Method, apparatus and system for transitioning an audio/video device between a source mode and a sink mode

Techniques and mechanisms for determining an operation mode of an audio-video (AV) device. In an embodiment, communication logic of the AV device may be configured at different times for different ones of a plurality of operation modes including an AV source operation mode for providing AV information to another device and an AV sink operation mode for receiving AV information from another device. In response to a detected event, control logic initializes the communication logic of the AV device into a default mode which prevents operation of the communication logic as an AV source.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

Embodiments relate generally to techniques for exchanging audio/video information. More particularly, certain embodiments provide techniques for controlling an audio/video device to selectively receive or send audio/video information.

2. Background Art

The size of computers and other audio/video (AV) capable electronic devices continue to scale with successive improvements in integrated circuit (IC) fabrication techniques. Consequently, there is a general trend toward a wider variety of AV devices, notably smaller AV devices, implementing functionality to support higher throughput and/or higher quality of AV information.

Certain conventional AV devices include a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) connector or other such hardware for coupling to some other device, where the AV device operates as a source to provide AV information to the other device via the connector. Typical examples of conventional AV sources include a camcorder, digital camera, personal computer (e.g. tablet, notebook, laptop, desktop and/or the like), smart phone, video game console, DVD player, digital video recorder (DVR), set-top box, plug-in storage peripheral or other such device which is capable of sending AV information to some other device.

Other conventional AV devices operate as a sink to receive AV information from another device via such coupling hardware. Typical examples of conventional AV sinks include a television, monitor, display, home theater receiver, personal computer, projector or other such device which is capable of receiving AV information from some AV source.

One consequence of the current trends in AV technology is smaller and/or higher-capacity AV devices placing an increasing premium on the area which is taken up by multiple AV connectors. Another consequence of current trends is the increasing variety of combinations of AV devices which may be coupled to one another to exchange AV information. Due to such consequences, systems which exchange AV information between electronic devices are increasingly prone to inefficiencies in how such devices are to couple to and communicate with one another.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments discussed herein variously make, use or otherwise provide circuit logic to selectively control an audio/video (or “AV”) device for operation at different times in various ones of a plurality of operation modes. The plurality of operation modes may include what is referred to herein as an “AV Sink” operation mode, for the AV device (also referred to herein as simply “device”) to be a sink for receiving AV information from another AV device via a connector, and what is referred to herein as an “AV Source” operation mode, for the AV device to be a source for providing AV information to another AV device via the same connector. In an embodiment, the AV device includes the connector. In an alternate embodiment, the AV device may operate in a system which includes the connector—e.g. where the connector is to couple the system with some external device for an exchange of AV information.

As used herein, “audio/video” or “AV” refers to the characteristic of relating to either audio content or video content, or relating to both audio content and video content. For example, AV information may include some or all of audio data and/or control information and video data and/or control information. In an embodiment, an AV device may, in addition to exchanging AV information with another device, be operable to render audio content and/or video content for a user, although certain embodiments are not limited in this regard.

An AV device according to an embodiment includes communication logic to exchange AV data according to some interface standard. By way of illustration and not limitation, such communication logic may exchange AV data via a connector which is compatible with one or more of an HDMI standard such as the HDMI 1.4 standard released May 28, 2009 by HDMI Licensing, LLC of Sunnyvale, Calif., a Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) standard such as the MHL 1.0 specification released Jun. 30, 2010 by the MHL Consortium of Sunnyvale, Calif., a Digital Visual Interface (DVI) standard such as the DVI 1.0 standard released Apr. 2, 1999 by the Digital Display Working Group of Vancouver, Wash., a DisplayPort standard such as the DisplayPort 1.2 standard released Dec. 22, 2009 by the Video Electronics Standards Association of Newark, Calif. and/or the like.

In an embodiment, such communication logic may implement communications which, at different times, are compatible with different interface standards, where all such communications are via the same connector. For example, communication logic may include first logic to detect the presence of, and communicate with, an HDMI device and second logic to detect the presence of, and communicate with, an HDMI device, where the respective detection and communication functionalities of the first logic and second logic do not conflict with or otherwise impede the other. Such communication logic may, for example, be referred to as “MHL-ready HDMI,” “HDMI/MHL” and/or the like. Features of various embodiments are discussed herein in the context of exchanging AV information according to an HDMI interface standard. However, such discussion may be extended to apply to any of a variety of additional or alternative interface standards for exchanging AV data, according to different embodiments.

