Media docking device and media docking device method

Abstract

The media switching device includes an input interface controller, a processor, and an output interface controller. The input interface controller is electrically connected to a media source device, and the output interface controller is electrically connected to at least one media playback device and acquires device data for each of the at least one media playback device. The processor calculates the required display bandwidth for each media playback device based on the device data and sums the display bandwidths of each media playback device to obtain the total display bandwidth. The processor determines the optimal support mode for connecting the video interface unit of the input interface controller to the media source device based on the total display bandwidth. The transmission bandwidth corresponding to the optimal support mode is greater than the total display bandwidth, and the difference between the transmission bandwidth corresponding to the optimal support mode and the total display bandwidth is less than a threshold value.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This disclosure relates to a media switching device, and more particularly to a media switching device that can appropriately adjust the transmission bandwidth to achieve power saving. [Previous Technology]

[0002] In business settings, it has become commonplace for laptops to connect to multiple monitors via an external docking station. Users can carry their laptops to different locations, where docking stations and multiple monitors can be set up. When multiple monitors are connected to the docking station, these monitors can be considered extensions of the laptop's display. However, the excessive power consumption of the docking station can significantly reduce the laptop's battery life. How to reduce the power consumption of the docking station without affecting the user experience is a concern for those skilled in the art. [Summary of the Invention]

[0003] The object of this invention is to provide a media switching device, including an input interface controller, a processor, and an output interface controller. The input interface controller is electrically connected to a media source device, and the output interface controller is electrically connected to at least one media playback device and obtains device data of each of the at least one media playback device. The processor is electrically connected to the input interface controller and the output interface controller, and the processor is used to: calculate the display bandwidth required for displaying the screen of each of the at least one media playback device based on the device data, and sum the display bandwidths of each of the at least one media playback device to obtain a total display bandwidth; and determine the optimal support mode for connecting the video interface unit of the input interface controller to the media source device based on the total display bandwidth. The transmission bandwidth corresponding to the optimal support mode is greater than the total display bandwidth, and the difference between the transmission bandwidth corresponding to the optimal support mode and the total display bandwidth is less than a first threshold.

[0004] In order to make the above-mentioned features and advantages disclosed herein more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments are described below, and detailed descriptions are provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Implementation Method

[0006] Embodiments of the present invention will be discussed in detail below. However, it will be understood that the embodiments provide many applicable concepts that can be implemented in a variety of specific contexts. The embodiments discussed and disclosed are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The terms 'first,' 'second,' etc., used herein do not specifically refer to any order or sequence, but are merely used to distinguish elements or operations described using the same technical terms.

[0007] FIG1 is a circuit diagram of a media adapter 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The media adapter 100 includes an input interface controller 110, a processor 120, and an output interface controller 130. The processor 120 is electrically connected to the input interface controller 110 and the output interface controller 130.

[0008] The input interface controller 110 is electrically connected to the media source device 200, such as a laptop, desktop computer, tablet computer, or smartphone. The input interface controller 110 includes a video interface unit 111 and a communication unit 112. The video interface unit 111 is the audio-visual transmission interface between the input interface controller 110 and the media source device 200, such as a circuit conforming to the DisplayPort (DP) or High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) specification. Communication unit 112 serves as the data transmission interface between input interface controller 110 and media source device 200. For example, it may be a circuit conforming to specifications such as Auxiliary (AUX) channel, Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C), Ethernet, Universal Serial Bus (USB), Consumer Electronics Control (CEC), Display Data Channel (DDC), or Display Data Channel Command Interface (DDCCI). The various transmission interfaces and their conforming specifications described above are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0009] The processor 120 includes a processing unit and memory. The processing unit may be, for example, a central processing unit, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, or a special application integrated circuit. The memory may be, for example, random access memory, read-only memory, or flash memory.

[0010] The output interface controller 130 is electrically connected to the media playback devices 310, 320, and 330. The media playback devices 310, 320, and 330 are, for example, devices with display functions such as screens, projectors, or tablet computers. The media playback devices 310, 320, and 330 can be considered as extensions of the display screen on the media source device 200. The number of media playback devices shown in FIG1 is merely an example, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. Specifically, the embodiments of the present invention have at least one media playback device.

