Media Playback Decoder Tracing via Trigger String

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for software tracing in media processing components like video and audio decoders face challenges in implementing a selective and specific trace message output due to lack of direct access to the device screen, leading to increased overhead and accidental triggering.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a trace message in the content field of media content files, which is rendered in the appropriate media format only if the decoder is the traced software component, using encryption and a trigger signal to ensure accurate identification without affecting normal decoder behavior or size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a trace message generator is incorporated in the software component with a trigger string inserted into the compressed media content file, then the trace message can be generated when the media content file is played back by the traced software component, but the trace message file becomes quite large and the overhead due to the additional message generator increases the overall overhead of the software component

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrace message identification accuracyVSAvoidsoftware component overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the trace message from the software component itself and places it in the media content file instead. The software component only needs to detect the trigger string and output a predetermined message, while the actual trace message data is stored externally in the media file's user data field, thereby reducing the software component's overhead and complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces the media content file as an intermediary carrier that holds the trace message. The trigger string in the user data field acts as a mediator that links the media playback process with the trace message output, allowing the software component to identify traced software without incorporating a large message generator

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If data representative of a trace trigger is included in the user data field of media content, then conformant decoders/parsers can be mandated to ignore data in this field, but media processing components do not have direct access to the device screen so as to enable a textual trace message to be displayed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrace trigger implementationVSAvoidtrace message output

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the software component multi-functional by enabling it to not only decode media content but also detect trigger strings in the user data field and output trace messages through the existing media output interface. This universal approach allows the same decoding pathway to serve both media playback and trace message output functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having the software component directly access the device screen to display trace messages, the patent inverts the approach by having the software component output the trace message in the predetermined media format through the normal media output pathway, which then reaches the display device through the existing rendering pipeline

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Extent of automation

If a trigger string is inserted into the compressed media content file to identify traced software, then the trace message can be generated when played back by the traced software component, but there is a probability of accidental triggering that reduces reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic trace message generationVSAvoidaccidental triggering probability

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs asymmetric encryption where the trigger string is encrypted using a key specific to the traced software component. This creates an asymmetric relationship where only the traced software with the corresponding decryption key can correctly process and respond to the trigger, making accidental triggering by other software extremely unlikely while maintaining automatic operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP2050025B1Media playback decoder tracing

Publication Date: 2017.11.15 NXP BV

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AI summary

A method of identifying a traced media playbackdecoder embedded in a device, wherein data representative of a trace message is included in the content field of a media content file and a trigger string (16) is included in the user data field of the file. The file is input to the decoder, and a traced decoder is arranged and configured to render the trace message in a desired format in response to detection of the trigger string. If the decoder is not the traced decoder, the trigger string will be disregarded and the component will try and process the media content file like a normal media content file, which results in an error.