Certain embodiments variously provide that, from either or both of a device power up and a device reset, an AV device will, by default, return to or otherwise be in a Sink mode. While in this mode such an AV device may then determine by stimulus and response or measurement means described herein that it is connected to an AV Sink device, in which case it may safely transition to an AV Source operation mode. In an embodiment, the AV device may translate back to AV Sink operation mode in response to an indication of a change in connectivity to the AV Sink device.

FIG. 1illustrates elements of a system100for exchanging AV information according to an embodiment. System100may include a first device110comprising AV logic112to variously implement AV communications between first device110and one or more other devices. One embodiment may, for example, be implemented entirely within AV logic112. Another embodiment may be implemented by first device110as a whole. Still another embodiment may be implemented by system100as a whole. Any of a variety of other embodiments may be alternatively implemented according to techniques discussed herein.

In an embodiment, first device110includes functionality of one or more of conventional AV source devices and/or functionality of one or more conventional AV sink devices. By way of illustration and not limitation, first device110may include functionality of one or more devices including, but not limited to, a personal computer (e.g. tablet, notebook, laptop, desktop and/or the like), camcorder, smart phone, video game console, television, monitor, display, set-top box, home theater receiver and/or the like.

First device110may include a connector114, coupled via one or more signal lines to AV logic112, to variously connect first device110to some other device of system100for an exchange of AV information. Connector114may include a plurality of channels, such as pins and/or other interconnect hardware, which are compatible with a particular AV interface standard—e.g. an HDMI standard.

In an illustrative embodiment, connector114may, at some point in time, couple first device110via an interconnect122to a second device120of system100—e.g. for an exchange124of AV information from second device120to first device110. The particular direction of exchange124is not limiting on certain embodiments, and may alternatively be in the opposite direction, where first device110operates as the AV Source and second device120operates as the AV Sink. Accordingly, second device120may, for example, include both logic (not shown) to implement conventional AV Source functionality or conventional AV Sink functionality. In another embodiment, second device120may include logic to variously provide both AV Source functionality and AV Sink functionality according to techniques described herein.

Certain embodiments variously mitigate at least one problem which might otherwise arises if two conventional AV devices are coupled to one another when those two devices are concurrently configured each for respective operation as an AV Source. Such connecting of AV Source devices to one another can risk damage to transmission hardware in either or both devices. For example, the two devices may attempt to drive power in opposite directions in the same power supply voltage channel of a connector. Alternatively, or in addition, two such devices may attempt to drive data signals in opposite directions via the same data channel of the connector. Such AV Source devices may risk driving any of a variety of other signals—e.g. hot plug detect signals, clock signals and/or the like—against one another each on some common respective channel of a connector.

AV logic112may limit the risk of the resulting damage in system100by providing a control mechanism to selectively prevent one or more aspects of AV Source functionality from being provided during operation of first device110. By way of illustration and not limitation, AV logic112may selectively transition itself between a plurality of operation modes which includes an AV Source operation mode and an AV Sink operation mode. The AV Source operation mode may be for AV logic112to provide a particular signal to connection114—e.g. a supply voltage, a digital data signal and/or the like. Additionally or alternatively, the AV Source operation mode may be for AV logic112to provide a particular amount of impedance—e.g. pull-up impedance, pull-down impedance and/or the like—for a signal line coupled to a channel of connection114.

In an embodiment, control logic (not shown) of AV logic112selects one of the plurality of operation modes in response to an indication of a particular type of event at first device110. Whether and/or how AV logic112might transition between operation modes may be based, for example, on whether the indicated event is a power-up event, a power-down event a reset event, and/or the like.

Whether and/or how AV logic112might transition between operation modes may be additionally or alternatively based on an event which detects a particular characteristic (or absence of said characteristic) regarding connectivity between connector114and second device120. By way of illustration and not limitation, such a characteristic may include whether (or not) some second device120is providing a supply voltage at a particular channel of connector114. For example, connector114may be compatible with an interface standard which stipulates that an AV Source is to provide a supply voltage to its corresponding AV Sink—e.g. the +5V output to be provided from Source to Sink according to HDMI, as on pin 18 of a 19-pin HDMI connector.

