US009232265B2
`
`a2) United States Patent
`US 9,232,265 B2
`(10) Patent No.:
`Jan. 5, 2016
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Maxwell et al.
`
`(54) METHOD, APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR
`TRANSITIONING AN AUDIO/VIDEO DEVICE
`BETWEEN A SOURCE MODEAND A SINK
`MODE
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Conrad Arlo Maxwell, Herriman, UT
`(US); Lance Davies, Loveland, CO
`(US); GraemeP. Jones, Tampa, FL
`(US); Glenn L. Marks, Corona, CA
`(US); Jonathan Regalado-Hawkey,
`Woolston (GB); Christian Rudel,
`Wunstorf (DE)
`
`(73) Assignee: Lattice Semiconductor Corporation,
`Portland, OR (US)
`
`(2013.01); HO4L 12/2829 (2013.01); HO4N
`5/775 (2013.01); HO4N 21/44227 (2013.01);
`GO9G 2330/02 (2013.01); GO9G 2370/12
`(2013.01); GO9G 2370/22 (2013.01); HO4L
`2012/2849 (2013.01); YO2B 60/34 (2013.01)
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`None
`
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`6,618,773 B1*
`9/2003 Changetal. .....
`» 710/16
`
`7,761,709 B2*
`713/168
`7/2010 Choi
`........
`
`7,827,319 B2* 11/2010 Kimuraetal. ou. 710/5
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 709 days.
`
`(Continued)
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 13/434,273
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Mar.29, 2012
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US2012/0274857 Als
`
`Nov. 1, 2012
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`“International Search Report and Written Opinion of the Interna-
`tional Searching Authority, for International Patent Application No.
`PCT/US2012/03 1463”, (Oct. 31, 2012), Whole Document.
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner — Henry Tsai
`Assistant Examiner — Christopher Bartels
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Fenwick & West LLP
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 61/470,431, filed on Mar.
`31, 2011.
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Techniques and mechanisms for determining an operation
`mode of an audio-video (AV) device. In an embodiment,
`communication logic of the AV device may be configured at
`different times for different ones of a plurality of operation
`modesincluding an AV source operation modefor providing
`AV information to another device and an AV sink operation
`mode for receiving AV information from another device. In
`response to a detected event, controllogic initializes the com-
`munication logic of the AV device into a default mode which
`prevents operation of the communication logic as an AV
`source.
`
`18 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
`
`400a
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`G06F 3/00
`HOAN 21/4363
`HOAL 12/12
`HOAL 12/28
`HOAN 5/775
`HOAN 21/442
`GO6F 3/14
`G09G 5/00
`(52) US. CL
`CPC veesccccee HOAN 21/43635 (2013.01); GOOF 3/14
`(2013.01); G09G 5/006 (2013.01); HO4E 12/12
`
`(2006.01)
`(2011.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2011.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`Initialize to default SINK mode(in responseto reset!
`power-onindicator)
`Disable: +5V HDMIOutput, HPD output, DDC outputs
`Initialize: EDID
`
`410
`100 mS delay (47KQ pull-downdischarges
`+5V HDMIline)
`
`Disable HPDoutput
`Disable DDC output
`
`
`
`‘outside source range)
`
`AND
` -§V HDMI
`
`(47kQ pull-up an SCL)
`AND
`\YoOperate as a sink device
` (RSEN)?
`
`
`(SINK mode)
`
`DELL/HP/LENOVO EXHIBIT 1001
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`DELL/HP/LENOVO EXHIBIT 1001
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`

`

`US 9,232,265 B2
`Page 2
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`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`7,889,201
`7,945,708
`7,979,910
`7,995,043
`8,019,906
`8,095,714
`8,266,335
`8,275,914
`8,447,158
`8,453,008
`8,484,387
`8,510,483
`8,683,087
`8,745,251
`
`B2*
`B2*
`B2*
`B2*
`B2*
`B2*
`B2*
`B2*
`B2*
`B2*
`B2*
`B2*
`B2*
`B2*
`
`2/2011
`5/2011
`7/2011
`8/2011
`9/2011
`1/2012
`9/2012
`9/2012
`5/2013
`5/2013
`7/2013
`8/2013
`3/2014
`6/2014
`
`YAO ssc 345/501
`Ohkita ..
