[0042] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/619,989 titled “System and Method for Providing a Remote Universal Serial Bus” filed on Jul. 20, 2000, whose inventor is Barry Thornton.

[0043] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/680,760 titled “System and Method for Combining Computer Video and Remote Universal Serial Bus In An Extended Cable” filed on Oct. 6, 2000, whose inventor is Barry Thornton.

[0044] FIG. 2—Computer System with Multiple Display Devices

[0045] FIG. 2 illustrates a computer system which supports multiple display devices, i.e., computer monitors, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The computer at the first location, the monitors and frame pods at the second location, and the human interface may include other devices not shown here. As FIG. 2 shows, in this approach, the computer 102 may couple to a first frame pod 206A via the cable 104. As FIG. 2 also shows, the first frame pod 206A may couple to monitor 108A. Additionally, the first frame pod 206A may couple to a second frame pod 206B, which may couple to monitor 108B, as well as frame pod 206C. Frame pod 206C may couple to monitor 108C and frame pod 206D. Finally, frame pod 206D may couple to monitor 108D. Each frame pod 206D may comprise a frame grabber as described below. In another embodiment, the frame pods may be implemented in each of their respective monitors, and hence separate frame pods may are not necessary. It should be noted that, although the system shown includes four monitors, that in various embodiments, the system may also include a greater or lesser number of monitors, and that the methods disclosed herein apply equally. Furthermore, other embodiments are possible and contemplated wherein each of the frame grabbers is stored within a single box. In general, a wide variety of configurations for arranging the frame pods/grabbers are possible and contemplated.

[0046] Thus, the frame pods 206/monitors 108 may be linked to the computer 102 in serial fashion via the cable 104. It should be noted that in another embodiment, the computer 102 may couple to the first frame pod 206A through a network, such as the Internet.

[0047] In one embodiment, the computer 102 stores a video image or frame for each of the monitors 108A-D. The computer 102 generates multiplexed video sequences, wherein the video frames are multiplexed together in a time-division multiplexed fashion. In another embodiment, the video frames may be multiplexed together using frequency division multiplexing. The multiplexed video signals may be transmitted from the computer 102 over the cable 104 to the first frame pod 206A. The first frame pod 206A may extract video signals targeted to the monitor 108A, if any, and transmit the extracted signals to the monitor 108A. The multiplexed video signals may then be sent by the first frame pod 206A to the second frame pod 206B. The second frame pod 206B may similarly extract video signals targeted to the monitor 108B, if any, and transmit the extracted signals to the monitor 108B, sending the multiplexed signals on to the third frame pod 206C, which, in turn, may extract video signals targeted to the monitor 108C, if any, and transmit the extracted signals to the monitor 108C, sending the multiplexed signals on to the fourth frame pod 206D. The fourth frame pod 206D may extract video signals targeted to the monitor 108D, if any, and transmit the extracted signals to the monitor 108D. The extraction of video signals for each monitor may be performed by a respective frame grabber in each frame pod 206, as described below with reference to FIG. 3.

[0048] It is further noted that the serial transmission of the multiplexed video signals to the respective frame pods 206 and monitors 108 may substantially reduce cabling requirements for the system, also resulting in a concomitant reduction in the number of cables which must be “pulled” through walls, ceilings, etc. in the installation of the system. Further details of this serial transmission of video signals from the computer to the succession of frame pods 206 and their respective monitors are described below with reference to FIGS. 3-13.

[0049] FIG. 3—Block Diagram of the Multiple Monitor System

[0050] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the primary functional elements of the multiple monitor system of FIG. 2, according to one embodiment. As FIG. 3 shows, multiple images 302A-302D may be provided, e.g., by the computer 108. More specifically, FIG. 3 illustrates a series of (four) video images 302A-302D, also referred to as ‘frames’, sequentially selected and transmitted some distance to a series of frame grabbers (comprised in the frame pods 206 of FIG. 2) over a single cable 104. In other words, the images may be sequentially fed to multiple frame grabbers 306 and then fed to the associated monitors 108. As used herein, the term frame grabber is intended to refer to a unit configured to identify frames targeted for an associated monitor, and to forward these frames to the associated monitor, where they may then be displayed.

