Communication system, transmission apparatus, receiving apparatus, communication method, and program

• US 20090278984A1
• Filed: 05/16/2007
• Published: 11/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Matsuura, Katsuji, Suzuki, Kazuyoshi
• Granted Patent: US 8,253,859 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/554
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2340/10 Mixing of images, i.e. displayed pixel being the result of an operation, e.g. adding, on the corresponding input pixels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2340/12 Overlay of images, i.e. displayed pixel being the result of switching between the corresponding input pixels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2370/047 using display data channel standard [DDC] communication
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/003 Details of a display terminal, the details relating to the control arrangement of the display terminal and to the interfaces thereto specific for a CRT G09G1/165; for a flat panel G09G3/2092
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/02 characterised by the way in which colour is displayed details of colour display specific for CRTs G09G1/28; specific for flat matrix panels other than liquid crystal displays G09G3/2003; specific for liquid crystal displays G09G3/3607
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/04 Synchronising for television systems using pulse code modulation H04N7/56
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/015 High-definition television systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/035 Circuits for the digital non-picture data signal, e.g. for slicing of the data signal, for regeneration of the data-clock signal, for error detection or correction of the data signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0803 using frequency interleaving, e.g. with precision offset
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/081 the additional information signals being transmitted by means of a subcarrier
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/083 with signal insertion during the vertical and the horizontal blanking interval , e.g. MAC data signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/087 with signal insertion during the vertical blanking interval only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/088 the inserted signal being digital
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/10 Adaptations for transmission by electrical cable H04N7/12 takes precedence

Abstract

The present invention relates to a communication system capable of performing efficient data transmission in HDMI(R) and the like, a transmission apparatus, a receiving apparatus, a communication method, and a program.

An HDMI(R) source 53 determines whether or not an HDMI(R) sink 61 can receive a sub-signal on the basis of VSDB of E-EDID. When the HDMI(R) sink 61 can receive the sub-signal, the HDMI(R) source 53 adds a sub-signal to pixel data of a main image composed of pixel data whose number of bits is smaller than that of transmission pixel data transmitted by a transmitter 72, thereby constructing transmission pixel data. This data is transmitted by the transmitter 72 through TMDS channels #0 to #2. Furthermore, the HDMI(R) source 53 transmits a general control packet containing sub-signal information indicating whether or not the sub-signal is contained in the transmission pixel data in the control period of a vertical blanking period. The present invention can be applied to, for example, HDMI(R).

Claims

1. A communication system comprising:

a transmission apparatus for, after capability information indicating the capability of a receiving apparatus is received, transmitting pixel data of an uncompressed image for one screen in one direction to the receiving apparatus by using a differential signal through a plurality of channels for transmitting data of a fixed number of bits per clock of a pixel clock in a valid image period that is a period in which a horizontal blanking period and a vertical blanking period are excluded from a period from one vertical synchronization signal to the next vertical synchronization signal; and

the receiving apparatus for receiving the pixel data transmitted using a differential signal through the plurality of channels from the transmission apparatus after the capability information is transmitted,

wherein the transmission apparatus includes

transmission means for transmitting pixel data to which a number of bits, which is greater than the fixed number of bits, is assigned, in one direction to the receiving apparatus by using a differential signal through the plurality of channels by adjusting the frequency of the pixel clock;

sub-signal reception capability/incapability determination means for determining whether or not the receiving apparatus can receive a sub-signal on the basis of the capability information;

sub-signal addition means for adding the sub-signal to pixel data of a main image composed of pixel data whose number of bits is smaller than that of transmission pixel data that is pixel data to be transmitted by the transmission means when the receiving apparatus can receive the sub-signal, thereby constructing the transmission pixel data; and

information transmission control means for allowing sub-signal information indicating whether or not the sub-signal is contained in the transmission pixel data transmitted in the valid image period immediately after the vertical blanking period, to be transmitted in the vertical blanking period, and

wherein the receiving apparatus includes

receiving means for receiving the transmission pixel data transmitted using a differential signal through the plurality of channels;

sub-signal presence/absence determination means for determining whether or not the sub-signal is contained in the transmission pixel data transmitted in a valid image period immediately after the vertical blanking period on the basis of the sub-signal information transmitted in the vertical blanking period; and

separation means for separating the sub-signal from the transmission pixel data when the sub-signal is contained in the transmission pixel data.