Additionally or alternatively, such a characteristic may include whether (or not) second device120is providing to connector114a hot plug detect (HPD) signal. For example, connector114may be compatible with an interface standard which stipulates that an AV Sink is to indicate its presence with a HPD signal to its corresponding AV Source—e.g. the HPD signal to be provided from Sink to Source according to HDMI, as on pin 19 of a 19-pin HDMI connector.

Additionally or alternatively, such a characteristic may include whether (or not) second device120is providing a clock signal to connector114. For example, connector114may be compatible with an interface standard which stipulates that an AV Source is to provide a clock signal to an AV Sink—e.g. the DDC_SCL signal to be provided from Source to Sink according to HDMI, as on pin 15 of a 19-pin HDMI connector.

Additionally or alternatively, such a characteristic may include whether (or not) a particular amount of impedance is being provided by second device120for a channel of connector114. For example, connector114may be compatible with an interface standard which stipulates that a particular pull-up impedance is to be implemented at an AV Sink—e.g. a 47 kΩ pull-up resistance which HDMI requires be provided at an AV Sink for a SDA line (e.g. pin 16 of a 19-pin HDMI connector).

In an embodiment, the functionality of AV logic112allows connector114to be variously coupled, decoupled and/or recoupled at different times to one or more devices, while limiting a risk of damage to hardware in system100. By way of illustration and not limitation, connector114may at some point in time be decoupled from second device120and subsequently coupled via an interconnect132to some third device130—e.g. for an exchange134of AV information to third device130from first device110. The particular direction of exchange134is not limiting on certain embodiments, any may alternatively be in the opposite direction, where first device110operates as the AV Sink and third device130operates as the AV Source. In an embodiment, third device130is simply second device120—e.g. where second device120is decoupled from and subsequently recoupled to first device110and/or where first device110and second device120switch AV Sink and AV Source roles for different AV information exchanges.

As shown in the discussion herein, AV logic112may protect various circuitry of system100for different successive couplings of first device110each to a respective device and/or for successive different AV information exchanges each between first device110and a respective device.

FIG. 2Aillustrates elements of a method200for controlling operation of an AV device according to an embodiment. An AV device controlled by performing method200may, for example, be a device including some or all of the features of first device110. In one embodiment, an AV device controlled by performing method200may merely include some or all of the features of AV logic112—e.g. without also including other features of first device110such as connector114. Features of various embodiments are discussed herein in terms of performing method200to control AV logic112within first device110. However, such discussion may be extended to apply to any of a variety of additional or alternative AV hardware, consistent with the techniques disclosed herein.

In an embodiment, the AV device includes communication logic comprising circuitry to operate at different times in different ones of a plurality of operation modes which include an AV Source operation mode and an AV Sink operation mode. The AV Sink operation mode may, for example, be for the communication logic to receive AV data provided to the AV device via a connector—e.g. via connector114. The AV Sink operation mode may further be for the communication logic to receive power from a first supply voltage provided via a channel of the connector. By contrast, the AV Source operation mode may be for the communication logic to send AV data from the AV device, where the AV data is sent through the connector. The AV Source operation mode may further be for the communication logic to provide a second supply voltage at the channel of the connector. In an embodiment, a level of the first supply voltage is equal to a level of the second supply voltage.

In an embodiment, method200includes, at210, detecting an indication of one of a power up event at the AV device, a power down event at the device or a reset event at the AV device. The detecting at210may, for example, include control circuitry of AV logic112directly or indirectly detecting an indication sent from some agent included in or otherwise accessible to AV logic112. By way of illustration and not limitation, first device110may include a power management unit, a host processor or other agent which sends to AV logic112a signal specifying, for example, that first device110is going through, has gone through, or is expected to go through a boot up or boot down operation, or otherwise to transition to or from an operative power state. In an embodiment, transitioning to or from such an operative power state may include transitioning between a first power state in which AV logic112is incapable of exchanging AV information via connector114and a second power state in which AV logic112is capable of exchanging AV information via connector114. Alternatively or in addition, AV logic112may include detector logic to evaluate power state of AV logic112and/or of other components of first device110.

The detecting at210may additionally or alternatively include control circuitry of AV logic112directly or indirectly detecting a signal from some agent, included in or otherwise accessible to AV logic112, the signal specifying or otherwise indicating that AV logic112or some other component of first device110have been, are being, or are expected to be reset. Such a reset may flush some current state of circuit logic in favor of some predetermined baseline configuration. A reset may, for example, return some or all of first device110to a predetermined configuration without powering down first device110.

