Patent ID: 6469743
Filing Date: 2002-10-22
Classification: G09G,H04N

Abstract:
An external graphics/video (EGV) port for a video decode system chip having a video decoder and an internal digital display generator circuit, said EGV port comprising:receiver/driver circuitry for accommodating a plurality of input/output signals; a programmable port controller adapted to be coupled between said receiver/driver circuitry and at least one internal bus of said video decode system chip coupled to at least one of said video decoder and said internal digital display generator circuit, said programmable port controller being programmable to either receive data into said video decode system chip for forwarding to at least one of said video decoder and said internal digital display generator circuit or to send data out from said video decode system chip from at least one of said video decoder and said internal digital display generator circuit, said data being received through or sent out through said receiver/driver circuitry; wherein said programmable port controller is adapted to coordinate data flow between said video decoder, said internal digital display generator circuit, and at least one of an external graphics controller, an external digital display generator circuit, and an external digital multi-standard decoder (DMSD); and wherein said video decode system chip is coupled to at least one of said external graphics controller and said external digital display generator circuit through said EGV port, and wherein said programmable port controller is adapted to either allow said internal digital display generator circuit to generate a master synchronization signal for distribution to said video decoder and at least one of said external graphics controller and said external digital display generator circuit or allow said external digital display generator circuit to generate a master synchronization signal for distribution to at least one of said video decoder and said internal digital display generator circuit, as well as to said external graphics controller.