HDMI Port Power Cycling for Faster FRL Display Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing HDMI port switching methods result in prolonged waiting times for screen display changes and increased power consumption due to keeping ports powered on continuously.
Innovation Solution
Implement a power-saving method for HDMI ports by turning off power during inactive periods and turning it back on only for necessary operations like scrambler reset and HDCP enablement, using a fixed rate link (FRL) mode to manage power efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If power is kept on for each HDMI port to enable instant switching, then switching speed is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing a power-saving mode where the HDMI port is periodically powered on and off based on activity detection. The port operates in full power mode during active periods and switches to power-saving mode during inactive periods, creating a periodic on-off cycle that reduces overall power consumption while maintaining responsiveness when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the power state of the HDMI port adjustable and adaptive rather than static. The system dynamically transitions between different power states (full power, partial power, and power-off) based on detected activity levels and switching requirements, allowing the port to optimize its power consumption in real-time based on operational needs.
2Use of energy by moving object
If power is turned off for HDMI port to save energy, then power consumption is reduced, but switching response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing necessary initialization and configuration tasks before the actual port switching occurs. When a switching request is detected, the system prepares the target port in advance by powering it on and configuring its parameters before the user initiates the switching action, thereby reducing the perceived waiting time while still maintaining power-saving benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms to monitor port activity status and user interaction patterns. This feedback information is used to intelligently adjust the power management strategy, determining when to keep ports powered on versus when to power them off, thereby optimizing the balance between power consumption and switching response time based on actual usage conditions.
3Use of energy by moving object
If HDMI port is powered off during inactive periods, then power consumption is reduced, but port initialization complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the port initialization process into distinct modular stages: power state transition, configuration parameter loading, signal calibration, and activation. This segmented approach allows each initialization task to be independently managed and optimized, reducing overall complexity while enabling efficient power management through controlled transitions between power states.
Data Source
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AI summary
A power-saving method for switching High Definition Multimedia Interface, HDMI, ports on a sink device. The sink device has at least one HDMI port. The sink device is used to receive data frames via a fixed rate link, FRL. The method includes turning off a power of an HDMI port for a power-off period (S605) upon detecting an active pixel (S604), and turning on the power of the HDMI port for a power-on period (S601) upon completion of the power-off period. The power-on period includes at least a scrambler reset period, TSR, and a high bandwidth digital content protection, HDCP, period.