(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2003/0025830 A1
`Perry
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Feb. 6, 2003
`
`US 20030025830A1
`
`(54) VIDEO STANDARDS CONVERTER
`
`(52) US. Cl.
`
`.......................................... .. 348/441; 348/588
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor:
`
`John R. Perry, West Jordan, UT (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`Stephen M. Miller
`MCAndrews, Held & Mauoy, Ltd_
`34th F1001.
`500 w_ Madison street
`Chicago, IL 60661 (US)
`
`(21) APPL N0-3
`.
`.
`filed’
`
`(22)
`
`09/920591
`
`Aug 1’ 2001
`publication Classification
`
`51
`
`I
`
`nt.
`
`Cl 7
`.
`
`................................................... ..
`
`H04N 11/20
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`Avideo standards converter (VSC) has a first input module,
`a second input module, a bus attached to the first and second
`input modules, a first output module attached to the bus and
`having a first video standard, and a second output module
`attached to the bus and having a second video standard. The
`first and second video standards may be different. The first
`input module may be adapted to convert an analog video
`signal to a digital signal. The second input module may be
`adapted to convert an analog video signal to a digital signal.
`The VSC may include a picture-in-picture feature for dis-
`playing images from two different sources simultaneously.
`The VSC may be employed in methods for converting a
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`Foot Pedal
`
`K 75
`
`
`External
`Computer
`
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`
`/
`
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`
`26
`
`
`
`
` Hi-Res
`t
`Input
`X-ray Hi-Res
`
`Module
`
`
`Module
`
`5*“
`
`°“tP“t
`
`Flat Panel
`
`Display
`
`
`
`
`
`Endoscope
`(NTSCIPAL)
`
`//2
`
`(NTSCIPAL)
`
`
`
`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1010 - Page 1
`
`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1010 - Page 1
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 6, 2003 Sheet 1 of 6
`
`US 2003/0025830 A1
`
`’7CJ
`
`Fig. 1
`
`
`
`Input Module
`
`Output Module
`
`7‘?
`
`Foo! Pedal
`
`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1010 - Page 2
`
`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1010 - Page 2
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 6, 2003 Sheet 2 of 6
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`US 2003/0025830 A1
`
`/73
`
`Foot Pedal
`
`‘7C
`
`/
`
`‘Sc
`
`/75
`
`
`
` External
`Computer
`
`%/
`
`Hi-Res
`
`Input
`Module
`
`Display Endoscope
`
`
`
`Flat Panel
`
`(NTSCIPAL)
`
`//2
`
`vca
`
`
`(NTSCIPAL)
`
`
`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1010 - Page 3
`
`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1010 - Page 3
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 6, 2003 Sheet 3 of 6
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`US 2003/0025830 A1
`
`2 Q)
`
`Control
`
`35
`
`l“P“t A
`
`Output to
`Central Bus
`
`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1010 - Page 4
`
`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1010 - Page 4
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 6, 2003 Sheet 4 of 6
`
`US 2003/0025830 A1
`
`Digital to
`analog.
`conversion
`
`(if necessary)
`
`Digital
`Input from
`Central Bus
`
`Frame
`Buffers
`
`Output A
`
`29 32,
`/ .
`
`Control
`
`as E
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`
`from Isc
`
`
`
`97
`
`Input A
`
`Input B
`
`Source
`
`Select
`Control
`
`Output to
`Central Bus
`
`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1010 - Page 5
`
`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1010 - Page 5
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 6, 2003 Sheet 5 of 6
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`US 2003/0025830 A1
`
`/67
`/_7
`
`
`
`
` Digital to
`
`analog
`conversion
`
`Digital
`Input from
`Central Bus
`
`(if necessary)
`
`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1010 - Page 6
`
`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1010 - Page 6
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 6, 2003 Sheet 6 of 6
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`US 2003/0025830 A1
`
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`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1010 - Page 7
`
`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1010 - Page 7
`
`

`
`US 2003/0025830 A1
`
`Feb. 6, 2003
`
`VIDEO STANDARDS CONVERTER
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[0001] The present invention is directed to video standards
`converters. More particularly,
`the present
`invention is
`directed to video standards converters for converting stan-
`dards of video devices employed in connection with the
`medical field.
