Asynchronous Video Processing Circuitry Using Local Clock

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing video processing technologies face challenges in asynchronously processing and displaying digital video data from source synchronous video broadcasts, where timing and clock signals vary, leading to inefficiencies in data sampling and formatting.

Innovation Solution

The development of circuitry and methods that generate digitized data using a local clock signal with a different frequency than the source clock, formatting video data into blocks with associated temporal reference signals, and outputting these blocks with adjustable temporal characteristics to synchronize with the local clock frequency, ensuring proper display and formatting of video data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If synchronous processing is used to maintain timing accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetiming accuracyVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the video processing into independent asynchronous stages: capture, processing, and display. Each stage operates with its own timing independent of the others, eliminating the need for complex synchronous coordination while maintaining timing accuracy through event-driven synchronization at stage boundaries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary buffer system that decouples the timing relationships between capture and display operations. This buffer acts as a mediator that absorbs timing variations and allows each stage to operate independently, reducing processing complexity while preserving timing precision where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If asynchronous processing is used to reduce complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing complexityVSAvoidtiming accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic timing adjustment where the system adapts its synchronization approach based on operational conditions. During normal operation, asynchronous processing reduces complexity, but the system dynamically introduces synchronization mechanisms when timing precision becomes critical, such as during frame boundary transitions or buffer management events.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor timing drift and buffer status, automatically adjusting processing rates and synchronization points to maintain timing accuracy. This feedback loop allows the system to preserve timing precision without requiring complex preemptive synchronous design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If fixed frequency clock is used to simplify processing, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing simplicityVSAvoidtiming flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the asynchronous processing architecture to be universally applicable across different video standards and clock frequencies. The same buffer management and event-driven framework handles various timing scenarios, making the system adaptable to different broadcast standards without requiring frequency-specific processing logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables dynamic parameter adjustment where buffer sizes, sampling rates, and synchronization intervals can be modified based on the operating conditions and video standard being processed. This allows a single fixed-frequency clock to support multiple timing scenarios through software-configurable parameters rather than hardware changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Adaptability or versatility

If variable timing signals are used to accommodate different standards, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestandard compatibilityVSAvoiddata formatting consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary formatting and validation to video data before it enters the asynchronous processing pipeline. By pre-processing the data to establish consistent structure and timing markers, the system ensures that subsequent variable timing operations maintain data integrity and formatting consistency across different video standards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8587721B2Circuitry and techniques to asynchronously process, output and/or display digital video data of a broadcast
Publication Date: 2013.11.19 SPREADTRUM COMMUNICATION (SHANGHAI) CO LTD
  • US8587721B2 patent drawing
  • US8587721B2 patent drawing
  • US8587721B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method and circuitry for processing a video signal corresponding to a source synchronous video broadcast which corresponds to a selected channel which is one of a plurality of channels of a broadcast spectrum. In one aspect, the method includes generating digitized data of the video signal, which corresponds to the source synchronous video broadcast, using a local clock signal having a frequency which is different from the frequency of the source clock of the video broadcast; generating video data using the digitized data of the video signal; generating formatted video data blocks by arranging the video data into one or more lines or frames of video data; generating temporal reference signals wherein each temporal reference signal is associated with at least one formatted video data block. The video processing device, in one aspect, includes circuitry to convert the video signal of the source synchronous video broadcast to a baseband video signal; clock generation circuitry to generate a local clock signal; processing circuitry to: (i) asynchronously, with respect to the source clock, digitize the baseband video signal using the local clock signal, wherein the local clock signal includes a frequency which is different from the frequency of the source clock, and (ii) generate video data using the digitized data which corresponds to the video signal of the broadcast; and output format circuitry to generate formatted video data blocks by arranging the video data into one or more lines or frames of video data.