HDMI Source Output Management via CEC Active Status Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
The HDMI standard lacks a direct signal for an HDMI source to determine whether its audio and/or video output is being presented to a user, leading to inefficiencies in managing output, as there is no feedback on whether the output is active or inactive.
Innovation Solution
Establishing a connection between the HDMI source and sink via the Consumer Electronic Control (CEC) bus, requesting the identity of the active source, monitoring signals, and setting the HDMI source status as inactive to inhibit output when not active, allowing for effective management of HDMI source output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the HDMI source continuously outputs audio and/or video data, then the output is always available, but unnecessary resource usage occurs when the output is not being presented
Solution Approach 1:
The HDMI source monitors the CEC bus for active source status messages, creating a feedback mechanism that informs the source whether its output is currently being presented. This feedback enables the source to adjust its output behavior accordingly, stopping unnecessary output when inactive and resuming when active, thus resolving the contradiction between continuous availability and resource efficiency
2Loss of information
If the HDMI source monitors the CEC bus for active source status, then the source can determine when output is being presented, but additional communication overhead is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The CEC bus, already present in the HDMI connection for device control, is utilized for dual purposes: both general device control and active source status notification. By making the CEC bus multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate communication infrastructure, thereby obtaining active status information without proportionally increasing device complexity
3Loss of energy
If the HDMI source inhibits output when inactive, then resource usage is reduced, but output may be delayed when becoming active again
Solution Approach 1:
The HDMI source maintains readiness to output by keeping its processing circuits in a low-power standby state rather than completely shutting down. When an active source status is detected on the CEC bus, the source can quickly resume output without full reinitialization, thus preliminarily preparing the system to minimize output delay while still reducing resource usage during inactive periods
Data Source
AI summary
Mechanisms for managing output of an HDMI source are provided. In accordance with some implementations of the disclosed subject matter, a method for controlling output of an HDMI source is provided, the method comprising: establishing a connection between the HDMI source and an HDMI sink at a first address of a consumer electronic control bus of the HDMI sink; sending a request for an identity of the active source connected to the HDMI sink; monitoring signals on the consumer electronic control bus; receiving a message over the consumer electronic control bus identifying a second address on the consumer electronic control bus different from the first address as an address of an active source; setting a status of the HDMI source as inactive in response to receiving the message; and inhibiting output of video from the HDMI source to the HDMI sink in response to the status being set as inactive.