[0051] As FIG. 3 also shows, the system may include a single cable distancing system 304, which may be operable to extend the operational distance for a human interface, i.e., the multiple monitors and/or other human interface devices, located remotely from the computing system 102. For more information regarding the extension of operation distance from the computer to a remote human interface, please see U.S. Pat. No. 6,038,616 titled “Computer System With Remotely Located Interface Where Signals are Encoded at the Computer System, Transferred Through a 4-wire Cable, and Decoded at the Interface” issued on Mar. 14, 2000, U.S. Pat. No. 6,070,214 titled “Serially Linked Bus Bridge For Expanding Access Over A First Bus To A Second Bus” issued on May 30, 2000, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/619,989 titled “System and Method for Providing a Remote Universal Serial Bus” filed on Jul. 20, 2000, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/680,760 titled “System and Method for Combining Computer Video and Remote Universal Serial Bus In An Extended Cable” filed on Oct. 6, 2000, all of which were incorporated by reference above.

[0052] In one embodiment, each of the images in the sequence of images or frames 302 may include a unique identifier indicating a target display, e.g., a target monitor. Each frame grabber 306 may examine the frame identifier, and when the appropriate frame grabber 306 detects an appropriate frame 302, the frame grabber 306 may grab or extract the frame from the serial signal and transmit the grabbed frame or image 302 to the corresponding monitor. Thus, each frame grabber 306 may be operable to analyze the multiplexed video signal, detect, and extract the appropriate frame 302 from the signal, and send the frame 302 to the associated monitor 108.

[0053] FIG. 4—Computer Blade Based System with I/O Device Signals

[0054] FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a multi-monitor system where the computer 108 comprises a “computer on a card” or “blade computer” 102A. As shown in FIG. 4, the blade computer 102A may serially couple to a series of frame pods 206, as described above. As also described above, each of the frame pods 206 may couple to a respective computer monitor 108. As is commonly known in the art, the blade computer 102A includes most or all of the functional components of a computer, e.g., processor, memory, power supply, etc., packaged with a blade or drawer form factor, such that multiple computers (blades) 102A may be co-located, e.g., in a rack or cage, thereby significantly reducing the space requirements for the computers. For more information on blade computers and co-located computer systems, please see U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/728,667 titled “Computer On A Card With A Remote Human Interface” filed on Dec. 1, 2000, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/728,669 titled “A System Of Co-Located Computers In a Framework Including Removable Function Modules for Adding Modular Functionality” filed on Dec. 1, 2000, which were incorporated by reference above. It should be noted that the use of a blade computer as the computer 102 is meant as an example only, and is not intended to limit the type of computer 102 used in the system to any particular type or form.

[0055] In this embodiment, a software driver executing in the blade computer 102A may map images out of memory as sequential frames (302A-302D). The frame pods 206, i.e., the frame grabbers 306A-306D, may each be operable to select or pick off an assigned frame of video and play it back to the respective monitor 108 at full refresh rate. It is noted that in one embodiment, the number of unique monitors supported in the system may be a function of video chip memory and a specified lowest acceptable rewrite rate, discussed in more detail below. Again, it is noted that the number of monitors/frames described herein is exemplary only, and is not intended to limit the number of monitors or frames to any particular value. Additionally, it is noted that in some embodiments of the system, the number of frames and the number of monitors may differ. For example, in an airport terminal application of the system, various monitors may display the same information. Thus, in a simple example, three images may be distributed over nine monitors, where the first two images may each be displayed on four monitors, and the third image may be displayed on the ninth monitor. This type of flexibility is provided by the ability of each frame pod 206 to examine the combined or multiplexed video signal and extract any video frame based on the frame identifier.

[0056] As FIG. 4 also shows, the final frame pod in the series, in this example, frame pod 206B, may couple to a USB (universal serial bus) pod 208. The USB pod 208 may couple to one or more I/O devices. also referred to as human interface devices, e.g., keyboard 410, mouse 411, included in the computer system's HI. The USB pod may thus terminate the line and process signals for all the HI devices. The USB pod may also be operable to receive user input from the HI devices and transmit the HI device signals through the cable 104 (and all of the frame pods 206) back to the computer 102A.

