Concurrent Codec Negotiation for Decoder-Limited Conferencing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing video coding standards, such as HEVC and its extensions, do not provide sufficient information for defining decoder capabilities for efficient decoding of multi-layer bitstreams, leading to sub-optimal coding efficiency and hardware limitations, particularly in decentralized multimedia conferences.

Innovation Solution

Implement a compact concurrent codec negotiation mechanism using negotiation messages to exchange and streamline codec capabilities, reducing the size of SDP offer and response messages by including essential codec information in a single line, allowing terminals to efficiently manage concurrent decoding and encoding without exceeding computational limits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If detailed codec capability information is included in SDP offer and response messages, then codec negotiation accuracy is improved, but message size and communication overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecodec negotiation accuracyVSAvoidmessage size
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The codec capability information is segmented into two parts: essential codec information is included in the SDP offer and response messages, while detailed capability information is exchanged separately through negotiation messages. This segmentation reduces the size of SDP messages while maintaining negotiation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Detailed codec capability information is extracted from the SDP messages and handled through separate negotiation messages. Only essential codec information remains in the SDP offer and response, reducing message size while preserving the ability to negotiate accurately.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple concurrent decoders are supported, then adaptability to different conference scenarios is improved, but computational complexity and hardware requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconcurrent decoder supportVSAvoidcomputational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the number of concurrent decoders based on the specific conference scenario and terminal capabilities. The codec negotiation mechanism allows terminals to indicate their maximum concurrent decoder capacity, and the system adapts the decoder allocation accordingly, providing versatility without requiring all terminals to support maximum concurrency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces parameters such as max_dec (maximum number of concurrent decoders) and processor loading factors for different codec types. These parameters allow the system to adjust computational requirements dynamically based on the conference scenario, balancing adaptability with hardware constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If comprehensive codec capability exchange is performed, then coding efficiency is improved, but communication overhead and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoding efficiencyVSAvoidnegotiation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Terminals prepare and indicate their codec capabilities and constraints (such as max_dec, max_enc, and processor loading factors) in advance during the capability exchange phase. This preliminary action allows the system to make efficient codec selections without requiring extensive negotiation during the actual conference setup, reducing overall negotiation time while maintaining coding efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4380147B1Methods and apparatus for use of compact concurrent codecs in multimedia communications
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4380147B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4380147B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4380147B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for session initiation in a conference. In one aspect, a method for communicating between multiple parties is disclosed. The method comprises generating, at a first device, a first message for transmission to a second device. The method further comprises receiving, at the first device, a second message for establishing a conference. The second message includes a list of one or more concurrent codec capabilities supported by the second device. The list of one or more concurrent codec capabilities supported by the second device comprises an indication of whether one or more resources usable for one or more concurrent instances of a first listed codec may instead be used for one or more concurrent instances of a second listed codec.