In response to the indication detected at210, method200may, at220, automatically initialize communication logic of the AV device. By way of illustration and not limitation, control logic of AV logic112may automatically place the communication logic of AV logic112into a default operation mode which prevents the second supply voltage from being provided by the communication logic at the channel of the connector. In an embodiment, the default operation mode is the AV Sink operation mode. In an embodiment, the AV Source operation mode is further for the communication logic of the AV device to provide a first total amount of impedance for a data channel of the connector. In such an embodiment, the default operation mode may prevent the first total amount of impedance for the data channel from being provided by the communication logic.

FIG. 2Billustrates elements of a method250for controlling operation of an AV device according to an embodiment. An AV device controlled by performing method250may, for example, be a device having some or all of the features of a device controlled by method200. Method250may, for example, be performed after method200—although certain embodiments are not limited in this regard. Features of various embodiments are discussed herein in terms of performing method250to control AV logic112within first device110. However, such discussion may be extended to apply to any of a variety of additional or alternative AV hardware, consistent with the techniques disclosed herein.

Method250may include, at260, detecting a characteristic regarding a connectivity of the AV device to another device via a connector—e.g. connector114. For example, detector logic of AV logic112may detect connectivity to the other device via the connector—e.g. the detecting while the communication logic of the AV device is in the default operation mode of method200. Additionally or alternatively, such detector logic of AV logic112may detect a change in a state of connectivity to the other device via the connector. The detecting the characteristic at260may, for example, include detecting an indication that the other device is providing the first supply voltage discussed with regard to method200. Alternatively or in addition, the detecting at260may include detecting that the other device is providing to the connector a hot plug detect (HPD) signal, a clock signal and/or any of a variety combinations of one or more other signals. Alternatively or in addition, the detecting at260may include evaluating an impedance of a signal line which couples the other device to the connector.

In response to detecting the characteristic at260, method200may, at270, automatically place the communication logic of the AV device into some first operation mode which prevents a providing of the second supply voltage referred to in the discussion of method200. The first operation mode may, for example, be the default operation mode of method200, although certain embodiments are not limited in this regard. In placing the AV device into the first operation mode, method250may limit the possibility of circuit damage due to conflicting output signals from two coupled AV devices, each device attempting to operate as an AV Source.

FIG. 3illustrates select elements of a connector300for exchanging AV information according to an embodiment. Connector300may include some or all of the features of connector114, for example. The illustrative connector300is a 19-channel (e.g. 19-pin) connector which is compatible with an HDMI interface standard, although certain embodiments are not limited in this regard. Connector300may support AV information exchanges by any of a variety of other types of interconnect hardware—e.g. a connector including more, fewer, or alternative channels to those shown in FIG.3—where communication via such a connector is consistent with techniques discussed herein.

The illustrative connector300includes interconnect hardware to support transition-minimized differential signaling (TMDS) in HDMI communication. More particularly, the respective functions of the channels in connector300may be assigned according to HDMI 1.4 or some other HDMI interface standard—e.g. as follows:

In an embodiment, an AV device including or coupled to connector300may implement techniques to reduce the likelihood of such conflict—e.g. techniques including some or all of the features discussed with respect to method200and/or method250. By way of illustration and not limitation, control logic of such an AV device may provide that after some event—e.g. from one or more of a power up event, a power down event and a reset event—communication logic of the AV device will operate in an AV Source operation mode only after certain connectivity conditions are subsequently identified. For example, the control logic may configure the AV device after/during power up—or before/during a power down—for a default operation mode in which a functionality required for operation as an AV Source is disabled. For instance, the disabled functionality may be required for operation as an AV Source device according to the conditions of HDMI or some other interface standard.

Alternatively or in addition, the control logic may configure the AV device for an AV Sink operation mode in response to detecting a change of a characteristic regarding connectivity between the AV devices. For example, the AV device may be set to, or return to, some default AV Sink operation mode in response to an indication of a loss or absence at connector300of a supply voltage, an indication of a loss or absence of a HPD signal, an indication of a signal line pull-up impedance implemented by any other connected AV device, and/or an indication of a clock signal provided by any other connected AV device. Any of a variety of additional or alternative detected conditions may determine whether and/or how the AV device may be configured—or reconfigured—for operation in such a default mode. In one embodiment, the default operating mode is a SINK mode of HDMI in which the AV device is capable of operation as an AV Sink.