`
`[0002] Urology suites typically contain two or more
`devices, such as a monochrome X-ray system or a color
`endoscope, for displaying video images. Often, the devices
`operate at different frequencies (or “standards”) and thus
`provide video sources at different standards. Standards
`include NTSC/PAL, computer video (VESA standards) as
`well as proprietary scanning frequencies and resolutions.
`Conventional video standards converters (VSCs) are devices
`that convert a single video input to a single video output.
`Because conventional VSCs convert only a single video
`input, conventional VSCs are not capable of reducing the
`number of video display devices employed in a urology suite
`or in another system with multiple video sources.
`
`In conventional medical systems, when multiple
`[0003]
`video sources are employed that have different standards,
`multiple display devices are needed for a physician to be
`able to view the video sources. The functionality of a
`urology suite, however, suffers when urologists need to view
`more than one monitor simultaneously. There is a need to
`reduce the total number of monitors in order to provide
`improved functionality.
`
`[0004] To improve urology suite functionality, it is desir-
`able to reduce the number of monitors while providing
`quality video from several sources. Typically, equipment
`designed with an external video input requires inputs or
`sources with matching video standards. For example, an
`NTSC endoscope with external video input requires the
`external video source to be NTSC. However,
`the other
`source to be used with the video display of the endoscope
`may be capable of far superior video scan rates and resolu-
`tion than NTSC. Thus,
`there is a need to accommodate
`multiple video sources without significantly compromising
`the quality of the video sources when displayed.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`In accordance with at least one embodiment of the
`[0005]
`present invention, a video standards converter (VSC) is
`provided that includes a first input module, a second input
`module, a bus attached to the first and second input modules,
`a first output module attached to the bus and having a first
`video standard, and a second output module attached to the
`bus and having a second video standard. The first and second
`video standards may be different. The first input module
`converts an analog video signal to a digital signal, and the
`second input module converts an analog video signal to a
`digital signal. The VSC may comprise one or more of the
`following: additional input modules, additional output mod-
`ules, a dual-input module, and a dual-output module. The
`first and second video standards may be selected from the
`group comprising OEC Hi-Res monochrome, Dual NTSC/
`PAL S-Video, VESA computer video, and HDTV.
`
`[0006] Afurther embodiment of a VSC in accordance with
`the present invention includes a first input module having a
`
`first video standard, a second input module having a second
`video standard, a bus attached to the first and second input
`modules and having a third video standard, a first output
`module attached to the bus and having a fourth video
`standard, and a second output module attached to the bus
`and having a fifth video standard. The first input module
`converts a video signal from the first video standard to the
`third video standard. The second input module converts a
`video signal from the second video standard to the third
`video standard, and the fourth video standard is different
`from the fifth video standard.
`
`invention
`[0007] Another embodiment of the present
`includes a system for converting video standards. The sys-
`tem includes a first input module adapted to receive an
`analog video signal from a first video source and adapted to
`convert the analog video signal to a digital video signal, a
`second input module adapted to receive an analog video
`signal from a second video source and adapted to convert the
`analog video signal
`to a digital video signal. A bus is
`attached to the first and second input modules, and an input
`selection and control device (ISC) is included for selecting
`at least one of the first and second input modules to drive the
`bus. The embodiment also includes a computer for control-
`ling the ISC, first and second output modules attached to the
`bus, a first video device attached to the first output module,
`and a second video device attached to the second output
`module. The first output module converts a standard of a
`video signal from a bus standard to a standard of the first
`video device. A video standard of the first output module is
`different from a video standard of the second output module.
`The first and second video devices have different standards.
`
`[0008] Still another embodiment of the present invention
`comprises a system for displaying images from two sources.
`The system comprises a first input module, a second input
`module, a bus attached to the first and second input modules,
`a first output module attached to the bus, a second output
`module attached to the bus, and a first display device
`attached to one of the first and second output modules. The
`first input module converts a first analog video signal to a
`first digital video signal. The second input module converts
`a second analog video signal to a second digital video signal.
