Image Conversion Server for Interoperable Video Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional conference systems cannot transfer images among clients with different supported coding systems, coding settings, or coding options, leading to limited interoperability and image switching issues, especially when the number of displayable images is limited, resulting in potential distortion and decreased coding efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for receiving, decoding, and re-encoding image coded data to match the coding system, bit rate, image size, frame rate, and other settings of participating clients, allowing seamless image switching and combination of images from multiple clients, even over unstable transmission lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conference system connects clients with different coding systems and settings, then interoperability and adaptability improve, but image transfer fails due to coding incompatibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a conference server as an intermediary between clients with different coding systems. The server receives coded data from one client, decodes it to uncompressed data, then re-encodes it according to the target client's coding system. This mediator approach enables interoperability while ensuring reliable image transfer between heterogeneous clients.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes coding parameters (coding system type, bit rate, image size, frame rate) based on the capabilities of the target client. The conference server adjusts these parameters to match the receiving client's supported formats, enabling successful image transfer across different coding standards.
2Device complexity
If the number of displayable images is limited by display size, then device complexity reduces, but image switching cannot occur at user-desired time without distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary decoding of incoming coded data into uncompressed data and stores it in a buffer before it is needed for display. This advance preparation allows the system to quickly switch between images without waiting for decoding, enabling instant image switching at user-desired times without distortion or GOP boundary constraints.
3Ease of operation
If videos are switched at user-desired time rather than at GOP boundary, then ease of operation improves, but image distortion occurs due to frame prediction switching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a copy of the video data in uncompressed form through decoding, storing it in a buffer. This copied uncompressed data can be immediately switched without affecting the original coded stream's GOP structure, allowing distortion-free switching at any time while maintaining image quality.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple images from different clients are combined into a composite image, then adaptability to limited displays improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple decoded video images into a single composite image that can be displayed on clients with limited display capabilities. The conference server combines images from multiple participants, adapting them to fit the target client's display constraints while maintaining the ability to switch between different source images.
Data Source
AI summary
A conversion server and a plurality of clients are connected via a transmission line. The conversion server that receives image coded data from the clients converts the image coding system in accordance with the coding system available to each client, the coding setting, and the status of the transmission line, and transmits the converted image coded data. For a client where the number of images that can be displayed is limited, the conversion server decodes a selected plurality items of image coded data, re-encodes the selected pieces into one composite image, and transmits the re-encoded image. The conversion server also comprises decoding processing units, one for each connected client, for decoding image coded data from each client. In response to a display image switching request from a client, the conversion server intraframe-codes the decoded image data of an image that will be used after the switching and transmits the intraframe-coded data. This enables an image to be switched quickly independently of the intraframe time of received image coded data that will be used after the switching.