Multimedia Stream Conversion for Legacy Device Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Legacy multimedia devices, such as HDMI-compatible devices, often reject new multimedia signal formats like 3D HDMI signals due to incompatibility, leading to the rejection of entire multimedia signals even if they could utilize a portion of it, like audio, because they were not designed to be compatible with the new format.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that receive a multimedia data stream in one format, detect the capabilities of connected devices, and modify the stream to generate a compatible format by inserting replacement data portions, such as dummy video data, to allow incompatible devices to accept the signal, ensuring that both video and audio portions can be utilized by connected devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If legacy devices are designed to be compatible with new multimedia signal formats, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (such as a set-top box or signal converter) that sits between the new multimedia signal source and legacy devices. This intermediary receives the new format signal, converts it to a legacy-compatible format, and outputs it to the legacy device. This resolves the contradiction by providing compatibility through an external converter rather than requiring the legacy device itself to be complex enough to support new formats.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the compatibility function into a separate, dedicated conversion module rather than integrating it into all legacy devices. This allows the conversion capability to be provided where needed without increasing the complexity of the base legacy device architecture. The segmentation enables optional compatibility without making it mandatory for all devices.
2Reliability
If legacy devices reject incompatible signals, then reliability is improved, but loss of information increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the incompatible elements (such as 3D metadata or advanced formatting information) from the multimedia signal and separates them from the usable content (such as audio or standard video portions). The extracted compatible portions are then passed to legacy devices, while the incompatible portions are either converted or discarded. This allows legacy devices to reliably process what they can handle without rejecting the entire signal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the multimedia signal to make it compatible with legacy devices. This includes converting signal format parameters, resolution parameters, and metadata parameters from new formats to legacy-compatible formats. By modifying these parameters, the signal becomes acceptable to legacy devices while preserving the essential content information.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to conversion of multimedia data streams for use by connected devices. An embodiment of a method for processing data includes receiving a data stream in a first multimedia data format at a first device, and inserting a replacement video portion into the received data stream to generate a modified multimedia data stream in a second multimedia data format. The modified data stream is provided to a second device coupled to the first device.