HDMI Network Device Unique Identifier Database
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Solution Overview
Problem
Home entertainment networks face challenges in reliably identifying and addressing devices due to non-static physical and logical addresses, especially when devices are disconnected and reconnected, limiting user options and functionality, particularly with mobile devices.
Innovation Solution
A network device equipped with a database generator unit that assigns a unique identifier to each device, such as a MAC address, allowing for unambiguous identification and address mapping, enabling device recognition across changing physical and logical addresses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical addresses are used to identify devices in HDMI network, then devices can be addressed according to HDMI specification, but device identification becomes unreliable when devices are disconnected and reconnected to different HDMI plugs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a database as an intermediary component that stores the mapping between physical addresses and unique device identifiers. When a device connects to the HDMI network, the database generator unit queries the database to retrieve the device's unique identifier based on its physical address, even if the device is reconnecting after being disconnected. This intermediary database resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliable device identification across connection changes without restricting reconnection flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If devices are allowed to be disconnected and reconnected frequently (especially mobile devices), then user mobility and device versatility are improved, but device address stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-generating and storing unique device identifiers in the database before devices are disconnected or reconnected. The database generator unit proactively maintains the mapping between physical addresses and unique identifiers, so when mobile devices are frequently connected and disconnected, the system already has the necessary identification information ready. This eliminates the need to re-establish device identity upon reconnection, thereby maintaining address stability despite frequent mobility-related connection changes.
3Reliability
If unique identifier mapping is implemented to track devices across connections, then device identification reliability is improved, but network device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the database generator unit to automatically query and retrieve device identifiers from the database based on physical addresses, without requiring manual intervention or complex external systems. The network device autonomously maintains the address-to-identifier mapping and performs lookups independently, which improves device identification reliability while avoiding the need for additional complex infrastructure or manual configuration systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a network device for a home entertainment network comprising a network controller adapted to provide Ethernet communication capability, HEC, and CEC, consumer electronics control, communication capability, and a database generator unit adapted to generate a database containing information about a network device of said home entertainment network, and a unique identifier of the respective network device.