[0011] The output interface controller 130 includes a video interface unit 131 and a communication unit 132. The video interface unit 131 serves as the audio / video transmission interface between the output interface controller 130 and the media playback devices 310, 320, and 330, for example, a circuit conforming to the Display Interface (DP) or High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) specifications. The communication unit 132 serves as the data transmission interface between the output interface controller 130 and the media playback devices 310, 320, and 330, for example, a circuit conforming to the AUX channel, Integrated Bus (I2C), Ethernet, Universal Serial Bus (USB), Consumer Electronics Control (CEC), or Display Channel Command Interface (DDCCI) specifications. The various transmission interfaces and their conforming specifications described above are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0012] In the prior art, the input interface controller of a media adapter performs link training with a media source device to determine the support mode (hereinafter referred to as the input support mode, which corresponds to a certain transmission bandwidth) for the video interface unit of the input interface controller of the media adapter to connect to the media source device. On the other hand, the output interface controller of the media adapter also performs link training with a media playback device to determine the support mode (hereinafter referred to as the output support mode) for the video interface unit of the output interface controller of the media adapter to connect to the media playback device. However, since the above two link trainings are independent, the transmission bandwidth corresponding to the input support mode may be much larger than the transmission bandwidth corresponding to the output support mode. This will result in a redundant portion of the transmission bandwidth corresponding to the input support mode, causing unnecessary waste of transmission bandwidth. In addition, a larger transmission bandwidth will also result in greater power consumption of the media adapter, thereby significantly reducing the battery life of the media source device that supplies power to the media adapter.

[0013] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention proposes a media switching device that can appropriately adjust the transmission bandwidth to achieve power saving effect, and the specific method is described below.

[0014] The communication unit 132 of the output interface controller 130 of the media transfer device 100 obtains device data of each of the media playback devices 310, 320, and 330. This device data is one of the multiple fields of Extended Display Identification Data (EDID), and this device data is used to declare the pixel clock. In other words, one of the multiple fields of the aforementioned Extended Display Identification Data (EDID) contains information about the pixel clock.

[0015] Next, the processor 120 calculates the display bandwidth required for each of the media playback devices 310, 320, and 330 to display the image based on the device data. For example, the pixel clock speed of a 4K / 60Hz screen is 533MHz, therefore, the display bandwidth required to output 8-bit RGB (color depth) at this resolution is 533*3(RGB) = 1599MB / s. For example, the pixel clock speed of an FHD / 60Hz screen is 148.5MHz, therefore, the display bandwidth required to output 8-bit RGB (color depth) at this resolution is 148.5*3(RGB) = 445.5 MB / s.

[0016] Then, the processor 120 sums the display bandwidths of the media playback devices 310, 320, and 330 to obtain the total display bandwidth. For example, the display bandwidth required for a screen displaying an image with a resolution of FHD / 60Hz is 445.5 MB / s, so the total display bandwidth required for three screen displays with a resolution of FHD / 60Hz is 445.5 * 3 = 1336.5 MB / s.

[0017] Subsequently, the processor 120 determines the input support mode (hereinafter referred to as the "optimal support mode") for the video interface unit 111 of the input interface controller 110 to connect to the media source device 200 based on the total display bandwidth, wherein the transmission bandwidth corresponding to the optimal support mode is greater than the total display bandwidth. In embodiments of the present invention, the difference between the transmission bandwidth corresponding to the optimal support mode and the total display bandwidth is less than a first threshold, which can be set according to actual needs, for example, 850 MB / s, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The optimal support modes include bit rate configuration and number of channels. The bit rate configuration is Reduced Bit Rate (RBR), High Bit Rate (HBR), High Bit Rate 2 (HBR2), High Bit Rate 3 (HBR3), Ultra High Bit Rate 10 (UHBR10), Ultra High Bit Rate 13.5 (UHBR13.5), or Ultra High Bit Rate 20 (UHBR20), with the number of channels being 1, 2, or 4.

[0018] For example, if media playback devices 310, 320, and 330 are three screens with an FHD / 60Hz resolution and a total display bandwidth of 1336.5 MB / s, then the most suitable supported mode can be determined as HBR3 / 2 channels or HBR2 / 4 channels. Among them, the transmission bandwidth corresponding to HBR3 / 2 channels is 8.1Gbps*2(lanes)*1000(Mbps / Gbps)*1 / 8(Byte / bits)*8 / 10(8b / 10b encoding)=1620 MB / s, which is greater than the total display bandwidth of 1336.5 MB / s, and the difference between the two is less than 850 MB / s. The transmission bandwidth corresponding to HBR2 / 4 channels is 5.4Gbps*4(lanes)*1000(Mbps / Gbps)*1 / 8(Byte / bits)*8 / 10(8b / 10b encoding)=2160 MB / s, which is also greater than the total display bandwidth of 1336.5 MB / s, and the difference between the two is less than 850 MB / s.

