Content Preparation Method, Apparatus, Device, and Storage Medium

Abstract

A content preparation method, apparatus, device, and storage medium, the method comprising receiving content prepared for media streaming or a media streaming network, the content corresponding to an input Common Media Application Format (CMAF) track and a set of output CMAF tracks; determining a Content Preparation Template (CPT), wherein the CPT includes a Network-based Media Processing (NBMP) workflow description document (WDD), the NBMP WDD specifying the input format of the input CMAF track and an array of task instances corresponding to the set of output CMAF tracks; preparing the content according to the CPT; and streaming the prepared content to a media streaming client via a media streaming network.

Description

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 187,807, filed on May 12, 2021, and U.S. Application No. 17 / 725,844, filed on April 21, 2022, with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. Technical Field

[0003] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to media processing and streaming methods and systems, and more particularly to content preparation methods, apparatuses, devices, and storage media. Background Art

[0004] The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) TS 26.512 (3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Services and System Aspects; 5G Media Streaming (5GMS); Protocols (Release 16), V1.1.0) defines the concept of a content preparation template to set up the processing of media streams before hosting content for streaming. It also defines the content hosting configuration for content distribution. However, it does not define the format of the content preparation template. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to one or more embodiments, a content preparation method includes: receiving content prepared for media streaming or a media streaming network, the content corresponding to an input Common Media Application Format (CMAF) track and a set of output CMAF tracks; determining a Content Preparation Template (CPT), where the CPT includes a Network - based Media Processing (NBMP) Workflow Description Document (WDD) that specifies the input format of the input CMAF track and an array of task instances corresponding to the set of output CMAF tracks; preparing the content according to the CPT; and streaming the prepared content to a media streaming client through a media streaming network.

[0006] According to one or more embodiments, a device for content preparation in a 5G media streaming (5GMS) network, the device comprising: at least one memory configured to store program code; and at least one processor configured to read the program code and operate in accordance with the instructions of the program code to perform a content preparation method according to an embodiment of the present application. Embodiments of the present application further provide a content preparation apparatus, including a receiving module that receives content prepared for media streaming or a media streaming network, the content corresponding to an input Common Media Application Format (CMAF) track and a set of output CMAF tracks; a determining module that determines a content preparation template (CPT), wherein the CPT includes a Network-based Media Processing (NBMP) workflow description document (WDD), the NBMP WDD specifying the input format of the input CMAF track and an array of task instances corresponding to the set of output CMAF tracks; a preparation module that prepares the content according to the CPT; and a streaming module that streams the prepared content to a media streaming client via a media streaming network.

[0007] According to one or more embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable medium stores instructions, the instructions including: one or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: receive content prepared for media streaming or a media streaming network, the content corresponding to an input Common Media Application Format (CMAF) track and a set of output CMAF tracks; determine a content preparation template (CPT), wherein the CPT includes a Network-based Media Processing (NBMP) workflow description document (WDD), the NBMP WDD specifying the input format of the input CMAF track and an array of task instances corresponding to the set of output CMAF tracks; prepare the content according to the CPT; and stream the prepared content to a media streaming client via a media streaming network. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Other features, properties, and various advantages of the disclosed subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0009] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an environment 100 in which the methods, apparatuses, and systems described herein can be implemented according to an embodiment.

[0010] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a block diagram of example components of one or more devices.

[0011] Figure 3 is a block diagram of a media architecture for media uplink streaming according to an embodiment.

[0012] Figure 4 is a block diagram of a media architecture for media downlink streaming according to an embodiment.

[0013] Figure 5 is a block diagram of a media architecture for media downlink streaming according to an embodiment.

[0014] Figure 6 is a block of an application server according to an embodiment.

[0015] Figure 7 is a flowchart of an example method for content preparation of a media streaming network according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an environment 100 that can implement the methods, apparatuses, and systems described herein. As Figure 1 shown, the environment 100 can include a user device 110, a platform 120, and a network 130. The devices of the environment 100 can be interconnected by a wired connection, a wireless connection, or a combination of wired and wireless connections.

[0017] The user device 110 includes one or more devices that are capable of receiving, generating, storing, processing, and / or providing information related to the platform 120. For example, the user device 110 can include a computing device (e.g., a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a handheld computer, a smart speaker, a server, etc.), a mobile phone (e.g., a smartphone, a wireless phone, etc.), a wearable device (e.g., smart glasses or a smart watch), or a similar device. In some embodiments, the user device 110 can receive information from and / or send information to the platform 120.