In an embodiment, control logic of an AV device may implement a state machine or other mechanism for transitioning the communication logic between operation modes including SINK mode and SOURCE mode. By way of illustration and not limitation, the AV device may default its communication logic to SINK mode in response to (or during) a power up of the AV device (or in response to, or during, a power down of the AV device), and/or in response to detecting that a connectivity characteristic with another AV device is absent or has changed. The AV device may variously transition between SINK mode and SOURCE mode, depending on one or more connectivity characteristics detected for connector300. Such connectivity characteristics may include, but are not limited to, whether a +5V voltage is provided by another AV device through connector300, and/or whether one or more signals or other connectivity characteristics (e.g. HPD, DDC pull ups, TDMS termination, etc.) indicate presence or absence of functionality of some other connected AV device as an operable Sink or operable Source.

FIGS. 4A and 4Billustrate select elements of methods400a,400b, respectively, for controlling operation of an AV device according to an embodiment. An AV device controlled by performing either or both of methods400a,400bmay, for example, be a device including some or all of the features of first device110. In one embodiment, the AV device controlled by performing either or both of methods400a,400bmay merely include some or all of the features of AV logic112—e.g. without also including other features of first device110such as connector114. Methods400a,400bmay include some or all of the features discussed herein with respect to methods200,250, although certain embodiments are not limited in this regard.

FIGS. 4A and 4Bare discussed herein with respect to features which are specific to HDMI interface requirements. However, such discussion may be extended to apply to requirements of any of a variety of additional or alternative interface standards for communicating AV information. For example, various additional or alternative test conditions (e.g. different delays, resistance values, signal outputs, test conditions, etc.) may be used, according to different embodiments, for determining whether and/or how one or more operation mode transitions of an AV device are to take place.

Method400amay, at405, initialize the AV device to SINK mode by default in response to an indication of a reset event, a power-on event or a power-off event. The initializing at405may, for example, include disabling one or more of a +5V HDMI output (channel 18), HPD output (pin 19), some or all DDC outputs (pins 15 and/or 16), and respective 1.8K pull-up resistors for such DDC outputs. The initializing at405may further include initializing extended display identification data (EDID) functionality of the AV device in preparation for identifying capabilities to any other device coupled via the connector—e.g. connector114. After the initializing at405, method400may, at410, provide some delay—e.g. 100 ms—for a high-value pull-down resistor to discharge the +5V HDMI output. However, such delay may not be required, in certain embodiments.

After delay at410, method400may test for some indication that another device is coupled to the AV device being controlled by method400a. By way of illustration and not limitation, method400amay test, at415, test whether a +5V HDMI supply voltage is being provided at connector114—indicating that a device coupled via the connector is operating in some AV Source mode. If the +5V supply voltage is detected at415, then method400amay, at420, assert a HPD signal at the connector (pin 19) and, at425, commence operation of the communication logic of the AV device in a SINK mode. The AV device may test for a change in connectivity with the other device—e.g. by occasionally testing at430+5V supply voltage continues to be provided at the connector by the other device. In an embodiment, detecting that the +5V supply voltage is not being so provided may result in method400adisabling its HPD signal, its DDC output functionality and/or any other AV Sink functionality that is not currently being used. Method400amay then return to providing the delay at410in preparation for again testing for presence of any connected device.

If the +5V supply voltage is not detected at415, then method400amay detect for the presence of any device which might be coupled via the connector and which is operating in some AV Sink mode. By way of illustration and not limitation, method400amay test, at440, to confirm that there is a 47 kΩ pull-up resistor on the clock channel of the connector (SCL channel 15) as required by the HDMI specification, that an impedance on the data (SDA channel 16) is not in the HDMI specified Source range of 1.51 kΩ to 2.0 kΩ, and that a receiver sense input (RSEN) signal indicates that one or more differential pairs of the connector are provided with terminators at some coupled device. If no AV Sink device is detected at415, method400amay then return to providing the delay at410, in preparation for again testing for presence of any connected device.

If an AV Sink device is detected at415, then in one embodiment, operations of method400bmay follow. For example, method400bmay, at450, initiate a transition to SOURCE mode—e.g. including enabling the communication logic of the AV device to provide the +5V supply voltage to the connector. In an embodiment, method400bmay, at455, start a HPD timer—e.g. set for 0.5 seconds—for timing out if a HPD signal is not detected from some AV Sink device. Method400bmay test, at460, whether an HPD signal is detected—e.g. where the test at460may be successively performed according to a test at480of whether the HPD timer has expired. If an HPD signal is detected at460, method400bmay begin operation of the AV device in a SOURCE mode, at465.

