Alpha Channel Video Transmission via H.264 Synthesis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Typical user devices do not support VP8 or VP9 CODEC, which are required for augmented reality (AR) services using alpha channels, necessitating the replacement of devices to support H.264 CODEC for AR services like virtual reality advertisements.
Innovation Solution
A multimedia processing system that includes a transmitting device and a reproducing device, capable of processing and transmitting video data with an alpha channel by generating a synthesized frame from a color frame and an alpha channel frame, allowing for the rendering of AR services on devices that do not natively support alpha channels, using H.264 CODEC for encoding and decoding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If typical user devices use H.264 CODEC, then device compatibility is maintained, but AR services requiring alpha channel cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that converts alpha channel video data into a format compatible with H.264 CODEC devices. The system extracts object regions from the original video, generates color frames and alpha channel frames separately, synthesizes them into a composite frame, and encodes it using H.264. This intermediary process enables AR services on devices that don't natively support VP8/VP9 CODEC with alpha channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter representation of video data by separating the alpha channel information from the color information. Instead of transmitting raw alpha channel video data requiring VP8/VP9 CODEC, the system transforms it into a synthesized frame format where object regions are represented as color frames with associated alpha channel frames, encoded using standard H.264 CODEC. This parameter transformation maintains compatibility while enabling AR functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If devices are replaced to support VP8 or VP9 CODEC for AR services, then alpha channel functionality is enabled, but device replacement cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than requiring end-user devices to be replaced with expensive VP8/VP9 CODEC-capable devices, the patent introduces an intermediary encoding system at the content delivery end. This system processes the video data into H.264-compatible format with embedded alpha channel information, allowing existing H.264 devices to display AR content without any hardware replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a compatible copy of the alpha channel video content by extracting object regions and regenerating them in H.264 format. Instead of requiring users to obtain new devices capable of playing original VP8/VP9 alpha channel video, the system generates H.264-encoded copies that contain the same AR information in a device-compatible format.
3Adaptability or versatility
If alpha channel frames are generated and synthesized, then AR service quality improves, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the video processing into distinct functional modules: object region extraction, color frame generation, alpha channel frame generation, frame synthesis, and H.264 encoding. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently and enables the complex AR processing to be performed efficiently by distributing tasks across different processing stages, managing the complexity through structured decomposition.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an apparatus may be provided for transmitting a moving image including an alpha channel. The apparatus may include an object region extractor configured to extract an object region from the moving image, a color frame generator configured to generate a color frame corresponding to the extracted object region, an alpha channel frame generator configured to generate an alpha channel frame corresponding to the object region based on the alpha channel included in the moving image, a synthesizer configured to generate a synthesized frame by synthesizing the color frame and the alpha channel frame; an encoder configured to encode the synthesized frame; and a transmitter configured to transmit the encoded synthesized frame to a reproducing device.