Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING MULTIPLE
IMAGES/VIDEOS ON A SINGLE DISPLAY
Inventors: William Dunn, Jerry Fraschilla, and Rick De Laet
Technical Field
[0001] This invention generally relates to electronic displays and systems
which
accept three independent video/image sources and display them on a single
display.
Background of the Art
[0002] Traditionally, advanced electronic display systems have only been used
for
indoor entertainment applications. However, modern electronic displays are
also being
used for advertising and informational purposes. When used for advertising,
catching
the attention of the consumer can sometimes be a difficult task. Further,
advertising
space is limited, and there is a strong desire to include as much advertising
information
as possible within a given physical space.
Summary of the Exemplary Embodiments
[0003] Exemplary embodiments include a system and method for accepting three
independent video/image sources and displaying them on a single display, where
the
viewing angle relative to the display determines which image or video may be
seen by
an observer. The three sources may be combined onto a single network cable and
sent
to one or more displays. The displays contain a special masking which permits
only
certain pixel rows or columns to be seen from different angles relative to the
display. As
an observer passes by the display, they will see three separate images. If one
of the
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video sources were to fail, a default image or video may be displayed to
prevent any
portion of the display from going blank.
[0004] The foregoing and other features and advantages of exemplary
embodiments
will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the
particular
embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0005] A better understanding of an exemplary embodiment will be obtained from
a
reading of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings
wherein
identical reference characters refer to identical parts and in which:
[0006] FIGURE 1 is a block diagram of components/processes for an exemplary
system accepting 1080 video sources.
[0007] FIGURE 2 is a block diagram of components/processes for an exemplary
system accepting video sources of varying formats.
[0008] FIGURE 3 shows an exemplary embodiment where a display is used to show
three different images to three separate positions where three sound focusing
devices
also transmit separate audio streams to three positions.
Detailed Description
[0009] FIGURE 1 provides a block diagram of the components/steps which may be
used in an exemplary system. Three independent video sources 10, 11, and 12
supply
the video/image data to the system. Each source may contain relatively static
images
(e.g. still photos or logos) or may contain dynamic video (e.g. movie previews
or
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commercials). Each video source 10, 11, and 12 is independent and may not
require
synchronization. In this embodiment, each video source is in the 1080 format
which is
the desired format for the end display 22. However, as discussed below,
embodiments
can be designed which can accept any resolution video source.
[0010] A line capture process 13 may be used where every third vertical line
(if using
vertical masking on the display) of each video source is captured. Thus, in
this
embodiment lines 1, 4, 7, 10, ... for each video source are captured and the
remaining
lines are discarded. Any type of microprocessor or central processing unit
(CPU) could
be programmed to perform the line capture process. The captured images may be
stored in a buffer 14 and then sent through an image compression device 15.
Any form
of encoding or compression may be used. However, in an exemplary embodiment
JPEG 2000 compression (encoding) chips may be used. Some embodiments may
transmit the video data without compression, depending on the variables of the
transmission method (wired, wireless, bandwidth, data transfer rates, etc.).
This
information is then sent to a transmitter network processor 16 which may be
used to
multiplex the three compressed signals onto a single network cable 17. In an
exemplary embodiment, the transmitter network processor 16 may combine the
three
compressed signals onto a CATS or CAT6 network cable. The compressed signals
may also be transmitted wirelessly.
[0011] A receiver network processor 18 may be used to receive the compressed
images from the transmitter network processor 16. The receiver network
processor 18
may demux the combination into the original three separate signals and then
send each
signal to a decompression (decoding) device 19. Again, an exemplary embodiment
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would use JPEG 2000 decompression (decoding) chips, but these are not required
and
compression/decompression may not be necessary. Each decompressed signal is
then
written to its proper location within a frame buffer 20. The following may be
used for the
proper locations within an exemplary 1080 system embodiment:
[0012] Source 1 - Lines 1, 4, 7, 10, ...., 1075, 1078.