If the HPD timer is determined to have expired at480, method400bmay perform evaluations of whether one or more indications of a coupled AV Sink device are still present at the connector. By way of illustration and not limitation, method400bmay test, at485, to confirm whether there is a 47 kΩ pull-up resistor on the clock channel of the connector (SCL channel 15) as required by the HDMI specification. If such a 47 kΩ pull-up resistor is detected at485, method400bmay return to setting another HPD timer at455.

If no such 47 kΩ pull-up resistor is detected at485, method400bmay begin preparations, at445, to transition the AV device back to a SINK mode—e.g. including disabling one or more of a +5V HDMI output (channel 18), some or all DDC outputs (pins 15 and/or 16), respective 1.8K pull-up resistors for such DDC outputs, and/or the like. After the preparation for SINK mode operation at445, method400bmay be followed by an operation of method400a—e.g. the providing of a delay at410.

In an embodiment, operation of the AV device in SOURCE mode, at465, includes enabling 1.8K pull-up resistors for DDC channels of the connector which are to serve as output channels. Additionally or alternatively, SOURCE mode operation at465may include performing an EDID read of the capabilities of the detected AV Sink device. Operation of the AV device in SOURCE mode may continue until a test at470indicates that the detected AV Sink device is no longer providing a HPD signal. If such an HPD signal is no longer detected, method400bmay begin to protect the AV device from possible harm—e.g. caused by the detected AV Sink device somehow transitioning to AV Source operation. By way of illustration and not limitation, method400bmay, at475, disable respective 1.8 kΩ pull-up resistors for one or more DDC channels of the connector. After the disabling at475, method400bmay perform the presence test at485.

FIG. 5illustrates select elements of a system500for exchanging AV information according to an embodiment. System500may include some or all of the features of first device110, for example. For example, system500may include AV logic570having some or all of the features of AV logic112.

System500may include an AV connector—represented by an illustrative HDMI connector510at the edge of system500—to couple system500to some external device (not shown) for an AV information exchange. AV logic570may include mechanisms to variously implement different operation modes in system500to accommodate different types of AV communications via HDMI connector510. By way of illustration and not limitation, AV570may include control logic505to receive information indicating a presence or absence of one or more characteristics regarding connectivity of system500with some AV device via HDMI connector510.

For example, control logic505may include or otherwise have access to detection logic520of system500which relays and/or analyzes signals exchanged via HDMI connector510. In an embodiment, detection logic520may include one or more of logic to detect for a supply voltage output, logic to detect for a signal line termination, logic to detect for an EDID or other such identifier, logic to detect for a digital data functionality, logic to detect for a clock signal and/or the like. The particular mechanism for detection logic520to perform such detecting may be adapted from conventional techniques for detecting clock signals, data voltage inputs, impedances, etc., and are not limiting on certain embodiment. Although shown as being coupled along the data exchange path to intercept one or more signals exchanged via HDMI connector510, detection logic520may, in an alternate embodiment, be configured to passively sense signals exchanged via HDMI connector510.

Messages from detection logic520may indicate to control logic505whether and/or how system500is to transition logic of system500between operating modes. In an embodiment, control logic505may provide control functionality to variously place communication logic580of system500at different times in different ones of a plurality of operation modes—e.g. where the plurality of operation modes includes a SINK mode and a SOURCE mode. For example, control logic505may transition communication logic580between operation modes according to some or all of the techniques of method500and/or method550.

By way of illustration and not limitation, control logic505may configure a switch of communication logic580—represented by an illustrative analog switch530—to switch between HDMI (or other AV interface standard) transmit logic540for SOURCE mode operation and HDMI (or other AV interface standard) receive logic550for SINK mode operation.

Control logic505may also provide functionality to further configure either or both of HDMI transmitter logic540and HDMI receive logic550, although certain embodiments are not limited in this regard. For example, HDMI receive logic550may include HDMI/MHL functionality to switch between a sub-mode to receive HDMI information from another AV device and a sub-mode to receive MHL information. Control logic505may provide signaling (not shown) to selectively configure HDMI receive logic550to variously operate in such sub-modes at different times.