`The bus drives the output modules to convert the first and
`second digital video signals to respective first and second
`analog display signals containing images for reception by
`the first display device. At least a portion of each image from
`the first and second analog display signals are displayed on
`the first display device. Images from one of the first and
`second analog display signals may be displayed in a quad-
`rant of the first display device. Padding may be positioned
`adjacent at least a portion of the images from the first or
`second analog video display signals. The system may com-
`prise an ISC for selecting one of the first and second video
`signals to be a window image and the other video signal to
`be the background image. The system may comprise a
`second display device, the first display device being attached
`to the first output module, the second display device being
`attached to the second output module, and the first and
`second display devices having different standards.
`
`[0009] Another aspect of the present invention is a method
`for converting a plurality of video sources having different
`standards. Yet another aspect of the present invention is a
`method of displaying images from two sources. The method
`of displaying images from two sources comprises the steps
`
`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1010 - Page 8
`
`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1010 - Page 8
`
`

`
`US 2003/0025830 A1
`
`Feb. 6, 2003
`
`of: providing a video standards converter comprising a first
`input module connected to a first source, a second input
`module connected to a second source, a bus attached to the
`first and second input modules, a first output module
`attached to the bus, a second output module attached to the
`bus, and an input selection and control (ISC) in communi-
`cation with the input modules.
`
`[0010] Further steps include providing a display device
`connected to one of the output modules, employing the first
`input module to convert a video signal of the first source
`from analog to digital, employing the second input module
`to convert a video signal of the second source from analog
`to digital, and employing the bus to drive the first and second
`output modules to convert the video signals from digital to
`analog. A step of positioning images from the first and
`second sources on the display device may also be performed.
`The step of positioning images may minimize any overlap of
`the images of the first source and the images of the second
`source. The step of positioning images may comprise the
`step of selecting a quadrant of the display device in which
`to position the images of one of the sources. The step of
`positioning images may comprise positioning the images of
`one of the first and second sources in a quadrant containing
`a corner of the display device that is farthest from a corner
`of the display device contained in the quadrant selected for
`positioning the images of the other source.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0011] The foregoing summary, as well as the following
`detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the
`present invention, will be better understood when read in
`conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of
`illustrating the preferred embodiments of the present inven-
`tion, there is shown in the drawings, embodiments which are
`presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that
`the present invention is not limited to the arrangements and
`instrumentality shown in the attached drawings.
`
`[0012] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a video standards
`converter in accordance with an embodiment of the present
`invention.
`
`[0013] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of features for control-
`ling the ISC.
`
`[0014] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a system of converting
`video standards in accordance with an aspect of the present
`invention having a dual-input module.
`
`[0015] FIG. 4 is a schematic of an embodiment of an input
`module.
`
`[0016] FIG. 5 is a schematic of an embodiment of an
`output module.
`
`[0017] FIG. 6 is a schematic of an embodiment of a
`dual-input module.
`
`[0018] FIG. 7 is a schematic of an embodiment of a
`dual-output module.
`
`[0019] FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a display
`screen having an NTSC image ratio or other non-square
`image ratio displaying an image with padding.
`
`[0020] FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of an embodi-
`ment of picture-in-picture in which the background image is
`an NTSC or other non-square image ratio picture.
`
`[0021] FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of a non-square
`display screen having a square aspect ratio image displaying
`padding around all four sides of the image, and
`
`[0022] FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of an embodi-
`ment of picture-in-picture in which the background image is
`square.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`[0023] A video standards converter (VSC) 18 formed in
`accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is
`shown in FIG. 1 and comprises a first input module 20
`having a first video standard, a second input module 23
`having a second video standard, and a bus 26 attached to the
`first and second input modules 20, 23. The video standard of
`the bus 26 is a third video standard. The first and second
`
`video standards may be the same or different. Additionally
`or alternatively, the third video standard may be the same as
`one or both of the first and second video standards.