[0013] Source 2 - Lines 2, 5, 8, 11, ...., 1076, 1079.
[0014] Source 3 - Lines 3, 6, 9, 12, ...., 1077, 1080.
[0015] This information may then be sent to the display 22 where Source 1 (10)
may
be visible from a first side angle to the display 22, Source 2 (11) may be
visible at the
center of the display, and Source 3 (12) may be visible from a second angle to
the
display. In some embodiments, a single buffer may be used. In other
embodiments, a
double buffer system may be used prior to sending the information to the
display 22.
Using two buffers provides for an advantage at least because the frames may be
written
at a first frame rate and then read at a second frame rate. For example, the
frames may
be written at 30 fps and then read at 60 fps. Thus, the buffers can act as a
frame rate
converter going from 30 Hz to 60 Hz, if necessary.
[0016] As mentioned above, each of the video sources is independent and does
not
require synchronization prior to being transmitted. However, the receiver
network
processor 18 prepares the decompression devices 19 and these devices may be
synchronized. Thus, once the decompression devices 19 begin operating at their
given
frame rate (ex. 30 fps) they must receive data during each frame rate. If a
frame is not
received in time then the previous frame for that particular video source may
be
repeated. If a new frame still does not arrive at the decompression device 19,
then a
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standard logo may be displayed for that video source while the other video
sources
continue to operate in standard fashion.
[0017] FIGURE 2 shows a second embodiment where the video sources 30, 31, and
32 are not all in the native resolution of the end display 22. Here, the end
display 22 is
still 1080 but video source 3 (32) is 1366 x 768. In this embodiment, scaling
chips 33
may be used to modify the incoming resolution of the video source (if needed)
and
convert the signals into the desired resolution of 1920 x 360. Even if each of
the video
sources were in the desired end display resolution, scaling chips may still be
used to
convert each 1920 x 1080 incoming signal into the desired 1920 x 360.
[0018] In this embodiment, the scaling chips 33 are used instead of the frame
capture
method which was shown in the Figure 1 embodiment. Using scaling chips 33 may
be
advantageous as it may reduce or substantially eliminate any image artifacts
(as
compared to the line capture method where the unused lines are discarded). The
remaining components for this embodiment are similar to those discussed above
for
Figure 1 and will not be discussed in detail.
[0019] Some embodiments may use scaling chips only to convert the incoming
image
resolution and may still use the line capture method.
[0020] The desired resolution for exemplary video sources may be 1080P as this
is
typically the desired resolution for modern displays. However, this is not
required, and
systems can easily be adapted for 10801, 720P, 7201, or any other resolutions,
higher or
lower than the ones listed here. All that is required is that the image
sources are
properly scaled when accepted by the system.
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[0021] The embodiments described herein may work with the commercially
available
LCD displays from LG Electronics, Englewood Cliffs, NJ. An example would be
model number M4714V. http:/./us,l e.com. These types of displays are also
available
from Manufacturing Resources International of Alpharetta, GA as the Triple
ViewTM
Displays. http://www.outdoor-displays.coili," These or similar displays
contain the
proper vertical line masking so that only certain pixel sets are viewable at
discreet
angles relative to the display. As described above, with reference to the
vertical
masking, the image shown to an observer varies as the observer travels
horizontally in
front of the display (such as when an observer walks on a horizontal surface
past a
mounted display). Other embodiments could use horizontal masking so that the
image
shown to the observer would change as the user travels vertically in front of
the display
(such as when an observer goes down a flight of stairs or escalator).
[0022] As discussed above, audio data may also be included with each of the
video
sources. With any of the embodiments discussed herein, the sound focusing
techniques from co-pending U.S. Application No. 12/248255 filed on October 9,
2008
may also be used. Thus, one type of audio data may be directed where the
proper
angle for viewing Source 1 would be. A second type of audio data may be
directed
where the proper angle for viewing Source 3 would be. A third type of audio
data may
be directed towards the center of the display where Source 2 may be visible.