`we. 710/14
`
`Mantani........0..0..
`we 726/26
`
`Noorbakhshetal.
`wee TLOAA
`Lee etal.
`.....
`
`« 710/110
`Huo etal.
`....
`wee TLO/S
`Kitanoetal.
`
`Kimet al. voce 710/15
`Yamamoto oo... 386/200
`Kimoto ......
`w 714/41
`
`wee TLOALL
`Kim etal.
`
`wee TL0/33
`Kawai......
`
`
`wee TLO/L
`Connolly .
`Zou et al. cccccccee 709/230
`
`2007/0263669 Al* 11/2007 Maginity etal. ............. 370/503
`» 370/294
`2008/0205306 A1*
`8/2008 Saito wu
`2008/0270635 Al* 10/2008 Nakahama oe 710/8
`
`2/2009 Hsieh..........
`.. 370/342
`2009/0046690 Al*
`
`3/2009 Milleretal. oe. T25/151
`2009/0083825 Al*
`6/2009 Kondo etal. ou. 348/723
`2009/0141180 Al*
`
`.. 348/554
`2009/0174817 Al*
`7/2009 Sato etal.
`...
`2010/0131782 AL*
`5/2010 Higuchi wissen 713/310
`
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`“Preliminary Report on Patentability (Chapter I of the Patent Coop-
`eration Treaty), for International Patent Application No. PCT/
`US2012/031463”, (Oct. 10, 2013), Whole Document.
`Extended European Search Report, European Application No.
`12762781.8, Aug. 13, 2014, 7 pages.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`DELL/HP/LENOVO EXHIBIT 1001
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 5, 2016
`
`Sheet 1 of 7
`
`US 9,232,265 B2
`
`FIG.1
`
`DELL/HP/LENOVO EXHIBIT 1001
`Page 3
`
`<£ First
`
`22O
`
`o5
`
`°®
`
`oO
`
`Device110
`
`DELL/HP/LENOVO EXHIBIT 1001
`Page 3
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 5, 2016
`
`Sheet 2 of 7
`
`US 9,232,265 B2
`
`ROiOiO
`
`Detecting an indication of one of a power up
`event at a device, a power downeventat
`the device, or a reset event at the device
`
`voltage at the channel of the connector
`
`In responseto the indication, automatically initializing
`communication logic of the device, including placing the
`communication logic into a default operation mode which
`prevents a supply voltage from being provided by the
`communication logic at a channel of a connector, wherein an
`audio/video source operation mode of the communication
`logic is for the communication logic to provide the supply
`
`FIG. 2A
`
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 5, 2016
`
`Sheet 3 of 7
`
`US 9,232,265 B2
`
`No iono)
`
`Detecting a characteristic regarding a connectivity
`of an AV device to another device via a connector
`
`voltage at the channel of the connector
`
`In response detecting the characteristic, placing
`communication logic of the deviceinto a first operation mode
`which prevents a supply voltage from being provided by the
`communication logic at a channel of the connector, wherein
`an audio/video source operation mode of the communication
`logic is for the communication logic to provide the supply
`
`FIG. 2B
`
`DELL/HP/LENOVO EXHIBIT 1001
`Page 5
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 5, 2016
`
`Sheet 4 of 7
`
`US 9,232,265 B2
`
` FIG.3
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`
`DELL/HP/LENOVO EXHIBIT 1001
`Page 6
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`DELL/HP/LENOVO EXHIBIT 1001
`Page 6
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 5, 2016
`
`Sheet 5 of 7
`
`US 9,232,265 B2
`
`
`
`
`
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`DELL/HP/LENOVO EXHIBIT 1001
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`DELL/HP/LENOVO EXHIBIT 1001
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 5, 2016
`
`Sheet 6 of 7
`
`US 9,232,265 B2
`
`
`
`
`Initiate SOURCE mode
`Enable: +5V Output
`
`Start 0.5 second HPD Timer
`
`Fall back to SINK mode
`Disable: 1.8KQ DDC pull-
`up, DDC Outputs, +5V
`Output
`
`NO
`
`485
`
`
`HPD Timer
`47KQ pull-up
`
`
`
`expired?