`
`[0024] The first and second output modules 29, 32 are
`attached to the bus 26 and have a fourth and fifth video
`
`standard, which may or may not be the same as the third
`video standard. One of the first and second input modules
`20, 23 converts a video signal from the first video standard
`to the third video standard. The output modules 29, 32 are
`driven by the bus 26 for converting the video signal to the
`fourth and fifth video standards.
`
`[0025] The first and second input modules 20, 23, are
`shown in greatest detail in FIG. 4, each comprising a video
`input board 35 or card. The first and second input modules
`20, 23 may be attached to the bus 26 through a plug
`connection. The first and second output modules 29, 32,
`shown in greatest detail in FIG. 5, comprise a video output
`board 38 or card and may be attached to the bus 26 by being
`plugged into the bus 26. Input sources 41 that supply the
`original video signal or signals may be plugged into the
`input modules 20, 23. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, each
`input module 20, 23 is adapted to receive only a single input
`source 41.
`
`[0026] The video input sources 41 each are capable of
`providing an input video signal. Each input module 20, 23
`synchronizes the input signal that it receives with the timing
`of the bus 26 and converts the input signal to the frequency
`of the bus 26 prior to placement on the bus 26. The input
`modules 20, 23 comprise an input clamp 47 that sets the
`video blanking to ground. The input modules 20, 23 also
`comprise an analog-to-digital converter 50.
`
`[0027] Conversion and synchronization occur by the use
`of frame buffers 54. Each input module 20, 23 comprises a
`dual frame buffer 54 having an input frame buffer (not
`shown) and an output frame buffer (not shown). An incom-
`ing video signal from a source attached to the input module
`is converted by being sampled and captured in the input
`frame buffer. The output frame buffer places the converted
`signal on the bus 26. The input and output frame buffers
`switch roles after one set of converted signal data has been
`placed on the bus 26. Thus, the input and output buffers
`alternate between capturing data from the incoming video
`signal and placing the converted signal on the bus 26. In this
`fashion, the input and output frame buffers fill the bus 26
`with signal data that has the same frequency as the bus 26.
`
`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1010 - Page 9
`
`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1010 - Page 9
`
`

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`US 2003/0025830 A1
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`Feb. 6, 2003
`
`The bus 26 times how the data is pulled off of the output
`frame buffer or buffers which make the input signal or
`signals synchronous prior to being placed onto the bus 26.
`
`[0028] The output board or boards 38, which may be
`plugged into the bus 26, convert the video signal from the
`bus 26 frequency to the frequency of the output module.
`Each output module 29, 32 or board 38 is dedicated to a
`frequency, a frequency that equals the standard of the device
`or devices that are to be attached to the output module.
`
`It is preferred that the bus 26 have a bandwidth
`[0029]
`capable of handling the highest frequency video input or
`output. In such an embodiment, the bus 26 can drive any of
`the output modules 29, 32 to which it is attached and the bus
`26 does not limit output speed. The bus 26, however, may
`have a lower frequency than one or more of the output
`modules 29, 32.
`
`[0030] The bus 26 uses wide-parallelism to achieve the
`necessary bandwidth. Red, green and blue color channels are
`provided on the bus 26. Wide buses 26 in parallel are
`employed to achieve the necessary bandwidth for up to 75
`hz output refresh rates. The bus 26, in part, may be described
`as being analogous to a video screen because the bus 26 has
`a particular resolution and frequency associated with it.
`
`[0031] Each input module converts input video to digital
`video that is synchronous with bus video and positions the
`video in bus video. Many output video devices 66 are
`analog, so the digital signal from the bus 26 is converted into
`analog for analog video devices 66. There are some output
`video devices 66, such as output video devices 66 operating
`using DICOM or digital video, that could be sent a signal
`from the bus 26 without the output module having to convert
`the signal to analog. If an output module 29, 32 has to
`convert to analog, the conversion is performed in accordance
`with the standard of the output video device 66.
