Media Container File Sub-Track Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The ISO base media file format is inadequate for managing media types like SVC and MVC, which contain multiple versions of the same content, as it lacks the ability to control switching between layers or views during a media session, leading to unintended changes in content quality or ad presence.

Innovation Solution

A media container file is created with sub-track information and selection information that allows selective processing of media data portions, enabling controlled switching between different layers or views based on alternate and switch group identifiers, ensuring that premium content is not unintentionally switched to free content during a session.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the ISO base media file format is used to manage SVC and MVC media types with multiple versions of the same content, then the media can be organized in tracks and alternate groups, but switching between layers or views cannot be controlled during a media session, leading to unintended changes in content quality or ad presence

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to manage multiple content versionsVSAvoidcontrol over content switching

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments a single media track into multiple sub-tracks, where each sub-track corresponds to a specific layer or view in SVC/MVC content. This segmentation allows independent control and selection of individual layers/views during media session, preventing unintended switching between premium and free content versions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If alternate groups are used to group tracks serving as alternatives to one another, then media selection is enabled, but switching between sub-streams within the same track cannot be controlled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedia selection capabilityVSAvoidswitching control mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a new organizational dimension by creating sub-tracks within tracks, and further organizing them into sub-streams. This multi-dimensional structure (track → sub-track → sub-stream) enables fine-grained control over content switching without complicating the overall media selection mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS8768984B2Media container file management

Publication Date: 2014.07.01 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

A media container file (1) is generated by organizing media data (2; 3) defined by a media track (12) in the file (1). Sub-track information (72, 74) identifying media data portions (4, 5; 6, 7, 8) of the media data (2; 3) is organized for each sub-track of multiple sub-tracks defined in the media track (12). At least one of the sub-tracks is assigned selection information (62, 64) defining a selective processing of the media data portion (4, 5; 6, 7, 8) defined by the sub-track in relation to other media data organized in the media container file (1). The media data (2, 3) advantageously relate to layered media or media defining multiple camera views which are organized into sub-tracks (12). The selection information (62, 64) allows selection among tracks (12) and sub-tracks when setting up a media session and switching between tracks (12) and sub-tracks during such a media session.