`on SCL?
`
`
`
`
`detected?
`
`
`
`Disable 1.8KQ
`DDC pull-up
`resistors
`
`Operate as a source device
`(SOURCE mode)
`Enable: 1.8KQ DDC pull-up
`resistors
`Read: EDID
`
`
`HPD FIG. 4B
`
`
`detected?
`
`DELL/HP/LENOVO EXHIBIT 1001
`Page 8
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 5, 2016
`
`Sheet 7 of 7
`
`US 9,232,265 B2
`
`GG21607XXIINGH
`
`(GemccmwiiieeeeCe Jo}o9UUOD
`21607|jeuss3}xq|uonss19q| ¥S91607XLIWGHOES
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`jseoepezuy|02S
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`||SOS
`
`YIUMSBojeuyZz:
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`
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`
`DELL/HP/LENOVO EXHIBIT 1001
`Page 9
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`
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`

`

`US 9,232,265 B2
`
`2
`FIG, 2Ais a flow diagram showing elements of a method
`forcontrolling an audio/video device according to an embodi-
`ment.
`
`FIG. 2B is a flow diagram showing elements of a method
`forcontrolling an audio/video device according to an embodi-
`ment.
`
`
`
`1
`
`METHOD, APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR
`TRANSITIONING AN AUDIO/VIDEO DEVICE
`BETWEEN A SOURCE MODEANDA SINK
`MODE
`
`
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`This application claimspriority from Provisional Applica-
`tion Ser. No. 61/470,431, filed Mar. 31, 2011, entitled
`“METHOD, APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR PROVID-
`ING A BIDIRECTIONAL OPERATING MODE TO
`
`
`EXCHANGEAUDIO/VIDEO CONTENT”,the teaching of
`which is incorporated herein by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`1. Technical Field
`
`Embodiments relate generally to techniques for exchang-
`ing audio/video information. More particularly, certain
`embodiments provide techniques for controlling an audio/
`video device to selectively receive or send audio/video infor-
`mation.
`
`2. Background Art
`Thesize of computers and other audio/video (AV) capable
`electronic devices continue to scale with successive improve-
`ments in integrated circuit (IC) fabrication techniques. Con-
`sequently, there is a general trend toward a wider variety of
`AVdevices, notably smaller AV devices, implementing func-
`tionality to support higher throughput and/orhigherquality of
`AVinformation.
`Certain conventional AV devices include a High-Definition
`Multimedia Interface (HDMI) connector or other such hard-
`ware for coupling to someother device, where the AV device
`operates as a source to provide AV information to the other
`device via the connector. Typical examples of conventional
`AVsources include a camcorder, digital camera, personal
`computer (e.g. tablet, notebook, laptop, desktop and/or the
`like), smart phone, video game console, DVD player,digital
`video recorder (DVR), set-top box, plug-in storage peripheral
`or other such device which is capable of sending AV infor-
`mation to some other device.
`Other conventional AV devices operate as a sink to receive
`AVinformation from another device via such coupling hard-
`ware. Typical examples of conventional AV sinks include a
`television, monitor, display, home theater receiver, personal
`computer, projector or other such device which is capable of
`receiving AV information from some AV source.