2. A transmission apparatus for, after capability information indicating the capability of a receiving apparatus is received, transmitting pixel data of an uncompressed image for one screen in one direction to the receiving apparatus by using a differential signal through a plurality of channels for transmitting data of a fixed number of bits per clock of a pixel clock in a valid image period that is a period in which a horizontal blanking period and a vertical blanking period are excluded from a period from one vertical synchronization signal to the next vertical synchronization signal, the transmission apparatus comprising:

transmission means for transmitting pixel data to which a number of bits, which is greater than the fixed number of bits, is assigned, in one direction to the receiving apparatus by using a differential signal through the plurality of channels by adjusting the frequency of the pixel clock;

sub-signal reception capability/incapability determination means for determining whether or not the receiving apparatus can receive a sub-signal on the basis of the capability information;

sub-signal addition means for adding the sub-signal to pixel data of a main image composed of pixel data whose number of bits is smaller than that of transmission pixel data that is pixel data to be transmitted by the transmission means when the receiving apparatus can receive the sub-signal, thereby constructing the transmission pixel data; and

information transmission control means for allowing sub-signal information indicating whether or not the sub-signal is contained in the transmission pixel data transmitted in the valid image period immediately after the vertical blanking period, to be transmitted in the vertical blanking period.

3. The transmission apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the transmission means determines the number of bits of the transmission pixel data on the basis of the capability information, and adjusts the frequency of the pixel clock on the basis of the number of bits of the transmission pixel data.

4. A communication method for use with a transmission apparatus for transmitting pixel data of an uncompressed image for one screen in one direction to a receiving apparatus by using a differential signal through a plurality of channels for, after capability information indicating the capability of the receiving apparatus is received, transmitting data of a fixed number of bits per clock of a pixel clock in a valid image period that is a period in which a horizontal blanking period and a vertical blanking period are excluded from a period from one vertical synchronization signal to the next vertical synchronization signal,

the transmission apparatus including transmission means for transmitting pixel data to which a number of bits, which is greater than the fixed number of bits, is assigned, in one direction to the receiving apparatus by using a differential signal through the plurality of channels by adjusting the frequency of the pixel clock,

the communication method comprising the steps of:

determining whether or not the receiving apparatus can receive a sub-signal on the basis of the capability information;

adding the sub-signal to pixel data of a main image composed of pixel data whose number of bits is smaller than that of transmission pixel data that is pixel data to be transmitted by the transmission means when the receiving apparatus can receive the sub-signal, thereby constructing the transmission pixel data; and

allowing sub-signal information indicating whether or not the sub-signal is contained in the transmission pixel data transmitted in the valid image period immediately after the vertical blanking period, to be transmitted in the vertical blanking period.

5. A program to be executed by a computer for controlling a transmission apparatus for transmitting, after capability information indicating the capability of a receiving apparatus is received, pixel data of an uncompressed image for one screen in one direction to the receiving apparatus by using a differential signal through a plurality of channels for transmitting data of a fixed number of bits per clock of a pixel clock in a valid image period that is a period in which a horizontal blanking period and a vertical blanking period are excluded from a period from one vertical synchronization signal to the next vertical synchronization signal,

the transmission apparatus including transmission means for transmitting pixel data to which a number of bits, which is greater than the fixed number of bits, is assigned in one direction to the receiving apparatus by using a differential signal through the plurality of channels by adjusting the frequency of the pixel clock, the program enabling a computer to perform communication processing comprising the steps of:

determining whether or not the receiving apparatus can receive a sub-signal on the basis of the capability information;

adding the sub-signal to pixel data of a main image composed of pixel data whose number of bits is smaller than that of transmission pixel data that is pixel data to be transmitted by the transmission means when the receiving apparatus can receive the sub-signal, thereby constructing the transmission pixel data; and

allowing sub-signal information indicating whether or not the sub-signal is contained in the transmission pixel data transmitted in the valid image period immediately after the vertical blanking period, to be transmitted in the vertical blanking period.

