Lightweight Transcoding With Partial Decode for Near-Real-Time Video
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current transcoding technologies require specialized hardware, are CPU-intensive, and/or are slow, making them unsuitable for near-real time or 'on the fly' transcoding between different video encoding standards like H.261, H.262, H.264, and H.265, especially in user premises networks where devices may require H.264 or H.265 for video consumption.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for lightweight transcoding that involves partial decoding of media data to produce intermediate and undecoded data, performing transcoding processes on the intermediate data, and combining it with undecoded data to create content compatible with a second codec format, utilizing existing software-based processing capabilities to achieve near-real time transcoding without requiring application-specific hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If specialized hardware is used for transcoding, then transcoding quality and reliability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing decoders perform multiple functions by enabling them to output intermediate data in addition to their native decoded output. This allows the same hardware to be used for both native decoding and transcoding operations, eliminating the need for separate specialized transcoding hardware while maintaining reliability through proven decoder architectures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables decoders to serve themselves by generating intermediate data that can be directly consumed by encoders for transcoding operations. The decoder's existing processing pipeline is leveraged to produce intermediate representations without requiring separate dedicated hardware, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining functionality.
2Manufacturing precision
If full decoding is performed, then transcoding quality is improved, but processing time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by having the decoder output intermediate data at a specific processing stage rather than completing full decoding. This intermediate representation contains sufficient information for transcoding while avoiding the time and energy costs of complete decoding, achieving quality sufficient for the intended application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the transcoding process into two parts: (1) partial decoding to intermediate data, and (2) re-encoding from intermediate data. This segmentation allows the system to stop at the optimal processing stage, avoiding unnecessary full decoding while still achieving the required output quality for the target format.
3Device complexity
If software-based transcoding is used, then device complexity is reduced, but processing speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables software-based transcoding to achieve high speed by making existing decoders generate intermediate data as part of their normal operation. This self-service approach allows the decoder to prepare data for transcoding without requiring separate dedicated processing, achieving near-real-time performance through efficient reuse of existing processing pipelines.
4Ease of manufacture
If existing decoder capabilities are leveraged, then ease of manufacture and deployment are improved, but adaptability to different formats decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances the universality of existing decoders by enabling them to output intermediate data that can be used for transcoding to multiple different target formats. This allows a single decoder implementation to serve multiple purposes and support various format conversions without requiring format-specific hardware, maintaining ease of manufacture while improving adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods for lightweight transcoding. In one embodiment, a minimal function transcoder is disclosed which supports multiple devices requiring various video formats. Transcoding functionality may be downloaded to an existing device and comprises using an intermediate set of data resulting from a partial decode of an input stream that is temporarily stored until all transformation operations have completed. Premises devices register to the transcoder and the transcoder transcodes content requested by the registered devices (i) upon detection that the registered device is “in use”; (ii) at the time of original content playback or broadcast; and/or (iii) at a time prior to a previously scheduled time of intended use. The transcoder exploits the similarities between the mechanisms by which the various encoding formats and, in one variant, ignores some of the features of the more advanced content formats to arrive at a “just-in-time” or “near real-time” transcoded content.