`One consequenceof the current trends in AV technologyis
`smaller and/or higher-capacity AV devices placing an
`increasing premium onthe area whichis taken up by multiple
`AVconnectors. Another consequenceof current trends is the
`increasing variety of combinations ofAV devices which may
`be coupled to one another to exchange AV information. Due
`to such consequences, systems which exchange AV informa-
`tion between electronic devices are increasingly prone to
`inefficiencies in how such devices are to couple to and com-
`municate with one another.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The various embodimentsofthe presentinventionareillus-
`trated by way of example, and not by wayoflimitation,in the
`figures of the accompanying drawings and in which:
`FIG. 1 isa block diagram showing elements of a system for
`exchanging audio/video data according to an embodiment.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`FIG.3 is alayout diagram showing elements of a connector
`for exchanging audio/video data according to an embodi-
`ment.
`
`FIG.4Ais a flow diagram showing elements of a method
`forcontrolling an audio/video device according to an embodi-
`ment.
`
`FIG.4B is a flow diagram showing elements of a method
`forcontrolling an audio/video device according to an embodi-
`ment,
`
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing elements of an audio/
`video device according to an embodiment.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`Embodimentsdiscussed herein variously make,use or oth-
`erwise providecircuit logic to selectively control an audio/
`video (or “AV”) device for operation at different times in
`various ones ofa plurality of operation modes. Theplurality
`of operation modes may include whatis referred to herein as
`an “AV Sink”operation mode,forthe AV device (also referred
`to herein as simply “device”) to be a sink for receiving AV
`information from another AV device via a connector, and
`whatis referred to herein as an “AV Source” operation mode,
`for the AVdevice to be a source for providing AV information
`to another AV device via the same connector. In an embodi-
`
`ment, the AV device includes the connector. In an alternate
`embodiment, the AV device may operate in a system which
`includes the connector—e.g. where the connectoris to couple
`the system with some external device for an exchange ofAV
`information.
`
`Asused herein, “audio/video” or “AV”refers to the char-
`acteristic of relating to e1ther audio content or video content,
`or relating to both audio content and video content. For
`example, AV information may include someorall of audio
`data and/or control information and video data and/or control
`information. In an embodiment, an AV device may,in addi-
`tion to exchanging AV information with another device, be
`operable to render audio content and/or video content for a
`user, although certain embodiments are not limited in this
`regard.
`An AV device according to an embodimentincludes com-
`munication logic to exchange AV data according to some
`interface standard. By wayofillustration andnotlimitation,
`such communication logic may exchange AV data via a con-
`nector which is compatible with one or more of an HDMI
`standard such as the HDMI 1.4 standard released May 28,
`2009 by HDMI Licensing, LLC of Sunnyvale, Calif, a
`Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) standard such as the
`MHL1.0 specification released Jun. 30, 2010 by the MHL
`Consortium of Sunnyvale, Calif., a Digital Visual Interface
`(DVI) standard such as the DVI 1.0 standard released Apr. 2,
`1999 by the Digital Display Working Group of Vancouver,
`Wash., a DisplayPort standard such as the DisplayPort 1.2
`standard released Dec. 22, 2009 by the Video Electronics
`Standards Association of Newark, Calif. and/or thelike.
`In an embodiment, such communication logic may imple-
`ment communications which, at different times, are compat-
`ible with different interface standards, where all such com-
`munications are via the same connector. For example,
`communication logic mayinclude first logic to detect the
`presence of, and communicate with, an HDMI device and
`
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`US 9,232,265 B2
`
`3
`second logic to detect the presenceof, and communicate with,
`an HDMIdevice, where the respective detection and commu-
`nication functionalities ofthe first logic and second logic do
`not conflict with or otherwise impede the other. Such com-
`munication logic may, for example, be referred to as “MHL-
`ready HDMI,” “HDMI/MHL”and/or the like. Features of
`various embodiments are discussed herein in the context of
`exchanging AV information according to an HDMIinterface
`standard. However, such discussion may be extended to apply
`to any of a variety of additionalor alternative interface stan-
`dards for exchanging AVdata, according to different embodi-
`ments.
