Media Type Signaling in ISOBMFF Containers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies face challenges in efficiently signaling and processing multiple media types within a single multimedia file format, particularly in ISOBMFF, due to ambiguity in media handlers and compatibility issues.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves overloading media type definitions, extending media type handler boxes, and using item properties to signal media types, thereby enabling the correct association of media handlers with media items and resolving compatibility issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple media type definitions are present in a compatible media type list, then the system can support multiple media types, but ambiguity in media handlers arises

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport for multiple media typesVSAvoidmedia handler association accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the media type handling by introducing distinct fields: a primary media type field for the main media type and a compatible media types list for alternative types. This segmentation allows the system to clearly identify the primary handler while listing compatible alternatives, eliminating ambiguity in media handler association.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating the role of each media type entry. The primary media type receives special treatment as the main identifier, while compatible media types serve as supplementary alternatives. This local differentiation ensures that handlers are correctly associated with the primary type while maintaining compatibility information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If media type definitions are extended to include multiple types, then compatibility improves, but the complexity of media type signaling increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedia type compatibilityVSAvoidmedia type signaling structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal media type definition structure that can represent both single and multiple media types through a consistent format. The primary media type field and compatible media types list work together to provide a multi-functional signaling mechanism that handles various media type scenarios without requiring separate structures, thus managing complexity while improving compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a new dimension to media type signaling by introducing the compatible media types list as a supplementary layer to the primary media type field. This dimensional extension allows the system to convey multiple media type relationships without fundamentally altering the basic signaling structure, maintaining simplicity while enhancing compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If standardized formats are used for compression and decompression, then interoperability is ensured, but flexibility in handling multiple media types is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveinteroperabilityVSAvoidmedia type handling flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic media type signaling where the primary media type and compatible media types can be flexibly configured based on the specific content requirements. This dynamic structure allows standardized compression and decompression formats to be used while maintaining the flexibility to indicate multiple media types and their relationships, thus preserving both interoperability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent acts as an intermediary between standardized formats and multiple media types by using the media type definition structure as a mediator. This mediator layer provides the standardized signaling framework while enabling flexible representation of multiple media types, thus ensuring interoperability through standardization while maintaining flexibility through the compatible media types list.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12206959B2Method and apparatus for signaling multiple media data types

Publication Date: 2025.01.21 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY

AI summary

A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided to signaling multiple media data types in a container file format, for example, ISOBMFF, in an efficient manner. In the context of a signaling method, media type definitions overloaded in an instance a plurality of media type definitions is present in compatible media type list, wherein a media type definition is associated with a media type. The method then indicates, using the compatible media type list, presence of a plurality of media types in a metadata or multimedia box. Corresponding apparatuses and computer program products are also provided.