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EP-4270203-B1 - DETERMINING DEVICE STATE USING A STATE-DETECTION CIRCUIT

EP4270203B1EP 4270203 B1EP4270203 B1EP 4270203B1EP-4270203-B1

Inventors

  • YU, Gaylord
  • YUAN, BAOCHUN

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20160830

Claims (14)

  1. An electronic device (112), comprising: an input connector (1112) configured to electrically couple to an entertainment device (114, 116-1); a state-detection circuit (1110) coupled to at least one pin (1114) in the input connector (1112), wherein, when the entertainment device (114, 116-1) is electrically coupled to the input connector (1112), the state-detection circuit (1110) is configured to establish a ground loop between the electronic device (112) and the entertainment device (114, 116-1); and a control circuit (1124, 2110) electrically coupled to the input connector (1112), configured to: detect whether there is electrical coupling between the entertainment device (114, 116-1) and the input connector (1112) using the state-detection circuit (1110); when the electrical coupling is detected, identify a type of entertainment device (114, 116-1) by providing, to the entertainment device, a set of first control commands associated with different types of entertainment devices until, in response, content activity is detected via the input connector (1112); when the content activity is detected, determine a provider of the type of entertainment device (114, 116-1) by providing, to the entertainment device, a set of second control commands associated with different providers of the type of entertainment device (114, 116-1) until a change in a state of the entertainment device (114, 116-1) is detected via the input connector (1112) and the state-detection circuit (1110); on the basis of the detected electrical coupling, the identified type, and the determined provider, generate user-interface information that specifies a user interface for display on a portable electronic device; and transmit the generated user-interface information to the portable electronic device.
  2. The electronic device (112) of claim 1, wherein, when the electrical coupling between the entertainment device (114, 116-1) and the input connector (1112) is detected, the control circuit (1124, 2110) is configured to attempt to identify the type of entertainment device (114, 116-1) and the provider by providing consumer-electronics-control commands for the entertainment device (114, 116-1); and wherein, when the attempt is unsuccessful, the control circuit (1124, 2110) is configured to provide the set of first control commands.
  3. The electronic device (112) of claim 1, wherein the state-detection circuit (1110) comprises: an energy-dissipation component (1116) electrically coupled to a power-supply voltage and at least the one pin (1114); an energy-storage component (1118) electrically coupled to at least the one pin (1114) and ground; and a bi-directional voltage clamp (1120), in parallel with the energy-storage component, electrically coupled to at least the one pin (1114) and ground.
  4. The electronic device (112) of claim 1, wherein detecting whether there is electrical coupling between the entertainment device (114, 116-1) and the input connector (1112) involves: setting at least the one pin (1114) as an input, wherein the control circuit (1124, 2110) is then configured to pull at least the one pin (1114) to a power-supply voltage; measuring a voltage on at least the one pin (1114); and detecting the electrical coupling between the entertainment device (114, 116-1) and the input connector (1112) when the voltage on at least the one pin (1114) is less than or equal to a predefined value.
  5. The electronic device (112) of claim 4, wherein the predefined value is approximately ground.
  6. The electronic device (112) of claim 4, wherein, when the electrical coupling between the entertainment device (114, 116-1) and the input connector (1112) is detected, the control circuit (1124, 2110) is configured to: set at least the one pin (1114) as an output and electrically couple at least the one pin (1114) to ground; measure a second voltage on a hotplug-detect pin (1122) in the input connector (1112); when the second voltage on the hotplug-detect pin (1122) is less than or equal to the predefined value, set at least the one pin (1114) as an input and repeat the measurement of the voltage on at least the one pin (1114); when the voltage equals or exceeds a second predefined value, repeat the detecting whether there is electrical coupling between the entertainment device (114, 116-1) and the input connector (1112); and when the voltage is less than or equal to the predefined value, identify the state of the entertainment device (114, 116-1).
  7. The electronic device (112) of claim 6, wherein the second predefined value is approximately the power-supply voltage.
  8. The electronic device (112) of claim 6, wherein the state comprises one of: powered off; and standby.
  9. The electronic device (112) of claim 6, wherein, when the second voltage on the hotplug-detect pin (1122) is less than or equal to the predefined value and when the voltage is less than or equal to the predefined value, the control circuit (1124, 2110) is configured to repeat setting at least the one pin (1114) as the output and electrically coupling at least the one pin (1114) to ground.
  10. The electronic device (112) of claim 1, wherein the set of first control commands comprises one or more of: power-on control commands for the different providers of entertainment devices; and power-off control commands for the different providers of entertainment devices.
  11. The electronic device (112) of claim 1, wherein the set of first commands comprises one or more of: a play command for the different types of entertainment devices; and a trick-mode command for the different types of entertainment devices.
  12. The electronic device (112) of claim 1, wherein the content activity comprises content associated with the entertainment device (114, 116-1).
  13. A computer-readable storage medium (2112) for use in conjunction with an electronic device (112), the computer-readable storage medium (2112) storing program instructions that, when executed by the electronic device (112), cause the electronic device (112) to perform operations comprising: detecting whether there is electrical coupling between the entertainment device (114, 116-1) and an input connector (1112) in the electronic device (112), wherein the detecting involves a state-detection circuit (1110), coupled to at least one pin (1114) in the input connector (1112), which, when the entertainment device (114, 116-1) is electrically coupled to the input connector (1112), establishes a ground loop between the electronic device (112) and the entertainment device (114, 116-1); when the electrical coupling is detected, identifying a type of entertainment device (114, 116-1) by providing, to the entertainment device, a set of first control commands associated with different types of entertainment devices until, in response, content activity is detected via the input connector (1112); when the content activity is detected, determining a provider of the type of entertainment device (114, 116-1) by providing, to the entertainment device, a set of second control commands associated with different providers of the type of entertainment device (114, 116-1) until a change in a state of the entertainment device (114, 116-1) is detected via the input connector (1112) and the state-detection circuit (1110); on the basis of the detected electrical coupling, the identified type, and the determined provider, generating user-interface information that specifies a user interface for display on a portable electronic device; and transmitting the generated user-interface information to the portable electronic device.
  14. A method for operating an entertainment device (114, 116-1), wherein the method comprises: by an electronic device (112): detecting whether there is electrical coupling between the entertainment device (114, 116-1) and an input connector (1112) in the electronic device (112), wherein the detecting involves a state-detection circuit (1110), coupled to at least one pin (1114) in the input connector (1112), which, when the entertainment device (114, 116-1) is electrically coupled to the input connector (1112), establishes a ground loop between the electronic device (112) and the entertainment device (114, 116-1); when the electrical coupling is detected, identifying a type of entertainment device (114, 116-1) by providing, to the entertainment device, a set of first control commands associated with different types of entertainment devices until, in response, content activity is detected via the input connector (1112); and when the content activity is detected, determining a provider of the type of entertainment device by providing, to the entertainment device, a set of second control commands associated with different providers of the type of entertainment device until a change in a state of the entertainment device (114, 116-1) is detected via the input connector (1112) and the state-detection circuit (1110); on the basis of the detected electrical coupling, the identified type, and the determined provider, generating user-interface information that specifies a user interface for display on a portable electronic device; and transmitting the generated user-interface information to the portable electronic device.

