HDMI Sink Device Signal Delay for Stable Video and Audio

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Solution Overview

Problem

HDMI 2.1 standard stabilization periods cause video defects and audio interruptions due to distorted equalizer settings, leading to user inconvenience when connecting external devices.

Innovation Solution

A sink device with a memory and controller that identifies the source device and delays the signal based on stored delay timing values to prevent stabilization period output, ensuring stable video and audio performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the sink device outputs signals during the stabilization period to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but video defects and audio interruptions occur due to distorted equalizer settings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidvideo and audio stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sink device performs equalizer setting in advance before the stabilization period begins, storing the EQ values in a buffer. This preliminary action ensures that the equalizer is properly configured before signal output starts, preventing video defects and audio interruptions while still allowing power savings during the stabilization period.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A buffer is introduced as an intermediary component that temporarily stores the equalizer settings and signal data. This buffer decouples the equalizer configuration process from the signal output process, allowing the system to save power during stabilization while maintaining signal quality through the pre-stored EQ values.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of energy

If the sink device performs equalizer setting during the stabilization period, then power consumption is reduced, but the EQ value becomes distorted causing video and audio defects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidequalizer setting accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The equalizer setting is performed in advance before the stabilization period, when the signal conditions are stable and suitable for accurate EQ measurement. The pre-acquired EQ values are then used during the stabilization period, ensuring both power savings and accurate equalizer settings without distortion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the sink device delays the output signal to exclude the stabilization period, then video and audio stability is improved, but signal transmission time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevideo and audio stabilityVSAvoidsignal transmission delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The sink device skips the stabilization period by delaying signal output until the stabilization period is complete. This rushing through of the unstable period ensures that only stable, high-quality signals are transmitted to the display device, preventing video defects and audio interruptions despite the added delay.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

Data Source

PatentEP4618069A1Sink device and operating method thereof
Publication Date: 2025.09.17 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4618069A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4618069A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4618069A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The sink device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a memory, an external device interface configured to receive a signal output from a source device through the HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) standard and a controller configured to obtain identification information of the source device, determine whether a delay timing value matched the identification information of the source device is stored in the memory, and delay the first signal received from the source device based on the delay timing value if the delay timing value matched the identification information of the source device is stored in the memory.