Transformed Coefficient Bit Partitioning for Metadata Embedding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing signal coding schemes face challenges in efficiently communicating metadata associated with encoded signals while minimizing changes to existing coding approaches and ensuring robustness against compression and transcoding operations.
Innovation Solution
Embedding custom data within transformed coefficient values using bit shift operations, allowing user data to be inserted and extracted without significantly altering the reconstructed signal, and utilizing a tier-based hierarchy for lossless encoding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the stream is encoded at the lowest supported specification to ensure all devices can decode it, then compatibility across all devices is improved, but the quality rendered by devices with higher capabilities deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The video stream is segmented into a base layer and multiple enhancement layers. The base layer ensures compatibility with all devices, while enhancement layers provide additional quality for capable devices. Each layer can be independently decoded, allowing devices to render video at their optimal quality level without requiring the lowest common denominator encoding.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution adds a dimensional layer to the video encoding structure by introducing enhancement layers above the base layer. This creates a hierarchical structure where devices can operate at different quality levels (dimensions) rather than being constrained to a single quality level, thus resolving the contradiction between universal compatibility and optimal quality utilization.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple channels showing the same content at different qualities are provided, then devices can render at optimal quality, but costs and bandwidth increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple quality channels are merged into a single hierarchical stream structure. Instead of transmitting separate full-quality streams for different device types, the enhancement layers contain only the differential data needed to upgrade the base layer, significantly reducing total bandwidth requirements while still enabling devices to render at their optimal quality.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than providing complete separate streams for different quality levels, the solution applies local quality enhancement by adding only the necessary enhancement data for specific regions or aspects of the video that benefit from higher quality, thereby reducing overall bandwidth consumption while maintaining optimal rendering where needed.
3Manufacturing precision
If enhancement layers are fully downloaded before decoding, then quality is maximized, but delays increase
Solution Approach 1:
The decoder is designed to perform partial decoding of enhancement layers, processing only the portions needed to achieve acceptable quality at the current moment rather than waiting for complete download. This allows video playback to begin with base layer quality and progressively enhance as enhancement data arrives, reducing initial delay while still maximizing quality over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The base layer is prepared and made available in advance, allowing immediate decoding and playback to begin. Enhancement layers are then progressively downloaded and integrated, so the preliminary action of having the base layer ready eliminates the need to wait for complete enhancement data before starting playback, thereby reducing delays.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples described herein relate to decoding and encoding signals. Certain examples described herein encapsulate custom data that is not signal data within a stream of encoded signal data. The custom data may comprise a wide variety of metadata that annotates the signal data, or provides additional information relating to the signal data. Certain examples described herein encapsulate custom data within a set of transformed coefficient values that represent data derived from a transform operation that forms part of the signal encoding. The encapsulation may be performed by applying a bit shift operation to coefficient bits representing the set of transformed coefficient values.