`
`Certain embodimentsvariously providethat, from either or
`both of a device power up and a device reset, an AV device
`will, by default, return to or otherwise be in a Sink mode.
`While in this mode such an AV device may then determine by
`stimulus and response or measurement means described
`herein thatit is connected to an AV Sink device, in which case
`it may safely transition to an AV Source operation mode.In an
`embodiment, the AV device may translate back to AV Sink
`operation mode in response to an indication of a change in
`connectivity to the AV Sink device.
`FIG.1 illustrates elements of a system 100 for exchanging
`AVinformation according to an embodiment. System 100
`mayinclude a first device 110 comprising AV logic 112 to
`variously implement AV communications between first
`device 110 and one or more other devices. One embodiment
`may. for example, be implemented entirely within AV logic
`112. Another embodiment may be implemented by first
`device 110 as a whole. Still another embodiment may be
`implemented by system 100 as a whole. Anyof a variety of
`other embodiments may be alternatively implemented
`according to techniques discussedherein.
`In an embodiment, first device 110 includes functionality
`of one or more of conventional AV source devices and/or
`unctionality of one or more conventional AV sink devices.
`Bywayofillustration and notlimitation,first device 110 may
`include functionality of one or more devices including, but
`not limited to, a personal computer(e.g. tablet, notebook,
`aptop. desktop and/or the like), camcorder, smart phone,
`video gameconsole,television, monitor, display, set-top box,
`hometheater receiver and/orthe like.
`First device 110 may include a connector 114, coupled via
`one or more signallines to AV logic 112, to variously connect
`first device 110 to some other device of system 100 for an
`exchange of AV information. Connector 114 may include a
`plurality of channels, such as pins and/orother interconnect
`hardware, which are compatible with a particular AVinter-
`ace standard—e.g. an HDMIstandard.
`Inanillustrative embodiment, connector 114 may, at some
`point in time, couple first device 110 via an interconnect 122
`o a second device 120 of system 100—e.g. for an exchange
`124 ofAV information from second device 120 to first device
`110. The particular direction of exchange 124 is not limiting
`on certain embodiments, and may alternatively be in the
`opposite direction, wherefirst device 110 operates as the AV
`Source and second device 120 operates as the AV Sink.
`Accordingly, second device 120 may, for example, include
`both logic (not shown) to implement conventional AV Source
`functionality or conventional AV Sink functionality.
`In
`another embodiment, second device 120 may includelogic to
`variously provide both AV Source functionality and AV Sink
`functionality according to techniques describedherein.
`Certain embodiments variously mitigate at least one prob-
`lem which might otherwise arises if two conventional AV
`devices are coupled to one another when those two devices
`are concurrently configured each for respective operation as
`
`
`
`5
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`40
`
`45
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4
`an AV Source. Such connecting ofAV Source devices to one
`another can risk damageto transmission hardwarein either or
`both devices. For example, the two devices may attempt to
`drive powerin opposite directions in the same power supply
`voltage channel of a connector. Alternatively, or in addition,
`two such devices may attemptto drive data signals in opposite
`directions via the same data channel of the connector. Such
`AV Source devices mayrisk driving any ofa variety of other
`signals—e.g. hot plug detect signals, clock signals and/orthe
`like—against one another each on some commonrespective
`channel of a connector.
`AVlogic 112 maylimit therisk of the resulting damage in
`system 100 by providing a control mechanism to selectively
`prevent one or more aspects ofAV Source functionality from
`being provided during operationoffirst device 110. By way
`of illustration and not limitation, AV logic 112 mayselec-
`tivelytransition itself between a plurality of operation modes
`whichincludes anAV Source operation mode and an AV Sink
`operation mode. The AV Source operation mode maybe for
`AV logic 112 to provide a particular signal to connection
`114—.g. a supply voltage, a digital data signal and/or the
`like. Additionally or alternatively, the AV Source operation
`mode maybe for AV logic 112 to providea particular amount
`of impedance—e.g. pull-up impedance, pull-down imped-
`ance and/orthe like—fora signalline coupledto a channel of
`connection 114.
