HDMI Network Device Power Saving via Echo Cancellation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network devices supporting High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) fail to implement the power saving mechanism defined by IEEE through auto-negotiation, leading to incompatibilities and erroneous wake-ups due to echo interference, which affects data transmission accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A network device with a transmitting circuit generating a link pulse signal for auto-negotiation through HDMI, combined with an echo cancellation mechanism using an energy accumulator or counter to accurately determine the link pulse signal and eliminate echoes, enabling operation under the IEEE-defined power saving mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If HDMI network devices use conventional data transmission methods, then compatibility with existing devices is maintained, but power saving mechanism through auto-negotiation cannot be implemented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling HDMI network devices to perform both video/audio transmission and IEEE 802.3az power saving auto-negotiation through the same physical interface. The transmitting circuit generates link pulse signals that serve dual purposes: establishing HDMI connection and enabling power saving mode negotiation, thus making the device universally compatible with both HDMI and Ethernet power saving requirements.
2Use of energy by moving object
If receiving circuits enter low-power mode to save energy, then power consumption is reduced, but echo interference causes erroneous wake-ups from sleep mode
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the harmful echo component from the received signal. By using an echo cancellation mechanism that separates the useful link pulse signal from the echo interference, the system can accurately detect when a wake-up signal is intended versus when it is merely an echo, preventing erroneous wake-ups while maintaining low-power operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by having the receiving circuit send acknowledgment signals back to the transmitting circuit during the negotiation process. This feedback mechanism allows both devices to confirm successful entry into power saving mode and verify that wake-up signals are properly received, ensuring reliable operation without echo-induced errors.
3Use of energy by moving object
If auto-negotiation is implemented for power saving, then power efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional control circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the auto-negotiation control functions with existing HDMI control circuits. The transmitting circuit generates link pulse signals using the same hardware resources already present for HDMI operation, and the receiving circuit uses existing signal processing capabilities. This consolidation achieves IEEE 802.3az power saving functionality without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A network device, for supporting a power saving mechanism through an auto-negotiation of HDMI, includes a transmitting circuit and a receiving circuit. The transmitting circuit is arranged for generating a link pulse signal to a second network device, wherein the network device and the second network device perform the auto-negotiation of a network connection by using the link pulse signal through HDMI in order to support the power saving mechanism. After the receiving circuit of the network device receives another link pulse signal transmitted from the second network device through HDMI, the network device is controlled to be operated under the power saving mechanism.