HDMI-CEC Manipulating Switch for Multi-Display Network Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional HDMI-CEC networks are limited to single-display setups, failing to efficiently manage multiple display devices and source devices, leading to inadequate control and bandwidth management in multi-display environments.
Innovation Solution
A manipulating switch with multiple HDMI-CEC ports and logic to dynamically manipulate network views, allowing multiple display devices to control HDMI-CEC cluster trees, manage source devices, and optimize bandwidth across multiple streams, enabling features like picture-in-picture and efficient data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional HDMI-CEC networks are used for single-display setups, then the system is simple to implement, but it fails to efficiently manage multiple display devices and source devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a manipulating switch as an intermediary device between multiple display devices and source devices. This switch terminates CEC blocks from initiators, modifies them according to follower device network views, and forwards them appropriately. The intermediary handles the complexity of multi-display network management, allowing individual devices to operate with simpler single-display logic while achieving versatile multi-display control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the HDMI-CEC network into multiple logical network views, each corresponding to a specific display device. Each follower device maintains its own network view with appropriate logical addresses, while the manipulating switch manages the segmentation by translating between different network views. This segmentation allows each device to operate independently within its own logical network while enabling coordinated multi-display operation
2Ease of operation
If multiple display devices are connected to HDMI-CEC networks, then control capability is enhanced, but bandwidth management becomes inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by creating customized network views for each follower device based on its specific requirements. Each display device receives only the CEC blocks relevant to its cluster tree, with logical addresses and routing optimized for its local context. This prevents unnecessary bandwidth consumption by filtering out irrelevant control signals while maintaining comprehensive control capability for each device
3Reliability
If CEC blocks are forwarded without modification in multi-display networks, then device compatibility is maintained, but network view mismatches cause communication failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic address translation where the manipulating switch modifies CEC block logical addresses based on the target follower device's network view. The switch dynamically determines which logical addresses to use for each follower, translating initiator addresses to appropriate follower addresses in real-time. This dynamic adaptation ensures reliable communication while managing address translation complexity through automated logic
Data Source
AI summary
A CEC block termination function, operated by a manipulating switch including at least one HDMI-CEC input port and at least two HDMI-CEC output ports, enables the manipulating switch to receive a CEC block which was initiated by a device, optionally acknowledge (ACK) the block, modify the received block, and supply the modified block to one or more devices. Optionally, a section of the CEC block may be modified, the entire CEC block may be modified, or the CEC message may be partially or completely modified.