MPEG Data Random Access via MPU Initialization Flags

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for supporting random access in MPEG data only allow for random access at specific I frames, limiting flexibility and efficiency in decoding processes.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of enhanced media processing units (MPUs) and media fragment units (MFUs) with inserted flags in headers to indicate initialization and random access points, enabling flexible random access throughout the data stream.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If random access is supported by inserting I frames in MPEG data bitstream, then random access capability is provided, but random access is limited only at I frame locations reducing flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverandom access flexibilityVSAvoidrandom access availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the MPEG data structure into access units, MPUs, and MFUs with hierarchical organization. Each segment can be independently identified and accessed through metadata flags, enabling random access at multiple granularities rather than being constrained to I-frame boundaries only.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces metadata structures (access unit metadata, MPU metadata, MFU metadata) as intermediaries between the decoded data and the random access mechanism. These metadata contain flags that indicate initialization requirements and access permissions, mediating the random access process without requiring full I-frame structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If all data required for decoding initialization is included in each access unit, then decoding can be initialized anywhere, but data redundancy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecoding initialization capabilityVSAvoiddata volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making initialization data inclusion selective rather than uniform. The initialization_data_flag in metadata indicates whether each MFU contains initialization data, allowing the system to include initialization data only where needed rather than in every access unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses partial action by including initialization data in only some access units (those marked with initialization_data_flag=1) rather than all access units. This partial inclusion is sufficient to enable random access initialization where needed while avoiding unnecessary data redundancy in other segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS11218748B2Method and system for supporting random access of MPEG data

Publication Date: 2022.01.04 ELECTRONICS & TELECOMM RES INST

AI summary

Provided is a method of supporting a random access of MPEG data, the method including: obtaining at least one access unit including media data coded through processing including an encapsulation and a packetization; generating at least one media processing unit (MPU) by grouping at least one access unit; determining an initialization flag indicating whether the at least one access unit includes all of data required for initialization of a decoding process, in the at least one MPU; and inserting the initialization flag into a header of the at least one MPU.