Digital Media Streaming Trick-Mode Playback via Key Frame Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital media streaming systems require special proprietary servers and increased bandwidth for fast-forward and rewind functionality, leading to high costs and complex implementations, especially when streaming over limited networks.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that determine parameters of key frames in a digital media stream during normal playback, allowing for accurate estimation of key frame positions, enabling trick-mode playback using a conventional HTTP server while maintaining bandwidth within available limits by requesting specific byte ranges containing key frames.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If fast-forward or rewind is implemented by transmitting the full MPEG stream at higher speed, then trick-mode playback is achieved, but bandwidth requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential I-frames from the full MPEG stream during trick-mode playback, eliminating the need to transmit P-frames and B-frames. This selective extraction reduces bandwidth consumption while maintaining the ability to display video at accelerated speeds, as I-frames contain all necessary visual information for independent decoding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the MPEG stream into individual frame types (I-frames, P-frames, B-frames) and selectively transmits only I-frames during fast-forward/rewind operations. This segmentation allows the system to optimize bandwidth usage by sending only the critical frame type needed for trick-mode playback, rather than transmitting the complete sequential stream.
2Ease of operation
If a proprietary server with table generator and special drivers is used to enable trick modes, then fast-forward and rewind functionality is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a standard HTTP server universal by enabling it to handle both normal playback and trick-mode operations through a single unified mechanism. The server uses standard HTTP range requests to selectively transmit I-frames based on client instructions, eliminating the need for proprietary servers, table generators, and special drivers while maintaining full trick-mode functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The client device takes on the responsibility of generating I-frame location information and making intelligent requests for specific byte ranges containing I-frames. This self-service approach allows the standard HTTP server to automatically provide trick-mode functionality without requiring special server-side processing, table construction, or frame type identification capabilities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If all video packets are transmitted during normal playback to enable future fast-forward, then trick-mode playback is possible, but bandwidth is wasted during normal playback
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic transmission strategies where the server adapts its response based on the current playback mode. During normal playback, the server transmits the complete MPEG stream as usual. When trick-mode is activated, the system dynamically switches to selective I-frame transmission through coordinated client requests, optimizing bandwidth usage according to the actual playback requirements at each moment.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a method of streaming of digital media content made up of a stream of data frames, the method comprising: during playback in one mode of the digital media content, determining parameters associated with a defined type of frame within the digital media stream; and, based upon the determined parameters, estimating the position within the digital media stream of other of the defined type of frame within the digital media stream.