(19) United States
`(2) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2004/0158873 A1
`Pasqualino
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Aug. 12, 2004
`
`US 20040158873A1
`
`(54) METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR GENERATING
`HIGH DEFINITION MULTIMEDIA
`INTERFACE (HDMI) CODEWORDS USING A
`TMDS ENCODER/DECODER
`(76) Inventor: Christopher R. Pasqualino, Glendora,
`CA (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`MCANDREWS HELD & MALLOY, LTD
`500 WEST MADISON STREET
`SUITE 3400
`CHICAGO, IL 60661
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`(22) Filed:
`
`10/625,974
`Jul. 24, 2003
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/434,074, filed on Dec.
`17, 2002.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`51) Int. CI.7
`nt. Cl.' ...........................
`
`H04N 7/173; H04N 7/16
`;
`;
`H04B 1/66; H04N 11/02;
`H04N 7/12
`(52) U.S. Cl. .................... 725/131; 725/139; 375/240.25;
`375/240.01; 72.5/115; 725/145
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`Encoding and decoding of video and non-video information
`may include creating a second symbol from a first codeword.
`TERC4, TMDS and/or a guard band symbols may be
`generated from a portion or all of the second symbol during
`transmission. The TMDS symbol and/or the guard band
`symbol may be encoded so that they may be combined
`within a single symbol. At least a portion of the first
`codeword may be TMDS encoded to generate a TMDS
`symbol for transmission. TMDS encoding of at least a
`portion of the second symbol may also generate a TERC4
`symbol and/or a guard band symbol for the transmitted
`signal. The second symbol and the first codeword may be
`generated from a portion or all of a received signal. The first
`codeword may be a 4-bit pre-TERC4 codeword, while the
`second symbol may be an 8-bit pre-TMDS symbol.
`
`100
`
`
`
`Video
`
`0
`
`H. H.
`
`HDCP 1.1
`
`TMDS Encoder
`
`Output
`Signal
`
`HTC EXHIBIT 1018
`
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`Patent Application Publication Aug. 12, 2004 Sheet 1 of 4
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`US 2004/0158873 A1
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`Page 2 of 11
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`Patent Application Publication Aug. 12, 2004 Sheet 2 of 4
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`US 2004/0158873 A1
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`Page 3 of 11
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`Patent Application Publication Aug. 12, 2004 Sheet 3 of 4
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`US 2004/0158873 A1
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`Page 4 of 11
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`Patent Application Publication Aug. 12, 2004 Sheet 4 of 4
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`US 2004/0158873 A1
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`*
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`Page 5 of 11
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`US 2004/0158873 Al
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`Aug. 12, 2004
`
`METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR GENERATING
`HIGH DEFINITION MULTIMEDIA INTERFACE
`(HDMD CODEWORDS USING A TMDS
`ENCODER/DECODER
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY
`REFERENCE
`
`[0001] This application makes reference to, and/or claims
`priority to and/or claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
`Patent Application Serial No. 60/434,074 entitled “Method
`for Generating HDMI Codewords with a TMDS Encoder”
`filed on Dec. 17, 2002.
`
`[0002] The above stated application is incorporated by
`reference in its entirety.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`invention
`[0003] Certain embodiments of the present
`relate to the field of data encoding and decoding. More
`specifically, certain embodiments of the present invention
`relate to a method and system for transmitting and receiving
`high definition multimedia interface (HDMI)
`formatted
`information.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0004] HDMIis a specification that integrates audio and
`video information into a single digital interface to be used
`with, for example, digital video disc (DVD)players, digital
`television (DTV), high definition TV (HDTV), set-top
`boxes, and other audio and/or video devices. A key element
`of HDMIis the ability to utilize high bandwidth digital
`content protection (HDCP). Notwithstanding, the high defi-
`nition multimedia interface also utilizes core technologies
`provided by the digital visual interface (DVI). High band-
`width digital content protection provides a method for
`protecting copyrighted digital content that utilizes the digital
`visual interface by encrypting data transmitted between a
`source and a destination device. The source device may
`include, but is not limited to, a computer, a set-top box,
`D-VHS, or a DVD player. The receiver destination device
`may bea television, projector, a LCD display, or a plasma
`panel, for example.