[0019] To give another example, if there is only one media playback device and it is a 4K / 60Hz screen with a total display bandwidth of 1599 MB / s, then the most suitable supported mode can be determined as HBR3 / 2 channels or HBR2 / 4 channels. HBR3 / 2 channels corresponds to a transmission bandwidth of 1620 MB / s, which is greater than the total display bandwidth of 1599 MB / s, and the difference between the two is less than 850 MB / s. Similarly, HBR2 / 4 channels corresponds to a transmission bandwidth of 2160 MB / s, which is also greater than the total display bandwidth of 1599 MB / s, and the difference between the two is less than 850 MB / s.

[0020] In other words, the media adapter 100 can obtain device data from the media playback devices 310, 320, and 330 respectively, and calculate and sum the display bandwidth required for each media playback device to display its screen. In this way, the media adapter 100 can adjust the optimal support mode for the video interface unit 111 of the input interface controller 110 to connect to the media source device 200, so that the transmission bandwidth corresponding to the optimal support mode does not need to be at the highest transmission bandwidth, but only at a sufficient transmission bandwidth. In other words, the media adapter 100 proposed in this invention can appropriately adjust the transmission bandwidth to achieve power saving.

[0021] In detail, as long as the bandwidth corresponding to the optimal support mode is greater than the total display bandwidth, it is acceptable (so that the image quality output by the media adapter 100 to the media playback devices 310, 320, and 330 is not reduced). Therefore, there is more than one compatible support mode (for example, as mentioned above, HBR3 / channel number 2 or HBR2 / channel number 4 are both acceptable). However, in practice, a support mode with a transmission bandwidth as close as possible to the total display bandwidth is selected to reduce the waste of transmission bandwidth and achieve the effect of reducing power consumption and better power saving. Therefore, the present invention achieves the above requirements by setting a first threshold.

[0022] According to the above description, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the support mode with the transmission bandwidth closest to the total display bandwidth will be selected as the optimal support mode (for example, as mentioned above, HBR3 / channel number 2 will be the optimal support mode in the preferred embodiment) in order to minimize the waste of transmission bandwidth and achieve the best power reduction effect and the best power saving effect.

[0023] Finally, after the processor 120 has determined the above-mentioned optimal support mode, the processor 120 will modify the first parameter of the input interface controller 110 to perform link training on the media source device 200 through the video interface unit 111 according to the optimal support mode, so that the media adapter 100 and the media source device 200 can transmit audio and video in this optimal support mode.

[0024] To further explain, if the video interface unit 111 of the media adapter 100 connected to the media source device 200 is a circuit compliant with the DisplayPort (DP) specification, then a circuit compliant with the AUX channel specification will be used as the data transmission interface. Transmissions related to connection training will utilize the address value corresponding to the DisplayPort Configuration Data (DPCD). In other words, when the video interface unit 111 is a circuit compliant with the DisplayPort (DP) specification, the first parameter is the address value corresponding to the DisplayPort Configuration Data (DPCD). For example, the media source device 200 will read the relevant capabilities of the DisplayPort (DP) compliant circuit of the media adapter 100 through the circuit compliant with the AUX channel specification, such as maximum supported transmission bandwidth, maximum supported number of channels, and whether display stream compression (DSC) is supported. Therefore, the media adapter 100 can modify the value of the corresponding address (e.g., 00100h and 00101h) of the corresponding display interface configuration data (DPCD) according to the determined optimal support mode, so that the media adapter 100 and the media source device 200 can transmit audio and video in this optimal support mode.

[0025] For example, the maximum supported transmission bandwidth that the video interface unit 111 of the input interface controller 110 of the original media adapter 100 can support can correspond to the supported mode HBR3 / channel number 4. However, the media playback device connected to the output interface controller 130 only has a 4K / 60Hz screen. After the above-mentioned processor 120 calculates, it can determine that the most suitable supported mode is HBR3 / channel number 2 or HBR2 / channel number 4, so that the media adapter 100 and the media source device 200 can transmit audio and video in HBR3 / channel number 2 or HBR2 / channel number 4, thereby achieving the effect of reducing power consumption.