[0057] FIGS. 5A-5C—Video Frame Management

[0058] FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate video frame management in a computer system, according to one embodiment. FIG. 5A shows a sequence of video frames delivered to the monitor at a selected refresh rate. In a typical computer video display system the CPU will map instructions to build a video image out of memory and into a video processor, e.g., a graphics card. The video processor may take these digital instructions from memory and create, along with proper synchronization information, a video image which may be output as a sequential series of image lines whose aggregation constitutes the video ‘frame’1502A, i.e., one complete screen or “Window” of video information. This process may continue unabated at a rate typically between 60 and 85 frames per second. This signaling is repetitious, in that the same block of video data is output for a single monitor installation. This block of video data is typically rewritten by the computer 102 as needed to keep the screen's or window's contents current. Several ‘screens’ may reside in the computer's memory and may be written over each other as selected from the active windows screen by either keystrokes or mouse clicks.

[0059] In a typical computer application the multiple window capabilities, e.g., of Microsoft Windows 2000 or XP are supported by a section of memory assigned to hold the data constituting the windows. FIG. 5B illustrates a simplified version of the process. As FIG. 5B shows, multiple windows 504A-504C, i.e., video images, may be stored in computer memory 510, each with a start and stop location in the memory address space. These data are typically selected by the video driver to be rendered to through the video card out to the monitor in a standard VESA protocol (component color video plus synchronization data signals). This process is essentially the selection of the start and stop memory locations for the window of choice. Thus, in response to user input, such as a mouse click activating or selecting a window as the active window, the video card may select one of the windows, i.e., memory locations, for display, as shown in FIG. 5B. The data at the selected memory location, i.e., the selected window 504A, may then be converted by the video card 506 to an analog video signal 508, as shown.

[0060] In one embodiment of the present invention, the stream of frames shown in FIG. 5A may be modified such that each frame may be displayed on a different monitor. In other words, the video driver/processor may be altered such that switching between windows 504 may be performed automatically on a frame basis. In other words, for a three-monitor example, the video processor 506 may first select and render a first frame, 6 1 For the sake of this RFQ it is assumed that the reader is fully familiar with the VESA defined VGA, SVGA, XVGA, and etc. video signaling protocols employed in contemporary Personal Computer Video Technology. comprising the data of window #1504A. With the completion of the rendering of a frame of Window #1, the ‘switch’ may be advanced to the memory for Window #2 and that frame rendered. Finally, the process may select the Window #3 and render its frame, after which the process returns to Window #1. This process may be extended to support Window #1 to Window #‘n’, where the value ‘n’ may be determined and stored in the system during setup or initialization, or may be modified later, and remembered by the computer until changed.

[0061] FIG. 5C illustrates an example video output stream for an “n-window” system. The n frames 512A-512Z may be transmitted sequentially as shown, where the sequence cycles back to frame 1512A once all of the frames have been transmitted. As FIG. 5C shows, frames 1512A through frame n 512Z may each have an associated frame ID 513A-513Z. These IDs may be used to identify and select each frame from the combined or multiplexed video stream, as mentioned above. In one embodiment, each frame grabber 306 may have an ID which may be matched to the frame ID to indicate that the frame grabber 306 is to extract the frame for display on the respective monitor 108. An example of the placement of this frame ID 513 is described below with reference to FIG. 6.

[0062] FIG. 6—Encoding Format for Frame ID

[0063] FIG. 6 illustrates frame timing, according to one embodiment, and more specifically, FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of a format for encoding the frame IDs mentioned above with reference to FIG. 5C. As FIG. 6 shows, for each rendered frame, a simple frame identifier may be inserted to tag the frame. In this example embodiment, the frame ID may be located in the first line of the ‘blue’ video stream 606. In an embodiment where four different frames and/or displays are supported, the frame ID may comprise 2 bits, 3 microsecond long, starting 4 microseconds after the end 612 of the first Hsync 604 that occurs during Vsync 602. Frame #1 may be coded as ‘00’, frame #2 as ‘01’ frame #3 as ‘10’, and frame #4 as ‘11’.