`
`[0005] The digital visual interface is a standardized pro-
`tocol, which facilitates the coupling of analog and digital
`monitors using a single connector. The digital visual inter-
`face is a 24-bit RGB interface, which utilizes transition
`minimized differential signaling (TMDS),the latter of which
`has becomequite popular. A DVIlink utilizes three (3) pairs
`of differential digital signals, each pair carrying low voltage
`signals representative of the red (R), green (G) and blue (B)
`signal components. Each of the pairs may also carry syn-
`chronization information. Additionally, a fourth pair of wires
`carries a pixel clock signal. A serial 8-bit RGB signal carries
`information at a speed of up to 1.65 Gbps with an aggregate
`link speed of 4.95 Gbps,but an effective transfer rate of 3.96
`Gbps. In order to minimize transitions at such high data
`rates, a 10-bit encoding schemeis utilized.
`
`[0006] ADVI connector permits two links to be coupled
`to the connector. To minimize connector size, the two links
`share the same clock signal, resulting in a maximum data
`rate of 9.9 Gbps. DVIalso includes a display data channel
`
`(DDC), which permits a video source such as a PC to
`communicate with a DVI capable display. The DDC utilizes
`a low speed, bi-directional two-wire bus similar to an °C
`bus. A digital signal that is transmitted to an analog monitor
`may be converted into an analog signal using a DVI con-
`nector. In instances where a digital monitoris utilized, then
`no conversion is performed. However, in the case of an
`analog monitor, then D/A conversion is required. The popu-
`larity of DVI along with various standardized changes has
`resulted in a plethora of products now supporting DVI.
`
`[0007] The high definition multimedia interface supports
`standardized, enhanced, or high-definition video formats
`along with multi-channel surround sound audio. Someofthe
`benefits of high definition multimedia interface may include,
`but are not limited to, uncompressed digital video, a band-
`width of up to five gigabytes per second and a single
`connector instead of multiple connectors and cables. The
`high definition multimedia interface may also be adapted to
`facilitate communication between a video source and, for
`example, a DTV.
`
`[0008] Transition minimized differential signaling is a
`signaling technique that producesa transition controlled, DC
`balanced series of characters from an input series of data
`bytes. In a long string of logic zeros and logic ones,bits are
`selectively manipulated in order to keep the DC voltage
`level of the overall signal centered arounda particular signal
`threshold. Transition minimized differential signaling may
`use, for example, bit inversion to maintain a particular DC
`biased signal. A signal threshold may determine whether a
`received databit is at a voltage level equivalent to logic zero
`(0) or at a level equivalent to logic one (1).
`
`[0009] Various silicon-based versions of transition mini-
`mized differential signaling encoders and receivers have
`been developed. One version of the high definition multi-
`media interface implements a new coding scheme whichis
`referred to as TERC4. The TERC4 encoding scheme maps
`sixteen (16) 4-bit characters to 10-bit symbols. The new
`encoding schemealso includes various symbols, which may
`be utilized as guard bands. The high definition multimedia
`interface specification provides an adequate description of
`how the guard bands may beutilized. One released revision
`of the bandwidth digital content protection encryption stan-
`dard include various algorithms which maybe utilized for
`encrypting of HDMIdata. TERC4 symbols and guard band
`symbols, which may be collectively known as HDMI sym-
`bols, are 10-bits in length and have five (5) logic ones (1s)
`and five (5) logic zeros (Os), to ensure that they are DC
`balanced. In this regard,
`the high definition multimedia
`interface (HDMI) symbols are valid TMDS codewords and
`the HDMI codewords are mapped to a unique un-encoded
`TMDSbyte. A one-to-one mapping may be used to map the
`high definition multimedia interface codewords into the
`unique un-encoded TMDSbyte.