[0026] To give another example, the maximum supported transmission bandwidth that the video interface unit 111 of the input interface controller 110 of the original media adapter 100 can support can correspond to the supported mode HBR3 / channel number 4. However, the media playback devices connected to the output interface controller 130 are 3 FHD / 60Hz screens. After the above-mentioned processor 120 calculates, it can determine that the most suitable supported mode is HBR3 / channel number 2 or HBR2 / channel number 4, so that the media adapter 100 and the media source device 200 can transmit audio and video in HBR3 / channel number 2 or HBR2 / channel number 4, thereby achieving the effect of reducing power consumption.

[0027] On the other hand, if the video interface unit 111 of the media source device 200 connected to the media adapter 100 is a circuit that conforms to the High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) specification, the Display Channel (DDC) will be used as the data transmission interface, and the transmission related to connection training will be communicated using the value of the address corresponding to the Status and Control Data Channel (SCDC). The media source device 200 reads the relevant capabilities of the High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) compliant circuit of the media adapter 100 by means of the Extended Display Identification Data (EDID), for example, according to the parameter "Max FRL rate" contained in the "HF Vendor Specific Data Block" field in the Extended Display Identification Data (EDID). In other words, when the video interface unit 111 is a circuit that conforms to the High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) specification, the first parameter is one of the multiple fields of the Extended Display Identification Data (EDID). Therefore, the processor 120 of the media adapter 100 can modify the parameter of the field of Extended Display Identification Data (EDID) according to the determined optimal support mode, so that the media adapter 100 and the media source device 200 can transmit audio and video in this optimal support mode.

[0028] Furthermore, when the media adapter 100 is connected to the video interface unit 111 of the media source device 200 for transmission using display stream compression (DSC), the media adapter 100 will consume a lot of power due to processing the display stream compression (DSC) signal. Therefore, in some embodiments, the processor 120 can determine whether it is not necessary to use display stream compression (DSC) for transmission, and modify the relevant parameters accordingly so that the media adapter 100 is not connected to the video interface unit 111 of the media source device 200 for transmission using display stream compression (DSC), thereby significantly reducing the power consumption of the media adapter 100. The specific method is as follows.

[0029] The input interface controller 110 of the media transfer device 100 receives media data from the media source device 200. This media data may be video or picture, or may include other types of data such as audio. Then, the processor 120 calculates the required streaming bandwidth based on this media data. Then, the processor 120 determines whether this streaming bandwidth is greater than the total display bandwidth of the media playback devices 310, 320, and 330. If so, it modifies the second parameter of the connection training between the input interface controller 110 and the media source device 200 via the video interface unit 111 to declare that the video interface unit 111 does not support display stream compression (DSC). This causes the media source device 200 to believe that the video interface unit 111 does not support display stream compression (DSC), thereby preventing the video interface unit 111 from using display stream compression (DSC) for transmission, thereby reducing the power consumption of the media transfer device 100.

[0030] To further explain, if the video interface unit 111 of the media source device 200 connected to the media adapter 100 is a circuit that conforms to the Display Interface (DP) specification, the processor 120 can modify the value of the address corresponding to the Display Interface Configuration Data (DPCD) (e.g., 00060h) so that the video interface unit 111 does not use Display Stream Compression (DSC) for transmission. In other words, when the video interface unit 111 is a circuit that conforms to the Display Interface (DP) specification, the second parameter is the value of the address corresponding to the Display Interface Configuration Data (DPCD).

[0031] On the other hand, if the video interface unit 111 of the media adapter 100 connecting to the media source device 200 is a circuit that conforms to the High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) specification, the processor 120 can modify the display stream compression (DSC) related parameters contained in the "HF Vendor Specific Data Block" field in the Extended Display Identification Data (EDID), such as "DSC_10bpc", "DSC_12bpc", "DSC_1p2" or "DSC_Max_FRL_Rate". In other words, when the video interface unit 111 is a circuit that conforms to the High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) specification, the second parameter is one or more of the multiple fields of the Extended Display Identification Data (EDID).

[0032] The process of how the processor 120 determines the most suitable supported mode for the video interface unit 111 connected to the media source device 200 based on the total display bandwidth will be further explained below.

