Patent ID: 8203325

Claim:
A high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) activation system to facilitate communication between an HDMI source and an HDMI sink through an HDMI receptacle of said source, the system comprising: a capacitance detector coupled to at least one predetermined pin of said HDMI receptacle to enable detection of a capacitance increase when an HDMI cable is inserted into said receptacle; and a charge pump configured to apply an activation voltage to a +5V pin of said receptacle in response to said detection; whereby said communication is initiated; wherein said capacitance detector includes: a capacitor; a resistor coupled to provide a charging current to said capacitor; and a comparator coupled to sense a predetermined voltage drop across said capacitor when said predetermined pin is coupled to said capacitor after said capacitor has been charged; and further including a flip-flop to provide said detection in response to said comparator; wherein said predetermined voltage drop indicates presence of said cable.