`
`{0010] Further limitations and disadvantages of conven-
`tional and traditional approaches will become apparent to
`one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems
`with someaspects of the present invention as set forth in the
`remainder of the present application with reference to the
`drawings.
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`{0011] Certain embodiments of the invention may include
`a method and system for encoding and decoding of video
`
`Page 6 of 11
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`US 2004/0158873 A1
`
`Aug. 12, 2004
`
`and non-video information. The method for encoding and
`decoding video and non-video information may include
`creating a second symbol from a first codeword. A TERC4
`symbol, TMDS symbol and/or a guard band symbol may be
`generated from a portion or all of the second symbol, and
`may be part of a transmitted signal. The first codeword may
`be directly encoded into a TMDS codeword. In another
`aspect of the invention, TMDS encoding of at least a portion
`of the second symbol may generate a TERC4 symbol and/or
`a guard band symbol. The generated TERC4 symbol and the
`guard band symbol may be encoded so that they are com
`bined within a single symbol for transmission.
`[0012] In another aspect of the invention, the first code
`word may be generated from a portion or all of a third
`symbol containing a TERC4 symbol and/or a guard band
`symbol. The generation of the codeword may occur when
`the third symbol is received by a receiver or a receiver
`portion of a transceiver. TMDS decoding of at least a portion
`of the received signal may generate the first codeword.
`Similarly, TMDS decoding of a portion or all of the received
`signal, which may include the third symbol, may generate
`the second symbol. At least a portion of the second symbol
`may be decoded or mapped to generate the first codeword.
`Notwithstanding, the first codeword may be a 4-bit pre
`TERC4 codeword, while the second symbol may be an 8-bit
`pre-TMDS symbol.
`[0013] Another embodiment of the invention may provide,
`a machine-readable storage, having stored thereon a com
`puter program having at least one code section encoding and
`decoding video and non-video information. Then at least one
`code section may be executable by a machine, thereby
`causing the machine to perform the steps for encoding and
`decoding video and non-video information.
`[0014] The invention may also provide a system for
`encoding and decoding video and non-video information.
`The system for encoding and decoding video and non-video
`information may include a first encoder adapted to encode a
`first codeword into a second symbol. A second encoder may
`generate a TMDS symbol, TERC4 symbol and/or a guard
`band symbol from a portion or all of the second symbol. The
`second encoder may be adapted to directly encode the first
`codeword into a TMDS symbol. The second encoder may
`encode at least a portion of the second symbol to generate a
`TERC4 symbol and/or a guard band symbol. The second
`encoder may generate the TERC4 symbol and the guard
`band symbol so that they are combined within a single
`symbol for transmission. The first and second encoders may
`be part of the same transmitter.
`[0015] In another aspect of the invention, a receiver may
`be configured to generate the first codeword from a portion
`or all of a third symbol containing a TERC4 symbol and/or
`a guard band symbol. The generation of the first codeword
`may occur when the third symbol is received by a receiver
`or a receiver portion of a transceiver. A second decoder may
`be adapted to TMDS decode at least a portion of the received
`signal to generate the first codeword. Similarly, the first
`decoder may TMDS decode a portion or all of the received
`signal, which may include the third symbol, in order to
`generate the second symbol. The first decoder may be
`adapted to decode or map at least a portion of the second
`symbol to generate the first codeword. Notwithstanding, the
`first codeword may be a 4-bit pre-TERC4 codeword, while
`the second symbol may be an 8-bit pre-TMDS symbol.
`
`[0016] These and other advantages, aspects and novel
`features of the present invention, as well as details of an
`illustrated embodiment thereof, will be more fully under
`stood from the following description and drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF
`THE DRAWINGS
`[0017] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a transmitter adapted
`to facilitate TMDS and TERC4 encoding in accordance with
`an embodiment of the invention.
`[0018] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a receiver adapted to
`facilitate TMDS and TERC4 decoding in accordance with an
`embodiment of the invention.