[0064] It is clear that in such a system the rate of refresh of the video driver may be independent of the refresh rate of the individual monitors. That is the video output of the computer can operate at the lowest rate possible in an effort to reduce the bandwidth of the signal being transferred down the cable connecting the computer and the monitors. The monitors can operate at their highest refresh rate for the user's satisfaction and viewing ease. Clearly a large number of monitors would significantly slow the actual frame data transfer rate and may produce a ‘jumpy’ image on the monitor when used with rapidly changing video data, i.e., ‘action video’. It is anticipated that for normal ‘business’ graphics and video this may not be of consequence. A further possible consequence of the distribution of the frame rate across multiple monitors is “mouse jump”, in which the cursor or mouse may appear to be ‘sticky’, remaining in one location for a period, then suddenly jumping to another location, skipping the mouse positions in between. This issue is addressed below with reference to FIG. 7.

[0065] FIG. 7—Video Frame Sequencing

[0066] FIG. 7 illustrates video frame sequencing, according to one embodiment. More specifically, FIG. 7 illustrates a video frame sequencing scheme which addresses the “sticky mouse” issue mentioned above. In this embodiment, the frame 702 containing the mouse/cursor information may be sent on an every-other-frame basis to eliminate the jerkiness of the mouse that would result from a too infrequent refresh. Such an output is illustrated in FIG. 7 for a 4 screen (frame) implementation with frame #2702 having the mouse in it. Thus, the frame sequence is frame 1512A, frame 2512B, frame 3512C, frame 2512B, frame 4512C, frame 2512B, frame 1512C, and so on, as FIG. 7 indicates, wherein frame 2512B is the mouse frame 702.

[0067] FIG. 8—Block Diagram of a Dual Monitor System Based on Nvidia GEForce Video Chip

[0068] The video Window data stream described above can be produced in at least three ways. The first is pure software, that is, the video processor driver software may be altered so that the video processor fully manufactures the data stream. A second approach is to perform the process in hardware. For example, several independent video processors may be used to create the images and to multiplex the signals for the images into a single line. FIG. 8 is a block diagram of this second approach, as applied to an Nvidia GEForce Video Chip, according to one embodiment. It is noted that the use of the Nvidia GEForce Video Chip is exemplary only, and is not intended to limit the video card or chipset used in the invention to any particular type. The third method is a combination of the two, that is most of the frame is created by the software and the video processor, the additional information (including but not limited to the frame ID) may be added by additional hardware.

[0069] As FIG. 8 shows, in this example, the system is a dual monitor drive system based on the Nvidia GEForce video chip. This device 804 has two independent outputs, analog and digital, managed by existing Nvidia software. The system may multiplex frames from these two outputs down a single cable 104, e.g., a Category 5 cable, to be captured by a pair of frame stores (grabbers) 306A and 306B and distributed to respective monitors 108A and 108B, as illustrated.

[0070] More specifically, the Nvidia based video card 804 has two outputs, output #1, which is a digital signal converted to analog via an on-card DAC 816, and output #2, which is analog. Based on the VSync, the output of the card 804 may be multiplexed between the two outputs on a frame-by-frame basis. This output may be based on an alternating presentation of the frames, e.g., a frame from output #1, then a frame from output #2, then a frame from output #1, and on. It is understood that this may cause some discontinuity in the signal output, that is frame #2 may not be ready for transmittal at the end of frame #1.

[0071] FIG. 9—Video Multiplexing Scheme for the Dual Monitor System of FIG. 8

[0072] In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the NVidia chip has asynchronous outputs, in that the two channels are generated from independent clocks such that when both channels are refreshing at the same rate the actual V and H Sync signals have slightly different periods or frequencies, e.g., 5 to 10 Hz difference, which is the result of independent sources. This feature allows each output to operate at a different refresh rate without complex internal calculations or frequency synthesis.

[0073] FIG. 9 illustrates a video multiplexing scheme for the dual monitor system of FIG. 8, according to one embodiment. The basic multiplexing scheme is to send every other frame down the line. In practice, there may be a gap between the frames of up to just less than two whole frames, thus, in a worst case scenario, the system may capture what is effectively every third frame rather than every other frame, as FIG. 9 indicates.

