Abstract: A system including a receiver, a TMDS link (or other serial link), and a transmitter configured to transmit K-bit video words (typically, encoded 8-bit video words) over the link. In typical embodiments, the transmitter is configured to pack a sequence of N-bit video words, where N?K (e.g., N=10, 12, or 16, when K=8) into a sequence of K-bit fragments, encode the fragments, and transmit the encoded fragments. The transmitted data are indicative of a sequence of M-fragment groups, and the transmitter is typically configured also to transmit over the link packing phase data indicative of the phase of the most recently transmitted fragment. Other aspects are transmitters and receivers for use in such a system and methods implemented by any such transmitter, receiver, or system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to adjustment of clock signals regenerated from a data stream. An embodiment of a method includes receiving a data stream from a transmitting device via a communication link, the data stream including stream data, a link clock signal, and timestamps to indicate a relationship between the link clock signal and a stream clock signal. The method further includes adjusting the stream clock based at least in part on one or more measurements related to the data stream, the one or more measurements including a count of a number of pulses of the stream clock during a period of time, or a measurement of a number of data elements from the data stream stored in a buffer at a certain point in time.

Abstract: An adjustable equalizer that includes a first branch including a low pass filter (LPF) and having a variable gain (?), and a second branch including a high pass filter (HPF) and having another variable gain (?). The equalizer can be implemented using CMOS technology so that the gain parameters ? and ? are independently adjustable and the equalizer is capable of equalizing an input indicative of data having a maximum data rate of at least 1 Gb/s. In some embodiments, the equalizer includes two differential pairs of MOS transistors and a controllable current source determines the tail current for each differential pair. When the equalizer includes purely resistive impedances Z0 and Z1, the equalizer's transfer function is Z1/Z0·(?+?·(1+s·C0·Z0)), where ? is a gain parameter determined by the tail current of one differential pair and ? is a gain parameter determined by the tail current of the other differential pair.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to conversion of multimedia data streams for use by connected devices. An embodiment of a method for processing data includes receiving a data stream in a first multimedia data format at a first device, and inserting a replacement video portion into the received data stream to generate a modified multimedia data stream in a second multimedia data format. The modified data stream is provided to a second device coupled to the first device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to a low power standby mode control circuit. An embodiment of an apparatus includes a processor, an interface for a connection with a second apparatus, and an operational circuit, wherein the processor is to disable one or more power connections to the operational circuit in a standby mode. The apparatus further includes a standby mode control circuit, the standby control circuit to operate using a standby power source, wherein the standby mode control circuit is to detect a stimulus signal from the second apparatus and in response to the stimulus signal the standby control circuit is to signal the processor, the processor to enable the one or more power connections of the operational circuit.

Abstract: Methods and systems to determine a probability that a given illumination is a reference illumination. In an embodiment, data representing a set of respective captures of reference targets under a reference illumination may be used to generate a probability distribution for the reference illumination. In another embodiment, one or more such probability distributions, each corresponding to a respective reference illumination, may be used in estimating a non-reference illumination.

Abstract: A method and system for ensuring that data is only distributed within a certain physical area are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method provides that data is distributed only if the distance between a source and a sink is within a distance threshold. Under this system, the distance between the source and the sink may be estimated directly or indirectly. In some embodiments, the distance may be estimated by estimating the propagation delay for a signal traversing between the devices. The physical distance between the devices may be determined from the propagation delay. If the physical distance is outside a threshold value, the source may be prohibited from transmitting the data or the sink may refuse to display the data.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to conversion and processing of deep color video in a single clock domain. An embodiment of a method includes receiving one or more video data streams, the one or more video data streams including a first video data stream, the first video data stream being clocked at a frequency of a link clock signal. The method further includes converting the first video data stream into a converted video data stream having a modified data format, wherein the modified data format includes transfer of a single pixel of data in one cycle of the link clock signal and the insertion of null data to fill empty cycles of the converted video data stream, and generation of a valid data signal to distinguish between valid video data and the null data in the converted video data stream.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to adaptive interconnection for multimedia devices. An embodiment of an apparatus includes an apparatus that includes one or more ports, the one or more ports including one or more adaptable ports, where each adaptable port includes a receptacle to accept a plug of a connector element, the receptacle including multiple electrical contacts. The apparatus further includes an adaptable port device to process data including multimedia data received at the one or more adaptable ports, where the adaptable port device is to detect a multimedia signal format for multimedia data received at each of the adaptable ports, and adapt each of the adaptable ports to be compatible with the detected multimedia signal format for the adaptable port.

