Multimedia Container Format for Progressive Download

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current multimedia presentation transmission methods lack efficient handling of multiple media files, especially in progressive download scenarios, as they fail to provide seamless synchronization, interleave media effectively, and ensure transparency and integrity, particularly when including diverse file formats like still images, vector graphics, and synthetic audio.

Innovation Solution

An extended 3GPP file format is developed to serve as a general container format for multimedia presentations, allowing for the interleave of various media types, including static and dynamic media, with a scene description file, enabling progressive download and encryption, while maintaining addressing and MIME types, and optimizing for short delay and convenience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple media files are transmitted using traditional methods (separate files or simple containers), then each media file can be stored and accessed independently, but synchronization between media objects is lost and progressive download cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesynchronizationVSAvoidcontainer structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple media files (video, audio, images, graphics) into a single unified container format, merging previously separate files into one structured unit. This enables synchronized playback and progressive download while maintaining all media objects within the same file structure, resolving the contradiction between synchronization reliability and structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The container format is designed to universally handle multiple media types and formats within a single structure. It provides multi-functional capabilities including storage, synchronization, progressive download support, and encryption, allowing one container to serve multiple purposes rather than requiring separate solutions for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Quantity of substance

If media files are compressed using standard compression formats, then file size is reduced, but individual file integrity and transparency are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefile sizeVSAvoidintegrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The container structure segments the media data into distinct, identifiable sections with clear boundaries. Each media object is encapsulated in its own structure within the container, allowing individual files to be compressed efficiently while maintaining their integrity and transparency through proper segmentation and metadata preservation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If all media is downloaded before rendering, then complete media files are available for playback, but download delay is excessive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplayback qualityVSAvoiddownload delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The container format enables preliminary actions by organizing media data in a progressive download structure where essential playback information and initial media segments are positioned to be downloaded first. This allows rendering to begin before the complete file is downloaded, reducing perceived delay while maintaining playback quality through proper data sequencing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuous useful action by enabling progressive download where rendering and playback continue uninterrupted while the rest of the media file downloads in the background. The container structure maintains continuity of playback quality despite the ongoing download process, eliminating idle waiting time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Reliability

If encryption is applied to protect media content, then security is improved, but decryption complexity and processing overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoiddecryption process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The container format acts as an intermediary layer that manages encryption and decryption processes. It provides a structured framework that simplifies security implementation by handling key management and decryption logic within the container structure, reducing the overall complexity compared to implementing encryption at multiple separate levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7979886B2Container format for multimedia presentations
Publication Date: 2011.07.12 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • US7979886B2 patent drawing
  • US7979886B2 patent drawing
  • US7979886B2 patent drawing

AI summary

In a method for transmitting a multimedia presentation comprising a number of media objects: the media objects are organized in a multimedia container or container format; identifiers referring to the media objects are organized in the same container; and an identifiable file coordinating the media objects is also provided in the container.