`[0019] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary steps
`that may be utilized by the transmitter of FIG. 1 for
`encoding data in accordance with an embodiment of the
`invention.
`[0020 FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary steps
`that may be utilized by the receiver of FIG. 2 for decoding
`data in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`[0021] Aspects of the invention may include a method and
`system for encoding and decoding video and non-video
`information. In accordance with an embodiment of the
`invention, encoding and decoding video and non-video
`information may include creating a second symbol from a
`first codeword. A TERC4 symbol, TMDS symbol and/or a
`guard band symbol may be generated from a portion or all
`of the second symbol, and may be part of a transmitted
`signal. The first codeword may be directly encoded into a
`TMDS codeword without requiring additional processing. In
`another aspect of the invention, TMDS encoding a portion or
`all of the second symbol may generate a TERC4 symbol
`and/or a guard band symbol. The generated TERC4 symbol
`and the guard band symbol may be encoded so that they are
`combined within a single symbol for transmission.
`[0022] In another aspect of the invention, the first code
`word may be generated from a portion or all of a third
`symbol containing a TERC4 symbol and/or a guard band
`symbol. The generation of the codeword may occur when
`the third symbol is received by a receiver or a receiver
`portion of a transceiver. TMDS decoding of at least a portion
`of the received signal may generate the first codeword.
`Similarly, TMDS decoding of a portion or all of the received
`signal, which may include the third symbol, may generate
`the second symbol. At least a portion of the second symbol
`may be decoded or mapped to generate the first codeword.
`Notwithstanding, the first codeword may be a 4-bit pre
`TERC4 codeword, while the second symbol may be an 8-bit
`pre-TMDS symbol.
`[0023] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a transmitter adapted
`to facilitate TMDS and TERC4 encoding in accordance with
`an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 1,
`transmitter 100 may include an HDCP block 102, a first
`encoder block 104, a second encoder block 108 and a
`multiplexer (MUX) 106. The HDCP block 102 may include
`a HDCP engine and suitable logic, circuitry, software and/or
`code, which may be adapted to execute various aspects of
`the HDCP protocol. The encoder 108 may be a TMDS
`
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`Aug. 12, 2004
`
`encoder and may include suitable logic, circuitry, software
`and/or code, which may be adapted to encode or otherwise
`process data so that is TMDS formatted.
`[0024] The MUX 106 may be adapted to select between a
`first output 112 of the HDCP block 102 being processed by
`TMDS encoder block 108 and the output of encoder block
`104 being encoded by TMDS encoder block 108. In this
`regard, output signal 114 of HDCP block 102 may be an
`enable signal adapted to select between the first output
`signal 112 and the output of encoder block 104. The HDCP
`block 102 may be a HDCP 1.1 block as illustrated, but the
`invention is not limited in this regard.
`[0025] The encoder block 104 may be coupled to an
`output 112 of the HDCP block 102 and an input of the MUX
`or selector 106. The encoder block 104 may be implemented
`in hardware, software or a combination thereof. In hardware,
`the encoder block 104 may be implemented as a lookup table
`located in a memory, for example, but is not limited in this
`regard and may be hard coded. Notwithstanding, encoder
`block 104 may be configured so that it is inserted in the data
`stream or path so that it may process HDCP data formatted
`by the HDCP block 102.
`[0026] In operation, the encoder block 104 may convert
`4-bit pre-TERC4 symbols produced by the HDCP block
`102, to 8-bit pre-TMDS symbols. In this case, encoder block
`104 may encode or map 4-bit pre-TERC4 symbols into 8-bit
`pre-TMDS symbols. The output pre-TMDS symbols gener
`ated by the encoder 104 may be fed into TMDS encoder
`block 108 for processing. The multiplexer 106 may control
`the transfer of the output pre-TMDS symbols to the TMDS
`encoder 108. The TMDS encoder 108 may be adapted to
`encode the pre-TMDS symbols transferred from the encoder
`104 into TERC4 symbols and/or guard band symbols, col
`lectively referred to as HDMI symbols. The HDMI symbols
`encoded by the TMDS encoder block 108 may be 10-bits.
