IP Library Granted Patent US 8,456,529
Granted Patent B2
US 8,456,529 · App. 12/933,243 · Granted Jun 4, 2013

Device and method for evaluating connectivity between a video driver and a display

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,456,529
App. No.
12/933,243
Granted
Jun 4, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A device for evaluating connectivity between a video driver and a display, the device comprises a first video driver, a first output connector, a first terminating resistance; wherein the device is characterized by comprising a first comparison unit; wherein the first video driver has an output port that is coupled to the first output connector, to the first terminating resistance and to the first comparison unit; wherein the first output connector is configured to be coupled via a first cable to a first input of the display; wherein the first comparison unit is adapted to perform comparisons between a voltage level on the first terminating resistance to multiple thresholds and to determine whether a display first input impedance is substantially equal to the first terminating resistance, whether the display first input impedance is substantially lower then the first terminating resistance, or whether the first video driver is disconnected from the display; wherein the comparisons are executed during a pixel information idle period.

Claims (59)

1. A device for evaluating connectivity between a video driver and a display, the device comprising:

a first video driver;

a first output connector;

a first terminating resistance;

a first comparison unit; and

a first jamming circuit configured to produce jam video information either provided to the first video driver or outputted by the first video driver;

wherein the first video driver has an output port that is coupled to the first output connector, to the first terminating resistance and to the first comparison unit;

wherein the first output connector is configured to be coupled via a first cable to a first input of the display;

wherein the first comparison unit is configured to perform comparisons between a voltage level on the first terminating resistance to multiple thresholds and to determine whether a display first input impedance is substantially equal to the first terminating resistance, whether the display first input impedance is substantially lower than the first terminating resistance, and whether the first video driver is disconnected from the display; and

wherein the first comparison unit performs the comparisons during an overlap between a jam free period and a pixel information idle period;

wherein the comparisons are executed during the pixel information idle period.

2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the pixel information idle period is at least a portion of a vertical blanking interval.

3. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the device is configured to receive information indicative of a video format and to adjust the multiple thresholds in response to the video format.

4. The device according to claim 1 , comprising:

a first test signal generator configured to send a test signal to the first video driver in order to facilitate comparisons between the voltage level on the first terminating resistance and between the multiple thresholds; and

wherein the test signal is sent when the display is idle or if the first cable is not expected to convey pixel information.

5. The device according to claim 1 , wherein:

the device further comprises a first memory circuit and a first triggering circuit;

the first memory circuit is configured to store the test signal; and wherein triggering information is configured to trigger a provision of the test signal from the first memory circuit to the first video driver; and

the first memory circuit and the first triggering circuit are activated when a processor of the device is deactivated.

6. The device according to claim 1 comprising:

a second video driver, a third video driver, a second output connector, a third output connector, a second terminating resistance ,a third terminating resistance ,a second comparison unit and a third comparison unit;

wherein the second video driver has an output port that is coupled to the second output connector, to the second terminating resistance and to the second comparison unit;

wherein the second output connector is configured to be coupled via a second cable to a second input of the display;

wherein the second comparison unit is configured to perform comparisons between a voltage level on the second terminating resistance to multiple thresholds and to determine whether a display second input impedance is substantially equal to the second terminating resistance, whether the display second input impedance is substantially lower than the second terminating resistance, or whether the second video driver is disconnected from the display;

wherein the comparisons are executed during a pixel information idle period;

wherein the third video driver has an output port that is coupled to the third output connector, to the third terminating resistance and to the third comparison unit;

wherein the third output connector is configured to be coupled via a third cable to a third input of the display;

wherein the third comparison unit is configured to perform comparisons between a voltage level on the third terminating resistance to multiple thresholds and to determine whether a display third input impedance is substantially equal to the third terminating resistance, whether the display third input impedance is substantially lower than the third terminating resistance, or whether the third video driver is disconnected from the display; and

wherein the comparisons are executed during a pixel information idle period.

7. The device according to claim 6 comprising a television format converter that is configured to adapt a format of video outputted by at least one video driver out of the first, second and third video drivers, in response to a determinations of the first, second and third comparison units.

8. A method for evaluating connectivity between a video driver and a display, the method comprising:

outputting a video signal at an output port of a first video driver;

performing, by a first comparison unit and during a pixel information idle period, multiple comparisons between a voltage level on a first terminating resistance to multiple thresholds;

determining whether a display first input impedance is substantially equal to the first terminating resistance, whether the display first input impedance is substantially lower than the first terminating resistance, and whether the first video driver is disconnected from the display; and

performing the multiple comparisons during an overlap between a jam free period and the pixel information idle period; wherein during lamming periods video information is jammed;

wherein the output port of the video driver is coupled to the first terminating resistance and to a first output connector that is configured to be coupled via a first cable to a first input of the display.

9. The method according to claim 8 , comprising receiving information indicative of a video format and adjusting the multiple thresholds in response to the video format.

10. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the method further comprises sending, by a test signal generator, a test signal to the first video driver in order to facilitate the performing of the multiple comparisons; wherein the sending occurs when the display is idle or if the first cable is not expected to convey pixel information.

11. The method according to claim 8 , comprising: storing the test signal at a first memory circuit; deactivating a processor that is configured to control the sending of the test signal while maintaining the first memory circuit and a first triggering circuit active; triggering a provision of the test signal from the first memory circuit to the first video driver.