[0018] The platform 120 includes one or more devices as described elsewhere herein. In some embodiments, the platform 120 can include a cloud server or a group of cloud servers. In some embodiments, the platform 120 can be designed to be modular such that software components can be swapped in or out according to specific needs. In this way, the platform 120 can be easily and / or quickly reconfigured to have different uses.

[0019] In some embodiments, as shown, the platform 120 can be hosted in a cloud computing environment 122. It is noted that although the embodiments described herein describe the platform 120 as being hosted in the cloud computing environment 122, in some embodiments, the platform 120 is not cloud-based (i.e., can be implemented outside of a cloud computing environment) or can be partially cloud-based.

[0020] The cloud computing environment 122 includes the environment that hosts the platform 120. The cloud computing environment 122 can provide services such as computing, software, data access, storage, etc., and these services do not require the end user (e.g., the user device 110) to know the physical location and configuration of the systems and / or devices of the hosting platform 120. As shown in the figure, the cloud computing environment 122 can include a set of computing resources 124 (collectively referred to as "computing resources 124" and individually referred to as "computing resource 124").

[0021] The computing resources 124 include one or more personal computers, workstation computers, server devices, or other types of computing and / or communication devices. In some embodiments, the computing resources 124 can host the platform 120. Cloud resources can include computing instances executed in the computing resources 124, storage devices provided in the computing resources 124, data transmission devices provided by the computing resources 124, etc. In some embodiments, the computing resources 124 can communicate with other computing resources 124 through a wired connection, a wireless connection, or a combination of wired and wireless connections.

[0022] Further as Figure 1 shown, the computing resources 124 include a set of cloud resources, such as one or more applications ("APP") 124-1, one or more virtual machines ("VM") 124-2, virtualized storage ("VS") 124-3, one or more hypervisors ("HYP") 124-4, etc.

[0023] The application 124-1 includes one or more software applications, which can be provided to and / or accessed by the user device 110 and / or the platform 120. The application 124-1 does not require the software application to be installed and executed on the user device 110. For example, the application 124-1 can include software related to the platform 120 and / or any other software that can be provided through the cloud computing environment 122. In some embodiments, an application 124-1 can send / receive information to / from one or more other applications 124-1 through the virtual machine 124-2.

[0024] The virtual machine 124-2 includes a software implementation of a machine (e.g., a computer) that executes programs, similar to a physical machine. The virtual machine 124-2 can be a system virtual machine or a process virtual machine, depending on the usage and correspondence of the virtual machine 124-2 to any real machine. A system virtual machine can provide a complete system platform that supports the execution of a complete operating system (“OS”). A process virtual machine can execute a single program and can support a single process. In some embodiments, the virtual machine 124-2 can execute on behalf of a user (e.g., the user device 110) and can manage the infrastructure of the cloud computing environment 122, such as data management, synchronization, or long-term data transfer.

[0025] The virtualized storage 124-3 includes one or more storage systems and / or one or more devices that use virtualization techniques within the storage system or device of the computing resources 124. In some embodiments, within the context of a storage system, the types of virtualization can include block virtualization and file virtualization. Block virtualization can refer to the abstraction (or separation) of logical storage from physical storage so that the storage system can be accessed without considering the physical storage or heterogeneous structure. The separation can allow the administrator of the storage system to flexibly manage the storage of end users. File virtualization can eliminate the dependence between the data accessed at the file level and the location of the physical storage file. This can optimize the performance of storage usage, server consolidation, and / or uninterrupted file migration.

[0026] The hypervisor 124-4 can provide hardware virtualization technology that allows multiple operating systems (e.g., “guest operating systems”) to execute simultaneously on a host computer such as the computing resources 124. The hypervisor 124-4 can provide a virtual operating platform to the guest operating systems and can manage the execution of the guest operating systems. Multiple instances of various operating systems can share the virtualized hardware resources.

[0027] Network 130 includes one or more wired and / or wireless networks. For example, network 130 may include a cellular network (e.g., a fifth generation (5G) network, a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) network, a third generation (3G) network, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network, etc.), a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), a telephone network (e.g., a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)), a private network, an ad hoc network, an intranet, the Internet, a fiber-optic based network, etc., and / or a combination of these or other types of networks.

