Dual-Display Content Routing for DRM Playback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dual-display computing devices face issues with playing DRM protected media content and orientation changes due to the presumption of a single internal display, leading to problems with content rotation and decryption on additional internal displays.
Innovation Solution
A crossbar switch is used to route content from both embedded DisplayPort and DisplayPort ports to multiple displays, allowing automatic orientation adjustment and decryption of DRM protected content, enabling seamless use of dual-display devices in various orientations without manual user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an eDP port drives the first display device and a DP port drives the second display device, then the computing device can support dual-display configuration, but DRM protected content cannot be displayed on the second display device because it lacks decryption circuitry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the second display device capable of receiving both encrypted and unencrypted content by routing eDP output to both displays through a dual-display controller. This allows the DP-connected display to function universally whether content is encrypted or not, resolving the contradiction between dual-display support and DRM playback reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dual-display controller as an intermediary component that sits between the GPU and the two display devices. This controller mediates the content routing, intercepting encrypted content from the DP port and redirecting it through the eDP port to the second display, thereby enabling DRM playback on previously incompatible displays
2Ease of operation
If the GPU and OS presume a single internal display device, then content rotation is automatically handled for the internal display, but orientation changes cannot be properly managed on additional internal display devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a new control dimension by introducing a dual-display controller that independently manages orientation for each display device. This controller operates alongside the standard GPU-OS rotation mechanism, adding a layer of display-specific orientation control that enables proper rotation management on dual-display configurations without disrupting the existing single-display rotation functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the display control function by separating the control of the first display (driven by eDP) from the second display (driven by DP). The dual-display controller specifically manages the second display's orientation independently, allowing each display to be optimized for its specific orientation requirements while maintaining overall system coherence
Data Source
AI summary
In some implementations a computing device may comprise at least a first display device and a second display device. The computing device may receive a selection to display protected content. The computing device may determine a display mode associated with the first display device and the second display device. The computing device may determine an orientation (e.g., landscape or portrait) and modify (e.g., by rotating) the content based on the orientation to create modified content. The computing device may determine a routing of the modified content and route the modified content to at least one of the first display device or the second display device.