US 9036010

US Patent 9036010, titled "Transport of stereoscopic image data over a display interface," was granted to Nicoll Burleigh Shepherd as the inventor. The original assignee was Koninklijke Philips NV, with the current assignee being General Video LLC, as of a July 4, 2024, assignment. The patent was filed on December 15, 2008, and issued on May 19, 2015.

Abstract:
The patent describes a digital display interface (DDI) connecting a source audio-visual device to a display device. It details a method for transmitting stereoscopic image data over this DDI by multiplexing components of the stereoscopic image data into existing image data carrying elements, specifically leveraging higher-capacity deep color modes. Signaling information, crucial for identifying and decoding the stereoscopic image data, is carried in auxiliary data elements, such as HDMI Data Island Packets transmitted during horizontal or vertical blanking periods. The stereoscopic image data can also be distributed between primary image data channels and auxiliary data channels, which may be part of the same cable, a separate cable, or a wireless link.

Independent Claims Overview:

• Independent Claim 1 (Digital display interface part for a source device): This claim describes a digital display interface component within a first audio-visual device (e.g., a media player) that prepares data for transmission to a second audio-visual device (e.g., a display). The interface has a defined capacity for uncompressed video. The component's formatter can operate in two modes, based on information received from the receiving device:

  1. A mode for generating a stream of standard 2D image data elements, using no more than the interface's known capacity.
  2. A mode for generating a stream of data elements containing multiplexed stereoscopic (3D) image components. These 3D components are divided into two parts, each using less than the interface's full capacity, with their combined data capacity also not exceeding the total known capacity.
     The interface part also sends signaling information to the receiving device to indicate which mode is active and to describe the characteristics of the stereoscopic data.

• Independent Claim 12 (Digital display interface part for a sink device): This claim describes a digital display interface component within an audio-visual device (e.g., a display) that receives formatted image data. The interface has a known capacity for uncompressed video. The component's processor extracts image data and operates in two modes, based on its own capabilities:

  1. A mode for extracting 2D pixel image data from a stream of first data elements, at a data capacity no greater than the known capacity.
  2. A mode for demultiplexing stereoscopic (3D) image components from a stream of second data elements. These 3D components were transmitted in two portions, each with a lesser data capacity than the known maximum, but with a combined capacity no greater than the known maximum.
     The interface part also receives signaling information that identifies the active mode (2D or 3D) and details the characteristics of the stereoscopic data stream.

• Independent Claim 16 (Method of formatting image data at a source device): This claim outlines a method performed by a processor in a first audio-visual device's digital interface to prepare image data for transmission. The interface has a known capacity for uncompressed video. The method involves:

  • Receiving image data.
  • Formatting the data according to the capabilities of the second audio-visual device (communicated via signaling). This formatting includes:
    • In a first mode, generating a stream of 2D image data elements, using a data capacity no greater than the known maximum.
    • In a second mode, generating a stream of second data elements that include a multiplexed combination of stereoscopic (3D) image components. These components are transmitted in two portions, each using less than the known capacity, with their combined capacity not exceeding the known maximum.
      Characteristics of the stereoscopic data stream are provided in separate signaling information.

• Independent Claim 18 (Method of processing image data at a sink device): This claim describes a method performed by a processor in an audio-visual device's digital interface to process received image data. The interface has a known capacity for uncompressed video. The method involves:

  • Receiving signaling information and formatted image data.
  • Extracting image data based on the audio-visual device's capabilities, by:
    • In a first mode, extracting 2D pixel image data from a stream of first data elements at a data capacity no greater than the known maximum.
    • In a second mode, demultiplexing stereoscopic (3D) image components from a stream of second data elements. These 3D components were transmitted in two portions, each with a lesser data capacity than the known maximum, but with a combined capacity not exceeding the known maximum.
      The characteristics of the stereoscopic data stream are provided in the received signaling information.

Legal Status and Dockets:
US Patent 9036010 is currently active and is projected to expire on February 13, 2030. The patent family has been involved in litigation, including cases filed in the Texas Eastern District Court (e.g., 5:24-cv-00126, 5:24-cv-00122, 5:24-cv-00125, 5:24-cv-00123, 5:24-cv-00124), the Texas Western District Court (e.g., 1:24-cv-01530, 1:25-cv-02143), and the Delaware District Court (e.g., 1:25-cv-01065). Additionally, a PTAB (Patent Trial and Appeal Board) case, IPR2025-01036, was filed on July 15, 2025 (Not Instituted - Procedural). A request for reexamination was filed on February 3, 2026, with an effective date of November 18, 2025. While a general search for CAFC 2026 dockets for this patent did not yield specific results in the snippets, the patent record itself provides direct information on ongoing legal challenges.