HDMI Transmitter Synchronous Auxiliary Data via Extra Video Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing HDMI standards transmit auxiliary data asynchronously with video, making it difficult to deliver frame-accurate data required for applications like 3D video and high dynamic range, which cannot be efficiently handled by current architectures.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating additional video lines into the HDMI frame format to store and transmit auxiliary data synchronously with video, allowing existing receivers to ignore these extra lines and ensuring backward compatibility while enabling simultaneous processing of auxiliary data with video frames.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If auxiliary data is transmitted asynchronously via separate channels in HDMI, then device complexity is reduced and backward compatibility is maintained, but frame-accurate data delivery cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges auxiliary data transmission with the video frame structure by embedding auxiliary data in additional video lines. This combining approach allows auxiliary data to be transmitted synchronously with video frames, achieving frame-accurate delivery without requiring separate asynchronous channels or complex timing synchronization mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the video frame structure multi-functional by using additional video lines to carry both video data and auxiliary data. This universal approach allows the same transmission channel to handle multiple types of data synchronously, eliminating the need for dedicated auxiliary data channels while maintaining backward compatibility.
2Reliability
If additional video lines are inserted to carry auxiliary data synchronously, then frame-accurate data transmission is achieved, but video frame format complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the video frame structure by adding separate additional video lines that are distinct from active video lines. This segmentation allows auxiliary data to be carried in dedicated lines without interfering with the standard video frame format, maintaining clarity and simplicity in the overall structure while enabling synchronous transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the video frame structure in the vertical dimension by adding additional video lines beyond the standard active video lines. This dimensional extension provides extra space for auxiliary data without affecting the horizontal resolution or the timing structure of the video signal, thus maintaining compatibility while enabling new functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing HDMI receivers are used, then backward compatibility is maintained, but they cannot process auxiliary data embedded in additional video lines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts auxiliary data from the additional video lines at the receiver side, allowing standard receivers to ignore these lines while advanced receivers can extract and process the embedded auxiliary data. This extraction approach maintains backward compatibility by not requiring changes to basic reception functionality while enabling new capabilities for compatible devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by having receivers optionally ignore or process additional video lines based on their capabilities. Instead of requiring all receivers to handle auxiliary data, the system allows standard receivers to simply disregard the additional lines, while advanced receivers can extract and utilize the auxiliary information, thus maintaining compatibility across different device generations.
Data Source
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AI summary
An HDMI transmitter inserts an additional video line in the video frame to be transmitted via the HDMI interface and inserts auxiliary data related to the video frame in the additional video line. The auxiliary data is related to the video frame and as the auxiliary data is stored in the video frame itself it is transported in a synchronous fashion with the video frame. As the additional video line is in excess to the number of video lines defined by a standard video frame format they are ignored by existing receivers yet available to receivers according to the invention and can be transmitted using the existing HDMI standard.