Sink Device Audio Format Selection for Non-CEC Receivers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sink devices face difficulties in obtaining appropriate audio format information from receiver devices that do not support HDMI CEC commands, hindering the ability of source devices to receive accurate audio format information.

Innovation Solution

The sink device is equipped with a controller that selects and outputs appropriate audio format information from stored options based on receiver format information, either automatically or through user input, ensuring that source devices can obtain the necessary format information even if the receiver device does not support HDMI CEC commands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the sink device requests audio format information from the receiver device using HDMI CEC commands, then the source device can obtain accurate audio format information, but the system becomes incompatible with receiver devices that do not support HDMI CEC commands

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio format information accuracyVSAvoidcompatibility with non-CEC receivers
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The sink device acts as an intermediary between the source device and receiver device. It stores multiple audio format information sets corresponding to different receiver capabilities and selectively provides appropriate information to the source device, mediating the communication between devices with different HDMI CEC support levels

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The sink device changes the parameter of audio format information based on the receiver device's capabilities. It maintains multiple EDID settings with different audio format parameters and switches between them depending on whether the receiver supports HDMI CEC commands, thereby adapting the information provided to match receiver capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the sink device stores multiple audio format information sets, then it can support both CEC and non-CEC receiver devices, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with different receiver typesVSAvoidstorage and management of multiple EDID settings
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sink device performs preliminary action by pre-storing multiple audio format information sets corresponding to different receiver capabilities before actual use. This allows the device to quickly adapt to different receiver types without complex real-time processing or user configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The sink device achieves universality by designing its EDID storage to accommodate multiple audio format information sets, enabling it to function effectively with both HDMI CEC-compatible and non-compatible receiver devices through a single unified interface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3264782B1Sink device
Publication Date: 2022.01.12 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP3264782B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3264782B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3264782B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a sink device capable of allowing a source device to obtain appropriate audio format information. The sink device is bi-directionally communicably connected to the source device. The sink device includes a first memory, and a controller. Stored in the first memory is a plurality of pieces of audio format information including information representing an audio format that the sink device can process. The controller selects, from among the plurality of pieces of audio format information stored in the first memory, one piece of audio format information corresponding to receiver format information representing an audio format that a receiver device connected to the sink device can process. The controller then outputs the selected audio format information to the source device.