6. A receiving apparatus for receiving pixel data transmitted using a differential signal through a plurality of channels from a transmission apparatus after capability information is transmitted to the transmission apparatus for, after the capability information indicating the capability of the receiving apparatus is received, transmitting pixel data of an uncompressed image for one screen in one direction to the receiving apparatus by using a differential signal through a plurality of channels for transmitting data of a fixed number of bits per clock of a pixel clock in a valid image period that is a period in which a horizontal blanking period and a vertical blanking period are excluded from a period from one vertical synchronization signal to the next vertical synchronization signal, the transmission apparatus including

transmission means for transmitting pixel data to which a number of bits, which is greater than the fixed number of bits, is assigned, in one direction to the receiving apparatus by using a differential signal through the plurality of channels by adjusting the frequency of the pixel clock;

sub-signal reception capability/incapability determination means for determining whether or not the receiving apparatus can receive a sub-signal on the basis of the capability information;

sub-signal addition means for adding the sub-signal to pixel data of a main image composed of pixel data whose number of bits is smaller than that of transmission pixel data that is pixel data to be transmitted by the transmission means when the receiving apparatus can receive the sub-signal, thereby constructing the transmission pixel data; and

information transmission control means for allowing sub-signal information indicating whether or not the sub-signal is contained in the transmission pixel data transmitted in the valid image period immediately after the vertical blanking period, to be transmitted in the vertical blanking period,

the receiving apparatus comprising;

receiving means for receiving the transmission pixel data transmitted using a differential signal through the plurality of channels;

sub-signal presence/absence determination means for determining whether or not the sub-signal is contained in the transmission pixel data transmitted in a valid image period immediately after the vertical blanking period on the basis of the sub-signal information transmitted in the vertical blanking period; and

separation means for separating the sub-signal from the transmission pixel data when the sub-signal is contained in the transmission pixel data.

7. A communication method for use with a receiving apparatus for receiving pixel data transmitted using a differential signal through a plurality of channels from a transmission apparatus after capability information is transmitted to the transmission apparatus for, after the capability information indicating the capability of the receiving apparatus is received, transmitting pixel data of an uncompressed image for one screen in one direction to the receiving apparatus by using a differential signal through a plurality of channels for transmitting data of a fixed number of bits per clock of a pixel clock in a valid image period that is a period in which a horizontal blanking period and a vertical blanking period are excluded from a period from one vertical synchronization signal to the next vertical synchronization signal, the transmission apparatus including

transmission means for transmitting pixel data to which a number of bits, which is greater than the fixed number of bits, is assigned, in one direction to the receiving apparatus by using a differential signal through the plurality of channels by adjusting the frequency of the pixel clock;

sub-signal reception capability/incapability determination means for determining whether or not the receiving apparatus can receive a sub-signal on the basis of the capability information;

sub-signal addition means for adding the sub-signal to pixel data of a main image composed of pixel data whose number of bits is smaller than that of transmission pixel data that is pixel data to be transmitted by the transmission means when the receiving apparatus can receive the sub-signal, thereby constructing the transmission pixel data; and

information transmission control means for allowing sub-signal information indicating whether or not the sub-signal is contained in the transmission pixel data transmitted in the valid image period immediately after the vertical blanking period, to be transmitted in the vertical blanking period,

the receiving apparatus including receiving means for receiving the transmission pixel data transmitted using a differential signal through the plurality of channels,

the communication method comprising the steps of;

determining whether or not the sub-signal is contained in the transmission pixel data transmitted in a valid image period immediately after the vertical blanking period on the basis of the sub-signal information transmitted in the vertical blanking period; and

separating the sub-signal from the transmission pixel data when the sub-signal is contained in the transmission pixel data.