`[0027] The 10-bit output generated by the TMDS encoder
`block 108 may include five (5) ones (1s) and five (5) zeros
`(0s) to ensure that the output signal is DC balanced. In a case
`where no encoding is necessary, then MUX 106 may be
`configured to transfer the 4-bit output signal 112 from the
`HDCP block 102 directly to the TMDS encoder block 108.
`In this regard, selector 106 may be adapted to bypass the
`operation of encoder block 104.
`[0028] In another aspect of the invention, the multiplexer
`enable signal 114 may be driven high or logic (1), for
`example, for TERC4 and/or guard band symbols to be
`generated by encoder block 104. The output from the
`encoder block 104 may include suitable symbols, which
`when TMDS encoded, produces a TERC4 symbol, a guard
`band symbol, or a combination thereof. The following
`illustrates an exemplary table which may be used to facili
`tate TMDS and TERC4 encoding in accordance with an
`embodiment of the invention.
`
`pre-TERC4
`(4-bits)
`O
`1
`
`pre-TMDS
`Symbol (8 bits)
`91
`90
`
`TMDS/TERC4/
`Guard Band Symbol
`[LSB:MSB]
`0011100101
`1100011001
`
`-continued
`
`pre-TERC4
`(4-bits)
`
`pre-TMDS
`Symbol (8 bits)
`
`TMDS/TERC4/
`Guard Band Symbol
`[LSB:MSB]
`
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`7
`8
`9
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`(Guard Band
`Symbol 1)
`17
`(Guard Band
`Symbol 2)
`18
`(Spare Symbol 1)
`19
`(Spare Symbol 2)
`
`211
`217
`147
`34
`164
`68
`171
`75
`164
`181
`109
`108
`165
`186
`171
`
`85
`
`0010011101
`01.00011101
`1000111010
`0.111100010
`0.111000110
`0011110010
`0011001101
`1001110010
`0011100110
`01.10001101
`O111000101
`1000111001
`1100011010
`1100001101
`0011001101
`
`1100110010
`
`programmed
`externally
`programmed
`externally
`
`programmed externally
`
`programmed externally
`
`31
`(Spare Symbol 14)
`
`programmed
`externally
`
`programmed externally
`
`[0029] In the first column of the table, the 4-bit pre
`TERC4 symbols represents the symbols that may be gener
`ated by HDCP block 102. The second column represents the
`output of encoder block 104, which when encoded by the
`TMDS encoder block 108, produces a TMDS/TERC4/guard
`band formatted signal. Finally, the third column represents
`the TMDS encoded signal 110 which is DC balanced to
`ensure that transitions do not change a bias point of the
`signal. The 4-bit symbols illustrated in the first column of the
`table may be mapped into the 8-bit symbols illustrated in the
`second column by the encoder block 104. Finally, the 8-bit
`symbols produced by the encoder block 104 may be encoded
`to produce the TERC4 symbols or guard band symbols
`illustrated in the third column.
`[0030) Referring to the table and FIG. 1, HDCP block 102
`may generate a signal containing 4-bit pre-TERC symbol or
`codeword having a value of 7, for example, to be transmitted
`by transmitter 100. The multiplexer select signal 114 may be
`utilized to control MUX 106 to transfer the 4-bit pre-TERC4
`codeword to decoder block 104. The encoder block 104 may
`receive the 4-bit pre-TERC symbol or codeword having a
`value of 7 and encode this codeword into an 8-bit pre-TMDS
`symbol having a value of 68. Accordingly, the TMDS
`encoder block 108 may map the 8-bit pre-TMDS symbol
`having a value of 68 into a corresponding guard band
`symbol having a value of 0011 110010.