12. The method according to claim 8 , comprising:

outputting a video signal at an output port of a second video driver;

performing, by a second comparison unit and during a pixel information idle period, multiple comparisons between a voltage level on a second terminating resistance to multiple thresholds;

determining whether a display second input impedance is substantially equal to the second terminating resistance, whether the display second input impedance is substantially lower than the second terminating resistance, or whether the second video driver is disconnected from the display;

wherein the output port of the second video driver is coupled to the second terminating resistance and to a second output connector that is configured to be coupled via a second cable to a second input of the display; outputting a video signal at an output port of a third video driver; performing, by a third comparison unit and during a pixel information idle period, multiple comparisons between a voltage level on a third terminating resistance to multiple thresholds; determining whether a display third input impedance is substantially equal to the third terminating resistance, whether the display third input impedance is substantially lower then the third terminating resistance, or whether the third video driver is disconnected from the display;

wherein the output port of the third video driver is coupled to the third terminating resistance and to a third output connector that is configured to be coupled via a third cable to a third input of the display.

13. The method according to claim 12 , comprising adapting a format of video outputted by at least one video driver out of the first, second and third video drivers, in response to determinations of the first, second and third comparison units.

14. An assembly of the device according to claim 1 .

15. A method for evaluating connectivity between a video driver and a display, the method comprising:

outputting a video signal at an output port of a first video driver;

performing, by a first comparison unit and during a pixel information idle period, multiple comparisons between a voltage level on a first terminating resistance to multiple thresholds;

determining whether a display first input impedance is substantially equal to the first terminating resistance, whether the display first input impedance is substantially lower than the first terminating resistance, and whether the first video driver is disconnected from the display; and

performing the multiple comparisons during an overlap between a jam free period and the pixel information idle period; wherein during jamming periods video information is jammed;

wherein the output port of the video driver is coupled to the first terminating resistance and to a first output connector that is configured to be coupled via a first cable to a first input of the display, and wherein the pixel information idle period is at least a portion of a vertical blanking interval.

16. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the method further comprises sending, by a test signal generator, a test signal to the first video driver in order to facilitate the performing of the multiple comparisons; wherein the sending occurs when the display is idle or if the first cable is not expected to convey pixel information.

17. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the method further comprises sending, by a test signal generator, a test signal to the first video driver in order to facilitate the performing of the multiple comparisons; wherein the sending occurs when the display is idle or if the first cable is not expected to convey pixel information.

18. The method according to claim 15 , wherein the method further comprises sending, by a test signal generator, a test signal to the first video driver in order to facilitate the performing of the multiple comparisons; wherein the sending occurs when the display is idle or if the first cable is not expected to convey pixel information.

19. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the jam video information is provided to the first video driver.

20. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the jam video information outputted by the first video driver.

Assignments (26)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 11759915 AND REPLACE IT WITH APPLICATION 11759935 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 040925 FRAME 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Feb 17, 2020
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP, B.V. F/K/A FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 052917/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 11759915 AND REPLACE IT WITH APPLICATION 11759935 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 040928 FRAME 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Jan 17, 2020
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP B.V.
Reel/Frame 052915/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 11759915 AND REPLACE IT WITH APPLICATION 11759935 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 037486 FRAME 0517. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS. Recorded Dec 10, 2019
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 053547/0421 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12298143 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 042985 FRAME 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded Oct 22, 2019
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 051029/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12298143 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 039361 FRAME 0212. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded Oct 22, 2019
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
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CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12298143 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 038017 FRAME 0058. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded Oct 22, 2019
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 051030/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12298143 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 042762 FRAME 0145. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded Oct 22, 2019
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 051145/0184 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 10, 2019
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP B.V.
Reel/Frame 050745/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 10, 2019
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP B.V.
Reel/Frame 050744/0097 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE TO CORRECT THE APPLICATION NO. FROM 13,883,290 TO 13,833,290 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 041703 FRAME 0536. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE THE ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS.. Recorded Feb 20, 2019
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: SHENZHEN XINGUODU TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 048734/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE NATURE OF CONVEYANCE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 040632 FRAME: 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE MERGER AND CHANGE OF NAME. Recorded Sep 21, 2017
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR INC.
To: NXP USA, INC.
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CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12681366 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 039361 FRAME 0212. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded May 9, 2017
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
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CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12681366 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 038017 FRAME 0058. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded May 9, 2017
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
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CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE PATENTS 8108266 AND 8062324 AND REPLACE THEM WITH 6108266 AND 8060324 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 037518 FRAME 0292. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS. Recorded Feb 1, 2017
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
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CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 8, 2016
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: NXP USA, INC.
Reel/Frame 040632/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2016
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP B.V.
Reel/Frame 040928/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP, B.V., F/K/A FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 040925/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12092129 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 038017 FRAME 0058. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded Jul 14, 2016
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
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SUPPLEMENT TO THE SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 16, 2016
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
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SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT Recorded Mar 7, 2016
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 038017/0058 →
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jan 13, 2016
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
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ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jan 12, 2016
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
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PATENT RELEASE Recorded Dec 21, 2015
From: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
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PATENT RELEASE Recorded Dec 21, 2015
From: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
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PATENT RELEASE Recorded Dec 21, 2015
From: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
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SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 6, 2013
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
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