Playback Device HDR Luminance Management via Attribute Readout

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional DVD and Blu-ray disc technologies struggle to efficiently manage and playback high dynamic range (HDR) video streams, particularly in expressing luminosity according to the type of video stream recorded, leading to discrepancies in decoding and display timing.

Innovation Solution

A playback device that includes an attribute readout unit to identify the dynamic range of a video stream, a decoding unit to generate decoded video information, and an output unit to express luminance appropriately based on the dynamic range, using management information files to correlate with the video stream and output maximum luminance information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional DVD and Blu-ray disc technologies are used to manage and playback video streams, then the playback system can handle standard dynamic range video, but it cannot efficiently express luminosity for high dynamic range video streams

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapability to handle different video stream typesVSAvoidluminosity information
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The video stream is segmented into multiple layers including a base layer and enhancement layers. The luminosity information is separated into different components that can be independently processed and transmitted, allowing the system to handle both standard and high dynamic range video streams efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an additional dimension for luminosity expression by incorporating metadata layers that carry luminance information separately from the standard video data. This allows the system to preserve and transmit high dynamic range luminosity information without disrupting existing playback infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If the video stream is decoded without considering dynamic range attributes, then decoding is simpler and faster, but the luminance expression does not match the intended display characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedecoding speedVSAvoidluminance expression accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The dynamic range attributes and luminosity metadata are extracted and prepared in advance during the decoding process. This preliminary action allows the system to maintain fast decoding speeds while ensuring that luminance expression accuracy is preserved by having the necessary information ready before the final rendering stage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Quantity of substance

If multiple HDR video streams with different realization methods are recorded in the same medium, then the storage efficiency improves, but the management and playback complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacity utilizationVSAvoidstream management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal management structure that can handle multiple HDR video stream formats within a single recording medium. The system uses a standardized metadata framework that accommodates different realization methods (such as different transfer characteristics and luminance ranges) while maintaining consistent playback behavior across diverse content types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3944241B1Decoding system and decoding method
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORP OF AMERICA
  • EP3944241B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3944241B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3944241B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A playback device includes: an attribute readout unit that reads out first attribute information, indicating whether a dynamic range of luminance of the video stream is a first dynamic range or a second dynamic range, from a management information file recorded in the recording medium in a manner correlated with the video stream; a decoding unit that generates decoded video information by reading the video stream out from the recording medium and decoding the video stream; and an output unit that, in a case where the first attribute information that has been read out indicates the second dynamic range, outputs the decoded video information, along with maximum luminance information indicating a maximum luminance of the video stream in accordance with the second dynamic range.