[0028] Figure 1 The number and arrangement of the devices and networks shown are provided as an example. In fact, compared with Figure 1 the devices and / or networks shown, there may be more devices and / or networks, fewer devices and / or networks, different devices and / or networks, or devices and / or networks with a different arrangement. Additionally, Figure 1 two or more of the devices shown may be implemented within a single device, or Figure 1 a single device shown may be implemented as multiple distributed devices. Additionally or alternatively, a set of devices (e.g., one or more devices) of environment 100 may perform one or more functions described as being performed by another set of devices of environment 100.

[0029] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a block diagram of example components of one or more of the devices. Device 200 may correspond to user device 110 and / or platform 120. As Figure 2 shown, device 200 may include a bus 210, a processor 220, a memory 230, a storage component 240, an input component 250, an output component 260, and a communication interface 270.

[0030] The bus 210 includes components that allow communication among the components of the device 200. The processor 220 is implemented in hardware, firmware, or a combination of hardware and software. The processor 220 is a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an accelerated processing unit (APU), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or another type of processing component. In some embodiments, the processor 220 includes one or more processors that can be programmed to perform functions. The memory 230 includes random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), and / or another type of dynamic or static storage device (e.g., flash memory, magnetic memory, and / or optical memory) that stores information and / or instructions for use by the processor 220.

[0031] The storage component 240 stores information and / or software related to the operation and use of the device 200. For example, the storage component 240 may include a hard disk (e.g., a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, and / or a solid state disk), a compact disc (CD), a digital versatile disc (DVD), a floppy disk, a cassette tape, a magnetic tape, and / or another type of non-volatile computer-readable medium, as well as corresponding drives.

[0032] The input component 250 includes components that allow the device 200 to receive information, for example, through user input, such as a touch screen display, a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, buttons, switches, and / or a microphone. Additionally or alternatively, the input component 250 may include sensors for sensing information (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS) component, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and / or an actuator). The output component 260 includes components that provide output information from the device 200, such as a display, a speaker, and / or one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs).

[0033] The communication interface 270 includes transceiver-like components (e.g., a transceiver and / or separate receivers and transmitters) that enable the device 200 to communicate with other devices, for example, through a wired connection, a wireless connection, or a combination of wired and wireless connections. The communication interface 270 may allow the device 200 to receive information from another device and / or provide information to another device. For example, the communication interface 270 may include an Ethernet interface, an optical interface, a coaxial interface, an infrared interface, a radio frequency (RF) interface, a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a Wi-Fi interface, a cellular network interface, etc.

[0034] Device 200 may perform one or more processes described herein. Device 200 may perform these processes in response to a processor 220 executing software instructions stored by a non-transitory computer-readable medium (such as memory 230 and / or storage component 240). The computer-readable medium is defined herein as a non-transitory memory device. The memory device includes storage space within a single physical storage device or storage space distributed across multiple physical storage devices.

[0035] The software instructions may be read into memory 230 and / or storage component 240 from another computer-readable medium or from another device via a communication interface 270. When executed, the software instructions stored in memory 230 and / or storage component 240 may cause processor 220 to perform one or more processes described herein. Additionally or alternatively, hardware wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with the software instructions to perform one or more processes described herein. Accordingly, the embodiments described herein are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software.

[0036] Figure 2 The number and arrangement of the components shown are provided as an example. In fact, compared with the Figure 2 components shown, device 200 may include more components, fewer components, different components, or components arranged differently. Additionally or alternatively, a set of components of device 200 (e.g., one or more components) may perform one or more functions described as being performed by another set of components of device 200.

[0037] A 5G media streaming (5GMS) system may be a combination of application functions, application servers, and interfaces from a 5G media streaming architecture that support downlink media streaming services or uplink media streaming services or both. A 5GMS application provider may include a party that interacts with the functions of the 5GMS system and provides 5GMS-aware applications that interact with the functions of the 5GMS system. A 5GMS-aware application may refer to an application in a user equipment (UE) provided by a 5GMS application provider that contains service logic for 5GMS application services and interacts with other 5GMS clients and network functions via interfaces and application programming interfaces (APIs) defined in the 5GMS architecture. A 5GMS client may refer to a UE function that is a 5GMS downlink (5GMSd) client or a 5GMS uplink (5GMSu) client or both.

