Data Stream Fragmentation Independent of GOP Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional adaptive streaming technologies rely on a group of pictures (GOP) structure, which limits flexibility and can result in inconsistent video quality due to fixed fragment lengths, failing to accommodate varying data density and scene changes effectively.
Innovation Solution
The system introduces data stream fragmentation that allows for flexible definition of content fragments independent of the GOP structure, enabling fragments to include multiple IDR frames and varying arrangements, with boundary flags and universal time stamps encoded in the data stream to indicate fragment boundaries and characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional adaptive streaming uses GOP structure for fragmentation, then the streaming structure is standardized and easy to process, but the flexibility is limited and video quality becomes inconsistent due to fixed fragment lengths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the video stream into multiple fragments, each containing one or more GOPs. This segmentation allows flexible definition of fragment boundaries independent of GOP structure, enabling adaptive streaming with varying fragment lengths to accommodate scene changes and network conditions while maintaining standardized GOP processing within each fragment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic fragment length adjustment by allowing each fragment to contain a variable number of GOPs based on scene complexity and network conditions. This dynamic approach replaces the fixed fragment length constraint, enabling the system to adapt to varying data density and scene changes while maintaining processing efficiency through standardized GOP structures within fragments.
2Manufacturing precision
If fixed fragment lengths are used in adaptive streaming, then the processing is simplified and consistent, but the video quality becomes inconsistent due to varying data density and scene changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different fragment lengths based on local scene characteristics. Complex scenes with high data density receive shorter fragments with more frequent IDR frames, while simple scenes use longer fragments. This local adaptation maintains video quality consistency across varying content types while preserving processing simplicity through standardized GOP structures within each fragment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of fragment length from fixed to variable, allowing each fragment to contain a different number of GOPs based on scene complexity and network conditions. This parameter change enables the system to maintain consistent video quality by adjusting fragment characteristics locally while keeping the overall processing framework simple and standardized.
3Adaptability or versatility
If flexible fragment boundaries independent of GOP structure are implemented, then adaptability to scene changes is improved, but the processing complexity increases for downstream devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the video stream into fragments with boundaries independent of GOP structure, allowing flexible accommodation of scene changes. Each fragment contains one or more complete GOPs, and the segmentation points are determined by scene complexity rather than GOP boundaries. This approach improves adaptability while managing downstream processing complexity through efficient fragmentization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary fragmentation and GOP organization during encoding, embedding necessary metadata and synchronization information in advance. This preliminary action reduces downstream processing load by pre-organizing the stream structure, allowing downstream devices to simply decode and play back fragments without complex analysis or re-synchronization operations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple IDR frames are included in fragments, then the ability to accommodate scene changes is improved, but the data redundancy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by strategically placing IDR frames within fragments based on scene complexity. Complex scenes containing significant changes receive fragments with multiple IDR frames for robust recovery, while simple scenes use fewer IDR frames. This local adaptation improves scene change accommodation where needed while minimizing data redundancy in stable scenes, optimizing the overall data efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of IDR frame frequency from uniform to variable, allowing each fragment to contain a different number of IDR frames based on scene complexity and network conditions. This parameter change enables the system to improve scene change accommodation in critical areas while reducing data redundancy in stable regions, achieving optimal balance between adaptability and efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of data conditioning is disclosed that in one aspect includes receiving a data stream and encoding into the data stream information representing a boundary of a content fragment, wherein the boundary is independent of a group of pictures structure of the data stream.