[0033] For example, the video interface unit 111 mentioned above includes multiple preset supported modes: RBR / channel number 1, HBR / channel number 1, RBR / channel number 2, HBR / channel number 2, HBR2 / channel number 1, RBR / channel number 4, HBR3 / channel number 1, HBR / channel number 4, HBR2 / channel number 2, HBR3 / channel number 2, HBR2 / channel number 4, HBR3 / channel number 4, UHBR10 / channel number 1, UHBR10 / channel number 2, UHBR10 / channel number 4, UHBR13.5 / channel number 1, UHBR13.5 / channel number 2, UHBR13.5 / channel number 4, UHBR20 / channel number 1, UHBR20 / channel number 2, UHBR20 / channel number 4.

[0034] Next, the processor 120 calculates the transmission bandwidth corresponding to each of the aforementioned preset supported modes. Specifically, the transmission bandwidth corresponding to RBR / channel number 1 is 1.62Gbps * 1 (lane) * 1000 (Mbps / Gbps) * 1 / 8 (Byte / bits) * 8 / 10 (8b / 10b encoding) = 162 MB / s. The transmission bandwidth corresponding to HBR / channel number 1 is 2.7Gbps * 1 (lane) * 1000 (Mbps / Gbps) * 1 / 8 (Byte / bits) * 8 / 10 (8b / 10b encoding) = 270 MB / s. The transmission bandwidth corresponding to RBR / channel number 2 is 1.62Gbps * 2 (lanes) * 1000 (Mbps / Gbps) * 1 / 8 (Byte / bits) * 8 / 10 (8b / 10b encoding) = 324 MB / s. The transmission bandwidth corresponding to HBR / channel number 2 is 2.7Gbps * 2 (lanes) * 1000 (Mbps / Gbps) * 1 / 8 (Byte / bits) * 8 / 10 (8b / 10b encoding) = 540 MB / s. The transmission bandwidth corresponding to HBR2 / channel number 1 is 5.4Gbps * 1 (lane) * 1000 (Mbps / Gbps) * 1 / 8 (Byte / bits) * 8 / 10 (8b / 10b encoding) = 540 MB / s. The transmission bandwidth corresponding to RBR / channel number 4 is 1.62Gbps * 4 (lanes) * 1000 (Mbps / Gbps) * 1 / 8 (Byte / bits) * 8 / 10 (8b / 10b encoding) = 648 MB / s. The transmission bandwidth corresponding to HBR3 / channel number 1 is 8.1Gbps * 1 (lane) * 1000 (Mbps / Gbps) * 1 / 8 (Byte / bit) * 8 / 10 (8b / 10b encoding) = 810 MB / s. The transmission bandwidth corresponding to HBR / channel number 4 is 2.7Gbps * 4 (lanes) * 1000 (Mbps / Gbps) * 1 / 8 (Byte / bit) * 8 / 10 (8b / 10b encoding) = 1080 MB / s. The transmission bandwidth corresponding to HBR2 / channel number 2 is 5.4Gbps * 2 (lanes) * 1000 (Mbps / Gbps) * 1 / 8 (Byte / bit) * 8 / 10 (8b / 10b encoding) = 1080 MB / s. The transmission bandwidth corresponding to HBR3 / channel number 2 is 1620 MB / s. The transmission bandwidth corresponding to HBR2 / channel number 4 is 2160 MB / s.The transmission bandwidth corresponding to HBR3 / 4 channels is 8.1Gbps * 4 (lanes) * 1000 (Mbps / Gbps) * 1 / 8 (Byte / bits) * 8 / 10 (8b / 10b encoding) = 3240 MB / s. The above is an illustrative calculation; the actual bandwidth can be calculated according to the DisplayPort specification published by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA).

[0035] Then, since the transmission bandwidth corresponding to the optimal support mode is greater than the total display bandwidth, and the difference between the transmission bandwidth corresponding to the optimal support mode and the total display bandwidth is less than the first threshold, the processor 120 compares the transmission bandwidth corresponding to each of these preset support modes with the total display bandwidth, and selects at least one preset support mode whose transmission bandwidth is greater than the total display bandwidth and whose difference between the transmission bandwidth and the total display bandwidth is less than the first threshold as the optimal support mode.