[0038] The 5GMSd client may refer to a UE function that includes at least a 5G media streaming player and a media session processor for downlink streaming, and can be accessed through a well-defined interface / API. The 5GMSu client may refer to an initiator of a 5GMSu service that can be accessed through a well-defined interface / API. The 5GMSu media streamer may refer to a UE function that enables the uplink transfer of streaming media content to the application server (AS) function of a 5GMS application provider, and interacts with a 5GMSu-aware application for media capture and subsequent streaming, and a media session processor for media session control.

[0039] Dynamic policies may refer to dynamic policy and charging control (PCC) rules for uplink or downlink application flows during a media session. An egest session may refer to an uplink media streaming session from a 5GMS AS to a 5GMSu application provider. An ingest session may refer to a session for uploading media content to a 5GMSd AS. A policy template may refer to a set of (semi-static) policies or control function (PCF) / network exposure function (NEF) API parameters dedicated to a 5GMS application provider, and the resulting PCC rules. A policy template ID may identify a desired policy template, which a 5GMSd application function (AF) uses to select an appropriate PCF / NEF API for the 5G system so that the PCF can compile the desired PCC rules. A media player entry may refer to a document or a pointer to a document that defines a media presentation (e.g., a media presentation description (MPD) for DASH or a uniform resource locator (URL) of a video clip file). A media streamer entry may refer to a pointer (e.g., in the form of a URL) that defines an entry point for an uplink media streaming session. A presentation entry may refer to a document or a pointer to a document that defines an application presentation (e.g., an HTML5 document).

[0040] A supply session may refer to a data structure provided by a 5GMSd application provider at an interface (M1d), where the 5GMSd application provider configures 5GMSd features related to a set of 5GMSd-aware applications. A 5GMSd media player may refer to a UE function that enables playback and reproduction of media presentations based on media play entries and presents some basic controls such as play, pause, search, stop, etc. to 5GMSd-aware applications. Server access information may refer to a set of parameters and addresses (including 5GMSd AF and 5GMSd AS addresses) that are required to activate the reception of a streaming session. Service and content discovery may refer to the functions and procedures provided by a 5GMSd application provider to 5GMS-aware applications, which enable end users to discover available streaming services and content settings and select specific services or content items for access. Service advertisement may refer to a procedure conducted between a 5GMS-aware application and a 5GMS application provider, enabling the 5GMS-aware application to obtain 5GMS service access information directly or in the form of a reference to the information.

[0041] A third-party player may refer to a part of an application that uses an API to perform selected 5GMSd functions to play back media content. A third-party uplink streamer may refer to a part of an application that uses an API to perform selected 5GMSu functions to capture and stream media content.

[0042] The 5G media streaming architecture defined in 3GPP TS26.501 (3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Services and Systems Aspects; 5G Media Streaming (5GMS); General Description and Architecture (Release 16), V16.3.1) only defines the general architecture for uplink and downlink media streaming. Further, 3GPP TS26.512 defines the concept of a content preparation template (CPT) for preparing received content for downlink streaming. However, it does not define any specific templates for content preparation.

[0043] Figure 3 and Figure 4 shows the 5G media streaming architecture for downlink and uplink streaming.

[0044] Figure 3It is a diagram of the media architecture 300 for media uplink streaming. The 5G Media Streaming Uplink (5GMSu) application provider 301 can use 5GMSu for uplink streaming services. The 5GMSu application provider 301 can provide a 5GMSu-aware application 302 on the UE 303 to utilize the 5GMSu client 304 and network functions using the interfaces and APIs defined in 5GMSu. The 5GMSu Application Server (AS) can be an AS dedicated to 5G media uplink streaming. The 5GMSu client 304 can be an internal function of the UE 303 dedicated to 5G media uplink streaming.

[0045] The 5GMSu Application Function (AF) 306 and the 5GMSu AS 305 can be Data Network (DN) 307 functions. The functions in the trusted DN can be trusted by the operator's network. Therefore, the AF in the trusted DN can communicate directly with all 5G core functions. The functions in the external DN can communicate with the 5G core functions only via the Network Exposure Function (NEF) 308 using the link 320.

[0046] The media architecture 300 can connect the internal functions of the UE 303 and related network functions for 5G media uplink streaming. Thus, the media architecture 300 can include multiple functions. For example, the 5GMSu client 304 on the UE 303 can be the initiator of the 5GMSu service that can be accessed through an interface / API. The 5GMSu client 304 can include two sub-functions, a media session processor 309 and a media streamer 310. The media session processor 309 can communicate with the 5GMSu AF 306 to establish, control, and support the delivery of media sessions. The media session processor 309 can expose APIs that can be used by the 5GMSu-aware application 302. The media streamer 310 can communicate with the 5GMSuAS 305 to stream media content and provide services to the 5GMSu-aware application 302 for media capture and streaming, and to the media session processor 309 for media session control. The 5GMSu-aware application 302 can control the 5GMSu client 303 by implementing external application or content service provider-specific logic and allowing the establishment of media sessions. The 5GMSu AS 305 can host 5G media functions. The 5GMSu application provider 301 can be an external application or content-specific media function, such as media storage, consumption, transcoding, and redistribution that uses 5GMSu to stream media from the 5GMSu-aware application 302. The 5GMSu AF 306 can provide various control functions to the media session processor 309 on the UE 303 and / or to the 5GMSu application provider 301. The 5GMSu AF 306 can relay or initiate requests for different policy or charging function (PCF) 311 processing or interaction with other network functions.

[0047] The media architecture 300 may include multiple different interfaces. For example, link 321 may be associated with M1u, which may be the 5GMSu provisioning API presented by 5GMSuAF 306 to provision the use of the media architecture 300 and obtain feedback. Link 322 may be associated with M2u, which may be the 5GMSu publishing API presented by 5GMSu AS305 and is used when the 5GMSu AS 305 in the trusted DN (e.g., DN307) is selected to receive content for streaming services. Link 323 may be associated with M3u, which may be an internal API for exchanging information to host content on the 5GMSu AS 305 within the trusted DN (e.g., DN 307). Link 324 may be associated with M4u, which may be the media uplink streaming API presented by 5GMSu AS 323 to the media streamer 310 to stream media content. Link 325 may be associated with M5u, which may be the media session handling API presented by 5GMSu AF 305 to the media session processor for media session handling, control, and assistance, which also includes appropriate security mechanisms such as authorization and authentication. Link 326 may be associated with M6u, which may be the UE303 media session handling API presented by the media session processor 309 to the 5GMSu-aware application 302 to utilize 5GMSu capabilities. Link 327 may be associated with M7u, which may be the UE media streamer API presented by the media streamer 310 to the 5GMSu-aware application 302 and the media session processor 309 to utilize the media streamer 310. Link 328 may be associated with M8u, which may be an application API for information exchange between the 5GMSu-aware application 302 and the 5GMSu application provider 301 (e.g., providing service access information to the 5GMSu-aware application 302).

[0048] Figure 4 FIG. Figure 4 is a diagram of a media architecture 400 for media downlink streaming. The 5G media streaming downlink (5GMSd) application provider 401 may use 5GMSd for downlink streaming services. The 5GMSd application provider 401 may provide a 5GMSd-aware application 402 on the UE 403 to use the interfaces and APIs defined in 5GMSd to utilize the 5GMSd client 404 and network functions. The 5GMSd application server (AS) may be an AS dedicated to 5G media downlink streaming. The 5GMSd client 404 may be an internal function of the UE 403 dedicated to 5G media downlink streaming.

[0049] The 5GMSd Application Function (AF) 406 and the 5GMSd AS 405 can be Data Network (DN) 407 functions. The functions in the trusted DN can be trusted by the operator's network. Therefore, the AF in the trusted DN can communicate directly with all 5G core functions. The functions in the external DN can communicate with the 5G core functions only via the Network Exposure Function (NEF) 408 using the link 420.

[0050] The media architecture 400 can connect the internal functions of the UE 403 and the related network functions for 5G media downlink streaming. Therefore, the media architecture 400 can include multiple functions. For example, the 5GMSd client 404 on the UE 403 can be the receiver of the 5GMSd service that can be accessed through an interface / API. The 5GMSd client 404 can include two sub-functions, the media session processor 409 and the media player 410. The media session processor 409 can communicate with the 5GMSd AF 406 to establish, control, and support the delivery of the media session. The media session processor 409 can expose APIs that can be used by the 5GMSd-aware application 402. The media player 410 can communicate with the 5GMSd AS 405 to stream media content and provide services to the 5GMSd-aware application 402 for media playback, and provide services to the media session processor 409 for media session control. The 5GMSd-aware application 402 can control the 5GMSd client 403 by implementing the logic specific to the external application or content service provider and allowing the establishment of the media session. The 5GMSd AS 405 can host 5G media functions. The 5GMSd application provider 401 can be an external application or content-specific media function, such as media creation, encoding, and formatting for streaming media to the 5GMSd-aware application 402 using 5GMSd. The 5GMSd AF 406 can provide various control functions to the media session processor 409 on the UE 403 and / or to the 5GMSd application provider 401. The 5GMSd AF 406 can relay, forward, or initiate requests for the processing of different Policy or Charging Functions (PCF) 411, or interact with other network functions.

[0051] The media architecture 400 may include multiple different interfaces. For example, the link 421 may be associated with M1d, which may be a 5GMSd supply API presented by the 5GMSd AF 406 to supply the use of the media architecture 400 and obtain feedback. The link 422 may be associated with M2d, which may be a 5GMSd access API presented by the 5GMSd AS 405, and the 5GMSd access API is used when the 5GMSd AS 405 in the trusted DN (e.g., DN 407) is selected to receive content for streaming services. The link 423 may be associated with M3d, which may be an internal API for exchanging information to host content on the 5GMSd AS 405 within the trusted DN (e.g., DN 407). The link 424 may be associated with M4d, which may be a media downlink streaming API presented by the 5GMSd AS 423 to the media player 410 to stream media content. The link 425 may be associated with M5d, which may be a media session handling API presented by the 5GMSd AF 405 to the media session processor for media session handling, control, and assistance, which also includes appropriate security mechanisms such as authorization and authentication. The link 426 may be associated with M6d, which may be a UE 403 media session handling API presented by the media session processor 409 to the 5GMSd-aware application 402 to utilize 5GMSd capabilities. The link 427 may be associated with M7d, which may be a UE media player API presented by the media player 410 to the 5GMSd-aware application 402 and the media session processor 409 to utilize the media player 410. The link 428 may be associated with M8d, which may be an application API for information exchange between the 5GMSd-aware application 402 and the 5GMSd application provider 401 (e.g., providing service access information to the 5GMSd-aware application 402).

[0052] Figure 5 is a diagram of a media architecture 500 for media downlink streaming according to an embodiment. As Figure 5 can be seen, the media architecture 500 may be similar to the media architecture 400, except that the 5GMSd-aware application 402, the 5GMSd AF 406, and the 5GMSd AS 405 may communicate with the 5GMSd application provider 501. In an embodiment, the 5GMSd application provider 501 may be included in the external DN 507 instead of the trusted DN 407.

[0053] As described above, 3GPP TS26.512 defines the concept of a content preparation template to prepare received content for downlink streaming, but does not define the format of the content preparation template.

[0054] According to an embodiment, use cases of the embodiments discussed herein may include a streaming scenario where a single Common Media Application Format (CMAF) track is provided as input and a single unencrypted CMAF conversion group is provided as output. For example, in an embodiment, the following constraints may be used to produce CMAF streaming content:

[0055] 1. The input for content preparation may be a CMAF track.

[0056] 2. The output may be a set of CMAF tracks as part of a CMAF conversion group.

[0057] 3. The input track and the output track may be unencrypted.

[0058] The NBMP specification (ISO / IEC JTC1 / SC29 / WG11 / N19062 MPEG-I: Network-based Media Processing 23090-8 FDIS Network-based Media Processing Specification) may use the NBMP Workflow Description Document (WDD) to describe the entire workflow. In such a use case, the WDD may describe the input format, as well as an array of task instances and / or function instances, each of which may define a CMAF output track and the encoding parameters for that track.

[0059] For example, as Figure 6 shown, the content preparation template 602 may include an NMBP WDD and / or a function template, which may include an array of task instances (e.g., task 1 to task n-1) and function instances (e.g., transcoder 1 to transcoder n-1). In an embodiment, each of the task instances and / or function instances may correspond to a specific CMAF output track and the encoding parameters for that track, and may, for example, help provide the CMAF output track to the distribution process 604.

[0060] In an embodiment, the NBMP WDD may describe the input CMAF as the input for the workflow and the functions, configurations, and outputs of each task. Since many features of the NBMP specification are not used for this particular workflow, the WDD features may be described as a simple WDD that does not use several descriptors defined by NBMP.

[0061] The NBMP specification allows for the definition of function templates. Thus, according to an embodiment, one way to simplify the support for NBMP by 5GMSd AS may be to define a function template for CMAF content preparation. The NBMP CMAF function template may in particular define the following:

[0062] 1. Input a CMAF media profile using clear description, MPD, or HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) m3u8 protocol.

[0063] 2. Push and pull protocols for inputting CMAF

[0064] 3. CMAF output format

[0065] 4. General configuration parameters and provider - specific configuration parameters of the transcoder

[0066] 5. Multi - codec output

[0067] 6. Report, monitoring, and notification parameters for each transcoding function

[0068] In an embodiment, an advantage of the solution can be that the WDD format can be used to describe other use cases, and thus a single format can solve several use cases.

[0069] Thus, an embodiment can provide a method for defining a CMAF content preparation template using a NBMP Workflow Description Document (WDD), where the NBMP WDD is used to define input and output characteristics and the encoding parameters for each output, where each encoder is considered a functional instance / task that describes the path to the output, and the encoding parameters are described in the form of functional instance configuration parameters.

[0070] Furthermore, an embodiment can provide a method for defining a CMAF content preparation template as described above, while defining the content preparation template as a NBMP reference function template, where the NBMP reference function template has limited characteristics of the NBMP WDD and is thus easier to parse and process, where the NBMP reference function template has standard input and output descriptions, and configuration parameters for each of the encoding paths of the NBMP reference function template.

[0071] Figure 7 is a flowchart of an example method 700 for content preparation for a media streaming network (e.g., a 5GMS network). In some embodiments, Figure 7 one or more of the process blocks in can be performed by the media 5GMSd AF 406. In some embodiments, Figure 7 one or more of the process blocks in can be performed by another device or a group of devices that is separate from or includes the 5GMSd AF 406, such as other elements of the 5GMSu AF 306, 5GMSu application provider 301, 5GMSu application provider 401, or DN 307, DN 407, and external DN 507.

[0072] As Figure 7As shown, method 700 may include receiving content (block 702), the content corresponding to an input Common Media Application Format (CMAF) track and a set of output CMAF tracks. In an embodiment, the content may be content prepared for media streaming or a media streaming network, such as content prepared for 5GMS or a 5GMS network.

[0073] As Figure 7 further shown therein, method 700 may include determining a Content Preparation Template (CPT), where the CPT includes a Network-based Media Processing (NBMP) Workflow Description Document (WDD) that specifies an input format for the input CMAF track and an array of task instances corresponding to the set of output CMAF tracks (block 704).

[0074] As Figure 7 further shown therein, method 700 may include preparing the content according to the content preparation template (block 706).

[0075] As Figure 7 further shown therein, method 700 may include streaming the prepared content to a media streaming client via a media streaming network (such as a 5GMS network) (block 708).

[0076] In an embodiment, each task instance in the array of task instances may specify output characteristics of one output CMAF track of the set of output CMAF tracks, and encoding parameters corresponding to the output CMAF track.

[0077] In an embodiment, the CPT may include a function template for CMAF content preparation.

[0078] In an embodiment, the function template may specify an input CMAF media profile corresponding to the input CMAF track using at least one of a media presentation description document or a protocol corresponding to Hypertext Transfer Protocol Live Streaming.

[0079] In an embodiment, the function template may specify a push protocol and a pull protocol for the input CMAF track.

[0080] In an embodiment, the function template may specify an output format for the set of output CMAF tracks.

[0081] In an embodiment, the function template may specify at least one of common parameters and provider-specific parameters from a transcoder corresponding to the content.

[0082] In an embodiment, the function template may specify at least one codec corresponding to the set of output CMAF tracks.

[0083] In an embodiment, the function template may specify at least one of reporting parameters, monitoring parameters, and notification parameters from a transcoding function corresponding to the content.

[0084] Although Figure 7 example blocks of method 700 are shown, in some implementations, method 700 may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or differently arranged blocks than those depicted Figure 7 therein. Additionally or alternatively, two or more blocks of method 700 may be executed in parallel.

[0085] Further, the proposed method may be implemented by a processing circuit (e.g., one or more processors or one or more integrated circuits). In one example, one or more processors execute a program stored in a non - volatile computer - readable medium to perform one or more of the proposed methods.

