Method of real time optimizing multimedia packet transmission rate

Abstract

A method and apparatus of optimizing transmission (both real time and continuous) of a number of multimedia data packets between a multimedia source device and a multimedia display device is disclosed. In the described embodiment, the multimedia source device and the display device are coupled by way of a unidirectional main link arranged to carry the multimedia data packets from the multimedia source device and the multimedia display device and a bi-directional auxiliary channel arranged to transfer information between the multimedia source device and the multimedia display device. The method can be carried out by following at least the following operations. Providing a test pattern by the multimedia source device on the main link, determining a transmission quality factor of the main link based upon the test pattern, and optimizing the transmission of the multimedia data packets based upon the transmission quality factor.

1 . A method of real time optimizing transmission of a number of multimedia data packets between a multimedia source device and a multimedia display device coupled by way of a unidirectional main link arranged to carry the multimedia data packets from the multimedia source device to the multimedia display device and a separate bi-directional auxiliary channel arranged to transfer information between the multimedia source device and the multimedia display device, comprising:
 providing a test pattern by the multimedia source device on the main link;   receiving a bit error rate at the source device by way of the auxiliary channel, the bit error rate corresponding to a transmission quality factor based on the test pattern;   optimizing the transmission of the multimedia data packets based upon the transmission quality factor if the bit error rate is greater than a predetermined threshold value bit error rate;   detecting a hot plug event that automatically determines when an active display device is connected to the main link and the auxiliary link; and   commencing the optimization immediately subsequent to the detection of the hot plug event.   
   
   
       2 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein the optimizing further comprises:
 when the bit error rate is determined to be greater than the predetermined threshold bit error rate, then   determining if the transmission rate of the multimedia data packets on the main link is greater than a minimum transmission rate.   
   
   
       3 . The method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein when the transmission rate is greater than the minimum transmission rate then,
 reducing the main link transmission rate; and   determining the bit error rate based upon the reduced main link transmission rate.   
   
   
       4 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the bi-directional auxiliary channel is formed of a uni-directional back channel configured to carry information from the display device to the source device and a uni-directional forward channel included as part of the main channel for carrying information from the source device to the display device in concert with the back channel. 
   
   
       5 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the number of multimedia data packets are divided into a number or associated multimedia data packets streams. 
   
   
       6 . An multimedia source device arrange to optimize transmission of a number of multimedia data packets from the multimedia source device to a multimedia display device coupled by way of a unidirectional main link arranged to carry the multimedia data packets from the multimedia source device and the multimedia display device and separate a bi-directional auxiliary channel arranged to transfer information between the multimedia source device and the multimedia display device, comprising:
 a processor unit, the processor unit arranged to,
 provide a test pattern by the multimedia source device on the main link, 
 receive a bit error rate by way of the auxiliary channel, the bit error rate corresponding to a transmission quality factor based on the test pattern, and 
 optimize the transmission of the multimedia data packets based upon the transmission quality factor if the bit error rate is greater than a predetermined threshold value bit error rate. 
   
   
   
       7 . The multimedia source device as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the processor unit is further arranged to,
 detect a hot plug event that automatically determines when an active display device is connected to the main link and the auxiliary link, and   initiate the optimization immediately subsequent to the detection of the hot plug event.   
   
   
       8 . The multimedia source device as recited in  claim 6  wherein the optimizing further comprises:
 determining if the transmission rate of the multimedia data packets on the main link is greater than a minimum transmission rate when the bit error rate is determined to be greater than the predetermined threshold bit error rate.   
   
   
       9 . The multimedia source device as recited in  claim 6 , wherein when the transmission rate is greater than the minimum transmission rate then the processor unit reduces the main link transmission rate and determines the bit error rate based upon the reduced main link transmission rate. 
   
   
       10 . The multimedia source device as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the bidirectional auxiliary channel is formed of a unidirectional back channel configured to carry information from the display device to the source device and a unidirectional forward channel included as part of the main channel for carrying information from the source device to the display device in concert with the back channel. 
   
   
       11 . The multimedia source device as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the number of multimedia data packets are divided into a number or associated multimedia data packets streams. 
   
   
       12 . Computer readable medium for storing a computer program for real time optimizing of the transmission of a number of multimedia data packets from a multimedia source device to a multimedia display device coupled by way of a unidirectional main link arranged to carry the multimedia data packets from the multimedia source device to the multimedia display device and a separate bidirectional auxiliary channel arranged to transfer information between the multimedia source device and the multimedia display device, wherein the computer readable medium comprises:
 computer code for providing a test pattern by the multimedia source device on the main link;   computer code for receiving a bit error rate at the source device by way of the auxiliary channel, the bit error rate corresponding to a transmission quality factor based on the test pattern;   computer code for optimizing the transmission of the multimedia data packets based upon the transmission quality factor if the bit error rate is greater than a predetermined threshold value bit error rate; and   computer code for detecting a hot plug event that automatically determines when an active display device is connected to the main link and the auxiliary link; and   computer code for commencing the optimization immediately subsequent to the detection of the hot plug event.   
   
   
       13 . Computer readable medium as recited in  claim 12  wherein the optimizing further comprises:
 computer code for determining if the transmission rate of the multimedia data packets on the main link is greater than a minimum transmission rate when the bit error rate is determined to be greater than the predetermined threshold bit error rate.   
   
   
       14 . Computer readable medium as recited in  claim 13 , wherein when the transmission rate is greater than the minimum transmission rate then,
 computer code for reducing the main link transmission rate; and   computer code for determining the bit error rate based upon the reduced main link transmission rate.   
   
   
       15 . Computer readable medium as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the bidirectional auxiliary channel is formed of a unidirectional back channel configured to carry information from the display device to the source device and a unidirectional forward channel included as part of the main channel for carrying information from the source device to the display device in concert with the back channel. 
   
   
       16 . Computer program product as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the number of multimedia data packets are divided into a number or associated multimedia data packets streams.