CEC Communications Device Automatic Network Recovery via HDMI Reset
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) standard lacks a communication recovery mechanism, leading to network failures when a software malfunction fixes the CEC output terminal to a low level, requiring manual reconnection of HDMI cables for recovery, which is inefficient and troublesome as the number of CEC-compliant appliances increases.
Innovation Solution
A CEC communications device with a CEC control unit, transmitting and receiving unit, reset order determining unit, and resetting unit that monitors the CEC communications line and automatically transmits reset commands via an HDMI connection line to recover from malfunctions by prioritizing frequently or recently communicating appliances, eliminating the need for simultaneous appliance resets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the CEC output terminal is fixed to the low level due to software malfunction, then the communication line is controlled, but all communication lines on the entire network are fixed to the low level causing communication breakdown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (reset command transmission unit) that uses the HDMI connection line other than the CEC line to send reset commands to devices. This intermediary approach allows the system to recover from CEC line failures without requiring physical cable reconnection, as the reset command is transmitted through an alternative path (HDMI data line) to restore the CEC communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of physically reconnecting HDMI cables to recover CEC communication with an electrical/software-based solution. The CEC control unit detects the malfunction and automatically transmits reset commands via the HDMI data line, eliminating the need for manual mechanical intervention and cable reconnection.
2Reliability
If manual reconnection of HDMI cables is used to recover CEC network, then the network can be restored, but the process is troublesome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the CEC control unit to automatically detect communication malfunctions and execute recovery procedures without user intervention. The system monitors the CEC line status, determines when a reset is needed, and automatically transmits reset commands through the HDMI data line, eliminating the need for users to manually reconnect cables.
Solution Approach 2:
The CEC control unit continuously monitors the CEC communications line status and provides feedback about the communication state. When a malfunction is detected (such as the line being fixed to low level), the feedback mechanism triggers the reset command transmission unit to send recovery commands, creating a closed-loop system that automatically responds to failures.
3Reliability
If all appliances on the network are reset simultaneously, then the CEC network can be recovered, but the process is inefficient and affects all devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the reset process by determining a specific reset order based on which device is likely the cause of the malfunction. Instead of resetting all devices simultaneously, the system identifies the problematic device (often the one that initiated the communication) and targets it for reset first, then propagates the reset command to other devices in a structured sequence, improving efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by selectively resetting only the necessary devices rather than all devices simultaneously. The reset command is transmitted to specific devices in a determined order, focusing the recovery effort on the most likely culprits first, which reduces the overall reset time and minimizes disruption to the network.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a CEC communications device which eliminates a troublesome process to solve the CEC-related communication malfunction when the CEC communications device detects a CEC-related communication malfunction caused by a software malfunction and improves serviceability of the CEC communications by automatically resetting the CEC to execute a CEC communication recovery. In the CEC communications device, when a CEC communications line monitoring unit detects a CEC-related communication malfunction caused by a software malfunction, a CEC control unit determines a reset order of a CEC appliance found on a CEC network, and notifies the CEC resetting unit of a CEC resetting request. The CEC resetting unit resets the CEC of a CEC appliance found on the CEC network via an HDMI line (DDC in FIG. 1) other than the CEC to recover the CEC communications.