`
`[0032] An Input Selection and Control (ISC) box 70
`controls data that is placed on the bus 26 by the input
`modules 20, 23. The ISC box 70 has registers to determine
`some of the parameters of the input modules 20, 23. Reg-
`isters hold the settings for image parameters such as height
`and width and position of input source video image, and the
`registers also control placement of the image on the bus 26.
`An external computer 75 (FIGS. 2 and 3) may be employed
`to drive the ISC box 70 and to act as a user interface. A
`
`foot-pedal 78 (FIG. 2) or other suitable device connected to
`the computer 75 may be used by an operator to control the
`computer 75 and change the registers. The registers may
`have default settings so that the registers have the appropri-
`ate resolution and frequency for the particular bus 26 that is
`being employed. Position on the bus 26 corresponds to video
`placement on a video display 66 having the same standard
`as the bus 26.
`
`[0033] Each output module 29, 32 attaches to the bus 26
`and converts high-bandwidth bus video into the specified
`output video format, e.g. SXGA (or other VESA standards),
`NTSC/PAL, digital video, etc. The conversion process is
`similar to the conversion process performed by the input
`modules 20, 23 when converting a signal to the standard of
`the bus 26 by using input and output frame buffers. The
`output module 29 or 32 is matched to the standard of the
`connected equipment. The equipment may be a video device
`66, where video device is a general term encompassing
`
`video display devices, VCRs, DVRs (digital video record-
`ers) or DICOM. The term video display device does not
`include VCRs but does include monitors, televisions, and
`fiat screen displays, among other things. A function of an
`SXGA output module, for example,
`is to convert wide
`parallel data into red, green, blue analog-video at SXGA
`rates. Thus the SXGA output module performs digital-to-
`analog conversion but no frequency conversion because the
`bus operates at SXGA rates.
`
`[0034] The video on the bus 26 simultaneously drives all
`output modules 29, 32. Therefore, the output modules 29, 32
`receive the same image. All of the output display devices
`display the same video image, but in the video format and
`standard defined by the particular output module 29, 32 to
`which each output display device 66 is attached.
`
`[0035] The bus 26 could be designed to operate at any
`frequency standard. SXGA is a common standard for use
`with fiat panel displays. In embodiments in which the bus 26
`runs at the SXGA rate, video inputs and/or outputs operating
`at SXGA rates require no scaling and avoid the associated
`probability of conversion artifacts. In general, if the bus 26
`frequency matches the frequency of either the video source
`or the output device 66, then there will be fewer artifacts and
`loss than if conversion was needed on both sides. As
`
`technology and video scan rates increase, higher bandwidth
`bus rates may be necessary, although the input and output
`modules 29, 32 may not have to be changed significantly.
`[0036]
`In one embodiment, at least one output module 29,
`32 is a dual-output module 85 having two output connectors
`87. The dual-output module 85 makes it possible to send the
`output to two devices 66 having the same standard. For
`example, a monitor and a VCR having the same standard
`could be connected to the same dual-output module 85
`without the need for distribution amplifiers or looping video.
`[0037]
`In some alternative embodiments, such as the
`embodiment shown in FIG. 3, one or more input modules
`20, 23 may have dual inputs. A dual-input module 95 is
`shown in greater detail in FIG. 6. Both inputs 97 of a
`dual-input module 95 have identical video standards, such as
`NTSC. The video sources are switched at the input to the
`dual-input module 95 prior to bus processing. Therefore, the
`two inputs 97 of a dual-input module 95 cannot be displayed
`simultaneously by picture-in-picture (PIP). Dual-input mod-
`ules 95 may be desirable where it is known that two video
`sources with identical standards need to be displayed but not
`at the same time. For example, it may not be desirable to
`play back VCR video while observing endoscope video on
`the same monitor (e.g., by using PIP). Therefore, a VCR and
`an endoscope could be connected to the same dual-input
`module 95. For example, an S-video input module could use
`a dual-input module NTSC standard for a VCR and an
`endoscope. An example of a dual-input module is a dual
`S-Video input at NTSC/PAL frequencies. The dual input
`reduces component complexity and cost by allowing two
`input sources to be converted by a single board 35 rather
`than two boards 35.