[0036] On the other hand, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, since the transmission bandwidth corresponding to the optimal support mode is greater than the total display bandwidth and the transmission bandwidth corresponding to the optimal support mode is closest to the total display bandwidth, the processor 120 compares the transmission bandwidths corresponding to these preset support modes in ascending order with the total display bandwidth. When it is found that the transmission bandwidth corresponding to one of these preset support modes is greater than or equal to the total display bandwidth, then one of these preset support modes is the optimal support mode in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] For example, if the total display bandwidth is 1336.5 MB / s, the processor 120 will start by comparing the default supported mode with the smallest transmission bandwidth (i.e., RBR / channel number 1 (its corresponding transmission bandwidth is 162 MB / s)), followed by HBR / channel number 1 (its corresponding transmission bandwidth is 270 MB / s), RBR / channel number 2 (its corresponding transmission bandwidth is 324 MB / s), HBR / channel number 2 and HBR2 / channel number 1 (its corresponding transmission bandwidth is 540 MB / s), RBR / channel number 4 (its corresponding transmission bandwidth is 648 MB / s), HBR3 / channel number 1 (its corresponding transmission bandwidth is 810 MB / s), HBR / channel number 4 and HBR2 / channel number 2 (its corresponding transmission bandwidth is 1080 MB / s), and HBR3 / channel number 2 (its corresponding transmission bandwidth is 1620 MB / s). Since the transmission bandwidth corresponding to HBR3 / channel number 2 is 1620 MB / s... Since MB / s is greater than or equal to the total display bandwidth of 1336.5 MB / s, HBR3 / channel number 2 will be selected as the most suitable support mode in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Alternatively, the processor 120 will compare the transmission bandwidth corresponding to each of the above preset support modes in descending order with the total display bandwidth. When it is found that the transmission bandwidth corresponding to one of the above preset support modes is less than the total display bandwidth, the former of the above preset support modes is the optimal support mode in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] For example, if the total display bandwidth is 1336.5 MB / s, the processor 120 will start by comparing the preset support mode with the largest transmission bandwidth (i.e., HBR3 / number of channels 4 (which corresponds to a transmission bandwidth of 3240 MB / s)), and then in sequence HBR2 / number of channels 4 (which corresponds to a transmission bandwidth of 2160 MB / s), HBR3 / number of channels 2 (which corresponds to a transmission bandwidth of 1620 MB / s), HBR / number of channels 4 and HBR2 / number of channels 2 (which corresponds to a transmission bandwidth of 1080 MB / s). Since the transmission bandwidth of 1080 MB / s corresponding to HBR / number of channels 4 and HBR2 / number of channels 2 is less than the total display bandwidth of 1336.5 MB / s, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the former one (i.e., HBR3 / number of channels 2) will be selected as the most suitable support mode.

[0040] In some embodiments, the criteria by which the processor 120 determines the optimal support mode may vary depending on the power supply method of the media adapter 100. When the media adapter 100 is powered by an external transformer, there is no need to consider power saving and low power consumption, and some margin can be reserved in the adjustment of transmission bandwidth, thus providing a better user experience. For example, when there is only one media playback device, the transmission bandwidth requirement is low, and a support mode with a lower transmission bandwidth can be selected. However, when the user connects another media playback device later, if the transmission bandwidth of the current support mode is insufficient, the media adapter 100 needs to reconnect and retrain with the media source device 200, which will result in a poor user experience. When the processor 120 learns that the media adapter 100 is currently powered by an external transformer, it can reserve some margin by adjusting the bandwidth, that is, selecting the support mode with a higher transmission bandwidth. This means that when another media playback device is connected in the future, the media adapter 100 will not need to reconnect and retrain with the media source device, giving the user a better user experience.

[0041] On the other hand, when the media adapter 100 is powered by the media source device 200, the issue of power saving and low power consumption needs to be considered to avoid the excessive power consumption of the media adapter 100 causing a significant decrease in the battery life of the media source device 200 (e.g., a laptop). Specifically, the processor 120 determines whether the media adapter 100 is powered by the media source device 200. If so, the processor 120 compares the transmission bandwidth corresponding to the multiple preset support modes included in the video interface unit 111 in ascending order with the total display bandwidth. When it is found that the transmission bandwidth corresponding to one of the multiple preset support modes is greater than or equal to the total display bandwidth, the processor sets that one of the multiple preset support modes as the optimal support mode. That is, the preset support mode with the transmission bandwidth closest to the total display bandwidth is used as the optimal support mode to minimize the waste of transmission bandwidth and achieve the best power saving effect. Alternatively, the processor 120 may determine whether the media adapter 100 is powered by the media source device 200. If so, the processor 120 will compare the transmission bandwidth corresponding to the multiple preset support modes included in the video interface unit 111 in descending order with the total display bandwidth. When it is found that the transmission bandwidth corresponding to one of the multiple preset support modes is less than the total display bandwidth, the processor 120 will set the former of the multiple preset support modes as the optimal support mode. That is, the preset support mode with the transmission bandwidth closest to the total display bandwidth will be used as the optimal support mode to minimize the waste of transmission bandwidth and achieve the best power reduction and power saving effect.

