Audio Video Output Device Controller OSD Notification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users often mistakenly connect video devices to dedicated audio HDMI ports, leading to incorrect assumptions of device malfunctions due to lack of video output, and existing solutions do not effectively address this issue in configurations with dual HDMI outputs.

Innovation Solution

An audio/video output device with a controller that determines the capabilities of an external device connected to a dedicated audio HDMI port, allocating video memory to output an OSD signal to notify the user of incorrect connections and adjust video output formats for proper reception.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a dedicated audio HDMI port is provided, then audio output functionality is improved, but the risk of incorrect connection increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio output functionalityVSAvoidconnection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides visual feedback by displaying an OSD message on the connected device to indicate that the connection is incorrect. The controller detects the connection state and outputs a notification message to guide the user to connect to the proper HDMI port, thereby preventing incorrect usage while maintaining the dedicated audio port functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of information

If video memory is allocated to dedicated audio HDMI port, then notification capability is improved, but video output performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenotification capabilityVSAvoidvideo output performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system allocates only a partial area of the video memory to the dedicated audio HDMI port for displaying the notification message, rather than allocating the entire video memory. This allows the notification function to operate while preserving sufficient video memory resources for the primary video output, thus minimizing the impact on video performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Device complexity

If HDMI ports are located on the back of the device, then device design is improved, but connection ease deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice designVSAvoidconnection ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses an intermediary notification message displayed on the connected device as a mediator to guide users during the connection process. Since HDMI ports are often located on the back of devices making visual identification difficult, the OSD message serves as a feedback mechanism to inform users of incorrect connections, compensating for the poor visibility of port locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3419013B1Audio/video output device

Publication Date: 2024.05.22 FUNAI ELECTRIC CO LTD

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AI summary

An audio/video output device includes a first output component for video and audio output, a second output component for audio output, a video memory and a controller. The video memory is configured to store video signal. The controller is configured to allocate at least part of an area of the video memory to the second output component in response to determining that an external device connected to the second output component supports video input.