Description

BACKGROUND Field The described embodiments relate to determining a device state using a state-detection circuit. Related Art The versatility and capabilities of portable electronic devices is increasing their popularity. For example, many portable electronic devices include touch-sensitive displays that allow users to dynamically interact with the portable electronic devices. In addition, many portable electronic devices can wirelessly communicate with other electronic devices, which allow the portable electronic devices to rapidly and conveniently communicate information. In particular, the portable electronic devices may include networking subsystem that implement a network interface, such as: a wireless network described in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard, Bluetooth® (from the Bluetooth Special Interest Group of Kirkland, Washington), and/or another type of wireless network. The combination of a user interface on a touch-sensitive display and wireless-communication capability can allow users to use portable electronic devices to remotely control another electronic device. However, it can be difficult to use user interfaces. For example, many electronic devices, which can be wirelessly controlled using portable electronic devices, have complicated functionality. Because it is often difficult to adapt the user interfaces, a user can be forced to navigate through a complicated set of options, which may confuse the user. Consequently, the user may make errors, such as activating the wrong functionality or getting lost in a large set of options. These errors frustrate users, and can degrade the user experience. Document WO 2015/116553 A1 describes an entertainment device which initiates a configuration process of a controlling device in response to a change in an audio visual entertainment system configuration in which at least one of a plurality of devices is connected to the entertainment device as an audio and/or visual source and at least one of the plurality of devices is connected to the entertainment device as an audio and/or visual output destination for the entertainment device. SUMMARY The described embodiments include an audio/video (A/V) hub, which includes: an input connector that can electrically couple to an entertainment device, where the input connector is compatible with a high-definition multimedia-interface (HDMI) standard; a state-detection circuit coupled to at least one pin in the input connector, where, when the entertainment device is electrically coupled to the input connector, the state-detection circuit establishes a ground loop between the electronic device and the entertainment device; and a control circuit electrically coupled to the input connector. During operation, a control circuit in the A/V hub detects whether there is electrical coupling between the entertainment device and the input connector using the state-detection circuit. When the electrical coupling is detected, the control circuit provides a set of first control commands associated with different types of entertainment devices until, in response, content activity is detected via the input connector. Moreover, when the content activity is detected, the control circuit provides a set of second control commands associated with different providers of entertainment devices until a change in a state of the entertainment device is detected via the input connector and the state-detection circuit. Moreover, based on the first control command(s) that resulted in the content activity and the second control command(s) that resulted in the change in the state, the entertainment device may be identified. Furthermore, when the electrical coupling between the entertainment device and the input connector is detected and before providing the set of first control commands, the control circuit may attempt to identify the entertainment device by providing consumer-electronics-control commands to the entertainment device. If the attempt is unsuccessful, then the control circuit may provide the set of first control commands. Note that at least the one pin includes a transition minimized differential signaling (TMDS) data1 shield. In some embodiments, the state-detection circuit includes: an energy-dissipation component (such as a resistor) electrically coupled to a power-supply voltage and at least the one pin; an energy-storage component (such as a capacitor) electrically coupled to at least the one pin and ground; and a bi-directional voltage clamp (such as a varistor or a Verner diode), in parallel with the energy-storage component, electrically coupled to at least the one pin and ground. Moreover, detecting whether there is electrical coupling between the entertainment device and the input connector may involve: setting at least the one pin as an input, where at least the one pin is then pulled to the power-supply voltage by the control circuit; measuring a voltage on at least the one pin