`In an embodiment, control logic (not shown) of AVlogic
`112 selects one of the plurality of operation modes in
`response to an indication of a particular type of eventatfirst
`device 110. Whether and/or how AV logic 112 might transi-
`tion between operation modes may bebased, for example, on
`whether the indicated event is a power-up event, a power-
`down event a reset event, and/orthe like.
`transition
`Whether and/or how AV logic 112 might
`between operation modes may be additionally or alternatively
`based on an event whichdetects a particular characteristic (or
`absence of said characteristic)
`regarding connectivity
`between connector 114 and second device 120. By way of
`illustration and not limitation, such a characteristic may
`include whether(or not) some second device 120 is providing
`a supply voltageat a particular channel of connector 114. For
`example, connector 114 may be compatible with an interface
`standard which stipulates that an AV Sourceis to provide a
`supply voltage to its corresponding AV Sink—e.g. the +5V
`output to be provided from Source to Sink according to
`HDMI, as on pin 18 of a 19-pin HDMIconnector.
`Additionally or alternatively, such a characteristic may
`include whether (or not) second device 120 is providing to
`connector 114 a hot plug detect (HPD)signal. For example,
`connector 114 may be compatible with an interface standard
`whichstipulates that an AV Sink is to indicate its presence
`with a HPDsignalto its corresponding AV Source—e.g. the
`HPDsignalto be provided from Sink to Source accordingto
`HDMI, as on pin 19 of a 19-pin HDMI connector.
`Additionally or alternatively, such a characteristic may
`include whether (or not) second device 120 is providing a
`clock signal to connector 114. For example, connector 114
`may be compatible with an interface standard which stipu-
`lates that an AV Source is to provide a clock signal to an AV
`Sink—e.g. the DDC_SCLsignalto be provided from Source
`to Sink according to HDMI, as on pin 15 of a 19-pin HDMI
`connector.
`
`Additionally or alternatively, such a characteristic may
`include whether (or not) a particular amount of impedanceis
`being provided by second device 120 for a channel of con-
`nector 114. For example, connector 114 may be compatible
`with an interface standard whichstipulates that a particular
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`112 a signal specifying, for example, thatfirst device 110 is
`pull-up impedanceis to be implemented at an AV Sink—e.g.
`a 47 kQ pull-upresistance which HDMIrequires be provided
`going through, has gone through,or is expected to go through
`at an AV Sink for a SDAline (e.g. pin 16 of a 19-pin HDMI
`a bootup or boot downoperation,or otherwise to transition to
`connector).
`or from an operative powerstate. In an embodiment, transi-
`Inan embodiment, the functionality ofAV logic 112 allows
`tioning to or from such an operative powerstate mayinclude
`connector 114 to be variously coupled, decoupled and/or
`transitioning between a first power state in which AVlogic
`recoupled at different times to one or more devices, while
`112 is incapable of exchanging AV information via connector
`limiting a risk of damage to hardware in system 100. By way
`114 and asecond powerstate in whichAV logic 112 is capable
`ofillustration and notlimitation, connector 114 may at some
`of exchanging AVinformation via connector 114. Alterna-
`pointin time be decoupled from second device 120 and sub-
`tivelyor in addition, AV logic 112 may include detector logic
`sequently coupled via an interconnect 132 to some third
`to evaluate powerstate of AV logic 112 and/orof other com-
`device 130—e.g. for an exchange 134 of AV information to
`ponents offirst device 110.
`third device 130 from first device 110. The particular direc-
`The detecting at 210 may additionally or alternatively
`tion of exchange 134 is not limiting on certain embodiments,
`include control circuitry ofAV logic 112 directly or indirectly
`any mayalternatively bein the opposite direction, wherefirst
`detecting a signal from some agent, included in or otherwise
`device 110 operates as the AV Sink and third device 130
`accessible to AVlogic 112,the signal specifying or otherwise
`operates as the AV Source. In an embodiment, third device
`indicating that AV logic 112 or some other componentoffirst
`130 is simply second device 120—e.g. where second device
`device 110 have been,are being, or are expectedto bereset.