Abstract: IDDQ testing of CMOS devices. An embodiment of a method includes applying a test pattern of inputs to a device, the device including one or more CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) transistors, and obtaining current measurements for the device, each of the current measurements being a measurement of a current after applying an input of the test pattern to the device. A filter function is applied to the current measurements, applying the filter function including separating defect current values from the current measurements. The method further includes determining whether a defect is present in the device based at least in part on a comparison of the defect current values with a threshold value.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to a multimedia I/O system architecture for advanced digital television. An embodiment of a multimedia system includes an I/O (input/output) control chip, the I/O control chip including one or more audio/video sub-processing engines for the processing of one or more data streams; a processing core chip for the processing of data, including audio/video data received from the I/O control chip; and one or more shared I/O channels for the transfer of data between the I/O control chip and the processing core chip.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to transfer of control bus signaling on a packet-switched network. An embodiment of a method includes sending control signals from a first device on a first control bus, the control signals being sent according to an interface protocol, the control signals being intended for a second device. The method further includes detecting a current state of the first control bus, where the current state is a control signal value driven by the first device; inserting a control signal representing the current state of the control bus into a data packet; and transmitting the data packet to the second device via a packet-switched network.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to discovery of electronic devices in a combined network. An embodiment of a method includes determining an identifier for a first device in a combined network according to a first network protocol, the combined network including a first network using the first network protocol and a second network using a second network protocol, where the identifier is determined based on a unique designation for the first device, and determining addressing information for the first device according to the second network protocol, where determining the addressing information includes establishing a physical address and a logical address for the first device. The method further includes broadcasting one or more messages containing identification information and capabilities of the first device to devices in the first network and to devices in the second network.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a method includes authenticating an HDCP transmitting device at a first port of an HDCP receiving device. A port of the HDCP receiving device is connected to a pipe of an HDCP architecture of the HDCP receiving device at a first time. A synchronization signal is received from the HDCP transmitting device at the port of the HDCP receiving device at a second time. A loss of synchronization between the HDCP transmitting device and the HDCP receiving device is detected when the time-span between the first time and the second time is not greater than the period of time between synchronization signals sent from the HDCP transmitting device. A re-authentication is initiated between the HDCP transmitting device and the HDCP receiving device in response to detecting the loss of synchronization.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to combining video data streams of differing dimensionality for concurrent display. An embodiment of an apparatus includes an interface to receive multiple video data streams, a dimensionality of each video stream being either two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D). The apparatus further includes a processing module to process a first video data stream as a main video image and one or more video data streams as video sub-images, the processing module including a video combiner to combine the main video data stream and the sub-video data streams to generate a combined video output. The processing module is configured to modify a dimensionality of each of the video sub-images to match a dimensionality of the main video image.

Abstract: A clock and data recovery (CDR) system and method for recovering timing information and data from a serial data stream. The CDR system includes a sampling circuit that produces a recovered clock/data signal and an interleaving feedback network that provides feedback to the sampling circuit. The feedback network includes a logic circuit that produces control signals based on the recovered clock/data signal, a first multiplexer that selects from four phases of a global clock signal based on a control signal, a first delay-locked loop having a first set of delay cells coupled to a second multiplexer that produces a delayed signal based on the selected global clock signal, and a second delay-locked loop having a second set of delay cells that produces a set of phase-shifted feedback signals that are applied to the sampling circuit to phase-align the sampling circuit with the transitions in the received serial data stream.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to testing of high-speed input-output devices. An embodiment of a high-speed input-output apparatus includes a transmitter and a receiver, and a loop-back connection from an output of the transmitter to an input of the receiver, the loop-back connection including a first connector and a second connector for transmission of differential signals. The apparatus further includes a first inductor having a first terminal and a second terminal and second inductor having a first terminal and a second terminal, the first terminal of the first inductor being connected to the first connector and the first terminal of the second inductor being connected to the second connector, the second terminal of the first inductor and the second terminal of the second inductor providing a test access port for direct current testing of the apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for data stream control for network devices. Some embodiments of an apparatus include a receiver to receive a token for a command associated with a stream of data, where the command is one of multiple command types. The token has a fixed size and format, and the token is provided in a field of a data packet. The apparatus further includes a network unit to determine the type of command based on the token, to parse a set of fields in the data packet for command data, and implement the command.