[0074] At the top of FIG. 9, a best or ideal case is illustrated, where a first video output 902A and a second video output 904A are shown with equal period or frequency. Thus, in the ideal case, the two video frame sequences may be multiplexed together seamlessly, with no frame losses or asynchronicities. In contrast, in the expected case, the frequencies of video #1902B and video #2904B may differ such that every third frame of each video stream is selected and multiplexed for transmission to the monitors, as shown by the video streams 902C and 904C, resulting in the video stream output 906. Therefore, at 75 Hz refresh one may expect to see about 27 rewrites per second. This will probably not be noticeable when moving the mouse, although there will likely still be gaps in the video stream. As mentioned above, it is expected that for most applications, e.g., business applications, the slightly slower data presentation rate will be acceptable.

[0075] FIG. 10—Video Encoding Scheme for the Dual Monitor System of FIG. 8

[0076] FIG. 10 illustrates a video encoding scheme for the dual monitor system of FIG. 8, according to one embodiment. As FIG. 10 shows, frames from video input 11010A and video input 21010B may be multiplexed based on information included in the frame. Such frame data 1011 may include Vsync11001A, Hsync11002A, Vsync21101B, and Hsync11002B, as well as Blue11003A, Blue21003B, an identified output 1004, and a switch signal slot 1005. The particular data stored in each frame may occupy respective time slots in the transmitted frame signal.

[0077] In this process the vertical and horizontal synchronization signals for the two video streams, Vsync11001A, Hsync11002A, Vsync21001B, and Hsync11002B, are the operative stimulants for the system, controlling the sequencing of the two input video frame streams 1010A and 1010B. The lines to the blue signals, Blue11003A and Blue21003B may transition from a tri-stage or high impedance state to that of high (1 Volt) to indicate the presence of data. The time slot marked ‘ID’d Output' 1004 may differentiate the two videos for a given board. The time slot marked ‘SW’ may be used when 4 such frame grabbers are used and 4 video signals are present on the line, as indicated by the 2/4 mode switch 1006. One example of process flow for the multiplexing process is described below with reference to FIG. 11.

[0078] FIG. 11—Flowchart for Generating Video Signals in a Dual Monitoring System

[0079] FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a method for generating video signals in the dual monitor system described above with reference to FIGS. 8-10, according to one embodiment. As FIG. 11 shows, the same basic steps are performed for a frame from each video stream. In this example, a frame from video stream 11010A is processed first, then the equivalent steps performed for a frame from video stream 21010B.

[0080] In 1101, the presence of the VSync11001A is tested. In other words, the method determines if the vertical sync signal for the first video stream 1010A is present. If the VSync11001A is not present, the method step repeats, as shown, until the VSync1 signal is detected.

[0081] Once the VSync 11001A is detected, then in 1102, the signal of the first video stream 1010A may be output, as indicated. Then, as 1103 shows, the method may repeatedly check for the end of the Hsync1 signal 1002A, i.e., the end of the horizontal sync signal for the first video stream 1010A. When the end of the Hsync11002A is detected, then in 1104 a delay time1 may be inserted into the stream, and in 1105, the blue1 signal line set to low, as shown.

[0082] Then, in 1106, a delay time2 may be inserted into the stream, and the blue1 signal line set to SW, as shown in 1107. A delay time3 may then be inserted into the stream, as indicated in 1108, and the blue1 signal line set to low again, 1109 shows. The method may then check for the presence of the VSync1 signal, as 1110 shows. Once the VSync1 signal is detected, the video 1 frame is complete.

[0083] Once the video 1 frame has been completed, then the above steps are effectively repeated, but with frame data from video 21010B. Thus, in 1111, the presence of the VSync21001B is tested, and if the VSync21001B is not present, the method step repeats until the VSync2 signal is detected.

[0084] Once the VSync21001B is detected, then in 1112, the signal of the second video stream 1010B may be output, as indicated. Then, the method may repeatedly check for the end of the Hsync2 signal 1002B, i.e., the end of the horizontal sync signal for the second video stream 1010B, as 1113 shows,. When the end of the Hsync21002B is detected, then in 1114 a delay time1 may be inserted into the stream, and in 1115, the blue2 signal line set to low, as shown.