`[0031] Although sixteen (16) pre-TERC4 symbols,
`namely 0-15, may be represented in the first column of the
`table, symbols may be added to ensure expandability and
`future compatibility. In this regard, the two (2) guard bands
`represent the sixteenth (16") and seventeenth (17") sym
`bols, but other symbol locations could be used for this
`
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`US 2004/0158873 Al
`
`Aug. 12, 2004
`
`purpose. As a practical matter, five (5) bits will be required
`to represent the eighteen (18) symbols. Accordingly,there is
`enough space to define additional symbol mappings. These
`are represented as 31 spare symbols 14-31. The ability to
`provide additional symbols which may be defined at a later
`date, even post silicon, may be controlled externally to
`enable more symbols to be transmitted in accordance with
`an embodimentof the invention.
`
`bol. The decoder block 204 may convert the 8-bit pre-eTMDS
`signal to pre-TERC4 symbols which may be processed by
`the HDCP block 202. In this regard, whenever the TMDS
`decoder block 208 receives a TERC4 and/or guard band
`symbol, the TMDS decoder block 208 may enable output
`signal 214 of DEMUX 206. This may permit the TERC4
`and/or guard band symbols decoded by the decoder block
`204 to be transferred to the HDCPblock 202 for processing.
`
`Belowis a table illustrating exemplary codewords
`[0038]
`and symbols that may be generated by transmitter 200 of
`FIG. 2. The first column of the table represents the TMDS,
`TERC4 and/or guard symbols that may be received in an
`input stream by the TMDS decoder block 208. The second
`column represents the pre-TMDS symbol generated by the
`decoder block 204, which whenit is decoded by the HDCP
`block 202, results in the pre-TERC codeword or symbol
`illustrated in the third column.
`
`[0034] The DEMUX 206 may be adapted to select
`between direct transfer of data from an output 212 of the
`TMDSdecoder block 208 or from the TMDSdecoder block
`208 via decoder block 204 to HDCP block 202. The TMDS
`decoder block 208 may include a DEMUXselect signal 214,
`which may be adapted to enable or disable various inputs of
`the decoder DEMUX 206. In this regard, DEMUXselect
`signal 214 may select between the transfer of data directly
`from the TMDS decoder block 208 via TMDS decoder
`output 212 to the HDCP block 202. Alternatively, DEMUX
`select signal 214 may select between the transfer of TMDS
`decoder output 212 data from the TMDSdecoder block 208
`to HDCP block 202 via the decoder block 204.
`
`[0035] The decoder block 204 may be coupled to an
`output of the TMDS decoder block 208 and an input of the
`DEMUXorselector 206. The decoder block 204 may be
`implemented in hardware,
`software or
`a combination
`thereof. In one aspect of the invention, the encoder block
`204 may be implemented as a lookup table located in a
`memory, for example. However, the invention is not limited
`in this regard and the decoder block 204 may be hard-coded.
`The HDCP block 202 may be a HDCP 1.1 block as illus-
`trated, but the invention is not limited in this regard.
`[0036]
`In operation, decoder block 208 may convert
`TERC4 formatted signal back to an 8-bit pre-TMDS sym-
`
`Page 9 of 11
`
`1100110010
`
`programmed
`externally
`programmed
`externally
`
`programmed
`externally
`
`programmed
`externally
`
`31
`(Spare Symbol 14)
`
`[0037] Decoder 204 may be adapted to decode a TERC4
`In accordance with another embodiment of the
`[0032]
`symbol and/or a guard band symbolfromaportion orall of
`invention, the system for encoding and decoding video and
`a third symbol received from the TMDSdecoder block 208
`non-video information as illustrated in FIG. 1, may include
`of receiver 200. The TMDS decoder block 208 may be
`a first encoder 104 adapted to encode or mapafirst code-
`adapted to TMDSdecodea portion or all of the received
`word into a second symbol. A second encoder block 108
`signal to generate a first codeword which may be directly
`may be adapted to generate a TERC4 symbol, TMDS
`transferred via DEMUX 206 to HDCPblock 202 for pro-
`symbol and/or a guard band symbolfromaportion orall of
`cessing. The decoder block 208 may also decode a portion
`the second symbol,if the TERC4 symbol, the TMDS symbol
`or all of the received signal to generate a second symbolthat
`and/or the guard band symbolis part of a transmitted signal.
