HDMI CEC Line Switching for Selective Malfunction Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Consumer Electronic Control (CEC) function malfunctions in HDMI ports cause device compatibility issues, requiring inconvenient manual operations to turn off the CEC function, affecting both malfunctioning and non-malfunctioning source devices.

Innovation Solution

An electronic apparatus with switching devices in each CEC line of HDMI ports, controlled by a processor to identify and turn off the CEC function via a user interface, using GPIO to manage power to the switching devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the CEC function is turned off manually to resolve malfunction, then device compatibility issues are resolved, but user convenience deteriorates due to inconvenient manual operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects CEC malfunctions and turns off the CEC function without requiring user intervention. The processor monitors CEC line status and autonomously controls the switching device to resolve compatibility issues, eliminating the need for manual operations while maintaining system reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous monitoring of CEC line status through CEC response signals. When a malfunction is detected (abnormal signal or no response), the system provides feedback to automatically activate the switching device and turn off the CEC function, creating a closed-loop control system that resolves compatibility issues autonomously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the CEC function is turned off to resolve malfunction, then compatibility issues are resolved, but the CEC function for non-malfunctioning devices is also affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoidCEC function availability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the CEC control into separate switching devices for each HDMI port. Each switching device can be independently controlled based on malfunction detection in specific ports, allowing the CEC function to be turned off only for malfunctioning devices while remaining active for non-malfunctioning devices, thus preserving overall system adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies different control states to different CEC lines based on local malfunction conditions. Each HDMI port's CEC function is managed independently with its own switching device, enabling localized resolution of compatibility issues without affecting other ports, thereby maintaining CEC functionality where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If switching devices are added to each CEC line to enable separate control, then selective CEC disabling is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveselective CEC controlVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The switching devices are integrated into the existing HDMI interface structure and controlled by the existing processor through GPIO pins. Each switching device serves multiple functions: normal signal transmission when CEC is active and CEC line isolation when malfunction detected, reducing the need for separate control mechanisms and minimizing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12554601B2Electronic apparatus and control method thererof for handling a CEC malfunction

Publication Date: 2026.02.17 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An electronic apparatus includes a display; an input interface including a first high-speed multimedia interface (HDMI) port configured to connect to a first source device, and a second HDMI port configured to connect to a second source device; and at least one processor operatively connected with the display and the input interface, wherein a first switching device is provided in a first consumer electronic control (CEC) line corresponding to the first HDMI port, and a second switching device is provided in a second CEC line corresponding to the second HDMI port, and wherein the at least one processor is configured to: control, based on a malfunction associated with a CEC function being identified from the first source device or the second source device, the display to display a user interface (UI) for turning off the CEC function, and turn off the CEC function by separately controlling at least one of the first switching device or the second switching device based on a user command received through the UI.