8. A program to be executed by a computer for controlling a receiving apparatus for receiving pixel data transmitted using a differential signal through a plurality of channels from a transmission apparatus after capability information is transmitted to the transmission apparatus for, after capability information indicating the capability of the receiving apparatus is received, transmitting pixel data of an uncompressed image for one screen in one direction to the receiving apparatus by using a differential signal through a plurality of channels for transmitting data of a fixed number of bits per clock of a pixel clock in a valid image period that is a period in which a horizontal blanking period and a vertical blanking period are excluded from a period from one vertical synchronization signal to the next vertical synchronization signal, the transmission apparatus including

transmission means for transmitting pixel data to which a number of bits, which is greater than the fixed number of bits, is assigned, in one direction to the receiving apparatus by using a differential signal through the plurality of channels by adjusting the frequency of the pixel clock;

sub-signal reception capability/incapability determination means for determining whether or not the receiving apparatus can receive a sub-signal on the basis of the capability information;

sub-signal addition means for adding the sub-signal to pixel data of a main image composed of pixel data whose number of bits is smaller than that of transmission pixel data that is pixel data to be transmitted by the transmission means when the receiving apparatus can receive the sub-signal, thereby constructing the transmission pixel data; and

information transmission control means for allowing sub-signal information indicating whether or not the sub-signal is contained in the transmission pixel data transmitted in the valid image period immediately after the vertical blanking period, to be transmitted in the vertical blanking period,

the receiving apparatus including receiving means for receiving the transmission pixel data transmitted using a differential signal through the plurality of channels,

the program enabling a computer to perform communication processing comprising the steps of;

determining whether or not the sub-signal is contained in the transmission pixel data transmitted in a valid image period immediately after the vertical blanking period on the basis of the sub-signal information transmitted in the vertical blanking period; and

separating the sub-signal from the transmission pixel data when the sub-signal is contained in the transmission pixel data.

9. A transmission method for transmitting video data by using a transmission scheme for transmitting video data in units of 8 bits from a source-side apparatus to a sink-side apparatus by using individual transmission lines for each piece of color data or for each of luminance and color-difference signals in synchronization with a pixel clock, the transmission method comprising the steps of:

setting video data for one pixel to be transmitted from the source-side apparatus to the sink-side apparatus to a predetermined number of bits that is not an integral multiple of 8 bits;

transmitting the video data of the predetermined number of bits that is not an integral multiple of 8 bits at a timing synchronized with the pixel clock; and

arranging data differing from the video data of the predetermined number of bits in a marginal transmission period that occurs in an amount corresponding to the number of bits of the difference between the number of bits transmitted in the period of the pixel clock assigned to the transmission of one pixel and the predetermined number of bits, and transmitting the data from the source-side apparatus to the sink-side apparatus.

10. The transmission method according to claim 9, wherein the source-side apparatus encrypts data to be sent to each transmission line in units of 8 bits, and the sink-side apparatus decrypts the data received via each transmission line in units of 8 bits.

11. The transmission method according to claim 9, wherein the other data is sub-video data differing from the video data.

12. The transmission method according to claim 9, wherein the other data is audio data.

13. The transmission method according to claim 9, wherein the other data is auxiliary information.

15. The transmission system according to claim 9,

wherein the source-side apparatus comprises an encryptor configured to encrypt the transmission data arranged by the transmission data arrangement section in units of 8 bits, and the transmission data encrypted by the encryptor is sent from the sending section, and

the sink-side apparatus comprises a decryptor configured to decrypt the transmission data received by the receiver in units of 8 bits, and the transmission data decrypted by the decryptor is separated by the data separator.

14. A transmission system for transmitting video data by using a transmission scheme for transmitting video data in units of 8 bits from a source-side apparatus to a sink-side apparatus by using individual transmission lines for each piece of color data or for each of luminance and color-difference signals in synchronization with a pixel clock,

wherein the source-side apparatus includes

a video data generator configured to generate video data of a predetermined number of bits such that video data of one pixel is not an integral multiple of 8 bits;

a transmission data arrangement section configured to arrange video data of the predetermined number of bits, the video data being generated by the video data generator, in a video data transmission period in units of 8 bits of the transmission scheme, and configured to arrange data differing from the video data of the predetermined number of bits in a marginal transmission period that occurs in an amount corresponding to the number of bits of the difference between the number of bits transmitted in the period of the pixel clock assigned to the transmission of one pixel and the predetermined number of bits, thereby constructing data in units of 8 bits; and

a sending section configured to send the data in units of 8 bits arranged by the transmission data arrangement section to the transmission line in synchronization with the pixel clock, and,

wherein the sink-side apparatus includes

a receiver configured to detect the data received from the transmission line in units of 8 bits in synchronization with the pixel clock; and

a data separator configured to separate the video data of the predetermined number of bits and the other data transmitted in the marginal transmission period from the data in units of 8 bits received by the receiver.