`120 is decoupled from and subsequently recoupled to first
`device 110 and/or wherefirst device 110 and second device
`Such a reset may flush somecurrent state of circuit logic in
`120 switch AV Sink and AV Source roles for different AV
`favor of some predetermined baseline configuration. A reset
`may, for example, return someorall offirst device 110 to a
`information exchanges.
`predetermined configuration without powering downfirst
`As shown in the discussion herein, AV logic 112 may
`device 110.
`protect various circuitry of system 100 for different succes-
`In responseto the indication detected at 210, method 200
`sive couplings offirst device 110 each to a respective device
`may, at 220, automatically initialize communicationlogic of
`and/or for successive different AV information exchanges
`the AV device. By wayof illustration and not limitation,
`each betweenfirst device 110 and a respective device.
`FIG. 2A illustrates elements of a method 200 for control-
`control logic of AV logic 112 may automatically place the
`communication logic ofAVlogic 112 into a default operation
`ing operation of an AV device according to an embodiment.
`mode which prevents the second supply voltage from being
`An AV device controlled by performing method 200 may, for
`provided by the communication logic at the channel of the
`example, be a device including someorall of the features of
`connector. In an embodiment, the default operation mode is
`first device 110. In one embodiment, an AV device controlled
`the AV Sink operation mode. In an embodiment, the AV
`by performing method 200 may merely include someorall of
`Source operation modeis furtherfor the communication logic
`he features of AV logic 112—e.g. without also including
`other features of first device 110 such as connector 114,
`of the AV device to providea first total amount of impedance
`Features of various embodiments are discussed herein in
`for a data channel of the connector. In such an embodiment,
`the default operation mode maypreventthefirst total amount
`erms of performing method 200 to control AV logic 112
`of impedancefor the data channel from being provided by the
`within first device 110. However, such discussion may be
`communication logic.
`extendedto applyto any of a variety of additional or alterna-
`FIG.2B illustrates elements of a method 250 for control-
`ive AV hardware, consistent with the techniques disclosed
`herein.
`ling operation of an AV device according to an embodiment.
`An AV device controlled by performing method 250 may, for
`In an embodiment, the AV device includes communication
`example, be a device having someorall of the features of a
`ogic comprising circuitry to operate at different times in
`device controlled by method 200. Method 250 may, for
`different onesofaplurality ofoperation modes whichinclude
`example, be performed after method 200—althoughcertain
`an AV Source operation mode and an AV Sink operation
`embodimentsare not limited in this regard. Features of vari-
`mode. The AV Sink operation mode may, for example, be for
`ous embodiments are discussed herein in terms ofperforming
`he communication logic to recetve AV data provided to the
`method 250 to control AV logic 112 within first device 110.
`AVdevice via a connector—e.g. via connector 114. The AV
`Sink operation mode may further be for the communication
`However, such discussion may be extended to apply to any of
`
`ogic to receive power fromafirst supply voltage provided via a variety of additionalor alternative AV hardware, consistent
`a channel ofthe connector. By contrast, the AV Source opera-
`with the techniques disclosed herein.
`ion mode may be for the communication logic to send AV
`Method 250 may include, at 260, detecting a characteristic
`data from theAV device, where the AV data is sent throughthe
`regarding a connectivity of the AV device to another device
`connector. The AV Source operation mode mayfurther be for
`via a connector—e.g. connector 114. For example, detector
`he communication logic to provide a second supply voltage
`logic of AV logic 112 may detect connectivity to the other
`device via the connector—e.g. the detecting while the com-
`at the channel of the connector. In an embodiment, a level of
`hefirst supply voltage is equalto a level ofthe second supply
`munication logic of the AVdeviceis in the default operation
`voltage.
