Multi-mode Switching Multiplexer for Fast DisplayPort Mode Transitions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Displayport technologies face delays in mode switching due to the time-consuming processing of control signals through firmware, which affects the speed of mode transitions.

Innovation Solution

A circuitry that includes a multi-mode switching multiplexer, a control circuit, and a receiver, where the multi-mode switching multiplexer receives multiple mode settings from the firmware at power-on and selects the appropriate mode setting for the receiver during mode switching, bypassing firmware intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If firmware processing is used to control mode switching, then the control is flexible and adaptable, but the mode switching speed is slow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemode control flexibilityVSAvoidmode switching speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-loads multiple mode settings into the multi-mode switching multiplexer during power-on or initialization. When mode switching is needed, the control circuit directly selects from these pre-loaded settings without requiring firmware processing, thereby achieving fast mode switching while maintaining control flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a multi-mode switching multiplexer as an intermediary hardware component between the control circuit and the receiver. This multiplexer stores multiple mode settings and can quickly switch between them under control signals, acting as a mediator that provides both speed (through hardware switching) and flexibility (through programmable selection).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If firmware control is used for mode switching, then the system is easy to program and configure, but the processing time is excessive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprogramming easeVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the time-consuming firmware processing step from the mode switching path. Instead of going through firmware for every mode switch, the system uses a control circuit that directly generates selection signals for the multiplexer, which already has mode settings ready. This extraction eliminates the processing time bottleneck while the initial configuration can still be done through firmware for ease of programming.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the software-based firmware control mechanism with a hardware-based multiplexer switching mechanism. The multiplexer is controlled by simple selection signals from the control circuit, bypassing the need for firmware execution during mode switching. This substitution of mechanical/hardware control for software control dramatically reduces processing time while maintaining configurability through initial hardware setup.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12277021B2Circuitry that can perform fast mode switching

Publication Date: 2025.04.15 REALTEK SEMICON CORP

AI summary

A circuitry includes a multi-mode switching multiplexer, a control circuit and a receiver. The multi-mode switching multiplexer is arranged to receive multiple mode settings, and select one of the multiple mode settings as an output mode setting. The control circuit is arranged to generate a mode switching signal to control the multi-mode switching multiplexer. The receiver is arranged to set its internal components according to the output mode setting.