Method and system for video parameter analysis and transmission

Abstract

A system for analyzing video signals generated by an imaging modality is disclosed. The system includes a video signal input port to which a signal output of the imaging modality being can be connected. Additionally, there is a central processor that includes an analog input module, a signal analysis module, and a data communications module. A plurality of video signal parameters may be measurable from the video signal by the signal analysis module. The system also includes a data output port that is linked to the data communications module of the central processor, which is connectable to an external device for transferring the measure signal parameters thereto.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for analyzing video signals generated by an imaging modality, the system comprising:
 a video signal input port, a signal output of the imaging modality being connectible thereto;   a central processor including an analog input module connected to the video signal input port, a signal analysis module, and a data communications module, a plurality of video signal parameters being measurable from the video signal by the signal analysis module and corresponding to a first subset of display device coordination values for the imaging modality; and   a data output port linked to the data communications module of the central processor, the data output port being connectable to an external device to which the measured video signal parameters are transferred.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a one of the plurality of measured video signal parameters is selected from the group consisting of: horizontal frequency, horizontal resolution, vertical frequency, or vertical resolution. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the video signal input port has a plurality of signal lines at least corresponding to a green signal line, a red signal line, a blue signal line, a vertical sync line, and a horizontal sync line. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the video signal input port is a Video Graphics Array (VGA) connector interface including the signal lines. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the video signal input port is comprised of a plurality of BNC connectors each corresponding to the signal lines. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the signal analysis module derives a second subset of display device coordination values for the imaging modality from the measured video signal parameters, the second subset of display device coordination values being transferable to the external device through the data output port. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a memory module coupled to the central processor, the measured video signal parameters being temporarily stored therein.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the external device is a removable memory card connectible to the data output port over a Universal Serial Bus (USB) memory card reader. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the external device is a general-purpose computer system having a user interface and a network interface. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a remotely located display device management system in communication with the general-purpose computer system over the network interface.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the user interface of the general-purpose computer system includes a display device order form, information entered therein being appended to the measure video signal parameters transmitted to the display device management system. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the data output port is a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface to the general-purpose computer system. 
     
     
         13 . A method for display device management, the method comprising:
 receiving a video signal from an imaging modality, the video signal being defined by a plurality of signal parameters corresponding to display device coordination values;   measuring from the received video signal a subset of the signal parameters corresponding to a first subset of display device coordination values;   deriving a second subset of display device coordination values from the measured signal parameters; and   transferring the first and second subset of the display device coordination values to a display device management system.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the video signal input is comprised at least of a green signal line, a red signal line, a blue signal line, a vertical sync line, and a horizontal sync line. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein a one of the signal parameters is selected from a group consisting of: horizontal frequency, horizontal resolution, vertical frequency, or vertical resolution. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein a one of the second subset of display device coordination values is selected from a group consisting of: horizontal sync frequency, vertical sync frequency, horizontal front porch, horizontal back porch, vertical front porch, or vertical back porch. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the second subset of display device coordination values are retrieved from a look-up table based upon the first subset of display device coordination values. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 storing the measured signal parameters to a removable memory device.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 programming a display device with the first and second subsets of display device coordination values, the programmed display device being capable of cooperating with the imaging modality to display the video signal thereon.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising:
 encrypting the measured signal parameters prior to the transfer to the display device management system; and 
 decoding the measured signal parameters upon receipt by the display device management system. 
 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of transferring the measured signal parameters includes:
 establishing a local data communications link to a general-purpose computer system;   transmitting the measured signal parameters to the general-purpose computer system over the local data communications link;   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the local data communications link is a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection.