Communication system, transmission apparatus, receiving apparatus, communication method, and program
First Claim
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 includestransmission 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, andwherein the receiving apparatus includesreceiving 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.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
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).
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A communication system comprising:
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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.
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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:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (3)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 15)
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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.
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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:
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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.
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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:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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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:
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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.
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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:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification