Metadata-Embedded Data Containers for Digital Content Version Control
Solution Overview
Problem
Movie theaters lack the information needed to determine the post-processing and filters applied to digital audio and video content, leading to potential degradation or unplayability due to overlapping processing and filters.
Innovation Solution
A processing server generates metadata that details the post-processing and algorithms applied to audio and video content, including source locations, allowing playback devices to identify and retrieve the correct versions of content, thereby avoiding unnecessary additional processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If playback devices apply post-processing and filters to digital content, then playback quality may be improved, but content degradation or unplayability occurs due to overlapping processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by embedding metadata that documents what post-processing and filters have already been applied to the digital content before delivery to playback devices. This advance information allows playback devices to avoid applying duplicate processing, thereby preventing content degradation while maintaining optimal playback quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by providing playback devices with metadata about previously applied processing, enabling them to make informed decisions about whether additional processing is needed. This feedback loop prevents harmful overlapping processing while allowing necessary quality enhancements.
2Reliability
If metadata is embedded in data containers, then playback devices can identify correct content versions, but data container complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using a standardized metadata structure that serves multiple functions: identifying processing applied, documenting algorithms used, and enabling content version differentiation. This multi-functional approach consolidates what could be multiple separate data structures into a single unified metadata container.
3Reliability
If playback devices retrieve content from source locations using metadata, then correct content is obtained, but additional processing time is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by embedding source location information in the metadata during content creation and delivery. This pre-prepared information allows playback devices to directly retrieve the correct content version without time-consuming searches or multiple requests, minimizing retrieval time while ensuring accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A processing server is disclosed. The server comprises a processor, a memory, and an application stored in the memory. The application when executed by the processor formats data into a data container, wherein the data is comprised of audio and video content of a movie. The application then writes metadata in to the data container, wherein the metadata identifies what processing has been done on the data and identifies algorithms that are applied to the data, and identifies a source location from which the data container is obtained, and identifies a plurality of different data containers with different versions of the audio or video content that have different processing or algorithms applied to them and the source locations from which the different data containers are obtained. The application then stores the data container in a data store, whereby the data container is sourced to playback devices.