[0086] The techniques described above may be implemented as computer software using computer - readable instructions and physically stored on one or more computer - readable media.

[0087] Embodiments of the present disclosure may be used alone or in any combination. Further, each embodiment (and its method) may be implemented by a processing circuit (e.g., one or more processors or one or more integrated circuits). In one example, one or more processors execute a program stored in a non - volatile computer - readable medium.

[0088] The foregoing disclosure provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure, or may be obtained from practice of the embodiments.

[0089] As used herein, the term "component" is intended to be broadly interpreted as hardware, firmware, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0090] Although combinations of features are recited in the claims and / or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of possible embodiments. Indeed, many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims and / or disclosed in the specification. Although each dependent claim listed below may directly depend on only one claim, the disclosure of possible embodiments includes each dependent claim in combination with every other claim in the claim group.

[0091] Elements, acts, or instructions used herein should not be construed as critical or essential, unless explicitly described as such. Additionally, as used herein, the articles "a" and "an" are intended to include one or more items and may be used interchangeably with "one or more." Further, as used herein, the term "group" is intended to include one or more items (e.g., related items, unrelated items, combinations of related and unrelated items, etc.) and may be used interchangeably with "one or more." The term "one" or similar language is used where only one item is meant. Additionally, as used herein, terms such as "having," "comprising," or "containing" are intended to be open-ended terms. Further, the phrase "based on" is intended to mean "at least partially based on," unless otherwise explicitly stated.

Claims

1. A content preparation method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receiving content prepared for media streaming or a media streaming network, the content corresponding to an input Common Media Application Format (CMAF) track and a set of output CMAF tracks; Determining a Content Preparation Template (CPT), where the CPT includes a Network-based Media Processing (NBMP) Workflow Description Document (WDD), the NBMP WDD specifying the input format of the input CMAF track, and an array of instances including task instances and corresponding function instances, where each instance in the array corresponds to the set of output CMAF tracks, each instance in the array specifying a path to an output CMAF track in the set of output CMAF tracks, and each encoding parameter corresponding to the output CMAF track being described as a function instance configuration parameter associated with the task instance corresponding to the output CMAF track; preparing the content according to the CPT; and Streaming the prepared content to a media streaming client via the media streaming network.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The CPT includes a function template for CMAF content preparation.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein, The function template specifies an input CMAF media profile corresponding to the input CMAF track, at least using a Media Presentation Description Document or a protocol corresponding to Hypertext Transfer Protocol Real-Time Streaming.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein The function template specifies a push protocol and a pull protocol for the input CMAF track.

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein The function template specifies an output format for the set of output CMAF tracks.

6. The method according to claim 2, wherein, The function template specifies at least one of common parameters and provider-specific parameters corresponding to a transcoder related to the content.

7. The method according to claim 2, wherein The function template specifies at least one codec corresponding to the set of output CMAF tracks.

8. The method according to claim 2, wherein The function template specifies at least one of reporting parameters, monitoring parameters, and notification parameters corresponding to the transcoding function of the content.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein The media streaming network is a 5G Media Streaming (5GMS) network, and the media streaming is 5G Media Streaming (5GMS).

10. A device, characterized in that, The device includes: At least one memory configured to store program code; and At least one processor configured to read the program code and operate according to the instructions of the program code to perform the method according to any one of claims 1-9.

11. A content preparation device, characterized in that, Including: A receiving module that receives content prepared for media streaming or a media streaming network, the content corresponding to an input Common Media Application Format (CMAF) track and a set of output CMAF tracks; A determination module determines a content preparation template (CPT), where the CPT includes a network-based media processing (NBMP) workflow description document (WDD). The NBMP WDD specifies the input format of the input CMAF track, and an array of instances including task instances and corresponding functional instances. Each instance in the array corresponds to a set of output CMAF tracks, and each instance in the array specifies a path to an output CMAF track in the set of output CMAF tracks. Each encoding parameter corresponding to the output CMAF track is described as a functional instance configuration parameter associated with the task instance corresponding to the output CMAF track; A preparation module prepares the content according to the CPT; A streaming module streams the prepared content to a media streaming client through a media streaming network.

12. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions, the instructions comprising: One or more instructions, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the method according to any one of claims 1-9.

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