`mode of method 200. Additionally or alternatively, such
`Tn an embodiment, method 200 includes, at 210, detecting
`detector logic ofAV logic 112 maydetect a change ina state
`an indication of one of a power up event at the AV device, a
`of connectivity to the other device via the connector. The
`power down event at the device or a reset event at the AV
`detecting the characteristic at 260 may, for example, include
`device. The detecting at 210 may, for example, include con-
`detecting an indication that the other device is providing the
`trol circuitry of AV logic 112 directly or indirectly detecting
`first supply voltage discussed with regard to method 200.
`an indication sent from someagent included in or otherwise
`Alternatively orin addition, the detecting at 260 mayinclude
`accessible to AV logic 112. By way ofillustration and not
`detecting that the other device is providing to the connector a
`limitation,first device 110 may include a power management
`hot plug detect (HPD) signal, a clock signal and/or any of a
`unit, a host processor or other agent which sends to AV logic
`variety combinations of one or more other signals. Alterna-
`
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`tively or in addition, the detecting at 260 may include evalu-
`ating an impedanceofa signal line which couples the other
`device to the connector.
`
`In response to detecting the characteristic at 260, method
`200 may, at 270, automatically place the communication
`logic of the AV device into somefirst operation mode which
`prevents a providing of the second supply voltage referred to
`in the discussion of method 200. Thefirst operation mode
`may. for example, be the default operation mode of method
`200, although certain embodiments are not limited in this
`regard. In placing the AV deviceintothefirst operation mode,
`method 250 maylimit the possibility of circuit damage due to
`conflicting output signals from two coupled AV devices, each
`device attempting to operate as an AV Source.
`FIG. 3 illustrates select elements of a connector 300 for
`exchanging AV information according to an embodiment.
`Connector 300 may include someorall of the features of
`connector 114, for example. Theillustrative connector 300 is
`a 19-channel (e.g. 19-pin) connector which is compatible
`with an HDMIinterface standard, although certain embodi-
`ments are not limited in this regard. Connector 300 may
`support AV information exchangesby any ofa variety ofother
`types of interconnect hardware—e.g. a connector including
`more, fewer, or alternative channels to those shown in FIG,
`3—where communication via such a connector 1s consistent
`with techniquesdiscussed herein.
`Theillustrative connector 300 includes interconnecthard-
`ware to support transition-minimized differential signaling
`(TMDS) in HDMI communication. More particularly, the
`respective functions of the channels in connector 300 may be
`assigned according to HDMI1.4 or some other HDMI inter-
`face standard—e.g. as follows:
`
`Potential conflict may result when two connected AV devices
`concurrently attempt to drive respective supply voltages and/
`or other signals according to the same function assignments
`for connector 300.
`In an embodiment, an AVdevice including or coupled to
`connector 300 may implement techniquesto reducethe like-
`lihood of such conflict—e.g. techniques including someorall
`of the features discussed with respect to method 200 and/or
`method 250. Bywayof illustration and notlimitation, control
`logic of such an AV device may provide that after some
`event—e.g. from one or more of a power up event, a power
`down event and a reset event—communication logic of the
`AVdevice will operate in an AV Source operation mode only
`after certain connectivity conditions are subsequently identi-
`fied. For example, the control logic may configure the AV
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`device after/during power up—or before/during a power
`down—fora default operation mode in which a functionality
`required for operation as an AV Source is disabled. For
`instance, the disabled functionality may be required for
`operation as an AVSource device according to the conditions
`of HDMIor someother interface standard.
`Alternatively or in addition, the control logic may config-
`ure the AV devicefor an AV Sink operation mode in response
`to detecting a change ofa characteristic regarding connectiv-
`ity between the AV devices. For example, the AV device may
`besetto, or return to, some default AV Sink operation mode
`in responseto an indication ofa loss or absence at connector
`300 of a supply voltage, an indication ofa loss or