[0042] Furthermore, the support mode for connecting the video interface unit 131 of the output interface controller 130 to the media playback device can also be selected in a similar manner, as explained below. The processor 120 calculates the display bandwidth required for each media playback device's display screen based on device data obtained from the media playback device. Then, the processor 120 determines the output support mode for connecting the video interface unit 131 of the output interface controller 130 to each media playback device based on the display bandwidth of each media playback device. The transmission bandwidth corresponding to the output support mode of each media playback device is greater than the display bandwidth of each media playback device. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the support mode with the transmission bandwidth closest to the display bandwidth is selected to optimally reduce transmission bandwidth waste and achieve optimal power reduction and energy saving.

[0043] Figure 2 is a flowchart of a media switching method according to an embodiment of the present invention. This media switching method is performed by a media switching device 100 and includes steps S1 to S4. In step S1, device data of at least one media playback device (e.g., media playback devices 310, 320, 330) is obtained through the output interface controller 130 of the media switching device 100. In step S2, the processor 120 of the media switching device 100 calculates the display bandwidth required for displaying the screen of each of the at least one media playback device based on the device data. In step S3, the processor 120 sums the display bandwidths of each of the at least one media playback device to obtain the total display bandwidth. In step S4, the processor 120 determines the optimal support mode for the media adapter 100's input interface controller 110 to connect to the video interface unit 111 of the media source device 200 based on the total display bandwidth. The optimal support mode corresponds to a transmission bandwidth greater than the total display bandwidth, and the difference between the transmission bandwidth and the total display bandwidth is less than a first threshold. The steps in Figure 2 have been described in detail above and will not be repeated here. It is worth noting that each step in Figure 2 can be implemented as multiple pieces of code or circuits, and this invention is not limited to this. Furthermore, the method in Figure 2 can be used in conjunction with the above embodiments or used independently; in other words, other steps can be added between the steps in Figure 2.

[0044] The above description determines the optimal support mode for the video interface unit 111 of the media source device 200 connected to the input interface controller 110 of the media adapter 100 based on the total transmission bandwidth of the media playback device connected to the output interface controller 130 of the media adapter 100. Alternatively, the optimal output support mode for the video interface unit 131 of the media source device 200 connected to the output interface controller 130 of the media adapter 100 can be determined based on the streaming bandwidth of the media source device 200 connected to the input interface controller 110 of the media adapter 100. This will be explained below.

[0045] The input interface controller 110 of the media transfer device 100 receives media data from the media source device 200. Next, the processor 120 calculates the required streaming bandwidth for this media data. Then, the processor 120 determines the optimal output support mode for each of the media playback devices 310, 320, and 330 connected to the video interface unit 131 of the output interface controller 130 based on this streaming bandwidth. The sum of the transmission bandwidths corresponding to the optimal output support modes of each media playback device is less than the streaming bandwidth, and the difference between the sum of the transmission bandwidths corresponding to the optimal output support modes of each media playback device and the streaming bandwidth is less than a second threshold. This second threshold can be set according to actual needs, but the present invention does not limit its value. The optimal output support mode includes bit rate configuration and number of channels (lanes). The bit rate configuration is RBR, HBR, HBR2, HBR3, UHBR10, UHBR13.5 or UHBR20, and the number of channels is 1, 2 or 4.

[0046] In other words, the media adapter 100 can obtain media data from the media source device 200 and calculate the required streaming bandwidth of the media source device 200 accordingly. In this way, the media adapter 100 can adjust the output support mode (or optimal output support mode) of the video interface unit 131 of the output interface controller 130 connected to the media playback device, so that the transmission bandwidth corresponding to the output support mode does not need to be at the highest transmission bandwidth, but only at a sufficient transmission bandwidth, thereby achieving power saving.

[0047] The advantage of the above-mentioned optimal output support mode is that if the media playback device uses a 4K screen, but the media source device 200 only wants to display at FHD resolution, then the optimal output support mode can achieve the effect of saving power.