`In this way, duplication of board
`components such as a sync separator, chroma decoder, PLL
`and scan converter (not shown, but those four board com-
`ponents are part of the Input Clamp and A-to-D box in FIG.
`4) is not necessary to accommodate two input sources of the
`same standard.
`
`[0038] During operation, an operator controls the ISC 70
`with the computer 75 or foot-pedal 78 to determine which
`
`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1010 - Page 10
`
`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1010 - Page 10
`
`

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`US 2003/0025830 A1
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`Feb. 6, 2003
`
`input module or modules will place video on the bus 26 at
`any given time. Thus, an operator such as a physician may
`switch which video signal input (e.g., X-ray, endoscope or
`VCR) will be displayed simply by using the foot-pedal 78 or
`otherwise accessing the computer. The ISC 70 controls the
`video inputs, regardless of video standard, so that
`the
`various video inputs are synchronous and positioned as
`desired at the input to the bus 26. If, for example, a system
`had three input sources 41 but only one display device 66,
`an operator would control the ISC 70 to select which input
`source 41 would be displayed. Also, the doctor can turn
`picture-in-picture (PIP) on and off during operation. PIP is
`discussed in detail further below. The selection of a different
`
`input video source or turning PIP on and off are changes
`which alter the registers in the ISC box 70. Either serial
`(RS422) or parallel port interfaces may be used for selecting
`input sources,
`turning PIP on/off, and other PIP aspects
`described below. The parallel port interface comprises a set
`of switches that may be used instead of the computer 75. The
`ISC box 70 may be constructed as part of the bus board.
`
`If a dual S-Video Input Module is used as the input
`[0039]
`module, the clock phase and image positioning of incoming
`video for both inputs 97 may be defined by means of serial
`port communications. Clock phase and image positioning
`data and any other data required to define each video input
`may be held in the registers until such time as re-pro-
`grammed by the external computer 75. If a Computer Video
`Input Module (VESA) is used as the input module, the
`frequency, mode, clock phase, image positioning and filter-
`ing coefficients of incoming video may be defined by means
`of serial port communications. The frequency, mode, clock
`phase, image positioning and filtering coefficients of incom-
`ing video and any other data required to define a video input
`may be held in registers until such time as re-programmed
`by the external computer 75.
`
`[0040] The serial I/O port may have the capability of
`programming various functions within the system (e.g.,
`image positioning and programming filter coefficients). The
`parallel port mode may not have programming capability,
`but has source selection, PIP on/off and quadrant selection
`control.
`
`[0041] Registers are programmed for the system configu-
`ration using a serial port (i.e., computer) to set up defaults.
`Then, if a parallel port is used on the VSC but it is desired
`to change the resisters, a computer 75 would have to be
`connected to the registers again to change them.
`
`[0042] The parallel port may be implemented so that if all
`input sources 41 are inactive (e.g., control cables are dis-
`connected), there is a default video that is displayed. The
`ISC 70 can determine if a video signal is present at an input
`module 20 or 23. If the operator selects an input source 41
`where no video is present (e.g., a video source that is off),
`the input module will automatically produce a middle-gray
`video signal. After conversion onto and off of the bus 26, the
`output video will appear gray rather than black. Thus, when
`an operator sees a middle-gray video output, the operator
`will know that the video source is off. If solid black appears
`as the output video, the black results from an input source
`that is on but that is producing black output. For example, if
`the source is an endoscope, a black output would be pro-
`duced when the light bulb of the endoscope is burned out.
`
`Gray indicates to an operator that the source is actually off
`(no video). If an input source 41 is off and gray is shown on
`the display, then when the input source 41 becomes active,
`the gray will disappear and the input source will be dis-
`played.