Matching
different audio transmissions with the distinct video source may create an
attention-
capturing effect that will attract observers who may be passing by the
display.
[0023] FIGURE 3 shows an exemplary embodiment where a display 40 is used to
show three different images 47, 48, and 49 to three separate positions. This
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embodiment also contains three sound focusing devices 41, 42, and 43. Thus, as
the
consumer 9 passes the display 40, there may be a first image 47 viewable at
the first
position along with a first message 44. Accordingly, as the consumer 9
continues to
travel, there may be a second image 48 viewable at a second position along
with a
second message 45. Finally, the consumer 9 may see a third image 49 at a third
position along with a third message 46. By simply changing the masking on the
display
and using only two video sources, this embodiment could also show two images
and
transmit two messages rather than three separate images and three separate
messages.
[0024] The sound focusing devices in the preferred embodiments may include a
parametric audio amplifier system. These systems employ an acoustic transducer
for
projecting an ultrasonic carrier signal modulated with a processed audio
signal through
the air for subsequent regeneration of the audio signal along a selected path
of
projection. A conventional parametric audio amplifier system may include a
modulator
configured to modulate an ultrasonic carrier signal with a processed audio
signal, a
driver amplifier configured to amplify the modulated carrier signal, and at
least one
acoustic transducer configured to project a sonic beam corresponding to the
modulated
ultrasonic carrier signal through the air along a selected projection path.
Because of the
nonlinear propagation characteristics of the air, the projected sonic beam is
demodulated as it passes through the air to regenerate the audio signal along
the
selected projection path. These systems are beneficial for focusing sound
because the
sound is transmitted in an ultrasound frequency (ie. above 20k Hz) so that
they are
inaudible unless the listener is located near the desired position. Also, due
to the high
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frequency of the carrier ultrasound wave, the direction of the wave and the
desired
position can be tightly controlled.
[0025] Exemplary parametric audio amplifier systems are commercially available
from
Holosonic Research Labs, Inc., of Watertown, Massachusetts;
www.holosonics.com.
Exemplary models may include the Audio Spotlight line of products from
Holosonic
Research Labs. Further exemplary systems are available from American
Technology
Corporation (ATC), of San Diego, CA; www.atcsd.com. Exemplary models from ATC
may include the SoundSaber and the HyperSonic Sound systems.
[0026] Alternatively, the sound focusing techniques in the preferred
embodiments may
include focused sound solutions from Dakota Audio, of Bismark, ND;
www.dakotaadio.com. Exemplary models may include the MA-4, FA-603, FA-602, and
FA-501. These models use an array of traditional, high-quality loudspeakers
where the
signals to the speakers may be delayed so that the sound waves propagate and
develop in a specific position.
[0027] Also, the sound focusing techniques in the preferred embodiments may
include
focused sound solutions from Brown Innovations, Inc. of Chicago, IL;
www.browninnovations.com. Exemplary models may include Maestro, FlushMount
Maestro, MiniMaestro, and the SonicBeamTM. These models also use an array of
traditional, high-quality loudspeakers and may also utilize a sound dome.
[0028] Still further, the sound focusing elements may utilize the sound
focusing
techniques taught in U.S. Patent No. 7,204,342 to Lee entitled "Sound Focus
Speaker
of Gas-Filled Sound Lens Attachment Type."
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[0029] Note that for projecting sound across large distances the parametric
audio
amplifier system may be preferred. Additionally, if two positions are
relatively close to
one another, or many positions are desired, the parametric audio amplifier
system may
be used for its ability to tightly control the sound projection.
[0030] Having shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention,
those
skilled in the art will realize that many variations and modifications may be
made to
affect the described invention and still be within the scope of the claimed
invention.
Additionally, many of the elements indicated above may be altered or replaced
by
different elements which will provide the same result and fall within the
spirit of the
claimed invention. It is the intention, therefore, to limit the invention only
as indicated by
the scope of the claims.
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