`may be similar to the second symbol generated by trans-
`The second encoder block 104 may encode the TERC4
`mitter 100. Decoder block 204 may be configured to decode
`symbol and the guard band symbolso that they are part of
`or map the second symbol
`in order to generate a first
`a single symbol. The second encoder block 108 may also
`codeword that may be similar to the first codeword gener-
`TMDSencode a portion or all of the first codeword to
`ated by transmitter 100. The first codeword may be a 4-bit
`generate a TMDS symbolfor the transmitted signal. MUX
`pre-TERC4 codeword, while the second symbol may be an
`106 may select whether TMDSencoder block 108 encodes
`8-bit pre-TMDS symbol.
`the first code word or the second symbol. Thefirst encoder
`block 104 may also TMDSencodea portion or all of the
`second symbol to generate a TERC4 and/or a guard band
`symbol.
`[0033] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a receiver adapted to
`facilitate TMDS and TERC4 decoding in accordance with an
`embodimentof the invention. Referring to FIG.2, receiver
`200 may include an HDCPblock 202, a first decoder block
`204, a second decoder block 208 and a demultiplexer
`(DEMUX)206. The HDCP block 202 may include a HDCP
`engine and suitable logic, circuitry, software and/or code,
`which may be adapted to execute various aspects of the
`HDCPprotocol. The second decoder 208 may be a TMDS
`decoder and may also include suitable logic, circuitry,
`software and/or code, which may be adapted to decode or
`otherwise process data so that is TMDS formatted. An input
`of decoder block 204 maybe coupled to an output 212 of the
`TDMSdecoder block 208.
`
`Guard Band Symbol
`[LSB:MSB]
`001110010
`110001100
`001001110
`010001110
`1000111010
`0111100010
`0111000110
`0011110010
`001100110
`1001110010
`0011100110
`011000110
`011100010
`100011100
`1100011010
`110000110
`001100110
`
`
` TMDS/TERC4/
`
`
`
`
`
`pre-TMDS
`Symbol (8
`bits)
`91
`90
`211
`217
`147
`34
`164
`68
`171
`75
`164
`181
`109
`108
`165
`186
`171
`
`85
`
`programmed
`externally
`programmed
`externally
`
`pre-TERC4
`(4-bits)
`0
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`7
`8
`9
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`(Guard Band
`Symbol 1)
`17
`(Guard Band
`Symbol 2)
`18
`(Spare Symbol 1)
`19
`(Spare Symbol 2)
`
`Page 9 of 11
`
`

`

`US 2004/0158873 A1
`
`Aug. 12, 2004
`
`[0039] Accordingly, when a signal containing symbol
`0011110010, for example, is received by TMDS decoder
`208, the TMDS decoder block 208 may enable an input 218
`of DEMUX 206 to transfer a decoded output corresponding
`to symbol 0011110010 from decoder block 204 to the HDCP
`block 202. In this regard, the decoder block 204 may
`generate or map the symbol 0011110010 to an 8-bit pre
`TMDS symbol having a value of 68. The 8-bit pre-TMDS
`symbol having a value of 68 may then be transferred to the
`HDCP block 202 where it may be mapped into the 4-bit
`pre-TERC symbol or codeword having a value of 7.
`[0040] Although sixteen (16) pre-TERC4 symbols,
`namely 0-15, may be represented in the first column of the
`table, additional symbols may be added to ensure expand
`ability and compatibility. In this regard the two (2) guard
`bands represent the sixteenth (16") and seventeenth (17")
`symbols, but other symbol locations could be used for this
`purpose. As a practical matter, 5 bits will be required to
`represent the eighteen (18) symbols. Accordingly, there is
`enough space to define additional symbol mappings. These
`are represented as 31 spare symbols 14-31. The ability to
`provide additional symbols which may be defined at a later
`date, even post silicon, may be controlled externally to
`enable more symbols to be transmitted in accordance with
`an embodiment of the invention.
