HDMI Sink Wake-Up Control Using TMDS Transition Counting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clock-detect mechanisms in electronic devices, such as HDMI sinks, may mistakenly wake up and consume power unnecessarily due to meaningless clock signals from HDMI transmitters, especially when interfered with noise or improper design, leading to invalid data decoding without valid data.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that detect both clock and data signals by counting transitions in the data channel, utilizing Transition Minimized Differential Signaling (TMDS) patterns to accurately determine whether to wake up the device from power saving mode, ensuring only valid data triggers device activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electronic device uses conventional clock-detect mechanisms to determine whether to wake up from power saving mode, then the device can respond to clock signals from HDMI sources, but the device may mistakenly wake up due to meaningless clock signals, leading to unnecessary power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a data signal as an intermediary verification mechanism. Instead of relying solely on the clock signal, the system uses the data signal to confirm whether the clock signal is meaningful. The data decoder checks for valid data patterns that accompany legitimate clock signals, thereby distinguishing between meaningful and meaningless clock signals without requiring continuous monitoring of all signal parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The HDMI input device uses its own data transmission characteristics to verify the validity of received signals. By checking whether valid data is simultaneously received with the clock signal, the system performs self-verification without external assistance. The data decoder leverages the inherent structure of HDMI data transmission to automatically distinguish between valid and invalid clock signals.
2Productivity
If the data decoder is re-activated upon receiving a clock signal, then the device can process valid data transmitted from HDMI sources, but the data decoder may be mistakenly re-activated for decoding data signals when no valid data is received, leading to unnecessary power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification of the clock signal's validity before re-activating the data decoder. By checking whether valid data is simultaneously received with the clock signal, the system determines in advance whether the clock signal is meaningful. This preliminary check prevents unnecessary activation of the data decoder, thereby avoiding wasted energy on decoding operations that would not produce useful results.
3Reliability
If the electronic device continuously monitors both clock and data signals to accurately determine waking up conditions, then the accuracy of waking up determination is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the clock signal detection and data signal verification into a unified detection mechanism. Rather than maintaining separate monitoring systems for clock and data signals, the system integrates both checks into a single waking up determination process. The data decoder simultaneously evaluates both the clock signal presence and the validity of accompanying data, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method and apparatus of controlling an operational status of an electronic device which receives data through a HDMI port. The present invention determines whether to wake up the electronic device from the power saving mode according to counting numbers generated based on the transitions of signals within a time period.