Media Segment Boundary Signaling for Parallel Cloud Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The Network Based Media Processing (NBMP) standard lacks defined segment boundaries in its step descriptor functionality, hindering proper processing of media segments.

Innovation Solution

The method and apparatus provide segment boundary signaling through metadata or startcode methods to define segment boundaries, enabling efficient processing of media segments in a cloud platform.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the NBMP step descriptor is used for processing media segments, then media processing functionality is provided, but segment boundaries are not defined

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedia processing functionalityVSAvoidsegment boundaries

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces segment boundary information that divides the media stream into distinct segments. Each segment is marked with boundary indicators that allow independent processing. This segmentation enables the cloud platform to process different segments in parallel while maintaining the完整性 of each segment, thus adding the missing segment boundary definition to the NBMP step descriptor functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If segment boundaries are not defined, then the NBMP standard maintains simplicity, but independent processing of media segments cannot be performed

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveNBMP standard structureVSAvoidindependent processing capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces segment boundary markers as intermediary elements between the media content and the processing system. These markers serve as signals that indicate where segments begin and end, enabling the cloud platform to identify and process segments independently. The boundary markers act as a mediator that translates the continuous media stream into discrete processable units without fundamentally changing the NBMP standard structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If metadata or code based signaling is implemented, then segment boundaries can be identified, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesegment boundary identificationVSAvoidsignaling mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses metadata or startcode signaling mechanisms that copy or replicate segment boundary information in a standardized format. Instead of implementing complex custom signaling protocols, the patent leverages existing metadata structures or startcode formats that are already familiar to media processing systems. This copying approach allows segment boundary identification while reusing established signaling conventions, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS12530226B2Method and apparatus for signaling independent processing of media segments on cloud using metadata and startcode

Publication Date: 2026.01.20 TENCENT AMERICA LLC

AI summary

A method and apparatus for performing a step-based operation in a network based media processing (NBMP) workflow. The method includes obtaining a workflow including an input media stream having a plurality of segments, identifying boundaries between the plurality of segments in the input media stream based on one of a metadata based segment boundary signaling or a code based segment boundary signaling and processing the plurality of segments based on the identified boundaries between the plurality of segments.