Apple patent hints at video breakout box

So I’m really convinced that Cringely’s right. Hence I’ve been sleuthing around for signs, and found this story today, about a patent Apple filed Dec. 23, 2003 which specifies “a method of controlling transmission of data from a computer to a video client via an interface device.”

The patent, in its obtuse and obfuscating patent way, refers to video refresh rates - specifically, invoking code based on a vertical blanking interval. This brings to mind HDTV and CRT systems with fixed refresh rates, which need to be manipulated to solve latency problems in delivering high-bandwidth audio and video content.

So… could be unrelated, of course. Or, it could be one of the technologies involved in a home entertainment video breakout device to deliver HD content. Any takers?