HDMI Audio Metadata Mapping for Hybrid Set-Top Source Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for identifying media sources through IP/QAM hybrid set-top boxes are hindered by the complexity of DOCSIS/MoCA specifications and the lack of affordable commercial equipment for network traffic monitoring, and analog audio analysis is prone to variability and degradation.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing HDMI audio metadata to extract unique encoding classes (UECs) from digital audio streams, which are uniquely encoded for each source, allowing for accurate media source identification without the limitations of network traffic monitoring and analog audio degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If network traffic monitoring is used to identify media sources, then source identification capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to DOCSIS/MoCA specification complexity and lack of affordable commercial equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the identification task from complex network traffic monitoring and relocates it to HDMI metadata analysis. By extracting only the necessary audio metadata parameters (encoding type, bit rate, dialog normalization level) from the HDMI interface, the system achieves source identification without requiring complex network monitoring equipment or deep involvement with DOCSIS/MoCA specifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces HDMI audio metadata as an intermediary carrier for source identification. Instead of directly monitoring complex network traffic or analyzing degraded analog audio, the system uses the HDMI metadata interface as a mediator that transports source-identifying information in a standardized, accessible format that can be easily parsed and analyzed.
2Ease of manufacture
If analog audio analysis is used for source identification, then equipment requirements are reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to variability and degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/analog audio analysis system with a digital metadata analysis system. Instead of processing analog audio signals that are subject to degradation and variability, the system digitally extracts and analyzes HDMI audio metadata parameters, which are immune to analog degradation and provide consistent, precise source identification.
3Device complexity
If HDMI metadata analysis is used for source identification, then device complexity is reduced, but information completeness may be limited compared to full network traffic monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by focusing analysis on specific, source-identifying parameters within the HDMI metadata rather than attempting to analyze all available data. By concentrating on key parameters such as audio encoding type, bit rate, and dialog normalization level, the system achieves effective source identification with simplified processing, accepting that not all metadata parameters are necessary for the identification task.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for source classification using HDMI audio metadata. An example apparatus includes a metadata extractor to extract values of audio encoding parameters from HDMI metadata obtained from a monitored HDMI port of a media device, the HDMI metadata corresponding to media being output from the monitored HDMI port; map the extracted values of the audio encoding parameters to a first unique encoding class (UEC) in a set of defined UECs, different ones of the set of defined UECs corresponding to different combinations of possible values of the audio encoding parameters capable of being included in the HDMI metadata; and identify a media source corresponding to the media output from the HDMI port based on one or more possible media sources mapped to the first UEC.