`[0041] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary steps
`that may be utilized by transmitter 102 of FIG. 1 for
`encoding data in accordance with an embodiment of the
`invention. Referring to FIG. 3, the exemplary steps may
`start at step 302. In step 304, the HDCP block may generate
`a 4-bit pre-TERC4 codeword. In step 306, the HDCP block
`may enable the MUX to transfer the output of the encoder
`block to the TMDS encoder. In step 308, the encoder block
`may map the 4-bit pre-TERC4 symbol to the 8-bit pre
`TMDS symbol. In step 310, the 8-bit pre-TMDS symbol
`generated by the encoder block may be transferred to the
`TMDS encoder block. In step 312, the TMDS encoder block
`may map the 8-bit pre-TMDS symbol to a 10-bit TERC4
`and/or guard band symbols for transmission. Finally, the
`exemplary steps may end with step 314.
`[0042] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary steps
`that may be utilized by receiver 202 of FIG. 2 for decoding
`data in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
`Referring to FIG.4, the exemplary steps may start with step
`402. In step 404, the TMDS decoder block may receive
`10-bit formatted TERC4 and/or guard band encoded or
`formatted information. In step 406, the TMDS decoder
`block may enable the MUX to transfer an output of the
`TMDS decoder block to the decoder. In step 408, the
`decoder block may map the 10-bit formatted TERC4 and/or
`guard band symbols in the received information to generate
`8-bit pre-TMDS symbols. In step 410, the 8-bit pre-TMDS
`symbols generated by the decoder block may be transferred
`to the HDCP block for processing. In step 412, the HDCP
`block may map the 8-bit pre-TMDS symbol to generate 4-bit
`pre-TERC4 codewords. Finally, the exemplary steps may
`end with step 414.
`[0043] Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, it should be
`recognized that additional steps may be provided and vari
`ous steps may be combined and/or rearranged without
`departing from the scope of the invention. For example,
`steps 306 and 308 of FIG. 3 may be interchanged and still
`
`accord with various embodiments of the invention. Simi
`larly, steps 406 and 408 of FIG. 4 may be interchanged
`without departing from the scope of the various embodi
`ments of the invention. Moreover, although not shown in
`FIG. 3, the TMDS encoder block 108 of transmitter 102 of
`FIG. 1, may directly encode an output of the HDCP block
`102. In this regard, for example, the HDCP block 102 may
`enable an input of MUX 106 to directly transfer the output
`112 of the HDCP block to the TMDS encoder block for
`TMDS encoding. Similarly, although not shown in FIG. 4,
`the HDCP block 202 of receiver 202 of FIG.2, may directly
`decode an output of the TMDS decoder block 208. In this
`regard, TMDS decoder block 208 may enable an output of
`DEMUX 206 to directly transfer and output of the TMDS
`encoder block to the HDCP block 202 via HDCP input
`signal 212 for decoding.
`[0044] Accordingly, the present invention may be realized
`in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and
`software. The present invention may be realized in a cen
`tralized fashion in one computer system, or in a distributed
`fashion where different elements are spread across several
`interconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer
`system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the
`methods described herein is suited. A typical combination of
`hardware and software may be a general-purpose computer
`system with a computer program that, when being loaded
`and executed, controls the computer system such that it
`carries out the methods described herein.
`[0045] The present invention may also be embedded in a
`computer program product, which comprises all the features
`enabling the implementation of the methods described
`herein, and which when loaded in a computer system is able
`to carry out these methods. Computer program in the present
`context means any expression, in any language, code or
`notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system
`having an information processing capability to perform a
`particular function either directly or after either or both of
`the following: a) conversion to another language, code or
`notation; b) reproduction in a different material form.
`[0