Transport of stereoscopic image data over a display interface

摘要

A digital display interface (40) connects a first audio-visual device (10) to a second audio-visual device (20). Stereoscopic image data is transmitter over the display interface (40). Components of stereoscopic image data are multiplexed and inserted into an image data carrying element. An existing deep color mode can be re-used for this purpose. Signaling information to help identify or decode the stereoscopic image data is carried in auxiliary data carrying elements. Stereoscopic image data can be distributed between image data carrying data elements and auxiliary data carrying data elements. Auxiliary data carrying elements can be transmitted in horizontal or vertical blanking periods, and can comprise HDMI Data Island Packets. Stereoscopic image data can be sent over an auxiliary data channel. The auxiliary data channel can form part of the same cable as is used to carry a primary channel of the display interface, a separate cable, or a wireless link.

主权项

1. A digital display interface part, for use in a first audio-visual device, for supporting a digital display interface between the first audio-visual device and a second audio-visual device, the digital display interface having a known data carrying capacity for transmitting uncompressed pixel information, the interface part comprising:
an input for receiving image data; a formatter arranged to format the data for transport over the interface, wherein the formatter, in accordance with signal information received from the second audio-device, is operable in:
a first mode to generate a stream of first data elements, said first data element comprising pixel data of a 2D image, at a data carrying capacity no greater than said known data carrying capacity; and,a second mode to generate a stream of second data elements which carry a multiplexed combination of components of a stereoscopic image, wherein said components of said stereoscopic image elements being transmitted in a first portion of said interface and in a second portion of said interface, each of said first portion and said second portion having a lesser data carrying capacity than said known data carrying capacity and a combined data carrying capacity no greater than said known data carrying capacity, wherein the interface part is arranged to send signaling information across the interface, the signaling information identifying which mode the formatter is using and characteristics of said steam of second data elements.