[0085] Then, in 1116, a delay time2 may be inserted into the stream, and the blue2 signal line set to SW, as shown in 1117. A delay time3 may then be inserted into the stream, as indicated in 1118, and the blue2 signal line set to low again, 1119 shows. The method may then check for the presence of the VSync2 signal 1001B, as 1120 shows. Once the VSync2 signal is detected, the video 2 frame is complete.

[0086] Thus, in one embodiment, the method may receive two video frame streams and multiplex the streams together on a frame by frame basis, based on information included in the frame data. Thus, each frame grabber may implement a method of saving a frame or window and then replaying it to the respective monitor. A more detailed block diagram of a frame grabber 306 is shown in FIG. 12, described below.

[0087] FIG. 12—Frame Grabber

[0088] FIG. 12 illustrates a process for receiving and distributing video frames in a multi-monitor system, according to one embodiment. In this process the video signal is fed to all the frame grabbers 306, which then perform the extraction of the appropriate frame for sending to a respective monitor. As FIG. 12 shows, a video signal 1210 may be received by an equalizer and line interface 1202. The video signal may be interfaced and equalized to compensate for cable issues of time and frequency.

[0089] The video signal 1210 may then be split and sent to a Phase Locked Loop (PLL) element 1204 and an analog/digital converter 1206, as shown. In one embodiment, the basic pixel clock rate may be extracted by the PLL to operate as the local clock. The image may be converted from analog to digital by the analog/digital converter 1206, and fed to the memory 1212. As FIG. 12 also shows, the control module may access the frame data, examining the first line of each frame for its ID code. In one embodiment, all first lines may be the same, and so may simply be written over in the memory. If the frame ID is the same as the frame grabber ID then the rest of the video image may be saved.

[0090] Once the video image is saved, the video image or frame may be sent to a digital/analog converter 1208 which converts the digital frame to an analog signal. The control module 1220 may then send the resulting signal to the associated monitor 108.

[0091] FIG. 13—Frame Grabber Input and Output

[0092] FIG. 13 illustrates the relationship between the first frame-grabber's input 1302 and output 1304, according to one embodiment. As FIG. 13 shows, a sequential video stream 1302 may be received from the computer 102. In this example, the video sequence comprises frame 1A 1312A, frame 2A 1314A, frame 3A 1316A, and frame 4A 1318A, followed by frame 1B 1312B, frame 2B 1314B, frame 3B 1316B, and so on. In other words, video frames from 4 inputs are multiplexed together. Once the frames for a given cycle, e.g., ‘A’, for the inputs are input, then frames for the next cycle, e.g., ‘B’, are input.

[0093] As FIG. 13 shows, the frame grabber 306A identifies and ‘grabs’ frame 1A 1312A, based on the frame's ID (by matching it with the frame grabber's ID). The frame grabber 306A may then send the grabbed frame 1A 1312A repeatedly to the monitor 108A, as shown in the first four frames of the output stream 1304. Then, once the frame grabber 306A detects the next frame from the first video source, i.e., frame 1B 1312B, the frame is extracted and sent to the monitor 108A, as shown. In one embodiment, the output frames may be sent to the monitor 108A at the monitor's refresh rate. Thus, the rates of the input and the output may differ, e.g., the frame grabber 306A may receive frames at a first rate, e.g., 60 Hz, while sending the output frames to the monitor 108A at a different rate, e.g., 75 Hz.

[0094] Thus, various embodiments of the systems and methods described herein may provide means for driving multiple monitors with a single computer, where multiplexed video frames may be transmitted over a single serial cable, and extracted sequentially by frame grabbers associated with respective monitors. Some of the points of novelty of various embodiments discussed herein include, but are not limited to, the following:

[0095] 1. The video data stream is a sequence of complete image frames or windows;

[0096] 2. A unique frame identification is attached to each frame;

[0097] 3. Frames are totally independent of each other and are fully unique and complete images;

[0098] 4. Frames need not be contiguous or continuous;

[0099] 5. Frames are refreshed to the monitor independent of the how often they are rewritten to the frame grabber;

[0100] 6. The frame grabber is an independent and complete frame reception node;

[0101] 7. The system is scaleable from 2 to N nodes; and

[0102] 8. The image (window) that contains the human interaction devices (typically the visually critical items such as the mouse) are rewritten more often to reduce the apparent ‘jerkiness’ of their perceived movement.

