Silicon Image Gmbh

Lattice Semiconductor Corporation

Shrikant Ranade

Gyudong Kim

Daeyun Shim

Chandlee B Harrell

Jiong Huang

Lei Ming

Hoon Choi

Jason Seung-Min Kim

Baegin Sung

Ook Kim

Inyeol Lee

Alexander Peysakhovich

Graeme Peter Jones

Hyuck Jae Lee

Ravi Sharma

Alexander Pevsakhovich

Gyadong Kim

Chandlee Harrell

A source device and a sink device may be connected using an interface cable comprising at least first and second physical channels. The first physical channel may be used to transmit video data unidirectionally from the source device to the sink device. In addition, the second physical channel may comprise an audio return channel wherein audio data can be transmitted unidirectionally from the sink device to the source device at a first rate. In addition, the second physical channel may also transmit bidirectional control data between the source and sink devices at a second rate slower than the first rate. The audio data may be overlaid on the control data, wherein the audio data is transmitted using differential signaling, while the control data is transmitted using common mode signaling.

Transmitting common mode control data over audio return channel

Embodiments of the present disclosure are related to identifying the orientation of a multimedia link connected between a source device and a sink device. A sink device includes a plurality of pins that are configured to interface with a plurality of pins of the multimedia link. The sink device identifies based on the values of one or more pins of the plurality of pins of the sink device whether the multimedia link is connected to the sink device. Further, the sink device determines an orientation of the multimedia link connected to the sink device. The multimedia link can be in one of two orientations, straight or flipped. The sink device may communicate the orientation of the multimedia link to the source device. The source device may perform lane mapping based on whether the multimedia link is in the straight or flipped orientation.

Detecting the orientation of a multimedia link connected to a device

In one embodiment, a source device and sink device communicate with one another via a multimedia link. The multimedia link includes a cable and a plug. The cable includes one or more data lines, power lines, ground lines or control bus lines. The plug includes a plurality of pins each connected to the one or more lines included in the cable. The plug also includes a ground plane and a power plane, wherein a ground pin of the plug connects the ground plane to the ground line of the cable of the multimedia link and a power pin of the plug connects the ground plane to the power line of the cable. In one example, the ground plane and power plane are placed within a threshold distance of one another, such that the power line connected to the power plane via the power pin behaves as a signal return path.

Multimedia link having a plug and a receptacle with a power line configured as a signal return path

Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to detection of cable connections for electronic devices. An embodiment of an apparatus includes a port for the connection of a cable, the port being compatible with a first protocol and a second protocol, the port including multiple pins including a first pin for a first line and a second pin for a second line. The apparatus further includes a processor to determine a type of source device connected to the cable, where determination of the type of source device includes the apparatus detecting a low signal on the first line and a high signal on the second line, and, upon detecting the low signal on first line and the high signal on the second line, the apparatus initiates a discovery sequence, the discovery sequence including transmitting a signal sequence on the second line and attempting to receive the signal sequence on the second line. If the signal sequence is successfully received on the second line, the apparatus determines that a source device compatible with the first protocol is connected to the cable.

Detection of cable connections for electronic devices

Discovery of connections utilizing a control bus. An embodiment of a method includes detecting a transition of a control bus from a high state to a low state by a source device, the source device being configured to be coupled with a sink device via an interface, the interface including the control bus, the source device including a pullup device and the sink device including a pulldown device; pulsing the control bus to a high state at the source device; and upon detecting by the source device that the control bus remains in the high state ceasing the pulsing of the control bus to the high state, and transitioning the source device from a disconnected state to a connected state.

Discovery of connections utilizing a control bus

Transmission of alternative content over standard device connectors. An embodiment of a method includes connecting a first device to a second device utilizing a standard connector, the connector including multiple pins, and detecting whether the second device is operating in a standard mode or an alternative mode. If the second device is operating in the alternative mode, then switching one or more pins of the standard connector for the alternative mode and transmitting or receiving signals for the alternative mode via the plurality of pins of the standard connector.

Transmission of alternative content over standard device connectors

Discovery of electronic devices utilizing a control bus. An embodiment of a method includes connecting a receiving device to a cable, where the cable includes a control bus. If the receiving device is in a disconnect state and a signal from a transmitting device is detected on the control bus, the device is transferred to a state for a first type of transmitting device. If the receiving device is in either the disconnect state or the state for the first type of transmitting device and a predetermined voltage signal is received from the transmitting device, then the receiving device is transferred to a state for a second type of transmitting device.

Discovery of electronic devices utilizing a control bus

A method and apparatus for a control bus for connection of electronic devices. An embodiment of a method includes coupling a transmitting device to a receiving device, including connecting a control bus between the transmitting device and the receiving device, with the control bus being a bi-directional, single-line bus. The method further includes obtaining control of the control bus for either the transmitting device or the receiving device, with the device obtaining control becoming an initiator and the other device becoming a follower. One or more control signals are converted to one or more data packets, with each of the one or more control signals representing one of multiple different types of control signals. The generated data packets are transmitted from the initiator to the follower via the control bus.

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Campbell, CA, United States of America

Shrikant Ranade