16. A transmission method for transmitting video data by using a transmission scheme for transmitting video data in units of 8 bits by using individual transmission lines for each piece of color data or for each of luminance and color-difference signals in synchronization with a pixel clock, the transmission method comprising the steps of:

setting video data of one pixel to be transmitted to a predetermined number of bits that is not an integral multiple of 8 bits;

transmitting the video data of the predetermined number of bits that is not an integral multiple of 8 bits at a timing synchronized with the pixel clock; and

arranging data differing from the video data of the predetermined number of bits in a marginal transmission period that occurs in an amount corresponding to the number of bits of the difference between the number of bits transmitted in the period of the pixel clock assigned to the transmission of one pixel and the predetermined number of bits, and transmitting the data from a source-side apparatus to a sink-side apparatus.

17. A transmission apparatus for transmitting video data by using a transmission scheme for transmitting video data in units of 8 bits by using individual transmission lines for each piece of color data or for each of luminance and color-difference signals in synchronization with a pixel clock, the transmission apparatus comprising:

a video data generator configured to generate video data of a predetermined number of bits such that video data of one pixel is not an integral multiple of 8 bits;

a transmission data arrangement section configured to arrange the video data of the predetermined number of bits, the video data being generated by the video data generator, in a video data transmission period in units of 8 bits of the transmission scheme, and configured to arrange data differing from the video data of the predetermined number of bits in a marginal transmission period that occurs in an amount corresponding to the number of bits of the difference between the number of bits transmitted in the period of the pixel clock assigned to the transmission of one pixel and the predetermined number of bits, thereby constructing data in units of 8 bits; and

a sending section configured to send the data in units of 8 bits arranged by the transmission data arrangement section to the transmission lines in synchronization with the pixel clock.

18. The transmission apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising an encryptor configured to encrypt transmission data arranged by the transmission data arrangement section in units of 8 bits, wherein the transmission data encrypted by the encryptor is sent from the sending section.

19. A receiving method for receiving video data by using a transmission scheme for transmitting video data by using individual transmission lines for each piece of color data or for each of luminance and color-difference signals in synchronization with a pixel clock, the receiving method comprising the steps of:

setting the video data of one pixel to be received to a predetermined number of bits that is not an integral multiple of 8 bits and receiving the video data of the predetermined number of bits that is not an integral multiple of 8 bits in synchronization with a timing synchronized with the pixel clock; and

separating data differing from the video data of the predetermined number of bits, the video data being arranged in a marginal transmission period that occurs in an amount corresponding to the number of bits of the difference between the number of bits transmitted in the period of a pixel clock assigned to the transmission of one pixel and the predetermined number of bits.

20. A receiving apparatus for receiving video data by using a transmission scheme for transmitting the video data by using individual transmission lines for each piece of color data or for each of luminance and color-difference signals in synchronization with a pixel clock, the receiving apparatus comprising:

a receiver configured to detect the data received from the transmission lines in units of 8 bits in synchronization with the pixel clock; and

a data separator configured to separate, from the data in units of 8 bits received by the receiver, the video data of the predetermined number of bits, which is not an integral multiple of 8 bits, and the other data transmitted in the marginal transmission period that occurs in an amount corresponding to the number of bits of the difference between the number of bits transmitted in the period of a pixel clock assigned to the transmission of one pixel and the predetermined number of bits.

21. The receiving apparatus according to claim 20, further comprising a decryptor configured to decrypt the transmission data received by the receiver in units of 8 bits, wherein the transmission data decrypted by the decryptor is separated by the data separator.