RAM Buffer for Low-Latency Video Replay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional video replay systems experience significant delays and poor image quality due to the use of write buffers and disk storage, which hinder quick and smooth playback of video data, especially in live event analysis and reverse-action mode.
Innovation Solution
A system that allocates a portion of RAM as a buffer for video data and key frames, allowing for immediate playback from memory without the need for disk access, enabling fast and smooth playback in various modes, including reverse, slow motion, and fast-forward.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If video data is written to disk through conventional write buffers, then system performance is improved, but playback delay increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dedicated video playback buffer as an intermediary storage layer between the video data source and the playback system. This buffer is optimized specifically for video data access patterns, allowing the playback system to retrieve video frames without the delays associated with conventional disk-based write buffers. The intermediary buffer decouples the writing process from the playback process, enabling smooth video reproduction with minimal delay.
2Quantity of substance
If video data is read from hard drive for replay, then storage capacity is sufficient, but access speed is too slow causing delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments video data into discrete frames and stores them in a specialized buffer structure that optimizes access patterns. Rather than treating video data as a continuous stream on conventional storage, the system divides it into frame-level units that can be independently accessed and managed. This segmentation enables faster retrieval of specific frames for playback without requiring sequential access through entire video files.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional two-dimensional storage (files on disks) to a multi-dimensional buffer structure that organizes video data by frames, fields, and temporal sequences. This dimensional reorganization allows the playback system to access video data in parallel and jump between different time points in the video stream, dramatically improving access speed while maintaining sufficient storage capacity.
3Quantity of substance
If conventional write buffers are used for video storage, then data can be stored, but image quality becomes choppy and poor during playback
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the critical parameters of the buffer system by implementing a dedicated video playback buffer with optimized frame storage and retrieval mechanisms. This buffer is designed with specific parameters tailored for video data: frame-based organization, temporal coherence preservation, and synchronized access patterns. These parameter changes ensure that video frames are stored and retrieved in a manner that maintains image quality and prevents the choppy playback associated with conventional buffers.
4Adaptability or versatility
If video replay is performed in reverse mode using conventional systems, then playback is possible, but the video image is choppy and unclear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-organizing video data in the dedicated buffer with full frame information preserved for each timestamp. This pre-organization includes storing complete frame data rather than compressed or differential representations, which enables the system to retrieve and display frames in any temporal sequence (forward, reverse, slow-motion, fast-forward) without degradation. The preliminary structuring of data allows reverse playback to access the same high-quality frame information used in forward playback.
Data Source
AI summary
A video replay system which allows for the playback of video files from a buffer in random access memory and from disk to minimize the delay between capturing and replaying a desired video portion. In one embodiment, a portion of RAM is allocated to provide a buffer for holding video files in memory before the files are written to a hard drive or other non-volatile storage. An index of key frames is also stored in the buffer. The computer system executes software that is responsive to an operator's commands to read the video files and index and playback desired video portions in a variety of modes and speeds, including slow motion, reverse, fast-forward, and slow or fast reverse.