HDMI Power State Detection Using CEC Cross-Verification

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Inaccurate real-time identification of the power state between a TV and an HDMI device can lead to unnecessary power control, such as turning off an HDMI device when the TV is turned on, requiring users to manually turn it back on.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with an HDMI connector that includes a first pin for power state indication and a second pin for HDMI-CEC communication, along with a processor to identify and manage power states through multiple indicators and signals, ensuring accurate synchronization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If power synchronization is implemented between TV and HDMI device, then device management convenience is improved and power consumption is reduced, but inaccurate power state identification causes unnecessary power control operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice management convenienceVSAvoidpower state identification accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the power state identification process into multiple independent detection mechanisms: a power indicator pin (first pin) that provides power state signals, and HDMI-CEC communication (second pin) that provides complementary power status information. By dividing the identification task across multiple channels, the system cross-validates power state data, ensuring accurate identification and preventing erroneous power control operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Extent of automation

If power synchronization function is activated, then simultaneous control of TV and HDMI device power is achieved, but false power state detection leads to incorrect power control actions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimultaneous power controlVSAvoidpower state detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the TV continuously monitors power state indicators from the HDMI device through the first pin and communicates power status through HDMI-CEC on the second pin. This bidirectional feedback allows the system to verify power states in real-time, detect discrepancies, and correct false detections, ensuring accurate simultaneous power control without erroneous actions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Speed

If the system checks power state immediately after booting, then responsiveness is improved, but premature detection may occur before the HDMI device is fully powered on

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower state detection speedVSAvoidpower state identification accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent prepares the power detection system in advance by configuring the first pin to monitor power indicator signals and establishing HDMI-CEC communication channels before full system operation begins. This preliminary setup ensures that when the HDMI device powers on, the TV is already ready to accurately detect and respond to power state changes without premature or missed detections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4708885A1Electronic device and operation method of electronic device
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4708885A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4708885A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4708885A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) connection unit for connecting the electronic device and an external electronic device by wire and including a first pin and a second pin; a memory including a power indicator identified based on an electrical signal received through the first pin and indicating a power state of the external electronic device; and at least one processor connected to the HDMI connection unit and the memory, wherein the at least one processor may identify a first power state of the external electronic device based on a first power indicator identified at which a first time has elapsed after booting of the electronic device, determine whether the external electronic device is a first type device supporting HDMI-CEC (consumer electronics control) communication through the second pin in response to identifying that the first power state is the first state, obtain first power state information from the external electronic device through the second pin in response to determining that the external electronic device is the first type device, and determine a final power state of the external electronic device based on the first power state information.