Hybrid TV Receiver Software Codec Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional TV receivers require multiple hardware decoders for various video and image formats, leading to increased hardware complexity and costs, while struggling to decode video content from external sources with non-standard codecs, limiting their ability to display multiple images or videos simultaneously regardless of coding formats and resolutions.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid TV receiver system with a DVB module and network module, where the decoder controller uses expanded software to request and download necessary software codecs via the internet for decoding, allowing the use of software decoders to supplement hardware decoders, reducing the need for multiple hardware decoders and enabling multi-image display across different formats and resolutions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple hardware decoders are used to support various video and image formats, then the ability to decode different codecs is improved, but the hardware complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a software decoder as an intermediary component that bridges the gap between hardware decoders and various video formats. The software decoder receives encoded video data from external sources, decodes it using appropriate algorithms, and outputs the decoded video to the display device, thereby eliminating the need for multiple hardware decoders for different formats
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal decoding architecture where a single hardware decoder can work in conjunction with multiple software decoders to handle various video formats. This multi-functional approach allows the system to decode different codecs (MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H.264, etc.) without requiring separate dedicated hardware for each format, thus reducing overall hardware complexity while maintaining broad format compatibility
2Reliability
If hardware decoders are used for standard video formats, then decoding performance is improved, but the ability to decode non-standard or external codecs is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the decoding function into two independent parts: a hardware decoder that handles standard video formats with high performance and reliability, and a software decoder that handles non-standard or external codecs. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its strengths while working together to provide comprehensive codec support
Solution Approach 2:
The software decoder acts as an intermediary that receives encoded video data from external sources with non-standard codecs, processes it using appropriate decoding algorithms, and outputs the decoded video to the display device. This intermediary approach enables the system to handle a wide range of codecs without compromising the performance of hardware-accelerated decoding for standard formats
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple hardware decoders are implemented for multi-image playback, then the capability to display multiple formats simultaneously is improved, but the hardware costs and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a software decoder as an intermediary to enable multi-image playback with different formats without requiring multiple hardware decoders. The software decoder can dynamically switch between different decoding algorithms and handle multiple video streams simultaneously, providing the needed format versatility while keeping the hardware structure simple
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic decoding architecture where the software decoder can adaptively select and switch between different decoding algorithms based on the input format requirements. This dynamic capability allows the system to handle multiple video formats and resolutions simultaneously for picture-in-picture or split-screen displays without requiring dedicated hardware for each format combination
Data Source
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AI summary
The apparatus has DVB module (300) that is provided with decoder control unit (306) that controls video decoders (MPEG-2 DEC,MPEG-4 DEC). A video mixer (10) enables multi-image playback on display screen. A network module (310) transmits digital video data (16) to video data input (15) of video processor (207). A control data connection (14) is provided between data managers (17,18) in respective device controller (211,312) for transmitting user inputs to network module. The decoder control unit controls incoming video and/or image data continuously or periodically.