`
`[0043] Another embodiment of the present invention is
`shown in FIG. 3 and comprises a plurality of input modules
`20, 23 and a plurality of output modules 29, 32. A different
`video source is connected to each input module. The video
`sources shown in FIG. 3 are part of a urology suite and
`include an X-ray system as the input source 41 that generates
`high-resolution monochrome video, an endoscope as the
`input source 41 generating NTSC,/PAL, and a VCR (NTSC/
`PAL) as an input source 41 to perform record and playback
`procedures. In the system shown in FIG. 3, the VSC 18 is
`connected to an output display device 66 that is a high-
`resolution color monitor (a fiat panel display) and an NTSC
`output 112 to feed the VCR record inputs. Some embodi-
`ments of the present invention, such as the embodiment of
`FIG. 3, are well suited for use in urology suites, however,
`other embodiments comprising a plurality of input modules
`20, 23 and a plurality of output modules 29, 32 are suitable
`for other uses as well.
`
`[0044] Because of conversion, multiple video sources
`having different standards may be displayed using a single
`video display. The VSC 18 eliminates the need for multiple
`monitors within the urology suite under some situations,
`because one monitor can display the video content of
`different sources having different standards, although unless
`picture-in-picture PIP (discussed below) is operating, only
`one source is displayed at a time on a single output display
`device 66. By reducing the number of monitors required,
`some VSC embodiments of the present invention save space
`and money. Additionally, some VSC embodiments of the
`present invention improve urology suite efficiency by saving
`the urologist’s time by allowing the urologist to look at a
`single screen to see two images rather than two screens.
`[0045]
`In some embodiments, such as the embodiment of
`FIGS. 1 and 3, the VSC 18 has the capability of converting
`a video input signal into multiple video output standards.
`Embodiments with multiple input capability and only single
`output capability may be useful where the customer is
`viewing the output on a monitor but is not also using a VCR.
`VSC embodiments having only a single output module as
`well as VSC embodiments having multiple output modules
`29, 32 permit a single monitor to be employed to view video
`images coming from sources having different video stan-
`dards.
`
`[0046] A maximum of two input modules 20, 23 drive the
`bus 26 at one time. The ISC 70 may be used to select which
`module or which two modules drive the bus 26. One VSC
`
`embodiment comprises one fixed input module and one
`fixed output module. The fixed input and output modules 29,
`32 are dedicated to particular standards. Other modules
`attached to the bus 26 can be either input modules 20, 23 or
`output modules 29, 32 depending on the modules.
`[0047] When converting from one standard to another,
`there is a risk of loss of some detail, whether converting
`from high resolution to low resolution or the other way
`around. Thus, the frequency of the bus 26 may be selected
`to minimize the amount of frequency conversion that occurs.
`If the bus 26 is the same frequency as the output frequency
`then there will be no artifacts. If, for example, SXGA is the
`
`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1010 - Page 11
`
`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1010 - Page 11
`
`

`
`US 2003/0025830 A1
`
`Feb. 6, 2003
`
`frequency of one of the input sources and one of the output
`displays, as well as the highest frequency in a given system,
`then SXGA is a suitable bus frequency for minimizing the
`amount of frequency conversion that is needed. The SXGA
`input signal frequency will not have to be converted in order
`to be displayed on an SXGA display device attached to an
`output module 29, 32, but the input signal will have to be
`made synchronous with other sources (if any) when being
`placed on the bus 26. The output frame buffer automatically
`makes the signals synchronous.
`
`input signals are analog and go through
`[0048] Most
`analog-to-digital conversion when being placed on the bus
`26. Inherent in that conversion process is some loss of detail,
`but generally a small amount of loss.
`
`In a further aspect of some embodiments of the
`[0049]
`present invention, at least one input module horizontally and
`vertically positions the video image from the source. If
`necessary, the input module also scales and filters the source
`video. Filtering may be performed by using filter coefficients
`on a computer input module (VGA input module) which is
`a type of input module capable of filtering to minimize
`artifacts during the frequency conversion process.
`
`[0050] Horizontal and vertical positioning may be neces-
`sary to compensate for differences in video aspect ratios
`between the source video and the aspect ratio of the standard
`used for the bus 26. The aspect ratio is the ratio of width in
`terms of pixels to the height in terms of scan lines. In SXGA,
`for example, the aspect ratio is 1.25, because the width is
`1280 pixels long and the height
`is 1024 scan line