Daisy chain video switches

A video switch module for a diagnostic imaging system which diagnostic imaging system includes a plurality of procedure rooms which each include a diagnostic imaging apparatus for producing a diagnostic image signal and a display means for displaying at least two images, an image processing means for processing diagnostic image signals generated by the diagnostic imaging apparatus of each of the rooms, the image processing means including an input for receiving diagnostic image signals, a first processed image output for providing first processed image process signals, a second processed image output for providing second processed image signals, and a reference output for providing a reference signal, and a plurality of the video switch modules connected together in series;

• the video switch module comprising:
• a first processed image signal input, a first processed image signal output, a reference signal input, a reference signal output, a second processed image input, a second processed image output, a diagnostic image signal input, a diagnostic image signal output;
• the video switch modules being connectable in series such that the first processed image, reference, second processed image, and diagnostic image signal outputs of one switch module are connected with the first processed image, reference, second processed image, and diagnostic image signal inputs of another switch module, the first processed image, reference, and second processed image inputs and the diagnostic image output of one of the switch modules being connectable with the image processing means;
• at least one diagnostic apparatus input which is interconnectable with the diagnostic imaging apparatus of an associated room for receiving diagnostic image signals and at least two monitor outputs which are connectable with the display means of the associated procedure room;
• a plurality of relay switching means for selectively connecting the first processed image, reference, second processed image, diagnostic apparatus and diagnostic image signal inputs and the first processed image, reference, second processed image, diagnostic image, and the monitor signal outputs;
• and
• a control means for selectively controlling the relay switching means for selectively connecting:
• the first processed image, reference, second processed image, and diagnostic image signal inputs with the first processed image, reference, second processed image, and diagnostic image signal outputs of another module in one mode and
• the diagnostic apparatus input with the diagnostic image signal output and the two monitor outputs with a selectable two of the diagnostic apparatus input, first processed image input and reference input in another mode.

A switch module for interconnection with like switch modules for connecting a plurality of video input and display means with a central digital image processor, the switch module comprising:

• a video source input for receiving unprocessed video image signals from a video source;
• a first video display output for providing first processed video signals to a first video display means;
• a second video display output for supplying second processed video signals to a second video display means;
• a first processed video signal input for receiving the first processed video signals;
• a first processed video signal output for supplying the first processed video signals to a first processed video signal input of another module;
• a second processed video signal input for receiving the second processed video signals;
• a second processed video signal output for supplying the second processed video signals to a second processed video signal input of another module;
• an unprocessed video signal input for receiving unprocessed video signals from an unprocessed video signal output of another module;
• an unprocessed video signal output for supplying unprocessed video signals to an unprocessed video signal input of another module;
• switching means for;
• (i) in a flowthrough mode, connecting the first processed video signal input to the first processed video signal output, connecting the second processed video signal input to the second processed video signal output, and connecting the unprocessed video signal input to the unprocessed video signal output;
• and
• (ii) in another mode, connecting the video input means input to the unprocessed video signal output, connecting the first processed video signal input to the first display output, and connecting the second processed video signal input with the second display output.

A method of switching video signals among (i) procedure rooms having a diagnostic apparatus that generates unprocessed video signals, a first video monitor means for converting first processed video signals into a first human-readable image, a second video monitor means for converting second processed video signals into a second human-readable image, and a VCR means for recording and playing back second processed video signals and (ii) a digital image processor for processing unprocessed video signals to generate first and second processed video signals, the switch method utilizing a plurality of like switch modules connected in series, the method comprising:

• switching a selected one of the switch modules into a room select mode and the other switch modules into a flowthrough mode;
• feeding an unprocessed video signal into the selected one switch module;
• feeding the unprocessed video signal from the selected one switch module through the other switch modules to the digital image processor;
• feeding first and second processed video signals from the image processor through said other switch modules to the selected one switch module;
• with the selected one switch module, (i) switching the first processed video signal to the first video monitor means, (ii) switching the second processed video signal to the second monitor means and (iii) switching the second monitor means to receive one of the second processed video signal and a playback signal from the VCR means.