HDMI Transmission Apparatus with Electro-Optic Signal Conversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing information amount in high definition video signals poses a challenge for transmission, as physical limitations restrict the transmission rate of electrical signals, making it difficult to maintain high-definition video and audio signal transmission over long distances without reducing cable length.

Innovation Solution

A transmission apparatus that converts video baseband signals into both electrical and optical signals, using a signal processor to separate and convert high-band video signals into optical signals, while low-band signals are transmitted as electrical signals, maintaining compatibility with the HDMI standard.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If video signals are transmitted as electrical signals according to HDMI standard, then compatibility with conventional devices is maintained, but transmission rate is limited by physical constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecompatibilityVSAvoidtransmission rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The video signal is divided into multiple channels: electrical signal channels for backward compatibility and optical signal channels for high-speed transmission. This segmentation allows the system to simultaneously support both conventional HDMI devices and high-definition video transmission requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An optical signal acts as an intermediary to bridge the gap between conventional electrical signal transmission and high-definition video requirements. The optical cable serves as a mediator that enables higher transmission rates while electrical cables maintain compatibility with existing devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Length of stationary object

If cable length is increased to allow longer transmission distances, then flexibility and coverage are improved, but signal quality deteriorates due to physical limitations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable lengthVSAvoidsignal quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical signal transmission system is replaced with an optical signal transmission system for high-definition video channels. This substitution eliminates the physical limitations of electrical cables, allowing for longer cable lengths without signal quality degradation while maintaining electrical cable connections for compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables the transmission of high-resolution video signals with a large information amount, overcoming the limitations of electrical signal transmission rates and allowing for longer cable lengths while maintaining backward compatibility with conventional HDMI standards.

Implementation Method 1

a second converter configured to convert the video signal into an optical signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectro-optic conversion: Electro-Optic Effects

Data Source

PatentEP3468212B1Transmission device, reception device, cable, transmission method, and reception method
Publication Date: 2022.03.09 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP3468212B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3468212B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3468212B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(e)

AI summary

There is provided a transmission apparatus that can transmit a video signal with a large information amount. The transmission apparatus includes a video obtainer configured to obtain a video signal, a first converter configured to convert the video signal into an electrical signal complying with a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI (registered trademark)) standard, a second converter configured to convert the video signal into an optical signal, and a signal processor configured to perform at least one of the conversion using the first converter and the conversion using the second converter with respect to the obtained video signal.