Streaming Media Player HDMI CEC State Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
In HDMI interconnected home entertainment systems, there is no reliable method for a Streaming Media Player (SMP) to determine if a TV is powered on and has selected the SMP for display, leading to excessive network usage and power consumption, as well as unviewable advertisements.
Innovation Solution
The SMP monitors and analyzes HDMI CEC messages to determine the TV's power state and input selection, using CEC messages to infer the TV's state and take appropriate actions, such as sending confirmation messages through video watermarks to ensure accurate display and power management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the SMP continuously streams media without determining TV state, then the media streaming function is maintained, but network usage and power consumption become excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The SMP continuously monitors HDMI CEC messages to receive feedback about the TV's power state and input selection. This feedback loop enables the SMP to detect when the TV is turned off or has switched to a different input source, allowing it to stop streaming and avoid excessive power consumption and network usage while maintaining reliable media delivery when the TV is actually viewing content.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses HDMI CEC messages as an intermediary mechanism to indirectly determine TV state. Rather than directly querying the TV's power state, the SMP monitors CEC communication between the TV and other devices to infer whether the TV is on and displaying the SMP's content, enabling energy-efficient operation without compromising streaming reliability.
2Reliability
If the SMP streams media without confirming TV display status, then continuous content delivery is maintained, but advertisements become unviewable
Solution Approach 1:
By continuously monitoring HDMI CEC messages, the SMP receives real-time feedback about TV display status including whether the TV is powered on and whether it has selected the SMP as the active input source. This feedback mechanism ensures that advertisements and other content are only delivered when the TV is actually displaying them, improving advertisement viewability without requiring complex additional hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing HDMI CEC communication infrastructure to self-determine TV state without requiring separate monitoring devices or complex external systems. The SMP leverages the CEC messages already present in the HDMI connection to autonomously track TV power state and input selection, simplifying the overall system architecture while ensuring reliable advertisement delivery.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for tracking the state of a television in an HDMI environment using analysis of the bi-directional HDMI CEC channel. This information may be used to determine if the television has been turned on or off, and also to determine if a streaming media player has been selected for display. In response to a determination that the television has been turned off, or that another input has been selected for display on the television, the stream may be turned off or other actions may be taken. By turning off the stream when it is not being viewed, unnecessary network usage and power consumption is avoided. Another advantage of the disclosed system and method is that advertisers may avoid streaming ads that are not viewable.