[0048] The features of several embodiments have been summarized above, thus enabling those skilled in the art to better understand the nature of the invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that they can easily use this invention as a basis to design or modify other processes and structures, thereby achieving the same objectives and / or advantages as the embodiments described herein. Those skilled in the art should also understand that these equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention, and that various changes, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0005] A better understanding of the present invention can be obtained from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, according to industry standard practice, the features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the features can be arbitrarily increased or decreased for clarity of discussion. [Figure 1] is a circuit diagram of a media switching device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] is a flowchart of a media switching method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Biomaterial Storage]

[0050] Domestic storage information (please note in order of storage institution, date, and number): None. International storage information (please note in order of storage country, institution, date, and number): None.

Claims

1. A media switching device, comprising: An input interface controller for electrically connecting a media source device; An output interface controller is electrically connected to at least one media playback device and obtains device data of each of the at least one media playback device; and a processor is electrically connected to the input interface controller and the output interface controller, wherein the processor is configured to: calculate a display bandwidth required for displaying the screen of each of the at least one media playback device based on the device data; sum the display bandwidths of each of the at least one media playback device to obtain a total display bandwidth; and determine an optimal support mode for connecting a video interface unit of the input interface controller to the media source device based on the total display bandwidth, thereby enabling the media adapter and the media source device to transmit audio and video in the optimal support mode, wherein the transmission bandwidth corresponding to the optimal support mode is greater than the total display bandwidth, and the difference between the transmission bandwidth corresponding to the optimal support mode and the total display bandwidth is less than a first threshold; wherein the processor is further configured to: modify a first parameter for the input interface controller to perform link training on the media source device via the video interface unit based on the optimal support mode.

2. The media switching device as described in claim 1, wherein the optimal support mode includes a bit rate configuration and a number of channels, wherein the bit rate configuration is RBR, HBR, HBR2, HBR3, UHBR10, UHBR13.5 or UHBR20, and wherein the number of channels is 1, 2 or 4.

3. The media switching device as described in claim 1, wherein when the video interface unit is a display port (DP), the first parameter is the value of the address corresponding to the display port configuration data (DPCD).

4. The media switching device as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the video interface unit is a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), the first parameter is one of a plurality of fields of Extended Display Identification Data (EDID).

5. The media transfer device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device data is one of a plurality of fields of Extended Display Identification Data (EDID), and the device data is used to announce a pixel clock.

6. The media switching device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the input interface controller is configured to receive media data from the media source device, wherein the processor is further configured to: calculate a stream bandwidth required for the media data based on the media data; and determine whether the stream bandwidth is greater than the total display bandwidth, and if so, modify a second parameter of the input interface controller for connection training of the media source device via the video interface unit, so that the video interface unit does not use display stream compression (DSC) for transmission.

7. The media switching device as described in claim 1, wherein the video interface unit includes a plurality of preset support modes, wherein the processor is further configured to: determine whether the media switching device is powered by the media source device; if so, compare the transmission bandwidth corresponding to each of the preset support modes in ascending order with the total display bandwidth; and when it is found that the transmission bandwidth corresponding to one of the preset support modes is greater than or equal to the total display bandwidth, set one of the preset support modes as the optimal support mode.

8. The media switching device as described in claim 1, wherein the video interface unit includes a plurality of preset support modes, wherein the processor is further configured to: determine whether the media switching device is powered by the media source device; if so, compare the transmission bandwidth corresponding to each of the preset support modes in descending order with the total display bandwidth; when it is found that the transmission bandwidth corresponding to one of the preset support modes is less than the total display bandwidth, set the former of the preset support modes as the optimal support mode.

9. A media switching method, comprising: The method involves: acquiring device data for each of at least one media playback device via an output interface controller; calculating a display bandwidth required for displaying the image on each of the at least one media playback device based on the device data; summing the display bandwidths of each of the at least one media playback device to obtain a total display bandwidth; and determining an optimal support mode for connecting a video interface unit of an input interface controller to a media source device based on the total display bandwidth, thereby enabling audio and video transmission between a media adapter and the media source device in the optimal support mode, wherein the media adapter has the output interface controller and the input interface controller, wherein the transmission bandwidth corresponding to the optimal support mode is greater than the total display bandwidth, and the difference between the transmission bandwidth corresponding to the optimal support mode and the total display bandwidth is less than a first threshold; and the media adapter method further includes: modifying a first parameter of the input interface controller for connection training of the media source device via the video interface unit based on the optimal support mode.

Images