Multimedia Chunk Headers with Binary Flags for Efficient Trick Play
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multimedia container formats, such as AVI and MKV, lack efficient mechanisms for decoding and performing trick play functions without relying on extensive data retrieval from other parts of the file.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of modified chunk headers in multimedia containers that incorporate binary flags and correlated variable-length fields, allowing for simplified decoding and enabling trick play functions directly within the chunk without needing information from elsewhere in the container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional AVI or MKV container formats are used, then the multimedia file can be stored and transmitted, but the player must retrieve extensive data from other parts of the file to perform decoding and trick play functions, increasing data retrieval volume and latency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the container structure into chunks with hierarchical organization (moov, moof, mdat boxes). Each chunk contains self-contained information necessary for its operation, allowing the player to retrieve only the specific chunk needed for a given operation rather than scanning the entire file. This segmentation enables independent processing of video, audio, and subtitle streams.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by embedding decoding parameters, synchronization information, and trick play data directly within each chunk during the encoding phase. The moov box contains advance information about the file structure and stream characteristics, while moof boxes contain track-specific metadata. This pre-positioning of information eliminates the need for subsequent data retrieval operations during playback.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the container format includes comprehensive indexing and metadata structures, then trick play functions can be performed, but the overall file size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the indexing and metadata functionality into separate, modular components: the moov box handles global file structure and stream information, while individual moof boxes handle track-specific metadata. This segmentation allows the player to load only the necessary metadata for active streams rather than processing the entire file structure, reducing complexity while maintaining full trick play capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by placing trick play-related information (timestamps, synchronization data, key frame locations) directly within the relevant video chunks rather than requiring centralized indexing. Each video chunk contains the metadata necessary for its own random access and trick play operations, allowing localized processing without requiring the player to interpret the entire container structure.
3Reliability
If the player retrieves data from multiple locations in the container file, then complete decoding information can be obtained, but the data retrieval volume and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges previously separate information elements into integrated chunk structures. Each video chunk combines video data, decoding parameters, synchronization information, and metadata into a single self-contained unit. This merging eliminates the need for the player to retrieve and correlate information from multiple separate locations, reducing data retrieval volume while ensuring all necessary decoding information is present in each chunk.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by designing chunks that contain all information necessary for their own decoding and processing. Each chunk is self-descriptive, containing its own metadata, timing information, and parameter data without requiring external reference to other parts of the file. This self-containment reduces data retrieval volume to only the specific chunks needed for the current operation while maintaining complete decoding accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
Playback and distribution systems and methods for multimedia files are provided. The multimedia files are encoded with flags associated with the content data of the multimedia files. Through the use of the flags, playback of the content is enhanced without significantly increasing the file size of the multimedia file.