Unified Coded Media Bitstreams for Device Compatibility and Network Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data transmission methods are inefficient due to network characteristics such as congestion, packet loss, and latency, which are not adequately addressed by lower layer protocols, leading to suboptimal data transfer rates and compatibility issues across devices with varying processing capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A multisource method and system for coded media that combines data elements like bitstream identification, content-specific encode data, and media segment data using application-layer coding, enabling efficient delivery over networks with different performance characteristics, and supports various decoding and encoding capabilities through a unified bitstream format.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple coded bitstreams are transmitted to ensure compatibility across devices with varying processing capabilities, then device compatibility is improved, but network bandwidth consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoidnetwork bandwidth consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple coded bitstreams into a single unified bitstream that contains all necessary coding information and metadata. This unified bitstream can be decoded by devices with different processing capabilities, eliminating the need to transmit multiple separate bitstreams while maintaining device compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The unified bitstream structure is designed to serve multiple device types simultaneously. It contains adaptive coding information that can be processed by both simple and complex decoding devices, making the transmission system universal across different device capabilities without requiring multiple specialized bitstreams.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If redundant bitstream transmission is used to address network packet loss and congestion, then transmission reliability is improved, but data transfer efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission reliabilityVSAvoiddata transfer efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates forward error correction codes and redundancy information directly within the unified bitstream structure before transmission. This preliminary encoding ensures that packet loss and congestion can be handled without requiring additional redundant transmissions, maintaining both reliability and transfer efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The unified bitstream contains adaptive parameters that can be adjusted based on network conditions. The coding structure allows dynamic modification of error correction levels and data prioritization, optimizing the balance between reliability and transfer efficiency according to actual network performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If application-layer coding is implemented to optimize data transfer based on network characteristics, then data transfer rate is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer rateVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a standardized unified bitstream format as an intermediary between the encoding source and various decoding devices. This intermediate structure simplifies the system by providing a single optimized format that eliminates the need for complex real-time adaptation logic at each device, while still enabling application-layer optimization of data transfer rates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple coded bitstreams are transmitted for different network conditions, then network adaptability is improved, but processing overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork adaptabilityVSAvoidprocessing overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges network adaptation logic into a single unified bitstream structure that contains all necessary coding variations and metadata. This eliminates the need to generate, manage, and process multiple separate bitstreams for different network conditions, significantly reducing processing overhead while maintaining full network adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20260006268A1Multisource methods and systems for coded media

Publication Date: 2026.01.01 DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORP

AI summary

Enclosed are embodiments for multisource methods and systems for coded media. In some embodiments, a method comprises: at a first device: receiving media data representing a media asset; obtaining a first plurality of data elements including at least one of bitstream identification data, content-specific encode data and media segment data; encoding at least a portion of the media data in accordance with a first coding process into coded data corresponding to the media asset; generating a second plurality of data elements different from the first plurality of data elements based on information associated with the first coding process; combining the first plurality of data elements and the second plurality of data elements into one or more coded bitstreams representing the media asset; and transmitting the one or more coded bitstreams to one or more second devices using one or more network paths.