HDMI Communication Unit for Bidirectional eHDMI Compatibility Recognition
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current HDMI standard devices face difficulties in recognizing whether a transmission device is eHDMI-compatible and in determining the busy state of the transmission device, leading to unnecessary signal transmission to incompatible devices.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a communication unit in both transmission and reception devices that utilize a pair of differential transmission paths within the HDMI cable, including a function information transmission and reception mechanism via control data lines to verify compatibility and transmission format support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the transmission device uses voltage state of reserve line to determine eHDMI compatibility, then the transmission device can recognize reception device compatibility, but the reception device cannot recognize transmission device compatibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a communication unit that uses a communication path made up of a pair of differential transmission paths (including the reserve line and HPD line) as an intermediary mechanism. This allows bidirectional exchange of function information between transmission and reception devices, enabling both devices to recognize each other's eHDMI compatibility and transmission format capabilities, thereby resolving the one-way recognition limitation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the reception device transmits second function information indicating whether it includes a communication unit, and the transmission device receives this information. This feedback loop enables the transmission device to adjust its operation based on the reception device's capabilities, achieving bidirectional compatibility recognition and preventing unnecessary signal transmission
2Productivity
If the reception device transmits signal without verifying transmission device busy state, then communication can proceed quickly, but unnecessary signals are transmitted to busy or incompatible devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the transmission device transmit first function information indicating whether it includes a communication unit before the reception device attempts to communicate. This advance notification allows the reception device to verify compatibility and transmission device availability beforehand, preventing unnecessary signal transmission to busy or incompatible devices while maintaining quick communication setup
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
[Object] To enable an external device to recognize, in the case of including a communication unit configured to execute communication via a communication path made up of a pair of differential transmission paths included in a transmission path, information relating to the communication unit thereof. [Solving means] A disk recorder 210 transmits function information indicating that a communication unit (high-speed data line I/F 213) configured to execute communication with an external device via a communication path made up of a reserve line and an HPD line of an HDMI cable 350 to a television receiver 250 via a CEC line that is a control data line of the HDMI cable 350. The television receiver 250 receives function information, whereby whether or not the disk recorder 210 is an eHDMI-compatible device can be determined, and in the case of an eHDMI-compatible device, a compatible transmission format (application) can be recognized. It can also be conceived to transmit the function information from the television receiver 250 to the disk recorder 210 in the same way as described above.