[0103] Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the general manner of carrying out the invention. It is to be understood that the forms of the invention shown and described herein are to be taken as the presently preferred embodiments. Elements and materials may be substituted for those illustrated and described herein, parts and processes may be reversed, and certain features of the invention may be utilized independently, all as would be apparent to one skilled in the art after having the benefit of this description of the invention. Changes may be made in the elements described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the following claims.

Claims

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.

2. The computing system as recited in claim 1, wherein the cable is a CAT 5 cable.

3. The computing system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a universal serial bus (USB) pod coupled to the serial cable.

4. The computing system as recited in claim 3 further comprising a keyboard coupled to the USB pod.

5. The computing system as recited in claim 3 further comprising a mouse coupled to the USB pod.

6. The computing system as recited in claim 3, wherein the USB pod terminates the serial cable.

7. The computing system as recited in claim 1, wherein the sequence of video frames includes periodic mouse frames, wherein the mouse frames display a cursor in an associated video image, the position of the cursor responsive to movement of the mouse.

8. The computing system as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of frame grabbers is comprised in a frame pod.

9. The computing system as recited in claim 8, wherein the frame pod is configured to receive frames transmitted over the serial cable and to forward frames unselected by a frame grabber comprised within the frame pod to subsequent frame pods coupled to the cable.

10. The computing system as recited in claim 1, wherein the computer is a blade computer, the blade computer including a processor, a memory, and a video processor.

11. The computing system as recited in claim 10, wherein the blade computer is configured to execute a software driver, wherein the software driver is configured to generate video images.

12. The computing system as recited in claim 11, wherein the software driver is further configured to map the video images as sequential video frames.

13. The computing system as recited in claim 12, wherein the software driver is further configured to insert a frame identifier into each of the sequential video frames.

14. The computing system as recited in claim 11, wherein the computing system includes a plurality of blade computers.

15. The computing system as recited in claim 1, wherein each frame grabber includes: an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) coupled to the cable; a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) coupled to one of the plurality of monitors; a memory coupled to both the ADC and the DAC; and a memory manager coupled to the memory.

16. A method for providing images to a plurality of monitors, the method comprising: 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.

17. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the cable is a CAT 5 cable.

18. The method as recited in claim 16 further comprising coupling a universal serial bus (USB) pod to the cable.

19. The method as recited in claim 18 further comprising coupling a keyboard to the USB pod.

20. The method as recited in claim 18 further comprising coupling a mouse to the USB pod.

21. The method as recited in claim 18 further comprising terminating the serial cable with the USB pod.

22. The method as recited in claim 16 further periodically inserting a mouse frame into the sequence of frames, wherein each mouse frame displays a cursor in an associated video image, a position of the cursor responsive to movements of the mouse.

23. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein each of the frame grabbers is comprised within a frame pod.

24. The method as recited in claim 23 further comprising the frame pod receiving frames transmitted over the serial cable and forwarding frames unselected by a frame grabber comprised within the frame pod to subsequent frame pods coupled to the cable.

25. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the computer is a blade computer, the lo blade computer including a processor, a memory, and a video processor.

26. The method as recited in claim 25 further comprising the blade computer executing a software driver, wherein the software driver is configured to generate video images.

27. The method as recited in claim 26 further comprising the software driver mapping the video images as video frames.

28. The method as recited in claim 27, wherein the software driver is further configured to insert a frame identifier into each of the sequential video frames.

29. The method as recited in claim 25, wherein the computing system includes a plurality of blade computers.

30. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein each frame grabber includes: an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) coupled to the cable; a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) coupled to one of the plurality of monitors; a memory coupled to both the ADC and the DAC; and a memory manager coupled to the memory.